Illustration of the first American Labor parade held in New York City on September 5, 1882 as it appeared in Frank Leslie's Weekly Illustrated Newspaper's September 16, 1882 issue.
"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
There is something to be written.
The visionary, John, in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, sees sights and hears sounds that amaze him.
Perhaps some are confusing, confounding, and complex. We have certainly struggled with what we have read through the centuries.
That is not the case with these simple words. They are clear, concise, and unambiguous.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”
There is something qualitatively different about the death of God’s people. Rather than tragedy, it is triumph. Rather than defeat, it is victory. Rather than loss of purpose, it is fulfillment.
It is like a day of rest from labors where he labor of their lives is honored and completed.
God knows how hard you have worked. He knows the labor of your service. He knows the work of your hands. He understands the travail of your faith. He is with you; He has been doling out strength little by little. He knows the difficulties.
He has been helping you.
He also knows when you will have had enough and completed your task. He has your retirement date in mind.
It will not be a day of regret. In will not be a day of unfinished business. It will not be a time when you look back and say, “I wish I had …” or “… if only I had not…”
He will complete whatever projects are lingering on your desk or bench. He will bring them to fulfillment and He will pass them on to others who will take up where you left off.
Your works will follow you.
You will have a legacy.
Your life purpose, expressed through your life work, will follow you and you will rest, fulfilled and content, in His presence.
That will be a nice eternal Labor Day.
