Revelation 14:12-13 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
The message of the three angels is a call to endure. This call is in the form of positive encouragement through angel one and then strong warning through angels two and three. The journey of life is not easy. We are bombarded by many choices, even every day. Just like Adam and Eve faced in the Garden long ago, we too face the choice of whether to love God and follow God’s commandments in fear and honor, or reject God by following our own desires or the deceit of the world. John reflects on the three angels and how the message of these angels calls for obedience and faith. Faith and obedience are the two foci of the Bible. They always go together. We cannot have obedience without faith, and cannot have faith without obedience.
I used to work in hospice care and led in many funeral services. I was always sad deep in my heart for those who lived and died without God. The funeral services were times of comfort for the grieving family, but I was often conflicted inside in fear for the eternal state of those who died. Ultimately, God is the judge, and that can give us some sense of peace because we do not need to worry about what God will do. Our job is to care for those who remain and be instruments of God’s love and peace to them. It is a celebration when those who are believers die. There is indeed much sadness for family. I still grieve the death of my parents. But I have greater peace knowing that they were in the Lord when they died. They were believers, in spite of their weaknesses. They did their best and left a heritage for family. Those who live and die in the Lord leave a testimony for those who follow.
For older posts, click here.