Revelation 14:3 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 labors; and their works do follow them.
This passage of scripture describes a time in the period of earth's history when the deaths amongst God's people will be significantly ramped up, for when the statement is understood in its proper context, we see that it comes right about the time that the mark of the beast is being instituted and enforced, with the threat of death being issued to those who refuse to bow to the man of sin, and the spurious sabbath which will be instituted as law across the land. The time being referenced here will be extremely severe in nature, and there are not very many Christians who will be able to endure the violent upheavals of nature, together with the unprecedented bloodshed that will spiral out of control across the globe, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven. Let's read:
Revelation 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
The scenes here described make the heart faint, and since human nature naturally recoils at both the prospect and images of death, God in His wisdom will see fit to put many of His saints to sleep before the time of trouble. In His mercy He will not subject many of them to the grueling ordeals, and supernatural occurrences that will then transpire, and so, in order that they may be spared the trauma and deep stress that will then envelope the earth, God will lay many to rest for a very brief season, until the indignation be over-past.
Many Christians do not fully understand these solemn truths, and therefore we are extremely grieved when our loved ones pass away, but when their demise is seen in the greater context, it is seen that God's mercy is really at work. This is what the prophet Isaiah was referring to when writing about the very same conditions described in Revelation 14, for as stated before, that period of earth's history will represent the most trying for God's people. Let's read:
Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
However, it's important to note that not all will be laid to rest for there are those who will be enabled to endure to the very end, and thus, in lieu of this, it's important for us to make certain observations, as we prepare spiritually and mentally, in anticipation of that time. Often when deadly calamities strike without warning, such as the earthquake in Indonesia, or the tsunami of Japan, many folks in the news media start to question the goodness of God, and many people, including some Christians jump on the bandwagon of questioning His love and good judgment in permitting these things to take place.
As Christians we should never join with the secular world in doubting God's love and mercy, for there are other factors and forces at work, of which we know very little, and therefore it's imperative that come what may, we keep our eyes lifted heavenward, for whatsoever God does, or permits, is always with the best interest of His people in mind. Thus when questions arise, and doubts are planted, let us be found singing the praises of Him who does everything well, rather than joining with those who have not studied or known the mercy and justice of God.
Many televangelists and religious leaders have done much damage to the understanding and minds of the people under their jurisdiction, by presenting a Jesus who is one-sided in nature, meaning that He is too loving and kind to execute justice upon the deliberate sinner who is set in his or her ways, and because of these unbalanced views of God, many sincere Christians may stumble when the judgments of God, unmixed with mercy, are released across the globe. Thus, in order that many of us be not severely shaken in our faith, the Lord will put many to rest, so that our eyes may not behold these terrible scenes that are scheduled to begin in the not too distant future.
We therefore end with a promise of hope to those who may die from "Henceforth" and to those who mourn, for we will see our loved ones again, if they, as well as ourselves, stay the course with Jesus. Let's read:
1st Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!