The blessed dead. Revelation 14v12-13.
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
In the midst of all this earthly turmoil and the severity of the judgment of God, the Spirit of God is keen to give us a visual picture of the other side of things, always pointing to a better alternative. He speaks here of "the endurance of the saints;" the context demands that this is referring to those experiencing the great trial of these days, but the principles will apply in every situation. The definition of "the saints" is given as "those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Salvation, and sainthood, are never presented in scripture in terms of profession only, but also in terms of practical reality. The Lord Jesus, when speaking of these days pointed to the fact that many would not endure. He said in (Matthew 24v12) "because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." There will only be two choices in that day, either to follow the beast or to follow Christ, there will be no middle ground.
There is a lovely touch at the beginning of verse 13 "I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me." In the midst of many voices during this time is an unidentified voice which keeps coming through, and this is undoubtedly the voice of God. It is virtually impossible to verbalise the scenes here, and, more and more, the saints of those days will require heavenly comfort. Seven times throughout the book is there an appeal for patience amongst the saints of God. (chapter 1v9, chapter 2v2, chapter 2v3, chapter 2v19, chapter 3v10, chapter 13v20, chapter 14v12). The idea is for them to maintain constancy and cheerful endurance as much as is possible.
In contrast to the unregenerate dead whose lot has been described in verses 9-11 the proclamation is "blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth." To die apart from Christ will be eternal torment, to die in the Lord is eternal bliss. It is no coincidence that these two portions are placed side by side. The word for "blessed" is "makarios" which means "happy, contented, filled with a sense of well being." The voice from heaven proclaiming this blessing is interesting because mostly in these chapters does God send an angel to perform His tasks and make His announcements, but when it comes to the comfort of His people God will do it Himself! Other references to this in the book are in (chapter 10v4, chapter10v8, chapter 11v12, chapter 14v2, chapter 14v12). This is where God Himself or the Lamb enter the situation. God personally will bring comfort to His people in the midst of trial and has prepared a blessed experience for them even In death. This announcement evokes a response from the Holy Spirit "yea, saith the Spirit." It is interesting to trace through the book the four times this word "yea" occurs (chapter 1v7, chapter 14v13, chapter 16v7, chapter 22v20). In days of darkness there are moments of extreme joy and the Spirit pronounces this in full appreciation of the blessed state of those who have died in the Lord. There are two things that He points out:
- "That they may rest from their labours." their work is done, their toil is over they are resting in the presence of God. This is in sharp contrast to the unbeliever of whom it was said in verse 11 "they have no rest day or night." Those who die in the Lord are totally at rest. There is nothing they have to do but to wait for the glorified bodies. It is a good study to look into the many little "peeks" we have of the present state of the saints in heaven. Who said the Revelation is all doom and gloom?
- "And their works do follow them." Those works they have done on earth in faithfulness to Jesus Christ will be well rewarded and they will wear them as a garment of honour for all eternity. This is the glorious truth of divine compensation. The Lord will be no man's debtor.
- Amazon bookshelf George Neilly
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