What is the Church? The Church Triumphant

            Did you have a good week? Were there some things that really troubled you? Were you reminded that you are not yet in heaven? Did anyone have tears this past week? Perhaps the worst week was holy week. As Jesus was hanging on the cross, did he have hope yet in his heart? In the midst of all his pain and agony as the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all was there the possibility of joy? (Heb 12:2-3 NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame.   At times we come to church ready to celebrate and praise the Lord, at other times we walk in with so much on our hearts and minds; we are weary and worn and just want to hear some good news.   As we draw close to the end of the church year we have been focusing on different aspects of the church. While we are here on earth we are in the church militant, we are fighting and struggling, but the time will come when we will be in the church triumphant, the battles over and unending joy. 

            Today we have focused on the book of the Bible that has one message; those on Jesus’ side will win. As we turn to the book of Revelation we are drawn to the throne of God and behold the multitude there in heaven. What is heaven like and who will enjoy it?

            Over the years I have had many questions about heaven. Years ago a little girl wondered if heaven had an upstairs. I asked students in my confirmation class if they had any questions. One wondered if there would be fields, animals…I know some wondered if there would be deer hunting. Another one wondered if they could go shopping in heaven? Also an adult asked me how much does the Old Testament really say about heaven? 

            How does the Bible speak about heaven? Jesus speaks clearly about eternal life. But what is that like, where is it? In the Old Testament King David wrote: (Psa 23:6 NIV) Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. In the same way Jesus speaks of it being a house: In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. So you may picture heaven as a house, a dwelling place, maybe even an upstairs. 

            Now Isaiah the prophet quotes the Lord with these words: (Isa 65:17 NIV) "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. (Isa 66:22 NIV) "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure. In the same language and picture the Apostle Peter writes: (2 Pet 3:13 NIV) But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

            Just think how this world has been affected with the impact of sin. Paul tells the Romans: (Rom 8:22 NIV) We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Imagine a tree growing tall and strong to give glory to God only to be cut down, turned into paper for pornographic magazines. Pollution, disease, famines earthquakes…there is a longing for a new place, a new heaven and earth not affected with the impact of sin. 

            A new dwelling place, a new heaven and new earth, all are pictures for us to help picture what it means to experience eternal life. Another description takes us back to Mount Sinai when God said to Moses: (Exo 33:20 NIV) But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." Such is the impact of a sinner coming face to face with a holy and righteous God. Yet what is the picture of heaven: (Job 19:26 NIV)  And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; (Psa 17:15 NIV) And I--in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Where our sins have separated us from the Lord, we hear the promises: (Luke 23:43 NIV) Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."(1 Th 4:17 NIV) And so we will be with the Lord forever.

            One of my favorite pictures is the section I read today of a new city, a new Jerusalem, all pictures the people in Jesus’ day would readily imagine. The pictures are awesome, streets of gold, gates of pearls, foundation of gems, a beautiful river flowing, and the tree of life growing. 

            There is another way God wants to picture eternal life is to note what is not in heaven, Rev. 7 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. (Rev 21:4 NIV)  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."   Just think of people of Palestine and the blazing summer sun and how those words would have brought relief. Reflect now on how many times you have cried. Some tears are of pain in the body. Some are the pains in the soul from sinning or being sinned against. Some are the tears of soul and mind, as we have lost a loved one. Just think, no more death or disease, no cancer, no heart attack, no car accident, no trouble with aging, no arthritis, no hearing loss, no need for glasses, no canes or walkers or even wheel chairs. The old has passed away. 

            One more question may come to mind, will I recognize my loved ones, spouse and children, and will they recognize me? Though we will not need the family and marriage as we have here on earth, remember how Peter, James and John recognized Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. Here were believers of old they had never met, there were no pictures of them, and yet they knew them. Also note though they had died years before, they were with the Lord. So we know that when a believer dies, the soul goes to heaven even though the body goes to the ground. As God’s word says: (Eccl 12:7 NIV) and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

            How can I know that I will be there? Can I know for sure? Look back at the multitude before the throne. How were they dressed? These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. What a contrast, washing clothes in blood and they come out clean, white, spotless. Such is the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (Isa 1:18 NIV) "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 

            King David would write: I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you that where I am there you may be also. Whoever believes in the Son has everlasting life. No doubts, confidence that rests not in our efforts but in Christ alone.

            Until that time, we will still be in the church militant. We will have great tribulations to struggle with in this sinful world. We will have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. But note: David knew he would walk through the valley, he would not stay there. Our text reminds us, that the multitude had come through the great tribulation…they made it.   What are you struggling with? What joy would Jesus want you to have? What hope would he give you? As we struggle to do ministry in a sinful world, when meetings seem long, when results are frustrating, when the devil would discourage us, when he puts barriers before us, remember: