ACC ~ Revelation 14 v13

THE CROWN OF MARTYRDOM. OECUMENIUS: He blesses those who did not choose to worship the image of the beast or to receive the mark on their foreheads and upon their hands, and who for this reason were killed. Being crowned with the crown of martyrdom, these attain to the same lot with the martyrs. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 14.13.

FAITHFUL CLERGY WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL REST FROM THEIR LABORS. PRIMASIUS: Those are said to die in the Lord who showed themselves approved in both their faith and their life. And for that reason they deserved to be called out from there. And so the text continues: ” ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labors.’” As … he says that those impious have no rest day or night, now he says that the faithful deserved the rest from their good works. Indeed, since he had made mention of the wicked, it was necessary also to mention the fullness of the bliss of those who are good. And since this [bliss] exists among the leaders and the people, he in summary fashion includes both, speaking first in an indefinite manner, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” However, on behalf of those who work in the vineyard, he says they rest from their labors and so manifestly declares happiness to all so that he might promise to those who work in the vineyard a special fruit of rest after their labor. Therefore the apostle says, “We beseech you that you respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and that you esteem them more highly in love because of their work.” And he speaks even about himself, “I worked harder than any of them.”“For their deeds follow them,” it says. Concerning these the prophet says, “Establish the works of our hands over us.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 14.13.

A REST FROM THEIR LABORS. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: The voice from heaven does not bless all the dead, but only those who die in the Lord, who have died to the world and so carry about the dying of Jesus in the body and suffer with Christ. For these persons the departure from the body is truly a rest from their labor. Moreover, the obedience of their works is the reason for their unfading crowns and the rewards of glory that are the prizes given in great measure to those who prevail in the contests that the contestants of Christ, our God, endure to the end against invisible powers. “For the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed” to those who please God, as the apostle says. It is necessary also that we who yearn for such glory should pray unceasingly to God, saying, “Incline our hearts, O Lord, to your testimonies, and turn our eyes from every vanity,” and “enter not into judgment with your servants, for no living creature will be righteous before you.”Rather, visit us with your bountiful mercies, for the might and the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, namely, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 14.13.

THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN AND THE SPIRIT ARE HARMONIOUS. BEDE: The harmony of those who speak is beautiful. For observe how the one announces that the kingdom of the Lord is come, the other announces the fall of the city of the devil. One indicates the flames of the wicked, while another announces the rest of the blessed. This last one projects his voice from heaven and commands that it is worthy to be committed to writing to be eternally remembered. For the righteous rejoice that their names are written in heaven, while the impious are blotted out of the book of the living. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” I thank you, Jesus, that you bless those in heaven who on earth die in you. How much more, then, those who place their happy souls both in you and in your faith? … Just as he had said that the impious never have any rest, so he teaches … that the faithful, assisted by their previous works, will rest “from henceforth,” that is, from the time of death. For “when he shall have given sleep to his beloved, this is the inheritance of the Lord.” However, “the sluggard would not plow in the cold, therefore he will beg at the time of harvest, but nothing will be given him.” EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 14.13.