[§243] Rev 14:12: Saints of Zion Survive the Great Tribulation

This podcast explains the symbolism and meaning of the words written by John in Revelation 14:12-13, which state: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 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 labors; and their works do follow them.” The patience of saints will be required for righteous people who will live during the Great Tribulation before the Second Coming. Agents of the Second Beast will seek their lives because they refuse to worship the idols and image of the First Beast in Revelation 13, which represents the ideals and evils of ancient Rome. The Great Tribulation will be a time of plagues, pestilences and the worldwide effects of Armageddon, except in the latter-day New Jerusalem (Zion), which shall be a city of refuge and for a defense. Righteous people who dwell in the stakes of Zion beyond the borders of Zion shall be killed as martyrs in this time and many may also die from the collateral effects of earthly conditions beyond Zion. Those saints that have faith in Jesus Christ and keep his commandments‒despite these trials and tribulations‒shall be blessed because they die in the Lord. Their good works on earth will lead to their reward in heaven and they will continue their labors as righteous ministers of Jesus Christ among disembodied spirits in the postmortal spirit world.