Death is the great revealer. It unmasks every soul, showing clearly who belonged to Christ and who never came to Him. Revelation 14:12–13 gives us a powerful lens:
“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.” — Revelation 14:12–13 (KJV)
This single passage introduces us to the identity of saints, the blessing of dying in the Lord, the rest that follows faithful labour, and the continuity of Kingdom service into eternity.
But Scripture also draws a line of eternal consequence for those who die without salvation.
Let’s explore both paths.
WHO ARE THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE?
The word Saints does not refer to a special class of believers canonized by men. The Bible uses the term for every genuinely saved person—those who belong to God by spiritual birth.
“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 1:7 (KJV)
Notice the phrase: “beloved of God, called to be saints.”
Saints are: Loved by God, Called by God, And recognized by Heaven.
Paul reinforces this in Ephesians:
“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” — Ephesians 1:4 (KJV)
God’s choice preceded man’s behaviour. The Saint is not someone who tries to be holy, but someone made new in Christ and empowered to walk in holiness.
Jesus explains the door into this nature:
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3 (KJV)
Then the Gospel itself is announced:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16 (KJV)
And the verdict of faith:
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” — John 3:36 (KJV)
A Saint is therefore: Born again, Chosen in Christ, Loved by God, A carrier of His divine nature.
As Ezekiel foretold:
“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.” — Ezekiel 11:19 (KJV)
The Amplified adds even more clarity:
“And I will give them one heart, a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh—responsive to My touch.” — Ezekiel 11:19 (AMPC)
This is transformation, not reformation.
WHAT MAKES THEIR PATIENCE SIGNIFICANT?
“Here is the patience of the saints…” (Revelation 14:12) means saints are recognized by endurance that flows from faith, not frustration.
James teaches how patience matures a believer:
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” — James 1:2–4 (KJV)
Their patience is proof that their faith has been tested, refined, and strengthened.
THE FAITH OF JESUS — NOT JUST FAITH IN JESUS
The saints walk in “the faith of Jesus”—a received and active confidence in Christ’s finished work, not merely a mental agreement.
Paul explains the access point into this faith:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17 (KJV)
Their faith battery is charged by hearing; their victory is activated by speaking.
THE BLESSING OF DYING IN THE LORD
Heaven declared the saved as Blessed at death, not pitied.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord…” means:
They die owned by Christ, Received by Heaven, Transitioning into eternal life.
Paul explains the location of the saint after death:
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
The saint does not cease to exist. They relocate.
Hebrews celebrates them as part of the heavenly assembly:
“To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” — Hebrews 12:23 (KJV)
Their spirit is perfected at transition, not erased.
THE RESURRECTION HOPE OF SAINTS WHO DIE IN CHRIST
The saints who die in the Lord do not end in silence or darkness—they enter into a resurrection-backed hope anchored in Christ Himself.
Paul teaches this mystery with clarity and triumph:
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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:
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.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (KJV)
Those who died in Christ will rise first before any believer still alive is caught up.
Their rising is: Physical resurrection, not imagination, Divine sequence, not assumption, Heaven-authorized comfort, not grief without meaning.
Jesus also foreshadowed this gathering when speaking of the final harvest:
“And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” — Matthew 24:31 (KJV)
The elect here refers to those chosen in Christ, redeemed, saved, and sealed by God’s Spirit.
CAUGHT UP — THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS
The phrase “caught up” is not symbolic—it is literal, a divine relocation of believers into Christ’s presence.
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air…” — 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV)
This meeting place is the air, not the grave, not limbo, not silence. It is the first reception point of reunion with Christ for His Church.
John echoes this same reality in Revelation 14:13:
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth…” — Revelation 14:13 (KJV)
They are blessed because they died in a covenant with Christ, and because death cannot cancel resurrection for the redeemed.
Jesus Himself declared:
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?” — John 11:25–26 (KJV)
He didn’t say “I will show resurrection someday.”
He said “I AM.” Resurrection is His identity and the inheritance of those united to Him.
THE GLORY OF EVERLASTING UNION
When the saints rise and are caught up, the outcome is eternal: “…and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”— 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV)
“To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” — Hebrews 12:23 (KJV)
Their spirits are perfected at transition, and their union with God becomes unbroken forever.
THE COMFORT — BUT ALSO THE WARNING
For the saved, the Bible says Comfort one another:
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:18 (KJV)
But for those who die without salvation, Scripture warns with equal clarity:
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” — John 8:24 (KJV)
To die without Christ is to die without hope, without rest, without God, without life.
THE CONTINUITY OF KINGDOM LABOUR
“…they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
This means: Their earthly assignment ends, But their Kingdom service continues as reward, testimony, and eternal record.
Paul assures us God keeps the file of every Kingdom labour:
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” — Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)
Their labour becomes a legacy, a voice, a crown, and a witness.
Daniel adds a prophetic echo to this continuity:
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” — Daniel 12:3 (KJV)
Saints shine forever, because righteousness was settled in Christ, not self.
THOSE WHO DIE WITHOUT SALVATION — THE OTHER PATH
Scripture is equally unambiguous about those who depart without Christ.
Jesus gave the warning Himself:
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” — John 8:24 (KJV)
To die without salvation is to die in the devil’s ownership, not Christ’s ownership.
Paul explains the penalty:
“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” — 2 Thessalonians 1:9 (KJV)
Amplified intensifies it:
“Such people will pay the penalty and suffer the punishment of everlasting ruin (destruction and perdition), and eternal exclusion and banishment from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” — 2 Thessalonians 1:9 (AMPC)
John summarizes it into a chilling but necessary truth:
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” — 1 John 5:12 (KJV)
And the universal appointment:
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” — Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
There is no second negotiation after death. Salvation is a while-you-live decision.
THE GREAT DIVIDING LINE
It is not: “Did they try their best?” “Were they sincere?” “Did they do good works?”
It is:
Did they have the Son?
Did they die in the Lord?
Were they born again?
Morality without Christ does not equal dying in the Lord. Kingdom service without the faith of Jesus does not transition into eternal reward.
When a Saint dies, Heaven says: “Blessed.”
Earth says: “Lost.”
But eternity says: “Rewarded, Resting, Received, Reigning.”
When the unsaved die, Earth may say, “Celebrated.”
But Heaven says: “Judgment awaits, separation continues.”
This is why salvation is not religion—it is spiritual nature transfer, a change of ownership, a change of spirit, a change of destiny.
If you are reading this today, you are alive by God’s mercy.
Do not gamble with the most important decision of your existence.
Call on Him now:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” — Romans 10:9 (KJV)
The path into saint-hood is open. The arms of Jesus are open. Heaven is watching, waiting, and calling.
The Saint’s death is not defeat—it is sleep backed by rising. It is labour concluded but rewarded, life continued beyond the grave, and reunion guaranteed at Christ’s descent. But the unsaved soul must settle salvation before death settles them.
SALVATION CALL — THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION BEFORE DEATH
Dear reader, if you have followed this teaching to this point, one truth stands unshakable:
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” — 1 John 5:11–12 (KJV)
Eternal life is not earned by works. It is received through Christ.
Jesus made it plain:
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. — John 14:6 (KJV)
And again:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16 (KJV)
This means:
Salvation is through a Person — Jesus Christ. To reject Him is to reject Life. To receive Him is to step into blessedness, rest, and eternal glory.
The Bible gives the invitation:
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)
Not tomorrow. Not later. Now.
And the access point:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” — Romans 10:9 (KJV)
SALVATION PRAYER
If you want to receive Jesus and transfer ownership of your spirit from darkness to God, pray this sincerely:
Lord Jesus,
I confess that You are the Son of God.
I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead.
I receive You today as my Lord and my Saviour.
Wash me with Your blood.
Give me a new spirit and a new heart responsive to You.
I renounce sin and Satan.
I belong to You forever.
Write my name in the Book of Life.
I am saved. I am born again.
Thank You for giving me eternal life.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Now that you have prayed:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Welcome to the family of God. You are no longer separated. You are now beloved, called, and Heaven-recognized.
INVITATION TO JOIN THE CHURCH FOR GROWTH & DISCIPLESHIP
You have received salvation, but now you must grow in Christ, be discipled in the Word, and walk in the superior structure of God’s design for believers.
We invite you to become part of a community where:
Faith is taught and activated, The Word of God is handled with depth, And believers are built to reign in life.
Connect with us at:
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Send us a message or email today saying: “I am saved and I want to grow in Christ.”
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FINAL CHARGE
Whether death comes early or late, the only blessed death is the one in the Lord. But the only way to die in the Lord is to first live in Him. You have begun that journey today.
Stand firm, grow deep, and shine eternally:
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” — Daniel 12:3 (KJV)
The Message Bearer (SmilingPreacher), Cornelius Bella
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