Heaven’s Rejoicing in Celebration

My family had first attended the General Conference Session in 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. It was a moving experience to witness and participate in the celebratory aspect of the significant event, aside from attending the daily business meetings done on the floor as one of the delegates. As the official guests and members of the world church gathered together to celebrate the exponential growth reports presented and the impact of this growth, everyone felt a sense of belonging to a great movement that is so dynamic and progressive, believing the Spirit of God corporately leads it.

The hallmark of the session was the manifestation of God’s presence through the heartwarming messages, touching reports, and numerous songs of thanksgiving offered joyfully by the diverse singers and chorales from around the world. It was evident that the people who attended the session left the place recharged and refreshed with burning desires to sustain the momentum, spearhead more church growth, and eagerly look forward to another grand celebration of worship in the next quinquennium session.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a diverse community of believers, and over time, it has developed its unique ways of celebrating special occasions and historical landmarks. These practices are the direct manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s working as He gifts unity to the body of Christ amid the diverse background, cultures, geographical locations, and miraculous experiences in acknowledging God’s leading "to prepare the people for His soon return.” If we take a closer look, there is a common ground that connects each member on the importance of celebrating all these occasions, and they’re centered on offering true worship to God.

The life of celebration throughout the Bible was central to all spiritual journeys, and it is the essential aspect of a Christian’s spiritual path. I am highlighting three biblical celebrations that may strengthen our faith in walking with God and experiencing the life-transforming journey.

True worship and celebration honouring the Lord. Nehemiah 12:1–13:3 depicted the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem to God, where godly leaders like Levites, the priests, Nehemiah, Ezra, and singers from around the region of Jerusalem were sought out to celebrate joyfully with songs of thanksgiving. Different musical instruments were played to grace the occasion, and the sound of rejoicing could be heard in outlying areas. The momentous effect of the worship celebration impacted others and the rest of Israel, which prompted them to give generously and read the Word, encouraging others to be faithful to the Lord.

Lost-and-found celebration. Luke 15:1–10 depicts God’s invitation to a joyful celebration based on the two parables signifying something had been lost. The parables are quite different from each other, though they both suggest something is lost and requires a search. In the parable of the lost sheep, the sheep knows it is lost. On the other hand, in the parable of the lost coin, the lost coin knows nothing. Yet, the lost sheep and the lost coin both need a “search-and-rescue mission.”

Here, we see the genuine, intrinsic value of love for the lost ones. Here, we are compelled to move into action as we catch sight of the owners who are intimately searching for the lost one. The willful and intentional search for the lost exemplifies a great demonstration and affirmation of God’s amazing love for sinners. When the lost is found, there is great rejoicing! Not only that, “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” (Luke 15:6, ESV).

When members passionately engage themselves in seeking the lost sheep to bring them back to the fold—and sincerely search for the lost coin, maybe just right within our households—then there will be more joyful celebrations in heaven.

It would be a dangerous condition to see members in God’s household refuse to associate with sinners and forget to rejoice when one returns to Him.

When members passionately engage themselves in seeking the lost sheep to bring them back to the fold—and sincerely search for the lost coin, maybe just right within our households—then there will be more joyful celebrations in heaven. Does your church love to hold more celebrations for the lost that have been found? If not, it would be a sad reality when we are no longer capable of rejoicing when a brother or sister returns home!

Full restoration celebration. In Luke 15:11–32, Jesus shares the parable with His disciples and others in response to the Pharisees’ complaint that He welcomes sinners and eats with them. It portrays the story of a younger son who asks for a portion of the family estate, promptly sets off on a long journey, and begins to squander his fortune on wild living. When his provision dries out and the country hits a severe famine, he grasps onto a job feeding pigs.

He eventually becomes dead broke and desperately yearns to eat the food given to the pigs. He finally remembers his gracious father, then recognizes his wrongdoings and decides to return to him to ask for forgiveness and mercy. Ever since the son has left, the father has been watching and waiting for his return. When he sees his son coming back, he runs to receive him with open arms of compassion. The father has fully restored his sonship status. He immediately turns to his servants and asks them to prepare a huge banquet to celebrate his son's return.

However, when the older son hears and discovers the party with music and dancing, he is enraged and begins questioning his father’s graciousness. The father tries to mitigate him and begs, “Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!” (Luke 15:31, 32, NLT).

It would be a dangerous condition to see members in God’s household refuse to associate with sinners and forget to rejoice when one returns to Him. They may be likened to the lost coin in the house, not realizing their lost condition and in need of God’s oil of purification to be renewed and invited to the feast and celebration.

May we prayerfully consider the following reflection and, in humility, ask God to search our hearts where we stand: Am I the rebellious child, lost and far from home? Am I likened to a Pharisee, no longer capable of rejoicing when a brother or sister returns home? Am I a lost child seeking forgiveness and longing for the Father’s love? Am I standing to the side, watching and wondering how the Father could ever forgive that person? Am I one of the servants in the household, rejoicing with the father when his lost son finds his way home? Maybe we’ve hit rock-bottom. Let’s come to our senses and resolve to run to God’s open arms of compassion and mercy.

Friends, let's come to our generous Father and embrace His gracious love and mercy, that we may be His instruments in welcoming back those who have returned and come back home. Let’s join with the search-and-rescue mission of seeking the lost. Would you and I respond to God’s bidding and be His instruments? “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7, NIV).

By Solomon Agdon | Associate Treasurer, Alberta Conference