He continued with this image, "John saw a multitude so vast no one could count it. People were gathering from every nation, tribe, language, and people, filling the whole earth! He saw the holy army of God, men and women of faith whose fight had not been 'against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark work and agains the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms' (Ephesians 6:12). The army was unlike any he had ever seen. They weren't battle-hardened veterans dressed in combat fatigues. They were the blessed martyrs of the church, dressed in white robes. Their sacrificial blood mingled with incense, their lives the aroma of prayer pleasing to God. Dead to the world but alive to God, those saints encircled God's throne, the alleluias they sang God-directed and Spirit-prompted. A countless host found life-giving solace in God's love, life-altering peace in Christ's offering, joyous assurance in the Spirit's presence, strength for their journey to the table, blessed companionship in fellow pilgrims. For two thousand years, through gates of pearl, God's people have streamed unstopped, 'singing Father, Son and Holy Ghost.' Some claim the stream has dried to a trickle in our day, but they're wrong. That stream, now swollen, is a raging overflowing torrent."
What a powerful way to think of all the saints that have entered our lives. What a motivating image for the lives of service we have ahead. What a comforting thought of the ones we have loved and lost.
Von concluded by having us think of how full the pews really are when we gather ... "the dad you loved, still looking out for you; the friend you miss, even after all these years - all white-robed martyrs now - reaching for our hand as we encircle the Lamb on his throne." And maybe it's the same when we gather at Mountain T.O.P. I'd like to think of all that have come before, are here now, and those yet to come, fellowshipping and communing together as we work for the Kingdom.
Volunteers who paved the way.
Volunteers who serve today.
Volunteers who will help move God's plan for this mountain to completion.
Just this past Fall, two Mountain T.O.P. saints passed away. Dennis Mitchell, who participated in AIM for many years during the early to mid 90s and shared his voice at Friday night worship services, and Jim McCaig, a member of Pulaski FUMC. His friend and fellow AIM participant, Shane Woodard, said Jim was a long-time lover and supporter of Mountain T.O.P. And, that he was wearing a fish hook on his jacket when he was buried. To which his wife commented, "He's still fishing."
Perhaps we can visualize these and other Mountain T.O.P. saints gathering around the throne proclaiming, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty..." but also remember that they are still here with us ... fishing for people.
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