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Be reading from Hebrews chapter 4, beginning in verse 1, and reading through verse 11. Therefore, let us fear, if while a promise remains of entering his rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed, we have had good news preached to us, just as they also.

But the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as he said, as I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter my rest. Although his works were finished from the foundation of the world, for he has said somewhere concerning the seventh day, and God rested on the seventh day from all his works.

And again in this passage, they shall not enter my rest. Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, he again fixes a certain day, today, saying through David, after so long a time, just as has been said before, today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.

For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken. Of another day after that. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered his rest has himself also rested from his works as God did from his. Therefore, let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall through following the same example of disobedience.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we do come before you, thanking you for your mercy and grace. We thank you that you have established a rest for your people. Father, and even now, those of us who have trusted in Christ have entered into a rest, a sense of recognizing that our sin has been dealt with at the cross and we can rest in our, not in our goodness before your throne, but before and in the righteousness of Christ.

Father, we thank you that you sent him because you wanted to give us your favor. And he went to the cross because he wanted to give us that which was most precious, the favor of God. And so, Father, we recognize that there is rest from the guilt and shame and sorrow of our sin in Christ.

We also recognize Recognize that there is a rest coming. Father, when this day will be over, when this life will be over, and we shall enter into your presence, Father, having completed the race that you have called us to run, Father, that our labors will be over, but the fruit and the enjoyment of that fruit will be for eternity.

Father, we recognize now that our labor is temporary, but our reward and fruit of all that is eternal. And so, Father, help us today to be active and labor in that which is most precious. Help us to be diligent to enter the rest, that salvation rest that is in Christ.

Help us, Father, to press on until we step across the finish line and enter into your presence. So, Father, we thank you for this morning and may you be exalted in our midst as we rest and as we worship and as we challenge one another to persevere in your name for your glory.

It's in Christ's name we pray. Amen. Well, thank you, music team. Blessing to take us before the throne in truth and in song. Really appreciate our music teams here. They really do an excellent job. I know they spend a lot of hours and Time and thought and effort.

So, thank you, music ministry, and all you involved. Thank you. Please turn in your Bibles to Revelation chapter 14. Revelation chapter 14. I want to look at two verses today: verses 12 and 13. Revelation 14, verses 12 to 13. And yes, we will make it through Revelation sometime in God's timing.

There's so many good places to stop along the way and really take in the truth that's being revealed. Revelation chapter 14, verse 12. Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.

Yes, says the Spirit, so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them. And I think we've probably all heard this notion that you can't take anything with you. In other words, when you die, you can't take anything with you. You die, and that's it.

You can't take anything with you. And we're going to come to that in a moment. But before we do, I want to just. Catch you up to speed with where we've been. The seven bowls of God's final judgment are about to be poured out upon the world. And then, but before they are poured out, God sends some angels.

First angel, there's actually six in this chapter. The first angel comes with God's final invitation to invite people to once again come to Him to hear the gospel. So an angel is sent out to make sure everybody on earth hears. Second and third angels, they announce God's final warning.

Like we looked at these last time. If you'll look at verse 8, first, the second angel in verse 8, another angel, a second one, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.

There is certain doom for Babylon the Great. But then the third angel comes, and he makes this announcement that there is going to be eternal torment for those who are marked by Babylon the Great. Verse 9, then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives a mark on his Forehead or on his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest, day and night, those who worship the beast in his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. And then, in following the announcements of these three angels, is the Spirit's announcement of eternal blessing.

We just read it. It is the Spirit who makes an announcement. And this amounts to God's encouragement to the faithful. And His encouragement to them is to remain faithful. So that's the pattern of where we've been. First of all, there's this invitation, ministry of the first angel, gospel invitation, ministry of the second and third angel, this warning, warning not to receive the mark of the beast.

So there's not going to be any ignorance on planet Earth. They're going to fully engage in the worship of the beast, fully knowing that God forbids them to do so. So you have this invitation warning, but then there is this encouragement. Encouragement, an encouragement to the faithful, and God's encouragement to the faithful to remain faithful.

And so we've been looking at this, the heart of God and the harvest of the earth, this whole chapter. And we come to this section today that's dealing with the sorry, not moving, and it's on. There it is, God's encouragement to the faithful. And I want us to look at this encouragement so that you and I will persevere in faithfulness.

And I think there's a real encouragement here for us today to keep on laboring, to keep on persevering in all that God has called us to do. So, first of all, I want to look at God's encouragement. And the encouragement, verse 12, really amounts to a call to perseverance.

Look back at verse 12. Here, here it is. Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. What perseverance really simply boils down to is obeying God's command and keeping trust in Jesus amidst all the Trials of life that would encourage you to do otherwise.

It's really that message of wait. Wait for God and overcome while you're waiting. Wait. Wait upon the Lord. Do not disobey His commands while you're waiting. And do not deny Him while you're waiting. That's what overcoming, that is the perseverance of the saints. It involves obeying God's command and trust in Jesus, regardless of all the trials in life to do otherwise.

It's a warning. The warning that we've just read about eternal torment. But the warning of Scripture is good. It has a persevering effect for the saints. Fear God. Give glory to Him. Worship Him and Him alone. Do not take the mark. Those who do will be tormented eternally.

That's a warning in Scripture. But that warning in Scripture, as do all the warnings in Scripture, have a persevering effect upon the saints. So basically, what's being outlined here in this passage is: do you want temporary pain or eternal torment? Which would you choose? And this warning has a good impact.

Because, you see, unbelievers don't believe the warnings in the first place, so they don't pay any attention. But believers do believe the warnings, and they take heed, and they make sure that this doesn't happen to them because they believe. And so the warnings have, and this is throughout Scripture.

For instance, In Hebrews 6, 4, it says, For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word and God and the powers of the age to come and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put him to open shame.

On the surface, it looks like, okay, can we lose our salvation? Can we walk away? But then just a couple verses later, the writer of Hebrews says this, but beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, things that accompany salvation, even though we're talking to you this way.

In other words, the writer of Hebrews is saying, we know that this isn't going to be true of you because we are expecting things that accompany salvation to be true of you. But he goes on, and in Hebrews 10, the same thing. Another warning, Hebrews 10:26, for if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer remains a sacrifice for sin, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

See, if you're reading Hebrews, the warnings to not fall away and to not go on sinning willfully are believed by the believers. So, guess what they do? They don't fall away, they don't go on sinning willfully. They cry out to God for help and they pay close attention to the dangers of life.

And so, these warnings serve and have a preserving effect upon the believer. And the same is true in our Revelation context. The believers will heed the warning to fear God more than the beast, and therefore they won't take his mark regardless of what he does to them because they fear God more.

There is a fear of the eternal wrath of God, and that has an obedient effect upon the children of God. And so, they would rather obey God's commandments and keep faith in Jesus rather than taking the mark of the beast. They believe. And so. These warnings. Keep them.

Verse 12, you look back, gives us a clear definition of what perseverance looks like. But it's more than just a definition. It tells us, here, here is the perseverance of the saints. Implicit in this outlining, in this summary, in this definition of what the perseverance of the saints looks like is a call to it.

You need to know what perseverance looks like in order for you to do it. And so there we come into this beautiful doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, at least one aspect of it. In this chapter, we've already seen some rich theology, the rich theology of what God expects in response to his gospel.

What does he expect? Fear God, give him glory, worship him. That's what he expects. That is what, when we announce the gospel, that is what the angel expected in response, that is what God expects in response, and that is what we are to expect in response. We've also looked at the doctrine of eternal punishment.

The torment, the smoke of their torment going up forever and ever. There is not an annihilation. They don't go out of existence. So we have this doctrine of eternal punishment that we looked at last time. And in our context this morning, we have before us this teaching, this biblical teaching, doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.

Here, here it is. The perseverance. Here is that patient endurance of the saints. This is what it looks like. What does the patient endurance of the saints look like? What does it look like if you persevere in the faith? What does that look like? Well, the answer is given right before us in our text.

There are two key concepts involved in perseverance. Look back. First, perseverance involves obedience to God's commands. Notice the saints are the ones who are keeping the commandments of God. The saints are characterized by following God's commands. Those articulated in his words. It is God's ethics that defines them rather than the satanic ethics.

And you remember what's happening in context: the dragon. It's the dragon raging at them. It's the dragon with all of his helpers and people. It's the dragon who is raging at them, who hounds them. Who tortures them, who kills them? That's the dragon in his rage after them.

But they do not respond the same way. They do not repay evil for evil. They're not plotting to overthrow the beast. They're not hiding in the caves, but they're trying to obey and wait for Jesus. And as they're doing, they are helping others wait and overcome the temptation to disobey God and deny Christ.

So there is an ethical distinction. They don't repay evil for evil. They are characterized by God's ethics, by God's ways, by keeping God's commands. And his commands are not burdensome. They're just hated by the forces of evil. And so they must endure. The second element of perseverance of the saints in this context is that it involves faith in Jesus.

Not only is there an ethical distinction between these people and the dragon's people, there's a loyalty distinction. Notice again, look back. Here is the perseverance of the saints who are keeping, who keep the commandments. Commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. They are connected to Jesus by their faith.

They really believe God's testimony about him. They cannot go anywhere else. They truly believe in him. And by that belief in him, they are kept by him. Because they truly believe, they are kept. You remember the apostles in that when all the crowds were turning away, and Jesus turns to his disciples and says, You two are not going to leave, are you?

Like, where will we go? You're the ones. You're the one who has eternal life. We can't go anywhere else because we have truly believed in you. And because we have faith in you, that faith keeps us in you because we cannot go anywhere else because we truly believe who you are.

And it is your faith that keeps us. It is that faith that God has given. He has given that which to believe in. And that faith keeps us as we believe. Because we believe. There's a keeping power. There's a person. So this generation. Is not ultimately afraid of the dragon.

They fear God more. And so they obey him. You see, Satan's goal has always been to pervert the loyalty of the saints. And that's what's going on in your life right now, if you're in him. I can tell you what Satan is active. He's active to get you to disobey God and be ashamed of Christ.

He wants to pervert your loyalty to God. That is what he is about. That is what he is going to do in this generation. You remember back in Revelation chapter 12 and verse 17, after the dragon had been thrown out of heaven and after he went after the woman into the wilderness and the earth helped her, he's frustrated.

He's just in this rage and he's frustrated. He can't take heaven. He can't even take this woman. And so now he's got to turn his attention and vent his anger on someone and that target is going to be Revelation 12, 17. Those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. The very same thing that's being said here. All this rage. Is aimed at one class of people with one target to get them to disobey God and deny Christ. This is going to be a remarkable generation.

Now, Satan has always opposed such people. However, there is a time coming when he will do so with more global political, economic, and religious advantages than he's ever had before. But here is the perseverance of the saints, the staying power. It is impressive what they are doing. Those who are truly born of God are influenced by a greater influence than all the pressures, all the lies, all the deception that's set against them.

All the forces of the world, the satanic realm, and everything else, the influence of the Spirit of God is greater for those who are born of God. They are resolved. There is a subtle resolution in their hearts that has already been stated. Revelation 13:10, it says this: If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes.

If anyone kills with the sword, but the Sword, he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. They are at peace with the will of God. They're always going to seek to obey Him, and they're always going to seek to be identified with Him.

Even if they fail, they get right back up, confess their sin, and they keep going. That is the character of somebody who has been born from above. And these are the ones who God is going to give His kingdom to. Why? Because they love God supremely, and they will be a good steward of the kingdom He gives them.

Who wants to give the kingdom to somebody who's going to elevate and exalt themselves over the giver? We saw that, Adam and Eve. No, the kingdom, the internal kingdom, is going to be given to those who love God supremely. And it's only a work of His grace in us, a work of His Spirit that brings that about.

It is His work, but it involves us. It involves us setting our mind upon Him. But you know, as I think about it, perseverance is what we. Have in common? We live in this fallen world together, don't we? We have this little society here called the church. What are we about?

Well, we want to obey God's commands and keep faith in Jesus. That's really when you boil it down, that's what we're about. We all are very much aware, being also a citizen of this fallen world. We also know our own proneness to wander away from God. We also know our own proneness to give in to temptation and violate his commands.

We also know our proneness to deny Christ. But in the midst of this, what do we all have in common? We're all commanded to wait, wait for Christ, and overcome these temptations while we're waiting. And so we're given to each other to help each other overcome while we're waiting.

That's what we're about here. John the Apostle understood this principle. This is what we share. In Revelation 1:9, listen to what Apostle John says. I, John, your brother, and fellow partaker. In the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance, which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

You see, John was expected to wait for Christ and to overcome the temptations to disobey and to deny while he was waiting. And he understood that we're all in this same situation, and so he writes to strengthen the churches. He says, Look, I'm a fellow partaker in the tribulation, also in the kingdom, and also in this task of persevering to the end.

In Revelation 2:2, Ephesus is commended for such perseverance. Revelation 2:2, I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not. And you found them to be false, and you have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake and have not grown weary.

So Ephesus is commended for their perseverance. Philadelphia is that exemplary example of perseverance. Listen, Revelation 3:10. Christ says this: Because you have kept the word of my perseverance. I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is coming, about to come upon the whole world to test those who dwell upon the earth.

You see, if you are in Christ, you are called to persevere. Persevere in simply obeying God's command and believing in Jesus, and growing in your keeping of God's command, and growing in your faith in Jesus. You're called to wait for Him, trust in Him, trust and obey. A very simple concept we just sung about: trust and obey.

This is the perseverance of the saints, to keep on, and helping others do the same while they're waiting. I think about the wonderful week I've heard about at camp and those coming back. And I hope that those of you and the good things that happened while in the group that didn't go but stayed and have several great events that took place and all of these activities, I hope that young people, that as you look at your brothers and sisters in Christ, that you will commit to helping them keep God's command and help them to keep faith in Christ because they're going to go back into their world and they're going to find themselves challenged at all points to deny Christ and.

To disobey God's commands. One of the hardest things for me when I, in early high school, came to Christ, I had to go back to my friends who I lived an ungodly life with, and I had to announce to them Christ and was not ashamed to do so.

But I remember the rejection. I remember the temptation to deny, the temptation to disobey God. Perseverance is certainly a work of God, but it certainly involves us. And sometimes the means that God uses is other people. So very much what we're doing here in this little society is we are actively preserving one another.

That is how God uses people, he uses us to help preserve one another. Yes, it's a work of God. But like everything, it's God's work, and there's the responsibility of man all joined together in this. He uses human agencies, he desires that we be preserved to the end.

And he wants to encourage perseverance. And so, in the very next verse, the Spirit of God speaks. Speaks and he announces the reward of eternal blessing. In order to encourage these, he announces the reward of eternal blessing. There's been the announcement of the gospel, the good news, that invitation to come.

There's been the announcement by the second two angels of that warning not to take the mark of the beast and eternal torment. And then there is this announcement by the Spirit of God Himself about the reward of eternal blessing. Let's look at this. Verse 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.

Yes, says the Spirit, so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them. Write. You know, except in one other place, in Revelation 22, 17, let me read this. The Spirit and the bride say, Come. The only other place the Spirit gives an utterance, a direct utterance, is in that invitation in Revelation 22, 17.

The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And here, here we have the only other direct utterance. By the Spirit. This is the Spirit's announcement. It's the Spirit of God saying amen to what just said. Yes, yes, says the Spirit. Blessed. Blessed. What is blessing? Blessing is to come under the favor of God and to remain under that favor of God.

That is blessing. Blessing, to be favored of God and to be assured of all of God's, all the expressions of God's favor throughout eternity. That is what being blessed is about. Enjoying that most favored status for eternity. That's what blessing is. Blessed. You see, when Jesus died, the world thought cursed, cursed by God.

Now he's cursed by man, cursed by God. But even in his cursing, he was blessed. He was the blessed one. And likewise, here, the ones dying from external appearance, you might think, well, the ones dying are forsaken. No, they're not forsaken. They are blessed. You see, persevering in faith.

May cost a person his or her life. It's happened in history, it's happening around the world today, and it's going to happen again in the future. But to die in the Lord is great gain, and it's the Spirit Himself who announces this blessed condition. So then a question becomes: what does it mean to die in the Lord?

Well, it simply means to die in the line of duty. It involves dying, dying in relationship with our Lord as we keep His commands and keep faith in Jesus, the line of duty. You can say it another way: to exhaust oneself in the service of Christ to the point of expiring, giving all for Christ.

And certainly in this Revelation context, it emphasizes those who die because they refuse the mark of the beast because of their loyalty to Christ. They're not going to worship the beast because they worship God. And certainly in this context, that's who it's speaking about, but it certainly isn't limited to these.

Look back at verse 13 and notice from now on. When he says this, it's an encouragement to those who were living during John's time, and that's who this. Letter, this book of Revelation first went to was to encourage those churches of Asia Minor. But it's not limited to them either.

It spoke to that generation to encourage them. It is also words about the future generation. It speaks words of encouragement about them to die in the Lord. From now on, they are blessed, but it also includes us, everyone in between. And notice, yes, says the Spirit, so that they may rest from their labors.

Rest. Rest means to cease. These will be put into a state of rest. And that's a stark contrast to the day-night torment of the wicked, the eternal torment versus the eternal rest. The faithful are going to rest. They will cease from the troubles, the difficulties, and the painful toils associated with being faithful to Christ.

This is going to be a horrendously difficult time for anyone. Who has any semblance of commitment to God and faith in Jesus? And it's going to cost them. There's going to be troubles. There's going to be difficulties. There's going to be labor involved in keeping faithful to God.

And yet, they will rest from the tormenting treatment of Antichrist's world. And as I already said, these words were spoken 2,000 years ago to encourage a generation that was facing persecution then, speaking about a generation in the future that's going to see the greatest political, religious, and deception advantages crushing against the church ever before in history, spoke to encourage them, and it's intended to encourage perseverance to everyone in between, including us.

Because this is a universal principle. Dying in the Lord results in resting from one's labor. God rested from his labor in creation. Likewise, those who labor in producing deeds of faithfulness and obedience and deeds that mark loyalty to Christ, they also will enter into an eternal state of rest and the blessedness associated with it.

That's their future. And this is the Spirit's bold affirmation and profound encouragement to every generation. Blessed is it to die in the Lord. How blessed are those who exhaust themselves in the work of Christ. But here's the encouragement. Think about this. You boil it down, what is being said.

The labor is temporary, the fruit is eternal. Labor is temporary. The fruit is eternal. Remember, Jesus is the faithful witness. What are we? We witness to the faithful witness. And laboring on his behalf is the best occupation that any of us could ever be in. So I can say to you today: labor to nurture the church.

That's what it boils down to. Nurture the church. Strengthen the church. She is the one who is necessary for Christ's witness to go out to the earth, both home, local, and abroad. Strengthen the church. Give your strength. Labor. For the church. And I don't mean just some broad, nebulous, big church out there.

I'm talking about this church if you're a member here. I'm talking about the church that you're involved in, wherever it may be. Strengthen the church. Give yourself for the well-being of the people. These are your people. Labor. Labor in prayer. Labor in teaching. Labor in serving. Whatever God has called you to do.

Labor in helping. Labor in courageing those who are praying, teaching, serving, and helping. Be an encouragement to them. Because there are so many discouragements out there. Support. Give. Be an asset to the church that you are part of. Be a great benefit to whatever church that God has placed you in.

Be of great benefit. Be an asset to that church in whatever capacity you can. Help your friends obey God's commands. Help your friends to trust in Jesus. Help them overcome while they're waiting for Christ's return. Encourage them to wait and help them wait. We're in this together. Whatever else God has called you to do, I can assure you it's to help strengthen his church.

But one day, you will rest from the labors and enjoy the fruits of those labors. I think most of us know what it's like to get a paycheck, at least the older generation does. The younger, well, I know, I don't know what a paycheck is, but I know a direct deposit or some kind of thing these days.

But what's the principle? You work, and then you're compensated for your work, and then you enjoy your compensation. Well, Jesus wants you to labor in his work. He has not been apologetic or hidden, kept this hidden. He wants you to labor. Listen to some of Jesus' words on this subject.

John 9:4, we must work the works of him who sent me as long as it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. You know what Jesus is saying? Work while you can. Your opportunity to labor for Christ is quickly coming to an end. What should our attitude be while we're laboring?

Jesus answers this question, too. Luke 17:7, he tells a little parable, and he says this, which of you, Having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, Come immediately and sit down to eat. But will he not say to him, Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you may eat and drink.

He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, We are unworthy slaves. We have done only that which we ought to have done. You know what Jesus is saying?

Have the right attitude while you work. Work while you have time and have the right attitude. Look, it is right and good to labor for Christ with the hours that you have. Labor while you can. And that is what we do. We labor because it is right. But now I want you to listen to the attitude of Christ toward those who serve him.

In Luke 12:35, he says, Be dressed in readiness and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes back. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes.

Truly, I say to you, That he will gird himself to serve and have them recline at the table and will come up and wait on them. Contrary to the parable of men, what Jesus is saying: labor, and the heart of the king is one. Complete your work, and then you come, and I am going to wait on you.

I am so excited in the completion of your work that I'm going to have you rest, and I'm going to serve you. So, labor while you can, labor because it is right, but marvel at the reward that's ahead. Death is the finish line. And blessed are you who labor for Christ's sake to the very end.

That's what the Spirit of God is saying. And no matter which generation you are part of, whether you die by a martyr's death or whether you die by natural causes, expending yourself for the gospel's sake, how good it will be for those of you who exhaust yourself in Christ's service.

So, give yourself to that labor. The labor is temporary, the fruit is eternal. Wow, one day your labor is going to be over. But the fruits of it and the enjoyment of those fruits will take an eternity. I love some of the things that have happened at camp last week.

Labor was temporary, but there's some eternal fruit that came out of it. And it's on the books. It can't be taken away. Words. I'll give you a word about the deeds. You know, you have heard people say that you cannot take anything with you when you die. Look back at verse 13.

Yes, says the Spirit, so they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them. In one sense, you do leave everything behind. We brought no material possessions into this world, and we will take none out. However, as our verse makes very plain, there are some things that you take out of this life, and there are some things that you can't help but take out of this life, and it's the deeds that you perform.

Their deeds follow them. It's the word accompany the deeds of the saints who die in the Lord. They are blessed because their deeds go with them. Their deeds are following them. Into the next life, as will the enemy's deeds. Their enemies are going to have their deeds. They're not going to be disconnected to their deeds.

You can't. A person is understood, is known by their deeds. It is a reflection of who they are. Your deeds say who you are, says who you, how you view God, how you view one another, how you view his word. Your deeds say all this about you. And there are those at the end that are going to be judged by what they did and thrown into the lake of fire.

That's the enemies. But then there are those who are in this blessed state. Their evidences of loyalty, their deeds, their toils, their labors go with them. What do you want to take with you? Do you want to take good deeds? Do you want to take evil deeds? Many of you would say, well, I'd rather take good deeds, but I don't want to take evil deeds, but maybe nothing.

I'll be fine with neutral. I'll tell you, you're like the man who buried his one talent, and that itself is an evil deed. And one of my best memories in life, and I know our time's getting out, was our 25th wedding anniversary. We went to Israel. It took about a month.

We got to spend some time in England. We toured the land of the Bible. We had a whole family, all six kids. It was a rare moment in our history, and it cost a fortune to go. And it was a great time. It was not an easy time.

We were hiking and working and exhausted at times. And I remember when it was over in my heart, it wasn't like, oh, I'm sad. No, I was happy. It's in the bag. No one can ever take that away now. The flights were good. Everything happened well. And it's in the bag.

Labor in the Lord and die while laboring. These deeds, when you've done a good deed for the Lord, when you have finished the race, it goes into this state that can't be touched. Labor is temporary. Fruit is eternal. Well, we have been working our way through these three announcements in these verses.

There's certain doom for the world system, eternal torment for those who participated in it, and eternal blessings for those who wait upon the Lord. I hope today's message will encourage you to persevere in faithfulness and to encourage your brothers and sisters to do the same. But as I look at this section, I look at, I can't help but think, see the heart of God here.

One cannot help but marvel at the love of God for his people that God has for people and especially his people. You can see in this chapter the heart of God that even at this stage in human history, he loves his enemies. We are commanded to love our enemies because God loves his enemies.

And in this chapter, he demonstrates what that looks like. Even at this stage in life, he's still inviting people to come to him. He's still warning people of the certain destruction that awaits for those who challenge him, even to those who viciously harm his people. He gives them one final invitation and gives them one final warning.

Yeah, the Bible is very clear. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 33, 7, say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather the wicked turn from his way. And live. But the Bible is also clear: he is not going to allow them to reign over the earth.

Their time will come to an end. And that's what we're going to be studying next: in the harvest of the earth and the vintage, for the grapes of wrath are dealt with. Well, bring it back to us as we close. Have you listened to the message today? Do you believe this message?

I hope so. Then persevere in laboring as a witness to the faithful witness. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you, thanking you for the truth of your word, for the exhortations in Scripture, for the warnings of Scripture, for the invitations of Scripture. All this, Father, we believe, and we ask that you would cause these truths to have a positive impact in our lives, not a hardening one, but that our hearts would be softened to these truths, that we would learn to really fear, give glory, and worship you as you desire in a healthy, good, glorifying way.

Father, help us to help one another. Help us to wait upon you. Help us to overcome the temptations to disobey your commands and to deny you. And help us to help one another to wait and overcome. While they're waiting, in Christ's name, amen.