Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
Perhaps you recognise those words? They come from Revelation 14:13. They are also the title of a helpful booklet by Roger Carswell. With two members of our church family dying so recently, I turned to it once again. How can we say that those who die in the Lord are blessed? The answer comes in the words of Matthew Henry, the 18th century Bible commentator, written to help anyone who might unduly mourn for him:
“Would you like to know where I am? I am at home in my Father’s house, in the mansions prepared for me here. I am where I want to be – no longer in the stormy sea, but in God’s safe, quiet harbour. My sowing time is done, and I am reaping; my joy is as the joy of harvest. Would you like to know how it is with me? I am made perfect in holiness. Grace is swallowed up in glory. Would you like to know what I am doing? I see God, not as through a glass darkly, but face to face. I am engaged in the sweet enjoyment of my precious Redeemer. I am singing hallelujahs to Him who sits upon the throne, and I am constantly praising Him. Would you know what blessed company I keep? It is better than the best on earth. Here are the holy angels and the spirits of just men made perfect… I am with many of my old acquaintances with whom I worked and prayed, and who have come here before me. Lastly, would you know how long this will continue? It is a dawn that never fades! After millions and millions of ages, it will be as fresh as it is now. Therefore, weep not for me!”