“Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversion. ” (Hebrews
13: 7)
Why do we glorify
saints?
Since the early Apostolic era, the history of our glorious church
has not been, at any time, without heroes of faith. Their strife was
clear particularly in the early times and especially in the eras of
persecutions. Hundreds of thousands were martyred because of their
strong faith in their God. They defended their faith, and their
church, till the last drop of their blood without fear from torture
or persecution. All of these heroes were not only a shining in their
times or a blessing to their generations, but they continue to light
the world and shine to many - the weak and the strong - with their
pure and chaste life, as the Bible says, “And they that be wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn
many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel
12:3). Many lives were changed after reading the history and strife
of those martyrs and saints. Many of the believers were strengthened
by the life history of those saints to become more established in
the faith and to grow in grace.
It is true what one
of the saints said, “It is very desirable for the meek to hear the
life history of saints. ” Because of that, the church arranged the
reading of a part of the Book of Synaxarium, which contains the
Biography of Saints, after the reading of the Acts of our holy
fathers the apostles. May their life be an example and a model for
us to act like them and to follow in their footsteps so we might
have a share and fellowship in the glory of the inheritance of those
saints.
“As this, 0 Lord, is
the command of Thine Only-Begotten Son, that we share in the
commemoration of Thy saints, graciously accord, 0 Lord, to remember
all the saints who have pleased Thee since the beginning.” (The
Liturgy of St. Basil)
The glorification of
the saints is the end of that golden chain of Divine grace that
begins with God’s foreordination and predestination. Thus we read in
Romans 8:29-30: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate
to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate,
them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and
whom he justified, them he also glorified."
Let it be noted
first of all that "foreknow" is, as we have previously seen, the
same Greek word rendered "foreordained" in 1 Peter 1:20, and this is
its meaning here. And the "foreknowledge" is not of the actions of
certain ones, but rather of their persons, so that by no stretch of
the imagination can this be in reference to foreseen faith. Faith is
not a "whom" (This is discussed in Chapter Two under point II, and
in Chapter Nine). And again it must be noted that there is no room
for loss or accumulation between the links of this chain of grace.
Repeatedly the formula is "whom ...them," "whom ...them," "whom
...them. The same ones whom the Father has foreordained in His
counsel in eternity will be glorified in eternity future—an
incidental proof of the eternal security of all God’s saints.
This golden chain of
Divine grace which is made up of forged, unbreakable links is the
basis of the assurance that "We know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28). The word "for" in verse 29 shows this.
But there cannot be this assurance to the person that mangles one or
more of the links of this golden chain through disbelief.
God’s purpose for
His people is sure and certain and all-glorious, for eternal
glorification is the blessed and sure promise that is held out to
the true child of God. Paul was willing to endure all things, not
only that the elect might be saved, but that they might also obtain
that full glory that God has for His elect, and unto which He has
predestinated them. "Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s
sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ
Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tim. 2:10).
John 17:22-24 says:
"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may
be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may
be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast
sent me, and hast loved them, as thou has loved me. Father, I will
that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that
they may behold my glory, which thou has given me: for thou lovedst
me before the foundation of the world."
(Rom. 2:6-11). "Who
will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by
patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and
immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and
do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and
wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth
evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honor
and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and
also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with
God."Colossians 3:4 emphasizes this unity with the life of Christ
when it says, "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then
shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Our being glorified is
dependent upon our being possessed of that Divine life that is
imparted to us in regeneration (2 Pet. 1:1-4). This is clearly
stated in Colossians 1:27: "...Christ in you, the hope of glory."
"Hope" in Scripture is a stronger word than our Modern English word
which generally means little more than a mere wish without any
assurance of receiving the object of that hope. Biblical hope, on
the other hand, is the well-grounded expectation of good to come,
because it is based upon a Divine promise. Thus, Christ dwelling in
our hearts by faith is the evidence of the new birth, and is the
ground of our expectation of glory to come.
Genesis 41:38-43 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a
man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?" So Pharaoh said to
Joseph, "Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so
discerning and wise as you are. "You shall be over my house, and
according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the
throne I will be greater than you." And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See
I have set you over all the land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took off
his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph's hand, and
clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put the gold necklace
around his neck. And he had him ride in his second chariot; and they
proclaimed before him, "Bow the knee!" And he set him over all the
land of Egypt.
The Pharaoh is only honoring Joseph in such a way because he thinks
that God is honoring Joseph in such a way. Seriously how many people
can interpret someone else’s dream and be correct? We all speak to
God, but here it is clear that Joseph has a special relationship
with God where God in a very loud way speaks back. Pharaoh is just
honoring that relationship. Not only that, but by honoring Joseph,
he is honoring God as well.
King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream and it is important enough that he
asks his own wise men to tell him the dream and the interpretation.
They protest and say you tell us the dream and we tell you the
interpretation. King Nebuchadnezzar say no you tell me the dream and
the interpretation or you will be put to death! I imagine that they
were saying to themselves – we didn’t learn this in wise man’s
school. Yet Daniel comes after some time in prayer and tells the
king BOTH the dream and the interpretation. Here is how the King
responds:
Daniel 2:46-48 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did
homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and
fragrant incense. The king answered Daniel and said, "Surely your
God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of
mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery." Then
the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made
him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over
all the wise men of Babylon.
St. Paul tells us to
do the same thing. 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be
considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at
preaching and teaching.
We know that some people get honor – God tells us in the fourth
commandment to honor our father and mother. But Saint Paul tells us
to give someone double honor. This is exactly why we honor the
saints. Because it is God who has made them saints. We are just
recognizing His handy-work, and by honoring His work in them, we are
honoring God. Genesis 12:3 And I will bless those who bless you, And
the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of
the earth shall be blessed." What if I honor Abraham today will I be
blessed – Yes. Because ultimately I am honoring God and his work.
