Revelation 19:6-8
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Like most kids growing up I participated in Trick or Treating on Halloween. Costumes varied, but they were simple...an old bed sheet with holes cut out for mouth, nose and eyes made me a ghost one year..an old pair of overalls, ragged shirt with hay stuck in my waist, pockets, hat made for itchy uncomfortable scare crow costume one year.
The town we grew up had about 1200 citizens and as a paper delivery boy I knew the houses that were generous and ones that were stingy. My brother and I hit the good ones and came home with sacks full of goodies - that I wished I could say lasted for months, but in fact probably not even to Christmas.
It was 1971...I was 22 and in my first year of Seminary that I first heard of "All Hallowed's Eve". October 31 - most obviously - precedes November 1st. November 1st is the celebration of "All Saints Day", and so the day before was designated as "All Hallowed's Eve". We use the word "Hallowed" in the old English translation of the Lord's prayer - "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be your name". Hallowed refer to the Holy character of God, and when designated towards humans became the basis for "Saints". So, "All Hallowed's Eve" is literally the evening before the celebration of the Saints of the church.
Roman Catholicism has a long history of venerating Saints. A long time ago (4th century) the Church (which was one Christian church) established the celebration of those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice of being martyred for their faith in the Gospel. November 1st is "All Saints Day"...sort of a Memorial day for the sacrifice the early martyrs made.
Who are these people that are Saints? For one, You and me. We're saints. Over and over Paul writes to congregations of believers in Rome, Corinth, Thessalonica, Philippi, Colosse, Ephesus and greets them with the words "To the church of God at ___________, called to be saints..." Saints are not those who have had miracles done in their name (as the Catholic church says); but rather Saints are those who have had a miracle DONE IN them - salvation by grace through faith in Christ Alone.
This Halloween, or "All Hallowed's Eve", is the 500th year celebration of the day Martin Luther protested the Church's practices and teaching that sought to make salvation a works that among other things had to be purchased. The Roman Church was tricking the souls of those sought salvation for their souls and Luther challenged their teachings for the sake of the Gospel. He chose "All Hallows' Eve" to make a stand on the truth - that we are all Saints as long as we have received God's Grace and Faith through the finished work of Christ.
Think about it. In a week all sorts of little kids will be knocking on the door, ringing the doorbell, marching down the sidewalks...costumed with plastic pumpkin pails or sacks of treats. I told my grandsons, with a sly grin, maybe I'll tie some copies of the 95 Theses to a candy bar this year!
Peace
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Like most kids growing up I participated in Trick or Treating on Halloween. Costumes varied, but they were simple...an old bed sheet with holes cut out for mouth, nose and eyes made me a ghost one year..an old pair of overalls, ragged shirt with hay stuck in my waist, pockets, hat made for itchy uncomfortable scare crow costume one year.
The town we grew up had about 1200 citizens and as a paper delivery boy I knew the houses that were generous and ones that were stingy. My brother and I hit the good ones and came home with sacks full of goodies - that I wished I could say lasted for months, but in fact probably not even to Christmas.
It was 1971...I was 22 and in my first year of Seminary that I first heard of "All Hallowed's Eve". October 31 - most obviously - precedes November 1st. November 1st is the celebration of "All Saints Day", and so the day before was designated as "All Hallowed's Eve". We use the word "Hallowed" in the old English translation of the Lord's prayer - "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be your name". Hallowed refer to the Holy character of God, and when designated towards humans became the basis for "Saints". So, "All Hallowed's Eve" is literally the evening before the celebration of the Saints of the church.
Roman Catholicism has a long history of venerating Saints. A long time ago (4th century) the Church (which was one Christian church) established the celebration of those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice of being martyred for their faith in the Gospel. November 1st is "All Saints Day"...sort of a Memorial day for the sacrifice the early martyrs made.
Who are these people that are Saints? For one, You and me. We're saints. Over and over Paul writes to congregations of believers in Rome, Corinth, Thessalonica, Philippi, Colosse, Ephesus and greets them with the words "To the church of God at ___________, called to be saints..." Saints are not those who have had miracles done in their name (as the Catholic church says); but rather Saints are those who have had a miracle DONE IN them - salvation by grace through faith in Christ Alone.
This Halloween, or "All Hallowed's Eve", is the 500th year celebration of the day Martin Luther protested the Church's practices and teaching that sought to make salvation a works that among other things had to be purchased. The Roman Church was tricking the souls of those sought salvation for their souls and Luther challenged their teachings for the sake of the Gospel. He chose "All Hallows' Eve" to make a stand on the truth - that we are all Saints as long as we have received God's Grace and Faith through the finished work of Christ.
Think about it. In a week all sorts of little kids will be knocking on the door, ringing the doorbell, marching down the sidewalks...costumed with plastic pumpkin pails or sacks of treats. I told my grandsons, with a sly grin, maybe I'll tie some copies of the 95 Theses to a candy bar this year!
Peace
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