"THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM"

REVELATION 14:1

A. "AND I HEARD A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAYING UNTO ME, WRITE, 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. The words of our text are not only unusual, even in the Bible, but they are extra ordinary for several reasons:
    1. A voice from heaven directs them - they are of very special importance to God's people
    2. The Angel of the Lord confirms them - it is something in which the angels of heaven are specially interested
  2. It concerns those that die in the Lord:
    1. They are blessed or very fortunate - though death overtakes them
    2. Two specific reasons are given
  3. they die in the Lord - fall asleep in Jesus Christ - death takes on a new and hopeful meaning for them
  4. they die in a special and particular time - prophetic time - a time of great importance B. THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM IS THE BURDEN OF MY MESSAGE ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION
  5. Works play an important part in man's relation:
    1. God - "By works a man is justified" - James 2:21-24; "I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be" - Rev. 22:12; "I have not found thy works perfect before God" - Rev. 3:2
    2. Men
  6. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" - Matt. 25:37-44
  7. Jonathan's kindness to David was rewarded by David's kindness to his son - Mephibosheth - 2 Sam. 21:7
  8. The works our text refers to are:
    1. The fruit of their labor - of love - as in the case of Dorcas - Acts 9:36-39; too, the case of Rahab , the harlot - James 2:25
    2. The results of their relationship to Christ bringing blessing to those who are under their influence C. OF SPECIAL CONSOLATION TO THE BEREAVED IS
  9. Though your loved one is dead - asleep in Jesus, she is very much alive;
    1. In the blessings she has bestowed upon you while she lived
    2. She left her mark upon your life - your dedication to serve the God of your mother Examples: Timothy lost his grandmother and his mother in death, but their faith lived on in the life of Timothy - 2 Tim. 1:5; Abraham died, but his works or influence is very must alive in every Christian believer - Rom. 4:12
    3. Though she is dead, yet her works are seen in the home she left and most important in the church of God
  10. But, the words of our opening text include more, important as home influence is:
    1. They include loyalty to the law of God at a time when such loyalty meant special sacrifices - Rev. 12:17
    2. These works are expressed as "the patience of the saints, the keeping of the commandments of God; and the faith of Jesus" - Rev. 14:12
    3. They include sacrifice of love for the cause of Jesus Christ - this is one of the works which make an impression in the cause of soul-winning
  11. Most important, the works that follow those who die in Jesus Christ:
    1. Come into review before the righteous judge - 2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:31-41
    2. Will be rewarded at the second coming of the Lord Jesus - Rev. 22:12
    3. The reward is not only eternal life - but also heirship with Jesus Christ our Lord
  12. It may be true of our sister, that she worked so quietly and so humbly that she may never have realized the blessed influence she left to her loved one, to the church and to the community:
    1. But someday, the Lord of glory will have a happy surprise for her
    2. She will enjoy the fruit of her labor of love for a long time - Is. 65:9


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