Revelation 14:12-14

¹² Here [comes in a call for] the steadfastness of the saints [the patience, the endurance of the people of God], those who [habitually] keep God’s commandments and [their] faith in Jesus.

¹³ Then I heard further [perceiving the distinct words of] a voice from heaven, saying, Write this: Blessed (happy, to be envied) are the dead from now on who die in the Lord! Yes, blessed (happy, to be envied indeed), says the Spirit, [in] that they may rest from their labors, for their works (deeds) do follow (attend, accompany) them!

• It has always been a blessing to die when you are saved, 1 Corinthians 5:3
• Paul said that he actually longed to die because he said that it would be better for him, Philippians 1:21-24.
• Stephen was rejoicing when he was being stoned to death, Acts 6.
• The Truth for us is: grave where is your victory, death where is your sting, 1 Corinthians 15:55?
• To die in the Lord is not just a blessing for the end times, but for all times when your saved.
• We cannot help but be steadfast, even in the face of death, because the Holy Spirit will strengthen us and never allow us to stumble or fall short.
• Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]— Jude 24

¹⁴ Again I looked, and behold, [I saw] a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud One resembling a Son of Man, with a crown of gold on His head and a sharp scythe (sickle) in His hand.

• Cloud represents God’s glory. John keeps seeing our Father’s glory all throughout Revelation.
• White is pure. 
• Crown is victory and leadership. Jesus Alone rules all things and all things have been placed under His feet.
• For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. Colossians 1:16
• Sickle shows us judgment.
• Jesus Alone has been given the responsibility of judgment.
• Even the Father judges no one, for He has given all judgment (the last judgment and the whole business of judging) entirely into the hands of the Son, John 5:22.
• Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever, Hebrews 13:8.
• Jesus gave Grace freely on the Cross to those who did not deserve it, ask for it, or believe that He could give it. He will judge exactly the same way for all of eternity.
• So this is actually a very peaceful verse for us to see when it comes to the end times, because we know that Jesus is full of grace and mercy, even for those who don’t believe it. So even if the is an angel and not Jesus, Jesus is still the only One Who will ever direct Judgment.