Bible Questions Answered:
“...and so some may have more rest in heaven then others, is that possible?”
Elizabeth/ Edmonton, Canada
Bible Answer:
Bible Text:
Revelation 14:13 KJV
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.
*Rest-Greek-Anapauo (An-ap-ow-o): To repose, take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest.
What these dead were resting from, was their earthly labors, and their works would follow them.
In the book of Genesis we read...
Genesis 2:2 KJV
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.
Does this mean, that God, is idle? Never, He is anything but idle.
Psalm 40:5 KJV
Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
John 5:17 KJV
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Adam while in the garden of Eden, was commissioned to...(Before his fall.)
Genesis 2:15 KJV
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress* it and to keep it.
*Dress-Hebrew-Abad-(Aw-bad): To work, to serve, till, husbandman, do service...
This was not work as we think of work, to do the will of God, was and is great pleasure. Only after his fall, and out of the garden did work become more of a curse of toil and labor.
Genesis 3:17-19 KJV
17 And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Is there “work in heaven?” Not this kind of labor, no.
But there is occupation, a calling for every one of heaven to do.
Hebrews 1:14 KJV
Are they (Angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Revelation 7:15 KJV
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
Rest in heaven? Yes, perfect rest, so much so, that doing God service, will be “joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Peter 1:8)!
God has given talent and abilities to all.
Romans 11:29 KJV
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
For some it is the love of Horticulture and Botany, still others Astronomy, others Carpentry, Cooking, Counseling, Teaching, etc. etc.
How these talents will come to play in heaven, and the new earth, right now we do not know, but to be sure they are and will be!
And will they be gross labor? Never, they will be a joy and a blessing, beyond human comprehension.
Rest does “not,” mean idleness. Rest, God's rest, means total blessings and joy in whatever a person does.
Exodus 33:14 KJV
And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
