It is the same way with God. He wanted to show his anger and to let people see his power. But he patiently stayed with those people he was angry with—people who were made ready to be destroyed.
While people are saying, “We have peace and we are safe,” they will be destroyed quickly. It is like pains that come quickly to a woman having a baby. Those people will not escape.
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die from now on in the Lord.” The Spirit says, “Yes, they will rest from their hard work, and the reward of all they have done stays with them.”