Why does He Kill Sinners?
Does God send calamities to kill sinners?
Some mistakenly think that God always sends calamities to punish sinners. This is not true. Jesus commented on acts of violence and natural calamities that happened in His day. The Bible says, "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1-5).
These things happened because, in a world of sin, there are calamities and atrocities that take place that would not happen in a perfect world. It does not mean that everyone who dies in such calamities is a sinner nor does it mean that God causes the calamity. Sadly, it is often the innocent that suffer the consequences of living in this world of sin. But God does not send these calamities. Satan is the one who sends them.
But Didn't God Destroy Wicked Cities Like Sodom and Gomorrah?
Yes. In past times, God has brought judgment upon the wicked as He did in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7, NKJV). The destruction of these wicked cities was an example of the judgments that will come upon the whole world at the end of time as a result of sin. This is a warning for us today, but it does not necessarily mean that when an earthquake or a tornado or a tsunami strikes that God is pouring out His wrath in judgment upon cities like New York, New Orleans, or Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We live in a sinful world and disasters can strike at any time.
Some have suggested that natural disasters are perhaps the beginning of God’s final judgments upon the wicked. One should not rule out the possibility that sinners are receiving the consequences of their rebellion against God, but we cannot correlate particular disasters with divine retribution against specific sinners or sins. As humans we simply don’t have enough information to make that judgment. Only God can make that judgment. These horrible events may well be simply the result of living in a world that has fallen so far from God’s ideal. Even if these disasters might be considered early warnings of God’s final judgment, none should conclude that all those who die in them are eternally lost. Jesus said that in the final judgment it would be more tolerable for some of those destroyed in Sodom, than for those who reject His invitation to salvation in cities that were not destroyed (see Luke 10:12-15).
(Source: bibleinfo.com)
13 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 14:13 — Text and Meaning
The verse in the King James Version reads:
"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." Bible Gateway
Verse in Other Translations
NIV: “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” Bible Hub
ESV: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” Bible Hub
NLT: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!’” Bible Hub
Context in Revelation
This verse appears in Revelation 14:6–13, where John records a vision of three angels proclaiming God’s message. The third angel’s message is a call to repentance, followed by a declaration of God’s judgment. In this context, Revelation 14:13 is a divine affirmation of blessing for those who die in faith — especially the tribulation martyrs — contrasting them with the wicked who will face eternal torment (Revelation 14:11) BibleRef.com.
Meaning and Interpretation
“Die in the Lord” — This phrase identifies believers who have died in union with Christ, marking them as new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). It implies a life lived in faith and obedience to God BibleRef.com.
“Rest from their labours” — This is a promise of eternal rest, both in the sense of relief from earthly toil and in the sense of entering into God’s rest (Matthew 11:28–29). It is a contrast to the unrest of the wicked BibleRef.com.
“Their works do follow them” — This suggests that God will reward the faithful for their deeds, both in this life and in eternity. It affirms the value of a life lived in service to God BibleRef.com.
In summary: Revelation 14:13 is a prophetic declaration that those who die in Christ are blessed, will enjoy eternal rest, and will be rewarded for their faithful works. It is a message of hope and encouragement for believers, especially those facing persecution.
Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day!
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