by David J. Stewart | September 2012
Revelation 14:13, “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.”
This Scripture passage in Revelation 14:13 is precious to me, because it was
read at my mother's funeral wake in September of 2001. Her ashes were
present at the wake, our immediate family and then a handful of church
members and the pastor. It's a very humbling and strange experience knowing
that one's mother has returned to dust as the Bible says. I never forget the
text verse that was used, that is, “BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN
THE LORD.” Isn't that beautiful! Jesus is precious!!!
My friend, there are only two different way to die. It is a horrifying thing to “DIE IN ONE SINS.” Jesus warned the unbelieving Jews in
John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
The word he is in italics, meaning that is wasn't in the original Greek language, but was added by the translators because they felt it was necessary to convey the proper meaning and also to construct proper English statements. So what the Scripture literally says is, “Ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM, ye shall DIE IN YOUR SINS.” Jesus professed to be the I AM in
John 8:56-59, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.”
Jesus claimed to be the I AM of Exodus 3:14, when God told Moses to tell Israel that the I AM had sent him. “Exodus 3:14, And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Jesus told the Jews that before Abraham was born... I AM. The Jews tried to stone Jesus to death, evidencing that they knew exactly what He was claiming.
It also evidenced the woeful unbelief of God's people (the Jews) toward their Messiah which had been promised to them for millenniums. The Jews misunderstood the Old Testament and were expecting a strong political leader to deliver Israel from Rome through military might. This type of battle won't ensue until the Battle Of Armageddon at the Second Coming Of Christ after the Tribulation period. But first the Rapture must take place... a Pretribulation Rapture of all the saints throughout history, when we will all receive a changed, incorruptible body, fashioned like unto the Lord's resurrected, glorified, body (Philippians 3:21).
We All DIE IN OUR SINS or
Else We DIE IN THE LORD.
Are You Resting In The Gospel Of Jesus Christ?
Thankfully, and fortunately, every person is offered the free gift of eternal life and forgiveness in Christ. I can't believe that so many people flaunt God's mercy and grace, even blaspheming the very God Who has given His Son for their sins. Wow! I am not worthy, and neither are you! Can any man truly grasp the greatness of what God has so marvelously done for us? I think not.
There's no other book, nor religion, nor prophet, nor teaching, nor philosophy in existence that can even compare or compete with the awe, greatness, amazement and grand scale of what the Bible reveals; of all that God has done for mankind through the Lord Jesus Christ!!! Oh my friend, whoever you may be, I plead with you... “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:3). Acts 4:10-12 plainly states that there is NO other name given among men, whereby we must be saved, than the name of JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH!!!
Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Repeatedly we are warned throughout the Scriptures that God's salvation is offered freely to mankind (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 11:6; Titus 3:5); paid for by God's gift of His dear Son, and the blood that He shed for us. How much greater then are we insulting God, even trampling underfoot the blood of His covenant, when we ADD anything to it. Don't be deceived, no one who professes to be a Christian is truly saved if they HAVEN'T yet ceased from their own human efforts...
Hebrews 4:10, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works...”
Those who teach that faith alone cannot save, but that there must also be human effort—to depart from sin, forsake the world, and surrender to Christ—are NOT SAVED!!! Hebrews 4:10 confirms this! There's a fine line between faith and foolishness, between Heaven and Hell, between salvation and damnation. The dividing line is human effort. Add it and your doomed. Cease from it, and trust upon the Lord, and you're saved! Any attempt to improve mankind spiritually without the Gospel is religious humanism. Don't leave out the cross!!! Jesus DIED, was BURIED and RESURRECTED after three days. That's the Gospel according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-4.
What an awesome God!!! I encourage you whoever you may be to place your total trust in “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Christ bore our burden of sin upon the cross, so we don't have to go to Hell forever. Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for my sins!
