IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL Revelation 14:12-13 |
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I once came across a book of Epitaphs by Raymond Lamont Brown. In many cases, it is amusing what people have had placed on their tombstones. For example; a tombstone had the following epitaph:
Here lies the body of Thomas Proctor, Who lived and died without a doctor.
Another read:
Here lies Andrew MacPherson, Who was a peculiar person; He stood six foot two Without his shoe, And he was slew, At Waterloo.
Still another:
Here lies the man Richard, And Mary his wife Whose surname was Prichard They lived without strife And the reason was plain They abounded in riches They had no care nor pain And his wife wore the breeches.
Another:
Here lies my poor wife, Without bed or blankit, But dead as a door-nail, God be thankit!
Another:
Here snug in her grave my wife doth lie, Now she’s at rest, and so am I!
There is one in particular I think of that comes from a cemetery in Indiana:
Pause stranger, when you pass me by, As you are now, So once was I. As I now am, so you will be, So prepare for death, and follow me.
Some unknown passerby read those words and scratched underneath the following words:
To follow you, I’m not content Until I know which way you went.
As we continue studying the Book of Revelation, we meet those whose epitaph reads, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” What a contrast to those we saw in our last study. In verses 9-11 we saw those whose eternal destiny was a place where “the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night” (Vs.11). We saw those who had accepted the mark of the beast and were doomed to eternity in hell.
As we come to verses 12-13 we see those who know the Lord and the eternal destiny that awaits them. What a contrast to those in the previous verses. Instead of hell there is heaven. Instead of eternal restlessness, there is eternal restfulness. Instead of God’s condemnation, there is His commendation. Instead of indignation, there is celebration.
The ones that are described are the Tribulation Saints. These are those that will be saved during the Tribulation Period, many of whom will be martyred for their faith. For them to serve Jesus, a great cost is involved. But they learn, what we all need to learn, it will be worth it all. There is a pay day ahead for those who know the Lord and serve Him.
Let’s look at these two verses and learn more about these who die in the Lord. First, as we look at them we see:
1. A REPUTATION OF FAITHFULNESS
The feature of their life that is magnified is their faithfulness to God. We read in verse 12, “Here is the patience of the saints.” The word “patience” is a word that describes their faithfulness.
King Joao V of Portugal paid almost a quarter of a billion dollars for the two words “Rei Fidelissimo” (Most Faithful King). The exact sum spent was 234 million dollars and the year was 1741. In exchange for this fantastic sum the king won the right to display these two words in his title. This breathtaking extravagance exhausted all the wealth Portugal had extracted from Brazil up to that time. And when the Most Faithful King died, there was not enough money in the treasury to bury him decently. A public collection was necessary to defray the cost of the royal burial.
These believers carried the title “Most Faithful.” Their testimony and reputation was one of faithfulness. It was not bought by money, but in many cases, by their own blood. Our attention is drawn to their faithfulness because their “patience” speaks of how they:
A) Constantly Served God
The word “patience” speaks of “endurance.” The very thought of endurance suggests that living for God is not a bed of roses. As we have seen in previous studies, everyone who names the name of Christ during the Tribulation Period will be marked by the antichrist for death. It will not be a time when Christians will put bumper stickers on their car that reads, “Honk if you love Jesus.” There have been some dark days for Christians throughout history, but none like these days.
Yet, in spite martyrdom, these believers will serve God. No decree or threat will silence their witness for God or stop their walk with God. They will be faithful to God regardless of the dangers or difficulties.
Secondly, it speaks of how they:
B) Cheerfully Served God
The particular word for patience that is used speaks of a cheerful endurance. In spite of all the dangers and difficulties they will live under, they will not consider living for Jesus a burden, but a blessing. It will not be a depressed people, but a delighted people. They are not pouting but shouting. The joy of the Lord will be their strength and it will be reflected in their life and attitude.
What a great example they are of faithfulness. As believers, they serve as an example of how we should be faithful to God. We tend to let the least little thing keep us from serving God. We will let a headache keep us from being faithful, but the possibility of them loosing their head did not stop them.
If things get a little rough we mope around and act like we haven’t got a friend in the world. But these believers will express a joy and cheerfulness in face of the most adverse circumstances.
I read about a man who brought a framed picture of his girlfriend into a photography shop to have a copy made. The photographer noticed an inscription on the back that read, “My dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day. I will love you forever and ever. I am yours for all eternity.” It was signed “Diane,” and then contained a PS: “If we ever break up, I want this picture back.”
We often have certain conditions to our faithfulness. We often let the least little things stop us from serving God. Not these believers! There were no conditions to their faithfulness. They were sold out to God for the rest of their life – period.
You not only see their reputation of faithfulness, but secondly, a:
2. A REVELATION OF FAITHFULNESS
Their faithfulness is not only declared, but demonstrated. We read in verse 12, “here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Their faithfulness is demonstrated two ways.
First, we see:
A) Their Faithfulness To The Word
We read that they “keep the commandments of God.” The word “keep” means “to guard from injury or loss.” It is sometimes used to speak of a garrison of soldiers guarding a prisoner to prevent escape.
They will take very seriously the commands of God. Whatever He tells them to do, they wholeheartedly obey. I once came across a little saying that I love: “Never have anything your way; have everything Yahweh.” That was the motto of their life. They did not live for self and place their will above God’s. His word was their absolute authority.
During the War Between the States, General Lee one day sent word to Stonewall Jackson that the next time he rode in the direction of headquarters the Commander-in-Chief would be glad to see him on a matter of no great importance. General Jackson received the message and immediately prepared to leave the next morning. Rising very early, he rode the eight miles to Lee’s headquarters against a storm of wind and snow, and arrived just as Lee was finishing breakfast. Much surprised, Lee inquired why Jackson had come through such a storm. General Jackson replied: “But you said that you wished to see me. General Lee’s slightest wish is a supreme command to me.”
It will be no different for these believers. Whatever the commands of God are, they are supreme. When it comes to our obedience, we ought to say echo the words of Joshua 24:24: “And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.”
The Lord’s commands are never for debate or discussion. They demand our prompt and absolute obedience.
We not only see their faithfulness to the Word, but also:
B) Their Faithfulness To The Lord
Verse 12 not only says that they keep the “commandments of God,” but also “the faith of Jesus.” As we saw in our last study, there will be many who will worship the beast and bow down to his image. But for these, they will only bow the knee to the living Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He will be the love of their life. They will remain loyal to Him. He is their only Lord and Master. They will be neither ashamed nor afraid to serve Christ.
I once read a story about Commander Booth Tucker of the Salvation Army. He was married to the daughter of General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army. They were sent to serve in America. One night, while preaching in Chicago he made the statement that Jesus Christ was equal to any demand that can come to a man. A man far back in the audience rose to his feet and said, “Booth Tucker, I challenge your statement. If you were as I am, with five children who have been robbed of their mother through death, and hearing them cry for one who cannot come, would you say that Christ is sufficient?” Tucker closed the meeting and tried to reason with the man, but to no avail.
A few days later, Booth Tucker’s wife was killed in a train crash in Chicago. Two days later, he was again in the great auditorium where he had spoken the week before. Standing beside the body of his dead wife, he said, “I do not know whether my friend of seven days ago is here or not, but I wish to say that I now stand where he stands. My children also cry for one who cannot come; but I want to tell him that in these two days of darkness, I have found Christ sufficient.”
The faithfulness of these believers to the Lord is no doubt motivated by the fact that they find Christ to be sufficient in every need. They will find Him to be a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother, One that will never fail them. They will love Him with all their heart, mind, and soul because of His great love for them. All that He is to them is the reason why He is everything to them.
When we think about all the Lord has done for us, we have a reason to be faithful to Him. His love for us calls for our love for Him. His loyalty to us cries for our loyalty to Him.
Lastly, we not only see a reputation and revelation of faithfulness, but also:
3. A REWARD FOR FAITHFULNESS
We read in verse 13, “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.”
We are given a wonderful description of death in this verse. It is one of seven beatitudes that is given in the Book of Revelation. The word “blessed” as used here means to be “supremely blest” and by extension to be “fortunate” or “well-off.”
I have often heard people say when someone died, “He/she is much better off.” That is more than just words. It is a reality. A Christian is much better off when they die. There is a heavenly home awaiting us and many glorious benefits that go along with the occupation of our heavenly home.
For these believers, it will be much better off for them. They will live under great pressure and persecution. Death for them means that they are leaving all that behind them. There has been nothing but grief, but there is nothing but glory from now on. Yes, they will be much better off. This sounds terrible, but during the tribulation, things will be so bad for a Christian they will be fortunate to die.
Their death will bring them to their eternal reward. They will shout from heaven that is pays to serve Jesus. They will bear the testimony that it will be worth it all.
We see them:
A) Resting From Their Labors
The word “work” is very enlightening. It does not refer to the act of work but to the toil and weariness that comes from work. When it comes to working for Jesus, one does not get tired of the work, but you do and can get tired in the work. I must confess that there are times when I get weary both in mind and body.
The work of God can be very demanding. You take the matter of preaching a sermon. Some have the ideal that a preacher never does any physical labor. The great Bible teacher, Dr. Walter Wilson, of Kansas City, He calculated that an hour of preaching is equal in stress and demand to working hard at physical labor for half a day, or working as an executive in an office for a full day. When a preacher preaches there is engaged the mental and emotional as well as the physical. There are times when I have gone home on Sunday night so tired I couldn’t sleep.
There is not always the physical involved. There is the mental and emotional. It all can be very draining at times. I think of Luke 8:46 which reads, “And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” The word “virtue” speaks of strength or power. As Jesus ministered, it drew upon Him physically as well as spiritually.
Yes, the work of God can be tiring. However, there will come a day when we will rest from our labors. The word “rest” is a word that means “to refresh.” There is a spiritual refreshing ahead for those who serve God.
Furthermore, we see them not only resting from their labors, but also:
B) Rewarded For Their Labors
Verse 13 says “and their works do follow them.” The idea of their works following them is that they will receive a heavenly reward. When their last battle is fought and the last mile has been run, there will await them a heavenly reward.
Our works, or lack of works, will follow us. If you have served God and been faithful to Him, there is a pay day someday.
I think of the song that says:
Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard
to bear,
Refrain
Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms
forever past,
Refrain
Yes, it will be worth it all.
© 2005 by the Living Word |