Saints Above and Below

It’s been said, “To dwell above with the saints we love, Oh, that will be glory! But to dwell below with the saints we know, well, that’s another story!” 

Admittedly, there are many challenges in dwelling below in this sin-cursed world.  Even getting along with other blood-washed, born-again believers can be prickly at times.  But dwelling above with the saints we love will truly be an out-of-this-world, indescribably-glorious experience!    

In considering the saints in glory we have answered how many are there?  Where have they come from?  Where are they now? How do they look?  What are they doing? Who else is there?  Why are they there? Who is with them? (see list of articles below).  Now let’s consider this: 

How Are They Doing?

Rev. 7:16-17… “They shall neither hunger anymore, nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat, for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

In short, the saints in glory are doing GREAT! They are in the presence of God Himself, where the psalmist said…”In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps 16:11).  Let’s consider some of the pleasures they enjoy that are mentioned in the above scripture passage.

Perpetual Satisfaction

Rev. 7:16  They shall neither hunger anymore, nor thirst anymore…

In context, the Apostle John is writing under divine inspiration and telling of a future scene in heaven when a large group of new arrivals is gathered at the throne of God.  One of the elders explains that these are those who are martyred in the Great Tribulation and have come to their eternal abode and reward in glory.  They were put to death because they would not take the mark of the Beast, which meant they could not buy or sell in the one-world economy set up by the Beast (aka, the Antichrist).  So they had been living in hiding, as fugitives constantly on the run being pursued by a one-world government that saw them as dangerous traitors and, not having taken the beast’s mark, suffering all kinds of deprivation.  So as John saw them standing gratefully and safely around the throne of their Savior, robed in white and treated as honored guests, he said… “they shall neither hunger anymore, nor thirst anymore”.

David looked forward to this blessed eternal state when he wrote in Psalm 17:15… “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness”.  This truly is the precious prospect of every believer; everlasting, perpetual satisfaction!

Protective Shelter

Rev. 7:16-17 …the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat…

The saints in glory are basking in total and complete comfort.  There will be no need of sun-screen or air-conditioning. Nor will there be any need to bundle-up or shiver from the cold.  This in itself will be glorious!  This earth in which we dwell is a place of extremes.  I love to be outside, to see and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.  I’m often amazed at the breath-taking beauty all around us, even after over 6000+ years of sin and domination of the prince of this world, Satan. But seldom are the climate conditions perfect, so one can comfortably enjoy the outdoors without some protection from the cold, heat, rain, snow, wind, etc.   In Heaven, there will be no discomfort from the heat or cold.  In the presence of Almighty God, it will always be perfectly safe and completely comfortable.

Personal Shepherd

Rev. 7:17   …for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them…

One of my favorite passages from the Bible is Psalm 23.  It was written by David (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit).  David started out as a shepherd boy, the youngest of Jesse’s sons.  He obviously took his job of shepherding his father’s sheep very seriously, as he testified of risking his own life by killing a lion and a bear as they threatened to attack the helpless lambs.  Reflecting on his role of leading, feeding, and protecting the sheep, and being a “man after God’s own heart,” he skillfully wrote…

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Those verses have brought comfort to an innumerable number of saints here on earth.  And it’s comforting to know that when we are in Heaven and are standing before the throne of God in our glorified bodies, He is still our Shepherd…our personal Shepherd.  We will still be able to say, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” and He will still feed, lead and protect us throughout eternity. 

Precious Solace

Rev. 7:17  …and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

What a beautiful, tender description of the personal compassion and comforting involvement of our loving God!  When my father was dying, members of our family gathered around his hospital bed.  We knew he was about to go home to Heaven and be with the Lord he had loved and served for nearly 7 decades.  My mother sweetly suggested, “Let’s sing, ‘I’ll Fly Away,’” and so we did…

Some glad morning when this life is o’er, I’ll fly away;
to a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away.  I’ll fly away,
O glory, I’ll fly away;
When I die, Hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away!

By the time we had finished singing, my dad had breathed his last, and we sat in reverent silence, realizing that his eternal spirit had just departed into the heavenly realm. My dad was now in the presence of Jesus whom he had loved and served so long on the earth.  I looked at my dad’s lifeless body, and my eyes were drawn to his face.  Amazingly, there was a single tear coursing down his cheek.  It was hard for him to leave his loving wife and family, but now he had departed to be with Christ, which is far better!  Having watched my dad, my greatest earthly hero, leave with one last tear on his face makes the words of Rev. 7:17 even more special…

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”   

What about the saints in glory? 

We need not worry about them!  They are basking in the splendor of the Lamb and enjoying the pleasures at God’s right hand forevermore.  It is my sincere prayer that you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and are looking forward to joining the innumerable company of the saints in glory soon…where the best is yet to come!   (If you uncertain about your eternal destiny, visit our Salvation Page)

Read More:

1. What About the Saints in Glory?
2. What are the Saints in Glory Doing?
3. Who is in Heaven with God’s Saints?
4. Saints Above and Below
5. A New Saint in Glory
6. Who are Heaven’s Heroes in God’s Hall of Faith?