Their Works Do Follow Them

Revelation 14:12-13 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 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.”

We were in South Dakota last year for revival meetings, and I was privileged to meet several farmers who are members of the church there. I am always amazed at the dedication that farming requires. Farming is a responsibility that never lets up-the animals and the crops never “take a break” to let the farmer go on vacation. Truly, a farmer’s life is defined by his daily work.

Though our daily work may be very different from the work of a farmer, we also are defined by our daily work. Notice the first part of this passage in Revelation: John is writing about the “saints,” or the Christians. He says in verse 13, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord….” Dying is actually a blessed, happy thing when you are in Christ! How could this be? Well, let’s look at the rest of the verse to find out: “Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Their works follow them after they die.

Let’s go back to the farmers for a minute. Springtime is a very busy time for a farmer. Each day he works from sunrise to sunset, and sometimes even longer, to get his crops planted in the soil. Each night when he pillows his head, he does not have something immediate to show for all of his labors that day. But he sleeps peacefully, knowing that the season will come when he will reap what he spent all day planting.

Each day here on earth, we “follow our work.” In other words, we seek out the work that needs to be done, and that is where we spend our efforts that day. We may not have something tangible to show for our labors-we have spent the day “planting.” But there will come a day when our works will turn around and follow us. No longer will it be the time for planting-it will be the time for reaping.

Like a farmer, the pastor and my other friends in South Dakota are also planting, cultivating, and reaping. Folks are getting saved, and God is doing a work there. Pastor’s faithful work-often unnoticed-is noticed by God. And someday, his works will follow him. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”