Sanctifying the Dead

“The dead do not praise Yahweh, nor do any who do down into silence” (Psalm 115:17). It’s a refrain in the Psalms: Death marks the end of the life of praise. The dead cannot give thanks to God. Sheol isn’t just dark; it’s silent.

But then Revelation comes along and we hear dead people praising God. 

Something’s happened to the dead. And that is, if not the whole point, a main point, of Revelation. The Father seeks worshipers, and Revelation shows that the Father seeks worshipers not only on earth but in Hades.

When Revelation begins, there are no human beings in heaven—only Ancient ones, cherubic living creatures, myriads of angels. Eventually (chapter 7), we hear human beings praising God. The 144,000 martyrs (chapter 14) learn the song of heaven and then (chapter 15) join in by harping on their harps. They get their harps after the harvest, after death, so they can fill the grave with praise.

Revelation describes the sanctification of the dead, their qualification by the blood of the Lamb and by their own faithful witness to enter before the throne to praise.

This is the first resurrection, for blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on (14:13).