Blessed Are the Dead

The Seven Beatitudes of Revelation – Part 2 – Blessed are the Dead who Die in the Lord

The victorious are blessed because they have a wonderful hope. In Revelation 14:13, John recorded, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.” The Bible gives a lot of instruction on how to live, and this helps the faithful successfully navigate life. Equally important is how the Christian deals with death. This beatitude assures faithful Christians that those who die in the Lord are blessed and will experience a great rest. “They may rest from their labors.” Hebrews 4:9-11 states, “There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.” Christians may enter into this rest if they are faithful to the Lord. This rest is not promised to the wicked and unfaithful. The victorious alone will rest, and their works will follow after them. What kind of works are these? These are the good works of living the Christian life (Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:14). For the faithful Christian, the Lord will not put any of his sins on his account, but He will credit them with their good deeds in Christ (Romans 4:8). The Holy Spirit assures us in Hebrews 6:10: “for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and the love which ye showed toward his name, in that ye ministered unto the saints, and still do minister.” Paul also affirms that none of our labor is in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).

God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley