Revelation 14:13
What does Revelation 14:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 14:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 14:13 means
A voice from heaven declares a beatitude: those who die in the Lord from now on are blessed. The Spirit confirms it. Their death is not defeat but entrance into rest from toil, and their works follow them—what they did in faith is remembered and rewarded. In a context of persecution, this word lifts fear’s weight. Dying “in the Lord” means united to Him; such death is gain because He is their rest. This promise does not glamorize suffering; it honors faithful endurance and assures that none of it is wasted. God’s people may lose their lives to the beast’s rage, but they cannot lose their reward.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And a voice from heaven came to my ears, saying, Put in writing, There is a blessing on the dead who from now on come to their end in the Lord: yes, says the Spirit, that they may have rest from their troubles; for their works go with them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I heard a voice out of the heaven saying to me, `Write: Happy are the dead who in the Lord are dying from this time!' `Yes, (saith the Spirit,) That they may rest from their labours--and their works do follow them!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours. For their works follow them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I heard a voice out of the heaven saying, Write, Blessed the dead who die in [the] Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; for their works follow with them.
Context
Verse 13 follows the call to endurance in verse 12, supplying strong comfort for those facing death for their faith. The blessing parallels and contrasts the “no rest” of verse 11 with the saints’ promised rest. It also anticipates the harvest scenes that follow, assuring that when reaping comes, those in the Lord are gathered into rest, not wrath. The narrative now moves from exhortation and consolation to depiction: verses 14–16 show a harvest reaping led by one like a son of man, while verses 17–20 portray a separate grape harvest thrown into God’s great winepress of wrath.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 19:9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are true words of God.
- Hebrews 4:9
There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
- Job 3:17
There the wicked cease from troubling; And there the weary are at rest.
- Matthew 3:17
and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
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