“Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord” Revelation 14:13

“Blessed Are The Dead” Everyone dies Cut off from tree of life (Gen. 2:9; 3:24) Sin caused death (Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 5:12) We will all die (Heb. 9:27) unless Jesus returns first Dead never return to this life (II Sam. 12:23) Common attitudes toward death Fear, mystery, delay, sorrow, the end

“Blessed Are The Dead” Death is a beginning, not the end Bodies die, spirits live on (Eccl. 12:7; Gen. 35:18) Realm of the dead (Luke 16:19-31) Paradise (Luke 23:43), torment (I Peter 3:19; II Peter 2:4) Paul preferred death over life (Philip. 1:21-26) Hope removes fear of death (Matt. 10:28; Luke 12:4) Hope changes sorrow Sorrow over death is only natural (John 11:33-36) But we don’t grieve hopelessly (I Thess. 4:13; I Cor. 15:55)

“Blessed Are The Dead” Death is only a blessing for those who die “in the Lord” “In the Lord” – baptized and faithful Baptized “into Christ” and “one body” (Rom. 6:3; I Cor. 12:13) Created “in Christ” for good works (Eph. 2:10; 4:24) Only the death of God’s saints is precious (Psa. 116:15) To die “in Christ” we must live “in Christ” A saint is a holy person (I Peter 1:14-16) Faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10) Blessing is rest (Rev. 14:13) We must be working (Heb. 4:9-11; John 9:4)

“Blessed Are The Dead” Death can be a wonderful thing Death of saints is precious to God (Psa. 116:15) Cultivate a godly perspective on death, like Paul God invites you to the tree of life (Rev. 2:7; 22:14, 17) “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:13