Blessed Are Those…

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3, NIV 1984).

My Musings – This blessing is the first of seven (a recurring number in Revelation) beatitudes in Revelation and is somewhat reminiscent of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3–11). These blessings are:

• Takes to Heart – “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (1:3).

• Remains Faithful to Death – “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. “Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them’” (14:13).

• Stays Alert and Ready – “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed” (16:15).

• Responds to Invitation – “Then the angel said to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God’” (19:9).

• Surrenders to Christ – “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years” (20:6).

• Keeps This Word – “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book” (22:7).

• Achieves Righteousness – “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city” (22:14).

This is the only book of the Bible that openly pronounces a blessing upon its readers and hearers. The blessings come, not just by hearing, but by taking to heart and doing. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” (Jamess 1:22–25, NIV 1984).

Jesus rebuked the Jews and His own disciples for not understanding the prophecies relating to His First Advent (John 5:39, 46; Luke 11:52; Matthew 16:3; Luke 24:25).  His Olivet discourse was given so that His people might be warned in advance of His second advent (Matthew 24:4, 15, 24, 25 and 33).  The implication, of course, is that it should be studied and taken to heart.  This does not necessarily mean that a full and complete understanding of all the details of all the prophecies will be achieved by all who faithfully study them. Doubtless, many things may remain dark to even the most earnest students, perhaps even to the beginning of the end.

My Advice – Revelation is a book that is both fascinating and frustrating. Fascinating because, like the disciples we want to know more about the signs and events that signal His imminent return. Frustrating because of its confusing language, fantastic imagery and conflicting interpretations. But we must open our minds and our hearts to allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten us as He sees fit. And we will be blessed.

Sources:

Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 1:3). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 567). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Walvoord, John F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 929). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (p. 90). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.