“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord”

Many faithful ones have laid off their armor—Since the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages, many standard bearers have fallen asleep in Jesus; they have laid off their armor, but their works do follow them. The work advances, and the faithful ones hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end.—Manuscript 139, 1903 (October 23)3AM 185.2

Many will be laid away to sleep—The Lord “doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” [Lamentations 3:33.] “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him, for he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” [Psalm 103:13, 14.] He knows our heart, for He reads every secret of the soul. He knows whether or not those for whom petitions are offered would be able to endure the trial and test that would come upon them if they lived. He knows the end from the beginning. Many will be laid away to sleep in Jesus before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon our world. This is another reason why we should always say after our earnest petition, “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, O Lord, be done.” [Luke 22:42.] Such a petition will never be registered in heaven as a faithless prayer.3AM 185.3

The apostle was bidden to write, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” [Revelation 14:13.] From this we can see that every one is not to be raised up, and if they are not raised to health, they should not be judged as not having faith. If Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me,” and added, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” [Matthew 26:39], how very appropriate is it for poor finite mortals to make the same surrender to the wisdom and will of God.—Manuscript 26a, 1892 (August 5) (Counsels on Health, 375, 376)3AM 186.1

We may be laid away—Our mortal bodies may die, and be laid away in the grave. Yet the blessed hope lives on until the resurrection, when the voice of Jesus calls forth the sleeping dust. We shall then enjoy the fullness of the blessed, glorious hope. We know in whom we have believed. We have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. A rich, a glorious reward is before us; it is the prize for which we run, and if we persevere with courage we shall surely obtain it.—Letter 9, 1856 (January 1) (In Heavenly Places, 352)3AM 186.2

Not one is overlooked—I look forward in imagination to the time when the trump of God shall sound and all that are in their graves shall hear His voice and come forth, those that have done good to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation.3AM 186.3

Oh, what a scene will we then see—some coming forth to life eternal at the first resurrection. Upon them the second death shall have no power. And then at the end of a thousand years the wicked dead come forth. I cannot endure to think of this. I dwell with pleasure upon the resurrection of the just, who shall come forth from all parts of the earth, from rocky caverns, from dungeons, from caves of the earth, from the waters of the deep—not one is overlooked. Everyone shall hear His voice. They will come forth with triumph and victory. Then there is to be no more death, no more sin, no more sorrow.—Letter 113, 1886 (July 11)3AM 187.1

A special resurrection for those dying in the faith of the third angel’s message—It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still. The wicked beheld the scene with amazement. Signs and wonders followed in quick succession. Everything seemed turned out of its natural course. The saints beheld the tokens of their deliverance with solemn joy.3AM 187.2

The streams ceased to flow. Dark, heavy clouds came up, and clashed against each other. But there was one clear place of settled glory, from whence came the voice of God, like many waters, which shook the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were shaken open, and those who had died in faith under the third angel’s message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law.—Spiritual Gifts 1:205 (1858)3AM 187.3