This post is part 4 of a series of studies on the book of Revelation..
- Part 1: The Gospel Book With a Thread of Prophecy
- Part 2: The Chain of Handing The Revelation
- Part 3: The First Beatitude in The Revelation
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. - KJV Revelation 14:13
In previous studies on Revelation, we established that the book of Revelation is a Gospel Book with a Thread of Prophecy. In it, Christ is most revealed than in any other book of the Bible hence its title " The Revelation of Jesus Christ". We also saw, like in the renowned gospel books of the New Testament, the book of Revelation has beatitudes. The "Mount of Beatitudes" in the former, the " Isle of Beatitudes" in the latter. In the preceding study, we looked at The First Beatitude in the Revelation and today we move on to examine the Second. It is declared:
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. - KJV Revelation 14:13
The Seer of Patmos is asked to write that those who die in the Lord from a certain time are blessed. Why speak of a certain time? It is implied by the term "henceforth" which connotes a definite time. Some translations render it as, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on " ISV, " from this moment on " NET, " from this time " EEV.
The two questions we will do well to answer are; who are they that die in the Lord and which time is here referred to? Knowing these, it shall be clear upon whom the blessing is declared and we shall have the right conception of this beatitude. This discourse is devoted to handling the first question hence we will have a second part for the latter.
In answering the first question of who are they that die in the Lord, Paul writes something that offers us a solution."For the Lord himself ( that is, Christ ) shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" KJV 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (Emphasis and explanation supplied).
From this verse we see that those who die in the Lord are the dead in Christ for the fourteenth verse of 1 Thessalonians 4 speaks of Jesus. We therefore conclude that the Lord spoken of in the second beatitude of the Revelation is Jesus Christ Himself and not any other Lord. This is affirmed evenmore by the fact that the Greek word translated as "Lord" is the same word used in both texts. It is the word kurios which means master.
The Bible brings to view two main masters who are in a controversy over us. We have the power to choose whom we shall yield ourselves servants to obey. Whether servants of Jesus Christ or of Satan. Servants of obedience unto righteousness or of sin unto death.See Romans 6:16. The Scripture also states poignantly the impossibility of serving these two masters, an impossibility which God's people today are unrepentantly determined to attain. Matthew 6:24; Revelation 3:15-17.
I'd like to speak of this Master Jesus Christ for a moment. He is the Revelator and the burden of the Revelation. In Him is freedom, including the freedom from sin and death for He through death, even the death of the cross, has destroyed him that had the power of death that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14. Jesus is able to deliver us from the dominion of death for He is the resurrection and the life. John 11:25. This is the master who is calling you today to His service, a service that is freedom in itself.
In 1 Corinthians 7:22, Paul speaks of this Lord in this manner, "For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: (that is, He is made free) likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant." Hallelujah! Who would reject such a delightful service? There is joy, wonderful joy in serving Jesus Christ. Joy that knows no unjoy. Are you sickened by the enslaving service of mammon? Are you longing to break free from the bondage that Satan has so long held you in? Jesus, who is the Truth, can make you free today and now if only you let Him. You will not just be free but free indeed. John 8:32,36. Will you allow Him?
I'd like us to notice that the blessing declared in Revelation 14:13 encompases a resurrection pledged to those who die in Christ Jesus. In John 5:28 and 29 Jesus said, speaking of Himself, "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
One testimony is sure from this portion of Scripture, in Christ, all men resurrect. All, whether righteous or unrighteous, will resurrect by the power of resurrection in Christ Jesus alone. This is why, in juxtaposing Christ and Adam, Paul writes, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." KJV 1 Corinthians 15:22. Behold what manner of love, what depth of mercy! That even the wicked who would have resolutely rejected Christ, in honour of the plan that was founded on love are made to resurrect.
Most certainly, the beautitude in study speaks not of the resurrection of the wicked but the righteous for they are they which die in the Lord. Peter helps us understand further who they are; those "who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation " 1 Peter 1:5. That is, those who have believed in Christ unto salvation, for they are the ones who Christ "according to his abundant mercy hath begotten" to a lively hope, the hope of the resurrection. Read 1 Peter 1:3.
This is the will of God, that we all shall be made alive and not just alive but alive eternally. John 3:16. It is nonetheless a woeful reality that many are going to choose the evil foe in whom is absolute bondage, even eternal death. Herein is the distinction made, those who would have chosen Satan as their Master they shall resurrect only to receive their recompense which is eternal damnation as the dead in Christ rise to face death no more.
These two resurrections appear to take place at the same time based on the testimony of John but in the Revelation given him in Patmos, we see that they are separated by a thousand years after the second advent. Read Revelation 20:1-5. Let us now turn our attention once more to those who die in the Lord as it is written in the beautitude of the Revelation.
The resurrection that takes place at the second coming of Jesus Christ is the First resurrection. It is the resurrection of all true believers who will fall under the cruel sting of death in all ages from faithful Abel to the last martyr. Therefore, those who die in the Lord, according to what Paul writes, are the righteous who are to be raised up at the second coming of Jesus. Considering the fact that there is a boundary of time created in Revelation 14:13, we need to affirm if it really is the first resurrection we find promised in the second beatitude or a different one altogether.
Notice also, to them that have part in the first resurrection, a blessing is declared to them in the sixth verse of Revelation 20 which we will examine in one of the succeeding studies. It is declared, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection : on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." KJV Revelation 20:6.
We ask; could it be that God has a twofold blessing upon those who have part in the first resurrection? Or, one of the two is declared upon a specific people of God? As we delve into the second question on the time aspect of the second beatitude in our next part, we shall find an answer to this. Until then, I entreat us to surrender our will to this wonderful and victorious Saviour in whom is complete freedom. Maranatha.
Sunshine