DYING IN THE LORD

REVELATION 14:1

A. "BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD FROM HENCE FORTH; YEA, SAITH THE SPIRIT, THAT THEY MAY REST FROM THEIR LABORS, AND THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM"
  1. This is a most extra-ordinary announcement from heaven:
    1. The context makes it clear that this special announcement is extra ordinary because the time implied in the announcement is extra ordinary
    2. It refers to the closing days of probation - just before the seventh angel begins to sound
  2. The study of Bible prophecy makes it clear:
    1. That our opening text is concerning those who are involved in the final conflict with the beast, his image, and the mark of his name - Rev. 14:9-12
    2. Thus indicating that many of the saints will be laid to rest just before the outpouring of the seven last plagues, the final storm foretold in Bible prophecy - Dan. 12:1 B. DYING IN THE LORD
  3. This shows conclusively that there are two ways of dying:
    1. To die in the Lord and
    2. To not die in the Lord - how significant it is the way one dies - in the Lord - and not in the Lord
  4. What is means to die in the Lord:
    1. First of all - for one to die in the Lord, he must live in the Lord - Examples - Says Paul, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" - Phil. 1:21; again he writes, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" - Gal. 2:20
    2. To die in the Lord means that all my sins are covered by His precious blood - I John 1:7; Rev. 1:5
    3. To die in the Lord means that He has clothed us with the robe of His own righteousness - Is. 61:10; Jer. 23:6; I Cor. 1:30
    4. To die in the Lord means that He is my life and my hope - John 14:6; Acts 4:12; I John 5:10-12 C. DYING IN THE LORD IS A MOST INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE, COVERING THIS PRESENT LIFE AND THAT OF THE WORLD TO COME
  5. It covers this present life in a marked way:
    1. It means that I have accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour - all my thoughts, words, and actions are done in the blessed name of the Lord Jesus - Col. 3:16-17; I Cor. 10:31
    2. Paul expresses this relationship in these memorable words, "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being" - Acts 17:28
    3. It means that we have become new creatures through faith which is in Christ Jesus our sinful past has been blotted out - all things are new - I Cor. 5:14-17
  6. The blessedness of dying in the Lord:
    1. It means a well deserved rest - rest from toil - sweat and many tears - Rev. 21:4
    2. Said the Lord to faithful Daniel, "God thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days" - Dan. 12:13
    3. Rest from labors of love marked by many sacrifices - 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:23; I Thes. 1:3
    4. Rest from the conflict against the enemy of our soul - a conflict within and a conflict without - Phil 1:30; Col. 2:1; Eph. 6:10-18
  7. "Their works do follow them"
    1. Even the saints die - but their works are immortal - Examples: Abraham has been dead thousands of years, but his faith is still very much alive; Ruth, the Moabitess has been dead a long time, but her courageous decision still lives and inspires millions; that is true of Daniel and other worthies
    2. These works will receive special recognition in the reward Christ will give to the saints - Matt. 25:34-40
    3. The message to the saints - living in the last days, is "Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me" - Rev. 22:12
    4. What a consolation the dying has and those that mourn his passing, when they can believe sincerely that the opening words are for our comfort and assurance


Design © John Bryant 2011