Yesterday, Kent discussed how Jesus offers not only physical rest but also spiritual rest. As I read his devotional last night and re-read our next passage in Revelation, I was struck by the final verse, which mentions rest from labor. In the United States, many of us celebrated Labor Day this past Monday and enjoyed a day off from work - a temporary “rest from our labor.”
Jesus promises His followers
a far greater blessing: eternal rest from the struggles of this life, including
hardship, persecution, rejection for speaking truth, and even death. In
contrast, those who reject Jesus and refuse to fear God or give Him glory will
experience eternal torment with no rest.
Revelation 14:6-13 6 Then I
saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to
proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and
people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear
God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come.
Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of
water.”
8 A second angel followed
and said, “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’ which made all the
nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”
9 A third angel followed
them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its
image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they,
too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full
strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning
sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And
the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no
rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its
image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” 12 This
calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep
his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
13 Then I
heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: 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.”
As verse 7 warns, God’s judgment will come on those who do
not worship Him as Creator. However, as verse 6 indicates, everyone will have
the opportunity to hear the eternal gospel and respond. Those who respond in
faith and patiently endure will receive His blessing and eternal rest.
What encouragement do you find in these truths? How does
it motivate you to persevere in sharing God’s truths with others so they too
can enjoy eternal rest?
