A voice from heaven: see 14.2.

Saying: that is, “saying to me.” The voice is speaking to John, as the second person imperative Write makes clear.

Write this may also be expressed as “You must write the following (things).”

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth: for Blessed see 1.3. Instead of the literal the dead who die, it is better to say something like “those who die.” The phrase in the Lord means “united with the Lord,” “in union with the Lord.” This is a way of referring to faithful followers of Jesus Christ. In the context of persecution and possible martyrdom, it seems likely that the words refer specifically to those who do not abandon their faith but persevere to the end. One may also translate “those who from now on die as followers of the Lord (or, Jesus Christ)” or “those people who after this time die because they faithfully follow the Lord.”

Henceforth (Good News Translation “from now on”): this adverb makes it even more probable that martyrdom is meant.

“Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit: for the first time in this book the Spirit of God speaks. So it is quite certain that a voice from heaven at the beginning of this verse is not the Spirit speaking, but God or an angel. Nothing is said about where the Spirit is speaking from. Indeed may also be rendered as “That’s true!” or “Yes, it’s true!”

That they may rest from their labors: this is not a very satisfactory rendering of the meaning of the Greek text. New Revised Standard Version has done better: “ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labors.’ ” This describes the “blessedness” or happiness of these people. Here their labors refers to their difficulties and persecutions as followers of Jesus (see 2.2). Other ways of expressing this clause are “They will not have to labor hard anymore” or “They will not have to go through any more troubles.”

Their deeds follow them: this means that the record or the result of their service as followers of Jesus Christ accompanies them, and in the heavenly court serves as evidence of their faithful work. A good translation is “the record of what they did goes with them,” or “their deeds go with them and speak for them,” or even “the record of what they did will be recognized.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .