Dr. Kim Riddlebarger comments on Revelation 14:
Since this is a section of great contrasts such as that between the number 666 and 144,000 and between the fate of those who worship the Beast and those who dwell with Christ in the heavenly Zion, no contrast is greater than that of the eternal suffering of those who reject Christ and the reward given to those who renounce the dragon and who are redeemed by the Lamb. In verse 12, John tell us that “this calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus,” for on this side of the day of judgment, the full extent of Christ’s victory over the Beast and his followers can only be seen through the eyes of faith. Unbelievers will scoff in the meantime, but that for which we hope, the day of our Lord’s return and our eternal redemption, will, for those who reject Christ, become the terrible day of judgment. We must be patient, while they must be warned.
But in a glorious word of benediction to a suffering church, John hears yet one more word of contrast from heaven. “Then,” John says, “ I heard a voice from heaven say, `Write: 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.’” Because Jesus Christ has taken his place in the heavenly Zion, having conquered death and the grave, his absolute triumph over all his foes secures the blessing granted to all those who die trusting in him. Indeed, all those who die in Christ are blessed. For not only do they take their place among the great multitude who surround the glassy sea and add their voices to those of the heavenly choir, they will be given rest from their labor. In the heavenly city, there are no more tears, no more pain, no more injustice, no more suffering; only glorious, blessed and eternal rest. Recall that during his messianic ministry, Jesus gave his followers the following invitation in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Our Lord extends that same invitation to us this morning.
If you are not a Christian, Jesus will relieve from the burden of your sins, he will give you rest.
If you are a Christian, but tired and weary, Jesus not only promises to give you rest in the heavenly city, this morning he invites us to his table, where the Lamb himself will refresh us with spiritual food and drink as we make our journey to Zion.
So let us take this moment and rest from our labors and reflect upon the vision given us by John, as we continue on in our journey to the heavenly city where there will be no labor, only rest. For the Lamb stands upon Mount Zion, completely victorious, and we will rest from our labors.
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