William Walsham How’s classic hymn, For all the saints, helps us to look forward to two things. First, we look forward to being with the Lord when we die:
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
But wait—there's more! We're not going to spend eternity in that paradise we enter when we die. As Tom Wright would put it, there is life after life after death: the bodily resurrection of the dead at the return of Christ to the earth. The hymn continues...
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!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!
Alleluia indeed!