14:13Revelation 14:13

Blessed are those who die united to the Lord in faith, and from henceforth means from the time the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels' messages began onward to the end. 18MR 28.3+3 They rest from toil and exhausting labor, sorrow and pain and bodily suffering, entering sweet peace and quiet sleep in Jesus in the tomb. Lt 3, 1904, par. 1–5+4 That rest continues until the morning of the resurrection, when Christ opens the graves and calls them to glorious immortality. Lt 44, 1876, par. 12–13+2 Their works follow them because the results of faithful deeds live on, with words, influence, and example still speaking and bearing fruit in saved souls. LSEGW 476.2–3+4 In mercy God lays many of His own away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble, so the living are not to grieve without hope but to look for joyful reunion. Lt 132, 1907, par. 3–5+4

The verse belongs to the third angel's warning as the last message of mercy to the world and as present truth and genuine truth to be made the burden of the message now given and voiced as the work to be done.4SP 273.1+2 That message is the everlasting gospel, a test for the world that prepares a people to stand in the great day of God, to be proclaimed everywhere and throughout the world to every nation and kindred and tongue, unitedly by all who cooperate with God.17MR 14.3–15.1+3 Its full meaning must be ascertained in the last days with all transactions brought into accordance with the Word of God, and it must be given everywhere to prepare the world, bringing responsibility to act on the truth received, including in neglected places and cities close by.10MR 218.3–219.1+1

It stands directly after the patience of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, placing blessing and rest from labors with works following on those who die in the Lord from that time onward.Ms 122, 1898, par. 8–9+3 In that setting it offers assurance to those who keep God's commandments and the faith of Jesus amid the final crisis and final conflict over worship and the beast's mark, showing that faithful believers who die in this time are blessed even as judgment approaches.6T 14.4–15.1+2 It presents their rest and the continuing significance of their works in the setting of the final harvest and judgment, when the earth is reaped and the wicked face God's wrath.6T 14.4–15.1+1

It stands immediately before the coming of One like the Son of man on a white cloud with a golden crown and a sharp sickle to reap when the harvest of the earth is ripe.Ms 32a, 1896, par. 6+2 Immediately after that message is proclaimed, the Son of man appears in glory to reap the earth's harvest, so the blessing belongs to the solemn scene of the earth's harvest and judgment when God's wrath falls upon the world.4SP 273.1+1 These surrounding visions are presented for meditation, and their meaning will be better understood when these scenes of the coming harvest soon take place.Ms 32a, 1896, par. 6+1

The earlier proclamation that the hour of God's judgment had come was fulfilled by Miller and his associates, though they did not understand that further proclamations had to come before Christ's return and did not perceive the other messages.4SP 496.1+1 The chapter presents a sequence of proclamations and further messages to be given before the advent of the Lord, in one reckoning five distinct messages represented by the angels of Revelation 14, all given before the advent.4SP 496.1+2

The special movement of Revelation 14 relates to the past and the future and to the closing work of Christ in heaven and His people on earth.Ms 31, 1890, par. 4 In Revelation 14:10-13 John beholds last-day events and sees a people working counter to God, a deceived company, as God's warning to His people of the perils before them in the last days.17MR 18.2–4 Those who have heard its special messages of warning that called God's people out from the world must not treat them as secondary to medical missionary work, but come out from the world and be separate, gaining an experience very different from the Jewish nation in self-satisfaction, and making their lives an expression of genuine faith and spirituality, with health institutions that adopted worldly practices changed.Ms 128a, 1903, par. 32+1

From henceforth means since the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels' messages began.18MR 28.3+1 Since that time many standard-bearers who die in the Lord are blessed, having fallen asleep in Jesus and laid off their armor to rest from their labors.18MR 28.3+1 Their works do follow them while the work advances, and the faithful hold the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end.18MR 28.3+1

It means under the message of the third angel, when some of the faithful commandment-keeping people of God who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus will die in the Lord.Lt 78, 1900, par. 1–3+1 They are pronounced decidedly blessed, they rest from their labors and their works follow them, and the living should not mourn over them nor call them back from the dead to share perils, burdens, and conflicts.Lt 78, 1900, par. 1–3 They are those who suffer for the truth's sake, witness a good confession before many witnesses, practice self-denial and self-sacrifice at every step, do not fail nor become discouraged, overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and understand, accept, communicate, and distinctly experience the redemption freely received through Jesus Christ and the power to become sons of God.Ms 27, 1894, par. 6–8 Their names are written in the Lamb's book of life, their life of toil and suffering and privation is ended, and they hold fast the hope firmly unto the end.Lt 78, 1900, par. 1–3+1

It means from the present time onward in swiftly passing time just before the great crisis and the closing scenes of this earth's history.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 9–10+2 Perilous times are just ahead, with the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble to come upon the world, and lives still spared a little longer are to be spent being true and faithful in sowing because the reaping time will soon come when Christ comes quickly to give every person according to work done.Lt 132, 1907, par. 3–5+2 The blessing applies now onward and belongs with the patience of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, just before the Son of man appears on a white cloud with a golden crown and sharp sickle to reap the ripe harvest of the earth.Lt 132, 1907, par. 3–5 In these last days of abundant light those who die in the Lord from henceforth enter rest from labor and toil while their faithful works continue with them, so that words given by the Lord still have life and speak to people and the work goes forward as long as time lasts even when the worker is incapacitated for labor or does not live, while strength may still be spared to continue much useful work and it is possible to live until the coming of the Lord.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 9–10+2 Not everyone prayed for will be raised to health, and those who are not healed must not be judged as lacking faith or as unworthy of eternal life, for God knows every secret of the soul and whether those prayed for could endure the trials that would come if they lived, and He knows the end from the beginning, so in mercy He lays many away to sleep in Jesus before the trouble comes; therefore earnest prayer for the sick must always add surrender to the wisdom and will of God, and such conditional prayer is never registered in heaven as faithless.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 9–10+1

In this setting some who help proclaim that threefold message before the end of the world and Christ's second coming through the Holy Spirit will be permitted to die and rest.LSEGW 476.2–3+2 Their efforts are not fruitless, for they rest from their labor until the Lord comes while the good their work accomplished remains and follows them and their influence continues.LSEGW 476.2–3+2 Their deaths do not stop the work, for new workers take the place of those laid to rest and the message continues as the work they planned is left for another worker to take up and carry forward to perfection and not be left to ravel out.14MR 151.2–6+2 They sleep in Jesus as precious ones whom the Lord claims as His jewels and spares, after a life of faithful, diligent, self-denying service given to the Master and accepted as a sacrifice.Lt 51, 1895, par. 1–4 Their death as faithful aged workers who finished their course, labored together with God to save the perishing, acted as counsellors, and bore a living testimony of real experience calls for men and women in schools to be trained and ready to take the standard they lay down and raise it in new places, so younger workers succeed the aged standard-bearers and the great work and decisive battles continue and go forward.Ms 99, 1909, par. 17–20+1

Its full meaning will be better understood when the soon-coming scenes of the harvest take place, when the Son of man on a white cloud with a golden crown and sharp sickle reaps the ripe harvest of the earth.10MR 145.3–146.3+1 It applies to faithful believers who show the patience of the saints by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, such as Stephen and Stephen Belden, whose severe suffering ended quietly, bringing freedom from all pain with no more cause for worry or anxiety on their account.10MR 145.3–146.3+1 They are the company represented by the five wise virgins, with lamps trimmed and burning and fed by the oil of grace, prepared to enter in to the marriage supper of the Lamb.Ms 92a, 1898, par. 7–10 Though many who heard the first and second angels' messages expected to live to see Christ coming in the clouds, a delay in the Bridegroom's coming allowed time for the last message of mercy to be heard, and those wise virgins who die before He comes rest from their labors while their works follow them.Ms 92a, 1898, par. 7–10 After the disappointment, with light on the sanctuary question and the Sabbath truth, these messages which are present truth about the near advent of Christ were given to the cities of the East and the third angel's message was carried from city to city and from town to town, shining light on the pathway of scattered believers concerning the nearness of the Lord's coming; some received the message gladly and others turned from the light and lost their hold on God and on His truth.Ms 51, 1910, par. 2

Those who die in the Lord are blessed, faithful to Christ and united to Him in faith, closing probation as faithful soldiers who lay off their armor and repose sweetly in Jesus in the silent chambers of the tomb.Lt 391, 1907, par. 9–12+4 Dying in this union is itself the blessing, spoken by a voice from heaven and by Christ with Amen and Amen.Lt 391, 1907, par. 9–12+2 For the faithful believer who kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, standing among the patience of the saints, death means it is well with the soul, and being spared long suffering is mercy, so there is no cause for tears or doubt and consolation belongs to the living.Lt 3, 1904, par. 1–5+2 For the suffering one whose life is hidden in Jesus and whose hope of eternal life is centered in Him, only a few more days of sorrow and pangs remain, with no more wrestling or fighting the fight of faith but only trusting in His love, and then peaceful rest comes.Lt 56, 1900, par. 4–5+2 This covers the loyal standard-bearer, husband and father, the faithful mother who did what she could to raise children in nurture and admonition, and all whose faces are set toward the promised inheritance where salvation is near, while those left behind continue patiently doing good with lives directed heavenward until crown of life and joyful reunion in the home above never to part.Lt 143, 1903, par. 1–6+1

They rest from labors, toil, hard exhausting work, sorrow, pain, bodily suffering, and wrestling of faith, entering blessed rest and peace in a special manner.Lt 393, 1906, par. 3–7+4 Death ends severe suffering quietly, as with Stephen whose suffering ended quietly and with Jennie in rest from sorrow, pain, and bodily suffering, bringing freedom from all pain and from worry and anxiety on their account.Lt 393, 1906, par. 3–7+2 It is release after hard, exhausting work, even work beyond one person's strength, sparing long suffering and perils many are called to suffer, and the one at rest should not be called back to endure earthly suffering again.Lt 3, 1904, par. 1–5+2 God may permit the sick to die when recovery would not serve the best good or would bring harm, and death may be for His glory.Ms 67, 1899, par. 19 The promise is to be called to mind in suffering and dying hours to give good courage, that after only a little longer of pangs they enter rest, with hope of meeting again in the morning of the resurrection.Ms 230, 1902, par. 39–40+1

That rest lasts in sleep in Jesus until the morning of the resurrection.Lt 44, 1876, par. 12–13+4 Then the archangel's trump sounds, and Christ who holds the keys of death and the grave opens the prison houses and calls the precious sleepers from their dusty beds to glorious immortality, to rise at the last trumpet, to be united with all the saints, and to meet again in the royal family as sons and daughters of the heavenly King singing heavenly songs in the kingdom of glory.Lt 44, 1876, par. 12–13+3 They are laid in the tomb in full hope of coming forth when the trump of God shall sound, so the living need not sorrow as those without hope.Ms 11, 1896, par. 17–18+1 This comfort holds when a faithful soldier is laid in the grave even through death from overwork and long feebleness and suffering, and it urges preparation for that last great change because no one knows how long life will be spared.Ms 11, 1911, par. 17+1 It is not an eternal sleep, because the Father gave His Son and the Lord of life passed through and brightened the tomb.Lt 44, 1876, par. 12–13+1

The rest is not a heaven of idleness or inactivity, but the inheritance and joy promised to saints who faithfully bore responsibilities, welcomed from labors into the joy of the Lord.ST May 4, 1882+2 Heaven holds no place for indolence or inactivity, since God is a constant worker and angels are workers.MYP 216.2 It is release from the struggle and toil of faithful service, laying off armor with rejoicing and forgetting the noise of battle in the glorious rest prepared for those who conquer through the cross of Christ.ST Nov 12, 1885+1 The crown is for those who fought faithfully, for heavenly rest belongs to those who labored and endured, with victory through self-denial, watchfulness, earnest prayer, diligent use of every means of grace, and the help of Jesus Christ, not presenting the Christian life as ease.MYP 216.2+1

Dying in the Lord does not show lack of faith or failure of prayer, and those who die are not therefore unworthy of eternal life.GW 218.3+2 Not everyone prayed for will be raised to health, for God restores some by divine power but lays many away to sleep in Jesus.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 9–10+1 When the sick are not raised it is no sign they lacked faith.GW 218.3+1 God knows every secret of the soul and whether those prayed for could endure the trials that would come if they lived, and He knows the end from the beginning, so in mercy He lays many away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 9–10 Therefore earnest prayer for the sick must always add surrender to the wisdom and will of God, and such conditional prayer is never registered in heaven as faithless.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 9–10

Their works following them means the results of faithful deeds remain and keep bearing fruit after death, so being dead they yet speak, with words, influence, and example living on after them.LSEGW 476.2–3+4 The seed sown by faithful gospel workers and true missionaries who enlist wholly in reform, receive truth gladly, testify unfalteringly, and draw souls as laborers together with God continues to reproduce itself and will show a glorious yield of saved souls in the day of harvest.LSEGW 476.2–3+2 This blessing rests on representative men who proclaimed the first, second, and third angels' messages and held fast faith until death, having fought a good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith unto the end after bearing the burden in the heat of the day in labor full of self-denial and self-sacrifice wrought in God.9MR 132.2–133.1 Because of this their labor must not be given discredit, controverted, or demerited, those sleeping in graves must be respected with no irreverent hand touching them, and faithful service should be honored rather than discredited.9MR 132.2–133.1+1 Their words and loving service are remembered and repeated by others, their faithful lives leave an example to follow, and their efforts are not fruitless even when some who help proclaim the threefold message through the Holy Spirit before the end of the world and Christ's second coming are permitted to die and rest.LSEGW 476.2–3+1

What a person has been and said blends with the thoughts and actions of others and remains as an ever-living influence, seed sown that will bear a harvest after its kind.HPMMW 10.3 Influence is a power over others coming from thoughts and actions, creating an atmosphere about the soul that sways the souls of others for good or for evil, so no one is neutral.HPMMW 10.3 The influence that will continue after death is determined while alive, and being under the guidance of the Spirit with an experimental knowledge of Christ enables a person to be what God would have them be.HPMMW 10.3 The legacy remains and is seen in the judgment, with the works of the pure and good a blessing leaving light, and the works of the sensual and evil bringing a dark legacy, so each should consider whether life leaves light or darkness, blessings or curses.SLP 5.2

Righteous acts, resisted temptations, and evils overcome are recorded in heaven and follow into the future world, so works of righteousness follow the faithful and do not perish at death.CT 98.1–3+2 Deeds shaped by grace, including faithfulness, self-denial, patience, and endurance, continue to affect others after one dies in faith.Ms 93, 1900, par. 16–18+1 Deeds of sanctified goodness are never lost, for love, courtesy, amiability and every good act however small or simple are immortalized, and when mortals are changed to immortal all these deeds will be made manifest and preserved through eternal ages, keeping fragrance through the merits of Christ's imputed righteousness.Lt 21, 1897, par. 19 Work done with God in this life reaches into eternity, for every hour is given to form character for the future life.Ms 93, 1900, par. 16–18

The continuing witness includes published testimonies that keep speaking to readers after the faithful person rests, words given by the Lord that still have life and speak to people while time lasts so the work goes forward even when the worker is incapacitated or does not live.Lt 371, 1907, par. 18–19+1 It includes sacred truth and counsel left behind that live on to bless, fortify, and direct lives toward healing.CH 5.2 It includes means faithfully given and entrusted goods disposed for the advancement of missionary work, which keeps helping add new territory to the kingdom and win souls, so even after being called to rest the departed still have part as helping hands and their support carries the work forward.Lt 6, 1902, par. 2–6+2

A consecrated, commandment-keeping life has a telling influence on many souls, and after death that influence lives on and brings glory back to God through others who continue doing the commandments.Ms 93, 1900, par. 16–18 Even the humblest honest work, with physical, mental, and moral powers enlisted and every action consecrated and inscribed holiness unto the Lord as entrusted talent of time, is a blessing and not useless in God's household, may lead to higher work, and prepares souls for the great day.21MR 28.2–29.1 By contrast a life spent on self that cultivates the mind for nothing useful and does no good for others produces only leaves with no fruit, leaving no good record to remain after death with memory soon perishing, and busy gathering of wood, hay, and stubble that does not most glorify God will all be consumed when every work is tried by fire, perishing with the using and leaving nothing to follow, with the worker himself barely saved as by fire.Lt 47a, 1874, par. 17+1 The verse therefore urges the living to wake up, change course entirely, dedicate themselves to God at once, do all the good they can, live to a purpose, and make life a blessing to others so that a fruitful life remains when the sun sets.Lt 47a, 1874, par. 17

The chapter gives the first and second messages as already proclaimed and the third message as now being given to fallen churches as a solemn warning to the world, and that third message includes the other two within itself.Lt 18, 1910, par. 7–9 Its threefold proclamation calls all to worship God as Creator and produces a commandment-keeping people as its result.Lt 18, 1910, par. 7–9+1 Its proclamation makes prominent the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and keeping the seventh-day Sabbath honors God as Creator and serves as a sign of loyalty to Him.Lt 18, 1910, par. 7–9+1 That Sabbath was instituted in Eden, observed by the patriarchs, proclaimed from Sinai and emphasized when the two tables of stone were given to Moses, and it remains forever a holy sign between God and His covenant-keeping people who walk in obedience to all the commandments.Lt 18, 1910, par. 7–9

The messages of the chapter are the everlasting gospel, a test for the world to be proclaimed everywhere, preparing a people to stand in the great day of God.17MR 14.3–15.1 The third message is proclaimed with a loud voice as part of the closing work, it must be given everywhere to prepare the world, and receiving its truth brings responsibility to act upon it.10MR 218.3–219.1 It belongs to the last message of warning and mercy going to every nation and kindred and tongue in this last generation.COL 79.3 In that time the parable of the mustard seed reaches signal and triumphant fulfilment as the little seed becomes a tree, a people is taken out for His name, and the earth is lightened with His glory.COL 79.3

The chapter is included among the prophecies being fulfilled, in the setting of the last message of warning and the events leading to Christ's final triumph and reign on earth.Ms 75, 1906, par. 16+1 It belongs to the last message of warning that all are to hear, as part of the prophecies of Revelation 12 to 18 that are being fulfilled.15MR 321.3 It is true missionary work bearing the truth to all nations with the most decided character, and it comes just before the next great event shown in Revelation 18.Lt 123, 1900, par. 12

The blessed dead are those who died in faith under the third angel's message while keeping the Sabbath.SG1 205.2 They are raised from their graves, glorified, and hear God's covenant of peace with those who kept His law.SG1 205.2

Being prepared to die in the Lord requires rebuke and correction, separating from sin and refining in holiness, and the same preparation readies a person either to die in the Lord or to be translated to heaven.2T 452.2 A person may live through the time of trouble with the remnant, or may die in the Lord and be among those called blessed.Lt 4, 1859, par. 10 Life is uncertain, so faithfulness in the work assigned is urged, since the faithful servant will be commended at Christ's coming.Lt 4, 1859, par. 10 Whether God wills continued life to do good in His service, which is blessed, or death in the Lord, which is blessed, is to be met with submission to His will, and this blessing belongs even to the young who fear the many dangers they would face if they kept living.ApY 30.2–3

The verse gives comfort in bereavement by declaring blessed those who die in the Lord, who rest from their labors while their works follow them, with assurance that the one who died was the Lord's child and now rests, spared suffering many are called to suffer.Lt 132, 1907, par. 3–5+2 God's people may lay their dead to rest in hope, knowing they are hidden with Christ until the indignation passes, and they are not to grieve sorely, mourn as those without hope, weep uncontrollably, repine, rebel, or make noisy demonstration over loss.Lt 132, 1907, par. 3–5+2 The living have no right to call them back from the dead to share perils, burdens, and conflicts, for faithful believers who kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus and held fast hope firmly unto the end are pronounced decidedly blessed under the third angel's message.Lt 3, 1904, par. 1–5+1 For them death means it is well with the soul and mercy in being spared long suffering, so there is no cause for tears or doubt, but praise to God, talk of faith, and hope of joyful reunion in the home above never to part, with faces set toward the promised inheritance where salvation is near and the whole family joyfully reunited.Lt 3, 1904, par. 1–5+2

In mercy God lays many away to sleep in Jesus before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble comes upon the world, knowing every secret of the soul and whether those prayed for could endure the trials that would come if they lived, and knowing the end from the beginning.Lt 10, 1898, par. 1–4+2 Not everyone prayed for will be raised to health, and those who die are not therefore unworthy of eternal life nor to be judged as lacking faith.Ms 26a, 1892, par. 9–10+1 God may permit a sick person to die when recovery would not serve the best good or would bring harm, and death may be for His glory and for freedom from pain.Ms 67, 1899, par. 19+1 The one taken was the most innocent and best prepared, permitted to rest through the perils of the last days in Jesus with no more death, trial or sorrow until the Lifegiver calls His sleeping saints to glorious immortality.Ms 67, 1899, par. 19+1

The promise is the word to say when a brother in the Lord goes down into the grave, to be called to mind in suffering and dying hours to give good courage.Lt 312, 1906, par. 5–9+1 After only a little longer of pangs of pain and suffering hours they enter blessed rest and peace in a special manner, with a blessed morning of resurrection awaiting them.Lt 312, 1906, par. 5–9+1 This calls for holding on to life for the sick, and if God lets him die confessing blessing and rest over him instead of giving way to weeping, talking faith and praising God whether living or dying, and refusing discouragement when caring for the dying.Ms 133, 1909, par. 13+1 It fits taking dying ones into the home to ease them down to the grave with heart and soul and voice, as with an intelligent young man with many friends who about six weeks before death asked for examination of his lungs, was told he had about six weeks to live, lived that time and then died in faith with death holding no terrors for him.Ms 133, 1909, par. 13+1 It gives comfort when a faithful soldier of Christ is laid in the grave even when death comes from overwork, to rest there until the morning of the resurrection, and urges preparation for that last great change because no one knows how long life will be spared.Ms 11, 1911, par. 17+1

It comforted specific deaths as blessed peaceful rest with works following: Henry's grave giving comfort rather than cause for tears; Stephen Belden whose death ended suffering; Stephen whose severe suffering ended quietly with freedom from all pain and no more cause for worry or anxiety; Jennie's death as rest from sorrow, pain, and bodily suffering; Marian's death as peaceful rest after faithful service whose effects continue; Sister Magan sleeping in Jesus with crown kept despite distress and harm; and Sister S. M. I. Henry sowing seed yielding a harvest of souls.10MR 145.3–146.3+4 Sister Magan was a Christian and Christ loved her, and the harm done to her did not deprive her of her crown of eternal life, although she died after suffering distress, her works following her.Lt 398, 1904, par. 4–5+1 Marian's loss may be felt yet comfort remains that she is at rest, and Stephen's blessing stands in the setting of the coming harvest of the earth when the Son of man appears on a white cloud with golden crown and sharp sickle to reap the ripe harvest, when the words will be better understood.10MR 145.3–146.3+2

It honors representative men first in proclaiming the first, second, and third angels' messages who held fast faith until death, having fought a good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith unto the end, bearing the burden in the heat of the day in labor full of self-denial and self-sacrifice wrought in God.9MR 132.2–133.1+1 William Miller illustrates this, faithfully doing duty despite persecution and reproach, with fruits of labor seen both in lifetime and afterward; Hannah More in self-denying missionary work, a preaching believer winning many souls, very old believers with gray hairs, and counsels living on illustrate works remaining fruitful.LS 26.4+2 This includes faithful believers even when they have reached great age and grown feeble, whom God loves and honors, who will receive the crown of righteousness promised to those who keep the faith and love Christ's appearing.Lt 207, 1899, par. 8+1 Such were loyal to God, kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, cooperated with Christ, cheerfully wore the Saviour's yoke and lifted the burden of obedience, witnessed a good confession before many witnesses, practiced self-denial at every step, did not fail nor become discouraged, overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony, understood and communicated redemption through Jesus Christ and power to become sons of God, with names written in the Lamb's book of life, their life of toil and suffering and privation ended.7MR 76.2–4+1

Because being dead they yet speak, with words, influence, and example living on after death, those sleeping in graves must be respected with no irreverent hand touching them, and their labor must not be discredited, controverted, or demerited.9MR 132.2–133.1+2 Their names should be treated carefully and the truth and counsel they shared should be cherished, for faithful service and example remain worthy of remembrance and results continue after death.Lt 39, 1894, par. 16–19+2 The living should treat the few remaining aged pilgrims tenderly, esteem them highly for their work's sake, treasure their words though powers are worn and enfeebled as precious testimony, and younger men and new workers should not discard them or show indifference but rise up and call them blessed, remembering they have entered into these men's labors.Ms 33, 1890, par. 1–4+1 Their works that follow are sacred truth, counsel, and light left to make the church what it is by pioneers who appropriated grace, bore burden in heat of day, were depositories of truth and co-laborers with Christ at very great cost, now with silent lips laid in the grave, so the living are to be grateful, imitate virtues and shun defects, not depreciate them or speak lightly of mistakes and inexperience, leave correction to God alone, handle names of the precious blessed ones with care, and honor a God-fearing mother's enduring influence through eternity.4T 499.3–500.1+2