8. The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
(Hebrews 12: 1-3).
The saints (holy ones) of God have run their course and are now enjoying the eternal blessedness of heaven. There is only one way to become a saint -lay aside every sin and embrace by faith, Jesus and His work of salvation on Calvary's cross for you.
If the saints in heaven could speak to you, they would beg you to confess and lay aside your sin. They would beg you to let nothing or no one stand in the way of your forgiveness, secured by Jesus and the holiness and righteousness He bestows upon you.
No one who embraces secret, unconfessed sin can enter heaven, or belong to the living saints on earth. Jesus has provided your cleanliness and purity through His precious blood. In Him, you are pure, spotless, and without blame. He is the author and perfecter of your faith. Outside of Him, you are lost eternally.
Saint-hood on earth is not attained through your good efforts. It is attained by trusting in the gracious work and offer of Jesus. The believers in heaven know this. When they breathed their last breath on earth, they were welcomed into the multitude of heaven. The Savior they praise at this moment is the same Savior who calls you at this moment. Will you join them?
Delay not, delay not. You do not know the time of your death, but the Lord does. So He stands at your door with open arms, desiring you. Run to Him and embrace Him. Let nothing encumber or entangle you. Lay it aside and run to Him. Become a saint and join the multitude of saints, here and in heaven.
"For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest"
by William W. How, 1823-1897
1. For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confess,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. O blest communion, fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
6. But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
7. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
8. The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hymn #463
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Heb. 12:1
Author: William W. How, 1864, cento
Composer: R. Vaughan Williams, 1906, arr.
-Dale
