Revelation 14 13

Revelation 14:13 kjv

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.

Revelation 14:13 nkjv

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

Revelation 14:13 niv

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: 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."

Revelation 14:13 esv

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: 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 nlt

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!"

Revelation 14 verses

Revelation 14 13 Meaning

Revelation 14:13 pronounces a special beatitude, declaring blessed those who die faithful to the Lord, particularly in a time of intense tribulation. It highlights their cessation from earthly suffering and toil, and affirms that their righteous deeds and sacrifices for Christ will accompany them, ensuring divine recognition and eternal reward. This divine declaration serves as an assurance and comfort to believers facing persecution.

Revelation 14 13 Context

Revelation 14 provides a pivotal interlude between the escalating wrath of the Beast and the outpouring of God's final judgments. It introduces three angelic messages proclaiming the eternal gospel, the fall of Babylon, and a stern warning against worshipping the Beast and receiving its mark. The preceding verse (Rev 14:12) stresses the need for "endurance of the saints" who keep God's commandments and their faith in Jesus. In this context of severe persecution and ultimate cosmic conflict, Revelation 14:13 serves as a profound comfort and counter-narrative to the terrors of the Beast. It offers divine encouragement and assurance of blessedness for those who maintain their fidelity to Christ, even unto death, presenting a stark contrast to the eternal torment promised to Beast-worshippers (Rev 14:11). Historically, Christians faced persecution under the Roman Empire, including demands to participate in emperor worship, which would be an act of apostasy. This verse would have deeply resonated as a beacon of hope and affirmation for believers facing potential martyrdom, assuring them of divine rest and eternal recognition for their faithfulness.

Revelation 14 13 Word analysis

• And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this': This phrase signals a direct, authoritative divine utterance. "Voice from heaven" (phōnēn ek tou ouranou) signifies God's own voice or an angel acting as His messenger, providing infallible truth. The command "Write" (Grapson) emphasizes the importance of recording this particular revelation for all generations of believers.
• Blessed: The Greek word is Makarioi (μακάριοι), meaning "happy," "fortunate," or "blessed" in a profound sense, distinct from superficial worldly happiness. It denotes a state of divine favor and ultimate spiritual well-being, indicating one who receives God's special grace and privilege. It aligns with the beatitudes of Jesus (e.g., Mt 5:3-11), setting apart those favored by God for their righteous standing or faithful actions.
• the dead who die in the Lord: "The dead" (hoi nekroi) refers to those who have physically died. The crucial qualifier is "who die in the Lord" (hoi en Kyriō apothnēskontes). "In the Lord" (en Kyriō) signifies their spiritual union with Christ, meaning they are His true disciples, who have trusted in Him and remain faithful to Him until death. It encapsulates their entire identity as believers—their faith, obedience, and commitment to Him, often implying death as a result of or in the course of their faithfulness to Him, especially martyrdom during the tribulation.
• from now on': The Greek phrase is ap' arti (ἀπ' ἄρτι). This temporal phrase signifies a decisive moment, indicating that this blessing is particularly relevant and fully applies from this point forward, marking a new, intensified period of blessing for faithful endurance in suffering or martyrdom. It's often understood to pertain specifically to the period of tribulation when loyalty to Christ would cost believers their lives.
• 'Yes,' says the Spirit,: "Yes" (Nai), a strong affirmative, reiterates and confirms the truth of the previous declaration. "Says the Spirit" (legei to Pneuma) explicitly names the Holy Spirit as the second witness and authenticator of the truth, powerfully affirming the divine authority and veracity of the blessing. It provides double attestation to its divine origin, reinforcing its certainty.
• 'they will rest from their labor,: "They will rest" (anapausontai), meaning they will cease from effort, toil, and find repose, refreshment, or tranquility. This implies cessation of their suffering, persecution, spiritual battles, and the burdensome aspects of serving God in a fallen world. This "rest" is not a state of passive slumber but a state of peaceful blessedness in the presence of God. "Their labor" (tōn kopōn autōn) refers to their exhaustive toils, weariness, sufferings, struggles, and persistent efforts undertaken in faithful service, particularly in the face of tribulation.
• for their deeds follow them.": "Their deeds" (ta gar erga autōn) refers to their actions, works, and the cumulative fruit of their faithful lives, encompassing their obedience, sacrifices, service, and witness for Christ. "Follow them" (akolouthei met' autōn) indicates that their works are not left behind but accompany them into eternity, acting as a testament and evidence of their faithfulness. This affirms that while salvation is by grace, works are not forgotten; they bear eternal significance and serve as the basis for divine recognition and reward, confirming the genuineness of their faith and their life lived for God.

Revelation 14 13 Bonus section

• This beatitude is one of seven such declarations found in the Book of Revelation, each offering encouragement and blessing in various contexts related to God's eschatological plan.
• The pronouncement functions as a powerful source of courage for those enduring severe suffering and a stark warning against compromise with the world's systems of idolatry.
• The "rest" (anapausontai) here should not be confused with the Roman or Greek concept of oblivion after death, but rather as entering into a more profound, purposeful existence free from the fallen world's corrupting influence.
• The emphasis on "from now on" (ap' arti) highlights that the immediate period of intensified tribulation and suffering will be met with this immediate and unique blessing for those who faithfully die.

Revelation 14 13 Commentary

Revelation 14:13 is a divine interjection of comfort and assurance, a beatitude given amidst the stern warnings and fierce realities of the tribulation depicted in Revelation. It serves as an ultimate encouragement to the saints, particularly those who face martyrdom for their faith in the Lord Jesus. The repeated affirmations—"voice from heaven" and "says the Spirit"—underscore the absolute certainty and divine authority of this pronouncement. Dying "in the Lord" denotes not merely physical cessation of life, but passing away while in active spiritual union with Christ, fully devoted to Him, and persevering in His name. This assurance directly contrasts the ongoing torment of those who worship the Beast, emphasizing that the faithful will experience a true cessation of suffering, a "rest" from their weary "labors" endured for the gospel. This rest signifies peace, divine tranquility, and full relief from the oppressive burdens and trials of their earthly lives. The final phrase, "their deeds follow them," is profoundly significant. It means that the sacrifices, acts of service, obedience, and perseverance undertaken for Christ's sake are not in vain or forgotten. While salvation is by grace, genuine faith manifests in works, and these works are preserved and will be acknowledged and rewarded by God. They bear eternal testimony to their faithful life, bringing honor and full fruition in the eternal presence of God.