We are all part of the same body, striving towards the same goal—eternal life with God. The Church Triumphant serves as a constant reminder of this goal and a source of encouragement for us in our earthly struggles. Their victory is our victory, and their joy will one day be ours as well. As members of the Church Militant, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
The biblical concept of the Church as existing in two distinct but interconnected states—the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant—is a profound scriptural truth. It encapsulates the ongoing spiritual journey of Christians and the ultimate goal of eternal life in the presence of the Triune God. As the writer of Hebrews exhorts, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The Church Militant: Running the Race
The Church Militant comprises the community of believers currently living on earth. Hebrews 12 was written to such believers but it relied on those who had already passed into glory as the context (Heb 11). We are akin to runners in a grand race, encompassed by a “cloud of witnesses”—the faithful men and women recounted in Hebrews 11, the “hall of faith.” Their examples encourage us to persevere even when faced with challenges. Their striving was directed towards a goal, a goal that Jesus, their Savior and ours, secured for all of us. It is important to note that this passage (Heb 11-12) and the rest of Scripture sees God’s people as one people united in Jesus. God’s people in all of time is the church: Jews and gentiles, one people in Christ.
From this vantage point, death is not the absolute cessation of life but rather the passing of the physical body, allowing the disembodied soul to enter into the presence of God in a unique, but not a final manner. The magnificent promise of Jesus is that at the resurrection, we, like Him, will be given new bodies fit for the new creation, a realm where sin is entirely eradicated. Until this momentous event at the culmination of the present age (last days), we as members of the Church Militant will embody several key characteristics:
- Engaged in spiritual warfare: We contend against the world, the flesh, and the devil, resisting temptation and striving to align our lives with God’s will.
- Striving for holiness: We pursue a life of virtue, seeking to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, the sacraments, and acts of charity.
- Spreading the Gospel: We proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to others through both our words and our actions.
- Serving the needy: We actively express our faith by serving those in need, recognizing the presence of Christ in the faces of the poor, the sick, and the sinner.
The Church Triumphant: The Finish Line
The Church Triumphant consists of all those who have completed their race and crossed the finish line into Heaven, which signifies being in the very presence of God. Heaven is where God resides; God defines heaven, not the other way around. Remember the Garden of Eden?