Revelation 14:13
Then I heard the distinct words of a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed happy, prosperous, to be admired are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes, blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest and have relief from their labours, for their deeds do follow them.” AMP
Of course, living for the Lord is of paramount importance for every child of God. That was the point of the preceding verses. Indeed, there is a blessing that comes from abiding in the Vine. Yet it’s one thing to live for God and quite another to die in Him.
To live right is to devote every aspect of your life to the glory of God (see Gal 2:20). To die right is about completing the good works the Lord foreordained for you to walk in (see Ep 2:10). It is about being sure in the end that you have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (see 2 Tim 4:7). Good Christians know how to live right as well as how to finish strong.
When we finish our earthly journey well, we don’t have to worry about blowing own own trumpet. Our works will follow us beyond the tomb. Our record speaks for itself and our rewards are assured. What a blessing!
It is not everyone who dies and rests in peace. That epitaph, RIP, is overused and misused nowadays. The Bible categorically says only those who work hard for God and die in Christ rest from their labours. Eternal rest is not for those who lounged around waiting for the end. It is for those whose works survive the test of fire (1 Cor. 3:14). Let us labour for the Lord, brethren!
Pastor Josh