"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 vs 13 {KJV}

  • that they may rest from their labours
  • and their works do follow them

What labours exactly are they resting from? The labours of their earthly occupations and ambitions? or the their labours in the Kingdom? We will find out! The labours is what was emphasized as "their works", and their works do follow them. Waow! That means in death, those labours of theirs which they laboured in the earth are not in vain, they will count! So what is this labour that will count before God in death? Let's take a look at the epistles:

Firstly, Solomon the king of Israel establishes for us by the Holy Spirit that all earthly ambitions and pursuits are vanity:

"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." - Ecclesiastes 1 vs 2 {KJV}

Seeing that all earthly ambitions and pursuits are considered by God as vanity, that therefore means that they cannot be the labour that follows a man in death which counts before God! You're getting it?? Yea. Now let's see the epistles:

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father..." - 1 Thessalonians 1 vs 2 - 3 {King James Version}

  • your labour of love

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." - Hebrews 6 vs 10 {KJV}

  • For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love

All these works and labour we are seeing so far are works and labours in the Kingdom. Right? Ya.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15 vs 58 {KJV}

  • always abounding in the work of the Lord
  • your labour is not in vain in the Lord

"Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord." - Romans 16 vs 12 {KJV}

  • who labour in the Lord
  • which laboured much in the Lord

The labour is in the Lord! Paul expatiated what labouring in the Lord entails. Let's take a look at it:

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." - 1 Timothy 5 vs 17 {KJV}

  • especially they who labour in the word and doctrine

So we understand here that the ministering / teaching of the Word to Believers for their Spiritual growth in Christ is labour!

"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." - Colossians 4 vs 12 {KJV}

  • always labouring fervently for you in prayers

Here, we see that intercession and supplication for the Saints in prayers is labour! Labour in the Lord. Hallelujah!

Dearly beloved, this is the labour that counts before God! Labours done for His glory! Labours of evangelism; Labours of discipleship; Labours of preaching and teaching the Word; Labours of helping the poor Believers with your resources—labours of love. Labours in the Lord. Glory to God.

What is your priority in this world? What's the center of your attention in this world? Remember, all earthly ambitions are regarded as vanity—meaning, they don't count before God. Therefore, decide today to live a life that has Eternal relevance, a life that counts before God, a life that cannot be erased by death—works and labours bringing glory to God and His Christ! Works and Labours bringing fruits of souls unto the Father!

Therefore beloved, preach the Gospel, teach another Believer those beautiful things you have found out in the Gospel; give towards the spread and advancement of the Gospel in every nation on earth; offer alms to the needy, and support poor Believers with your money and resources. These are the works and labours that follow the Believer in death—these count before God. Amen.

Don't live a wasted life, a life filled with all the earthly pursuits but devoid of the works of the Kingdom. It will be too regretful on the day you see the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe me. May God help you. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Jenning Uweye
Teacher,
Global Bible Study Community
Kindly share this article.
_____________________________

YouTube:
Kindly subscribe to the channel.