“Blessed Are the Dead” Revelation 14:13

Introduction Bad day? Difficult circumstances? Overwhelmed with problems…

First-Century Christians Nothing that happens to us today even remotely compares to the problems faced by the first-century Christians…

In John’s Day… Christians were targeted by all sorts of oppression. –Jobs, property, ridicule in the streets, beaten with great ceremony –Thrown into the arenas for sport All because they were Christians! Those were problems. That was trouble!

How did it happen? The Roman government lifted up its hands against the Christians It was employed by the BEAST, Satan’s messenger. The purpose was to incite the Roman citizens to persecute the church! In John’s Day…

Rome… False prophets and teachers helped. They had to affirm loyalty and allegiance to Rome Emperors declared themselves to be Gods. Burning incense in their temples confirmed one’s loyalty to Caesar!

The Christians… Remembered the teaching of the gospel. –Ephesians 4:4-6 Refused to bow and pay homage to Caesar. No longer considered to be good citizens, but insurrectionists and traitors. Rebellious and a threat to Rome.

Remember the church at Ephesus… –Acts 20:28-31 False brethren would complicate the situation Gnostic teaching –Things done in the body have no effect on the soul. BURN THE INCENSE! The Christians…

What did they do? How do you live your life? How do you get from there to here? Motivation? Our text is a needed exhortation and reminder…even for us! The Christians…

Who Is Being Addressed? “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb…”

“And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:4,5 Christians Those who had been redeemed by their obedience to the gospel. Who Is Being Addressed?

What Did They Want to Know? Did God recognize the slaughter that was occurring? Did He see their persecution? Did He care? What was He going to do? When would He do it?

God’s Response “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come…” Revelation 14:6,7

God’s Judgment “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand.’” Revelation 14:9

“He himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:10 God’s Judgment

“And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:11 What about the faithful when this occurs…what happens to them? God’s Judgment

Our Text “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.“ Revelation 14:12,13

Our Purpose Glean from this text the message of hope and comfort. A much-needed and relevant message of hope and encouragement. Needed by saints in all ages, in every part of the world !

“A Voice From Heaven” We hear men’s voices everyday –Obituary columns in newspapers To families: were they members of Christ’s body? Faithful? Does not matter to them! Don’t confuse men’s voices with God’s!

“Write…Yea, Saith the Spirit” The Bible writers did not just write anything they desired. God controlled the message. They were inspired. –2 Peter 1:20,21 –2 Corinthians 2:9-13 –Ephesians 3:3-5

Who better understood this than the apostle John? –The Spirit would teach and bring all things to their remembrance. John 14:26 –Would testify of Him. John 15:26 –Would show all things to come and reveal all truth. John 16:13 “Write…Yea, Saith the Spirit”

“Cursed” Contrast between “Blessed” and “Cursed.” –Revelation 14:10,11 Other passages –Matthew 25:46 –2 Peter 3:7 –2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 –Revelation 20:13-15; 21:8

“The Blessed” Fate of the blessed Revelation 14:13 Other passages: –Matthew 25:34,46 –John 14:1-3 –Romans 8:1 –Ephesians 1:3 –Colossians 1:5 –1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 –2 Timothy 4:8

“Blessed Are the Dead” One day we will die! –Hebrews 9:27 –1 Corinthians 15:22 –Romans 5:12 How? When? DON”T KNOW!

“ Who Die in the Lord From Henceforth” Eternal blessings await those who “die in the Lord.” Those Christians needed this message; so do we! It gives great comfort and hope to the living! Faithful Christians who die have this promise.

“ That They May Rest From Their Labors” True rest from the toils of this life. Sometimes the burdens of life make us weary. We dare not despair or surrender. We must continue to labor; our time of rest is yet to come.

“ Their Works Do Follow Them” The Christian Life is a life of work. Work is more than assembling with the saints. We must diligently work until the end. If we don’t work, there’ll be no true rest at the end!

What does this mean? –Works accompany the saved into God’s presence, attesting that they have pursued His labors. –As they pass from this life, their works testify of their faithfulness to the generations that follow. “ Their Works Do Follow Them”

Concluding Thoughts Preaching funerals, how I hope, feel, believe and wish they are truly at rest. Always sought to prepared the living for this event in their own life. One day, I’ll leave the scene…what will my record show?