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It is a brief letter, with only five lines, but each one most sweet.

I. THE FIRST LINE: THAT THE UNION BETWEEN GOD AND HIS PEOPLE CONTINUES THROUGH DEATH — "die in the Lord." When a ship enters the harbour, after the long and stormy voyage, the captain pays off the crew. If they wish to go on that ship again, they must reship. But the godly have signed articles to die. The Lord does not pay them off when they are going to die — they die in His employ. They die in the service, beneath the care and look of the Master; and He will have His people to die aright.

II. THE SECOND LINE: THAT THE SAINTS AFTER DEATH GO TO REST. It is impossible to rest and to make progress; one of the two can alone be had here. I have seen a tired traveller mounted on a milestone — to rest, apparently. He looked weary, and his parcel lay at the foot of the milestone. I do not know how long he had been there, but I know that whenever he started he had nine miles to go to the next town — it was that on the milestone. But yonder they rest — not from work, but from labour. They grow, and yet they rest; they rest, and yet grow. "They shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

III. THE THIRD LINE: THAT THE WORKS OF THE SAINTS FOLLOW THEM. Many work on materials that cannot follow them to eternity. The artist for months works on the canvas: he dies, and leaves the portrait behind him. The sculptor works on the marble for years: dies, and leaves the sculpture behind. But the good man works on a material that will bear transferring to the other world without receiving any damage. He draws beautiful lines — draws them upon his own soul, upon himself. He has sought the best material to work on, that will last when the rocks melt. And their work in others will remain; it is cut deep enough, so that it shall be visible in the judgment. Many work upon objects which they will leave behind. True, that the lands must be tilled, and minerals raised, and iron wrought; but it is not as a farmer, or miner, or carpenter, or astronomer, or geologist, that any man passed into eternity.

IV. THE FOURTH LINE: THAT THE STATE OF THE SAINTS AFTER DEATH IS A STATE OF BLISS. What kind of a country would you like to emigrate" into?

1. A pleasant, country, with beautiful landscapes? Such is heaven — an "inheritance in the light."

2. A plentiful country, without scarcity or want, never lacking any good thing? Such is heaven — "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more."

3. A healthy country? So is heaven — "The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick. Sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

V. THE FIFTH LINE: THAT IT IS TO CONTINUE SO. "From henceforth." Parents have often received a letter from their children in America or Australia; but they will still say that they are expecting the mail every day, to hear again. Why? Because the country is changeable. Though all was well when the last letter was sent, things may have changed. But as to heaven, a single letter is as good as if you had one every day. There it is always the came — "from henceforth."

(D. Roberts, D. D.)

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KJV: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

WEB: Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."