Eternal Rest

Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings
What We Bring to God

The Lord's Day

Revelation 14:12-13  The Message

¹² Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God’s commands, staying faithful to Jesus.
¹³ I heard a voice out of Heaven, “Write this: Blessed are those who die in the Master from now on; how blessed to die that way!”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “and blessed rest from their hard, hard work. None of what they’ve done is wasted; God blesses them for it all in the end.”
 

For Reflection

 Whoa!  Step back.  Die in the Master?

It is difficult to understand, but this, too, is a vision of Hope.

This is not fatalism.  Death is inevitable. Some die in service to God.  Some die because of their service to God.

Some would say of athe deaths of those who die in service to the Lord, "  What a waste.  Why suffer so and accomplish so little?  Nothing is changed.  People are still Godless.  The poor go under-served.  The wicked seem to thrive."

Our hope is in the reassurance that God has used us well,  Our hope is reassured by God's recognition of the sacrifices made in God's name.  Our hope is reassured in the knowledge that in the end God's Kingdom will be realized, not in my lifetime or yours, but at the end of these last days.

Divine Rest: divine satisfaction, divine peace to be experienced in the presence of God, a tranquil state after the work is done.

Pray

prayers of thanksgiving for the living God.  Pray that you will find hope in the midst of difficult struggles brought about by your unreasonable trust in God. Pray so that you might be comforted by the Holy Spirit.  Praise God with your every breath.