Guest from Karen Batts!
Revelation 14:13
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.
Just because our works don't precede us as our passport into heaven doesn't mean they have no relevancy (no bear) to our future entrance into heaven.
Remember that John is writing to a church under heavy spiritual artillery fire. The church was driven underground. Leaders and laypeople alike were being murdered. John, himself, miraculously survived being boiled alive in oil and was now sentenced to life on Patmos.
The purpose of the Revelation is to communicate HOPE. The early Christians are repeatedly told to NOT GIVE UP. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES were they to compromise or give up. Their faith in and labor for the Lord were not in vain! Their sacrifice counted! Vigilance (watchfulness) would someday lead to victory, faithfulness would be rewarded, and in this context John says that their "works do follow them."
In Malachi, the people asked the prophet if it was really worth serving God? He answered saying that someday God would right all wrongs and justify all inequities (unfairness). Indeed, there is a reward for serving God. DON'T GIVE UP- YOUR GOOD WORKS WILL BE REMEMBERED (Malachi 3:14-4:2 )
In Hebrews 11, God displays His "HALL OF FAME" containing those who were faithful, each of whom He would always remember and never be ashamed of. Faithfulness is rewarded!
In First Thessalonians, there is the Crown of Rejoicing. ( 2:19-20).
In First Peter, there is the Crown of Glory. (5:4)
In James, there is the Crown of Life. (1:12)
Finally in Second Timothy, there is the Crown of Righteousness. (4:8)
If you ever get tired of doing the right thing and feel like giving up - DON'T! No matter what the pressure, never surrender! Hold tight! Hang onto HOPE. Someday your works shall follow you. God will remember your faithfulness!
It's worth it!
Karen Batts
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