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“Blessed Are The Dead. . .”
(Rev. 14:1-3)
I. Introduction.
A. When you find a statement with seemingly contradictory
elements, it is called a “paradox.”
1. Specific definition of a “paradox” is: “A statement
seemingly absurd or contradictory; yet in fact true.”
Comes from two Greek words meaning opposite, or
contrary, thoughts.
2. Another way to describe a paradox is to call it: “A
truth standing on its head to attract attention.”
B. Jesus used such statements both to attract attention and
reveal great, eternal, spiritual truths. For example:
1. All four gospel writers record a statement similar to
one in Matthew 16:25: “whosoever will save his
life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life
for my sake shall find it.”
2. And, Matthew 20:16: “So the last shall be first, and
the first last . . .”
C. Statements like these certainly serve their purpose. But,
they just don’t seem right; they contain elements that just
don’t appear to go together.
D. Another such “paradoxical” statement is the text for this
lesson: Revelation 14:13. If you simply read verse, and
don’t analyze carefully what it says to us, it appears to
combine elements that just don’t go together – at least, in
most peoples’ thinking. (RE-READ Revelation 14:13).
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1. One of seven places in Book of Revelation where
word “blessed” opens a statement. One of seven
“beatitudes” like those spoken by Jesus (Matthew 5
and Luke 6).
2. If you properly understand meaning of word
“blessed” here, even more strange.
a. It’s translated from Greek word
“MAKARIOS”, and means “happy.”
b. So, Revelation 14:13 really says:
“Happy are the dead . . .”
E. Very few people consider death a “happy” prospect or
joyous occasion. Not generally classified as a “blessed”
event.
1. That term, we feel, more properly applies to
wedding, or birth of a child.
2. A death is time for sorrow, sadness, and sympathy –
not happiness and celebration.
3. How strange it would be if someone told us a
relative, or friend, had died and we responded with
congratulations! (or “How wonderful!”)
F. Highlights, again, the difference between our view and
God’s view.
1. Who said “Blessed are the dead . . .?” John wrote:
“. . . I heard a voice from heaven saying to me…”
2. Here was a message from God, not one of John’s
own imagination.
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3. While we may view death as a final experience, the
beginning of separation from family, friends, and
everything we’ve known on earth, God sees it as
transition to something far more desirable,
something far better.
4. Here we have a dependable message from God
about the deaths of His people.
G. Our purpose is to look carefully at that message and to
examine what it does say as well as what it tells us.
II. What Revelation 14:13 Does Not Say.
A. This verse is not just idle thought, or imagination, or even
wishful thinking. Is a revealed truth, from God Himself.
How we receive this message determines our response
to it. But, we cannot read into message things that are
not included there.
B. Does not say: “Blessed (happy) is everyone who dies.”
1. That would not be true, and would contradict other
scriptures.
2. We have reason to be saddened, and mourn, for
those who die unprepared to meet God in judgment.
(Hebrews 10:31: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God.”).
C. Also, Revelation 14:13 does not say those who die are
blessed because now everything is over for them – all of
life’s problems are taken away and resolved.
1. When life becomes too much of a burden for some,
because of either emotional or physical pain and
suffering, there may be the thought that death can
“end it all.”
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2. Suicide is the subject of much attention, and
concern, today, especially because of high numbers
of deaths among young people. When there seems
to be few choices left; when death seems preferable
to life; some turn their minds to suicide as escape,
release, and a door open to peace out of unpeaceful
world.
3. But, there are some points to consider here:
a. First, all life comes from God.
(Acts 17:28: “. . .for in Him [God] we live
and move and have our being. . .”;
Col. 1:16: “For by Him [God, with Christ]
all things were created that are in heaven
and that are on the earth.”).
b. Second, our physical life is a part of our
“stewardship” to God. Since God made us,
He “owns” us. We are given a physical
body to use, to house our spiritual person,
during our time in this world.
c. To take our own life is taking upon
ourselves a right, or authority, we simply
don’t have. Represents same principle as
taking the life of another person – who is
also God’s creation.
4. Third, Exodus 20:13 states that we shall not commit
murder. What is suicide if not murder of one’s self?
Principle is re-stated by Jesus in Matthew 5:21.
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5. It’s not our place to pass judgment on anyone when
we really don’t know all the facts, or feelings,
involved. Judgments of eternal destiny still belong
to God. Suffice it to say – in context of Rev. 14:13-
suicide is not a solution!
6. We continue to exist when physical life is over, and
must confront God in judgment and give account
for those things done “in the body.” (II Cor. 5:10).
7. Think of it this way: death is not a terminal point,
but only another incident in living.
D. Something else this verse does not say: those who die are
blessed, or happy, because they can start life over in a
re-incarnated form.
1. Many, today, profess belief in re-incarnation –
return to earthly life as another person, or form
of life.
2. Bible refutes idea that this is the case (Heb. 9:27).
3. One writer said that he was going to bring out a
book on re-incarnation and the Christian. Would
be called: “You Must Be Born Again, And Again,
And Again, and Again . . .”
a. Refer, again, to II Cor. 5:10: we will be
held accountable for what we do in the
body – singular – not “bodies”.
b. Look at Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 (READ). When
life on earth is over, it’s over permanently.
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4. We live in one world at a time, either here in the
physical world, or in the spiritual world after death.
It is here we make the choices and decisions that
determine where we shall be forever.
5. And, fifth, this verse also does not say we’ll have
another opportunity to make things right with God
after death.
III. Who Is “Blessed?”
A. If these are all things we cannot say, based on Rev. 14:13,
what can we say? Who will be happy? For whom is death
a blessing?
B. It’s a blessing for those who “die in the Lord.” This
expression is reserved specifically for those who are
obedient, faithful, children and servants of God.
1. II Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold all things are become new.”
2. Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
3. Paul told Thessalonians not to mourn, or sorrow for
those who “sleep in Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 4:13 says reserve such expressions
of sadness for those who “have no hope.”
4. One who leaves life a faithful Christian will be
blessed forever in living with God in Heaven.
C. Also eternal happiness is for those who will have “rest from
their labors.”
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1. Labor precedes rest. The work is done now, on
earth. Reward awaits, in Heaven. (Rev. 2:10).
2. Faithfulness lies in fulfilling our God-given
responsibilities as His people.
D. The things we do, as Christians, will leave a legacy of
good beyond our own lifetime and have effect beyond
ourselves.
1. What we do, for good or ill, has an effect, and
influence, on others. Everyone leaves behind a
legacy that will run its course in the lives of those
with whom we had contact.
2. Full impact of our lives may not really be known
for many years.
3. We can rely on the simple truth of statement that
our works “do follow” us. Heritage we leave is in
our power to control.
IV. Conclusion.
A. (Illust.) In 125 A.D., a Greek named Aristides wrote to a
friend about a new religion he had encountered. He could
not explain its extraordinary growth and appeal. But, he
commented: “If any righteous man among the Christians
passes from this world, they rejoice and offer thanks to
God. They escort the body with songs and thanksgiving,
as if he or she were setting out from one place to another,
near by.”
B. Compared to helplessness, gloom, and despair generally
associated with death, Aristides saw the bright, hopeful,
joyous attitude of Christians when a friend or loved one
died “in the Lord.”
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1. Here is the real answer to what appears to be
paradox. Those who “die in the Lord,” who leave
life as a Christian, saved by grace of God, are not
eternally lost and condemned, but are entering into
state of peace and rest forever.
2. We who live on also have reason to be comforted
by thought that they are not separated from us
forever, but are merely waiting, “near-by”, for us
to join them.
C. The promise of Revelation 14:13 is for everyone. Anyone
who wishes may claim the reward of “rest from their
labors.” Anyone who wishes can leave behind a legacy for
good that will “follow them” for generations to come.
D. It’s God’s true desire that this promise be fulfilled in the
lives of every person. Where are we, spiritually, today?
Would our death be a “blessed event” or a tragedy?