Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister
First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO
The Ultimate Blessings
Revelation
Introduction:
1. Revelation: the book of sevens—churches, seals, trumpets, bowls, woes, heads, spirits, etc.
These are an important verses.
It is important because of where it is found. It comes from the middle of the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Revelation is the last book of the Bible because in many ways it is Heaven’s last word about the world we live in. In particular this verse is in the middle of a discussion about judgement, the battles between good and evil, the end of history, and how the Lord is going to make everything make sense. That’s what Revelation is all about.
This verse is also important because of who says it. Christ’s words—heaven’s words
“I heard a voice from heaven say.” That’s how it begins. What follows is not just any old statement. This is a word from heaven. If that doesn’t make our ears perk up and get our attention, nothing will.
It is important most of all because of what it says Beatitudes of Jesus
Blessed;
Fortunate
I. 3Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Rev. 1:3 (NIV)
The Blessing: read, hear, take to heart (keep/pay attention)
A teen studying for the drivers exam as birthday arrives
Reason: Time is near
Studying for finals
II. 13Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Rev. 14:13 (NIV)
At first blush, I am not sure what I think about it. Listen to how it begins. “Blessed are the dead.” Actually that term blessed is a bit too religious sounding. How would you react if it said, “Happy are the dead?” That’s the sense of the word. How can that be? We associate death and dying with sickness, suffering, heartache and tears. We associate happiness with wealth, health, fame, and power not with hospitals, funerals and cemeteries. What’s happy about death? The Bible makes the same association. The one place where the Bible says “Jesus wept” was at a graveside. The Bible calls death an enemy. But here heaven says, “Blessed/happy are the dead.” How can that be?
The next part of the verse helps. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” This is not unqualified happiness that it is talking about. Death is not blessed for everyone. Now is not the place to go into it, but preceding this verse is a powerful description of the unhappy future facing those who had no room for the Lord in this life. But our verse looks at the other alternative. It insists that a person’s relationship with the Lord makes a difference. A genuine trust in Jesus Christ, who he is, what he did for, and what he promises provides a qualitative difference in people.
I have seen that. I am sure you have too. Sometimes the difference is subtle. Sometimes it is very obvious. The Lord makes a difference how a person thinks. Does life have purpose and meaning or is everything just one big accident? The Lord makes a difference in how a person lives. The Bible says that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control all grow from the Lord’s presence in a person’s life. I think the Lord makes a difference in how a person dies. I have been at the bedside of many dying people. I know that the Lord makes a difference. He also makes a difference in how a person grieves. Of course, we mourn the loss of a loved one. But their faith and ours makes a qualitative difference.
Why? What makes the dead who die in the Lord blessed, special, or even happy? The first of the two reasons is negative. They are blessed because of what has ended. “They will rest from their labor.” That’s the promise. The term for labor here is a special term in the language in which the Bible was written. We associate our term labor with work. We think of our jobs or the activities that we do for a living. That’s not the sense of this term. This word means struggles, or wearisome toil. It pictures the kind of activities that wear us down. All of that is over. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord …for they will rest from their labors.”
The future promised in this verse means rest from our struggles. Certainly the labor associated with sickness and pain is over. So are the worries and fears that are all too common in this life. The struggles with sin, temptation, and weakness end. They will rest from their labors.
The next to the last chapter of the Bible speaks of the same blessing. “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev 21:3-4).
Our verse says those who die in the Lord are blessed because of what will not be. But it says something else as well. They are blessed because of what will continue. “Their deeds will follow them.” How so? How do our deeds follow us? I think there are two ways. Both are very real.
First our deeds continue in this world. Lots of things end with death. Memories don’t. The good times, the good deeds, the good words and good works all linger in the hearts and minds of loved ones. Those who die in the Lord leave a legacy that continues to shine bright in the lives of others for years, maybe even generations. Death does not end that. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord …because their deeds follow them.”
But there is another reason for the blessing cited in the verse. This is undoubtedly the main one. The deeds of God’s people follow them into eternity. The Lord knows our lives. He sees our faith. Nothing will go unnoticed or unrewarded. That’s what makes the struggles and difficulties of life worth it all.
III. 15“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Rev. 16:15 (NIV)
The Blessing: awake
Keeps his clothes with him
Naked dreams: embarrassment not sensuality
Showing up not dressed for an occasion
The Reason:
Like thief: sudden
Parable of Virgins
Embarrassment of being caught
IV. 9Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” Rev. 19:9 (NIV)
The Blessing: The wedding feast: celebration; wedding receptions
The invitation—election not limited; whosoever will
The Reason: by invitation only
Valid credentials only
No counterfeits allowed
V. 6Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Rev. 20:6 (NIV)
The Blessing: First rebirth (Jn 3:3)
Death twice (physical and spiritual)
Reason: Death is powerless
Reign with Christ a thousand years
Milennial Issue: why I think it is yet to come: 1 John 4:24; 2 Jn 1:7-8; 1 Pt 5:8
Revelation says that during the Thousand Years 1) Satan was bound; and 2) the nations are not deceived. John and Peter do not seem to believe that they lived in such a time! Does not appear that the biblical writers believed Satan was absent or not in the deceiving business.
VI. 7“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” Rev. 22:7 (NIV)
The Blessing: Obedience
Doing and hearing—James 1
Profession and obedience—Mt 7
The Reason: I am coming soon
VII. 4“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Rev. 22:14 (NIV
The Blessing: washed free of sin (right dress for the celebration)
The Reason: Tree of life
Gates of City
Conclusion: Blessings are available to any and all; each is conditional; each is open
Rev 1:17—whosoever will
All this and more
Unclaimed inheritance/treasure
***Dr. Roger W. Thomas is the preaching minister at First Christian Church, 205 W. Park St., Vandalia, MO 63382 and an adjunct professor of Bible and Preaching at Central Christian College of the Bible, 911 E. Urbandale, Moberly, MO. He is a graduate of Lincoln Christian College (BA) and Lincoln Christian Seminary (MA, MDiv), and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin).
