The US holiday we commonly call “Labor Day” was “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” (The History of Labor Day”, US Gvt DOL website – http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm) In times past, Labor Day was commonly referred to as the “working man’s holiday”. Specifically set aside in appreciation for the hard work of the American citizen (especially members of the Labor Unions).
Speaking for myself, I always look forward to Labor Day, enjoying an additional paid day off work and much needed time with my family. But as much as I enjoy the US Labor Day celebration, there is a much greater Labor Day in the future for those of us that are servants of the Lord. Let’s take a few minutes and learn more about the eternal Labor Day that the Lord has so graciously promised to us.
THE SCRIPTURE:
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. (Rev 14:13)
THE STUDY:
Here in Rev 14:13 we find one of many references to the eternal rest that the Lord has promised to those who serve Him. Please note the four basic principles concerning this rest:
Principle #1 – “Blessed” This eternal rest we receive is a great blessing from the Lord. It not only is a reward for faithfulness but also a great encouragement as we serve the Lord on earth. What a great blessing it is to know that we someday will enjoy eternal rest with Christ!
Principle #2 – “the dead which die in the Lord” We enter this eternal rest at the completion of our course here on earth. Keep in mind, all who are servants of Jesus will enter into that rest, whether when we die or when He comes back to take us home at His second coming.
Why do we not rest from our labors while we are still on the earth? The Lord clearly explains to us that “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” There is so much work left to do here on earth… now is not the time for rest…. It is the time for service!
Principle #3 – “they may rest from their labors” When the servant’s work on earth is completed, he enters into a very wonderful special type of rest… this rest is described in detail in Rev 21:3-4; It involves a rest from pain, sorrow, and physical suffering. But also, the Christian will no longer have to struggle against sinful flesh, but will now be able to worship the Lord in sinless freedom (Rev 22:3-5; Rom 8:21; ”glorious liberty of children of God”)
Principle #4 – “their works do follow them” What a tremendous blessing! Just to know that when we serve the Lord on earth, our labors are remembered into eternity. The rewarding of the faithful servant of the Lord is a central, widespread theme throughout God’s Word. (2 Tim 4:7-8; Heb 6:10-11)
Keep in mind, the rewards we will receive in heaven will have a wonderful significance. The rewards are not given to faithful Christians to bring praise to the Christian. Keep in mind, any service we have rendered to the Lord is entirely by His grace. Our health, our physical life, our understanding of Scripture, our salvation, EVERYTHING having to do with our service to Him is a gift from Him. This is why when we receive our rewards for service we lay them back down at His feet. (Rev 4:10-11) It is our way of saying “If it was not for you Lord, we never could have served You”.
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION
For the Christian….
On this Labor Day weekend, let’s take a few minutes to give thanks to the Lord for His laborers that are faithfully working the fields that are “white unto the harvest”. Give your pastor, missionary or Sunday School teacher a quick call or email thanking them for their service as well. But above all else, we need to be sure that we are doing what our Lord has called us to do, recognizing our time of rest has not yet come!
For those who have never trusted in Christ…
Take some time out this weekend to read the Bible and see the work that Christ has performed for His people. Here are some chapters to get you started. If you read a Romans chapter in the morning and a John chapter in the evening you can easily finish these this holiday weekend. (Romans chapters 5, 8,11; John chapters 3,4,5;)
May the Lord bless you.
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
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You know what Rob? Be sure you get some rest too on this Labor Day. Putting together your videos and your articles takes a huge amount of effort and determinations and time. I don’t know how you do it but I do enjoy reading them. You will certainly be rewarded for your services to the Lord. I never think much about in term of Christian Labor Day. So have a nice Labor Day in Christ. Thanks brother Rob.
Thank you so much for the kind words… you are doing the same as I. Just trying to do our duty… follow the Lord’s calling for each of us. Thanks to you, and every Christian who is willing to take a public stand for their Savior. May Jesus Christ be praised.
I really enjoyed this post. I look forward to the day when my labors have ceased and all I have to do is Praise the LORD all day and all night! Come LORD Jesus come!!
Appropriate study for Labor Day from a passage I didn’t even connect to with work
Although, in many ways our service to the Lord here on earth I do not consider “work” but a joy. In one sense, it is laboring for Him and I am certainly looking forward to the eternal rest that is awaiting us all. Lord bless you Brother.
This was a timely reminder, as always. Some days I forget that being a parent and teaching my children to learn to love the Lord and the Word don’t count towards serving God. I get carried away with comparisons to the other brothers and sisters who are serving God in more recognizable ways. But I know that all things happen in the Lord’s perfect timing and in the order and ways that He has set. Thanks for this and more blessings to you and your ministry.
I appreciate all you have said… “I get carried away with comparisons to the other brothers and sisters who are serving God in more recognizable ways.” it is so easy to do that. But over the years I have learned that, many times, the service that is done out of the limelight ends up being the most important and fruitful of all the service for Christ. Lord bless you as you faithfully do as He would have you. As long as you are doing His will… you are being a faithful servant who will be blessed in their deed.
Thank you Pastor Rob. Have a wonderful week!
I came back here after posting my earlier comment. I clicked through the Squidoo link and was told it could not be viewed. Kindly check please, thanks!
Just click on this link for access…. http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace
If you still cannot get access, I have the posting in text form I can email you or leave as a long comment. Just let me know if you need it. Lord bless you.
Great post, I especially liked your comment about thanking the LORD for all those who labor for Him, including Pastors, missionaries and those working in the fields. Thank you. 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, Toni. We have ALOT to be thankful for on this Labor Day!
AMEN! 🙂
Wonderful post, Pastor! I agree that “now is not the time for rest…. It is the time for service!” We’re saved to serve the Lord as He calls us to do…but it will be awesome when we finally do enter into His rest! Amen!! God Bless!
AMEN!
Amen!
Reblogged this on My Delight and My Counsellors.
[…] The Christians Labor Day at Settled In Heaven. Here is a post that looks to the rewards of Christ-like labor. […]
Thanks for the reblog Tom.