Revelation 14:13; Write, Blessed are the Dead

Revelation 14:13 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. 

The command “write” expresses “an action or state of being which is volitionally possible, i.e. the action or state which may come about as a result of the exercise of the will, it presents an action that is undefined with respect to its progress, completion continuation or completion and thus has to do with an action that has not yet started.”

John tells his readers the blessings of standing fast with Christ amidst a hostile world. He tells us that those who will trust God and follow Him unto the end shall not have followed in vain. Their works are valuable in the sight of God and doth have an impact upon souls for eternity, not least their own soul.

The testimony of Daniel is worthy of our recalling for Daniel stand fast in his faith amidst great opposition and hostilities. The name Daniel means, “God is my judge” or “judge of God.” His lived up to the responsible name by which he was called. He lived a godly, upright life in a crooked world. God approved him by calling him a man greatly beloved (Daniel 10:19). He fully exemplified one who lived in the world but is not of the world. He held on to his precious identity as a child of God to reflect the glory and testimony of the living and true God.

The life of Daniel is most relevant to our generation. He showed us how we can maintain a consistent Christian testimony in a hostile world. Daniel’s life exemplified how Christians should live as salt and light in a sin-ridden world. The world is always threatening to totally erase God from the face of the earth. But God always has His courageous remnant that dare stand with God. God manifests His life through His faithful remnant that is humble and would love Him above all. Daniel exemplified such a man. Daniel’s life has much relevance to our lives. He was part of a believing minority in a largely pagan culture. As the world sought to tear down our faith, our Christian values and our identity, we must be like a Daniel. 

Again at the end of the Book of Daniel is given the blessing of living a righteous life.

Daniel 12:2-3 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

Amen.