When Jesus was on earth, He performed miracles that showed the kind of comfort and aid that only He can give. Christians can assist someone who is born blind, but Jesus can give him sight. We can sympathize with those who grieve, but Jesus can raise our loved ones back to life. Given His divine power, Jesus speaks to the churches of Revelation that are facing persecution with the greatest comfort imaginable. Others are able to bless the living, but Jesus declares: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (v. 13). In light of this comfort, His followers throughout history have been able to face death in the spirit of Romans 8:37, as “more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Christ’s blessing on those facing death for Him shows more clearly than ever the great difference between the Christian and the non-Christian. In life there is a profound difference between the two. The believer is at war with the devil and sin but at peace with God; the unbeliever is at peace with the devil and sin but at war with God. The divide between the two is even greater in death. Revelation 14:11 speaks of the eternal judgment of those who loved the world and rejected Christ: “The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day and night.” In the greatest contrast, Christians are blessed in death to “rest from their labors” (Rev. 14:13).

Revelation 14 provides a respite of good news to readers who may be reeling from the conflict described in chapters 12 and 13. There, we saw Satan as a dragon who is fanatically driven to destroy Christ’s people, with the help of his terrible beasts. Chapter 14 shows the church as having been saved from this conflict, assembled on Mount Zion with the Sovereign Lamb (14:1). Knowing Christ’s triumph and seeing the fall of the harlot empire Babylon, Christians should persevere in faith and in obedience to God’s Word despite their suffering. Christ expects us to be willing even to die for our faith, so a voice from heaven speaks assurance of His eternal care for our souls: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (v. 13).

It is apparent from verse 13 that Christians should know the Bible’s teaching about life after death, since knowing our blessing in death equips us to live boldly in life. We can summarize the Bible’s teaching in this topic with three points. First, immediately upon dying, the soul is separated from the body, until the two are rejoined in the final resurrection. This is true for the believer and the unbeliever. The soul is not asleep but has departed from the lifeless body. Second, that believers’ souls are present with the Lord in heaven while the bodies await the summons to the resurrection. Paul said that to be absent from the body is to be “at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). Jesus told the believing thief, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Third, when believers die, our souls are immediately perfected in holiness so as to partake of the Lord’s glory. Hebrews 12:23 describes Christians in death as “the spirits of the righteous made perfect.”

John cites two particular blessings that the believers enjoy in death. The first blessing is an end to the wearisome labor that we have known in this world of sin and toil: “Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors’” (v. 13). We know that the Spirit always carries on the work of Christ. While in the world, Jesus called the weary, saying, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Now, from heaven, the Spirit promises to fulfill that invitation in the blessing of eternal life.

It’s not easy living as a believer, contending with your own sins and those of an often-hostile world. Christians are wearied from the labors of evangelism, ministry, and prayer, and even our spiritual delights such as worship and the study of God’s Word require discipline and diligence. In heaven, we will continue to worship and will work together with Christ in the fields of glory, but the toil and labor will have ended with the end of our life in this world.

The second blessing speaks of the reward that believers can expect in the presence of our Savior: “for their deeds follow them!” All our sins, trials, and torments are left behind when we die, but our good work and faithfulness to Christ in the face of persecution will follow after as a crown to our life of faith.

The Bible teaches that sinners are saved by God’s grace alone, apart from any merit on our part, and that even our faith is God’s free gift, “not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:9). Yet the Bible also teaches that Christians will receive a reward for good deeds performed in gratitude for salvation and in obedience to God’s Word. Our works earn not the reward of eternal life, but rather rewards in eternal life. Jesus urged us to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:20). He promised to reward His diligent workers, saying: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21).

Many Christians think too little of their works, comparing them to the more publicized accomplishments of famous preachers, missionaries, or ministry leaders and thinking that they will be overlooked. Jesus corrects this idea in His teaching on the final judgment. Having gathered His sheep, He promises to praise  their works: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matt. 25:35-36). The righteous marvel, asking when they did such things for Jesus. He answers: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt 25:40).

Notice that Christ mentions not great and famous Christian achievements, but the daily acts of faith and love as the works that matter most and please Him the best. “Have I ever done anything worthy of Jesus’ praise?” the doubtful believer wonders. When we remember that our works not only are empowered by God’s grace but are assessed by the eyes of mercy, perfected by cleansing blood, and received at the throne of our loving heavenly Father, the answer is yes.

The last thing the Roman Empire would say of John’s beleaguered, impoverished, and soon-persecuted readers is that they were blessed. The world looks with similar eyes on believers today. But the voice of God’s Spirit extols us: “Blessed indeed” (v. 13). We will rest from our labors, and our deeds in Christ will follow us.

Revelation 14:13 Study Questions:

Why are those who “die in the Lord” said to be “blessed” (v.13)?

Do you feel you have ever done anything worthy of Jesus’ praise?

How has the God encouraged you through this study?