The apostle John wrote in Revelation 14:13, “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.’”
When Jesus Christ had John to write to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3, He made this statement to every one of those churches: “I know your works.” Paul admonished us in Galatians 6:9-10, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Christians don’t ever give up! Speaking of Himself, Jesus said in John 9:4, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” Solomon put it like this in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
From these few of countless passages where God has called us to the work, where did some of us ever get the idea that once we were saved that there was nothing left to do but wait for the Lord’s return? How did some of us confuse getting saved being equal to getting out the lawn chair, getting in the recliner or the hammock – or reaching for the remote to the TV or the DVD player? Don’t we understand there is work to do, and there is work on every hand?
God gave Adam physical work and mental work, and he lived in a paradise home! After God created Adam, Genesis 2:8 and 16 reads, “The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.” “Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” To engage Adam’s mind in a worthwhile pursuit, verse 19 says, “Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.”
A close study of Scripture reveals that rest is of the most temporary nature even after the most monumental task has been achieved. After Elijah faced and executed the 450 false prophets of Baal, he ran because Jezebel had vowed to kill him (1 Kings 18 and 19). He prayed that he might die because he felt he was no better than his fathers, so he laid down and slept. An angel came, touched him and told him to arise and eat. The angel came a second time and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you” (1 Kings 19:7b). Elijah went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights.
When he got to the mountain, 1 Kings 19:9 says, “And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” So Elijah said he had been very zealous for God; the children of Israel had forsaken His covenant and torn down His altars and killed the prophets; he alone was left, and they were seeking his life. Later, God asked him again, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah responded as before. It is then that God informed him that He had reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees had not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that had not kissed him (1 Kings 19:13-14, 18). God had more work for this great man to do!
These and many other passages should fortify and encourage us to continue in the work. First Corinthians 15:58 is a familiar verse that strengthens. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Notice Paul said we are to abound in our labor in the Lord.
Of course, our working must be balanced with resting. We see this example in Mark 6:7-13 when Jesus called the apostles to Himself and began to send them out two by two to preach. Mark 6:30-32 says, “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.” Jesus called them aside to rest a while, but not for an indefinite sabbatical! These twelve men had much work to do!
Jesus often went out to the Mount of Olives after a day of teaching and preaching, healing the sick, feeding the multitudes, and raising the dead. Yet, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews did not let that stop him; this man came to Jesus by night (John 3:1-2)! Jesus took full advantage of the opportunity to teach him about the new birth for entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus took the time to explain to Nicodemus exactly what He meant and how His teaching on the spiritual birth had to be obeyed to accomplish reconciliation to God (John 3:3-21).
Whatever we are going to do in the kingdom, we must do it in this present moment because now is all we have. Advancing age and health issues will naturally demand that some concessions must and should be made. This does not mean that we suspend or terminate our service to God and others without ever intending to return to the work. Revelation 22:12 is crystal clear. Jesus said, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Rest follows work! We are working for Him now, and we will rest when we die!
