“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near”
Blessed
John concludes the prologue of Revelation with special blessings on all those who read and practice the principles of this book. This is the only book in the Bible that promises such a blessing. By repeating this promise in 22:7, he makes an emphatic point.
The word “blessed” does not mean happy as most people think it means. Jesus uses this same term in the beatitudes (Matthew 5; Luke 6). John uses this word seven times in Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). Twice, Paul uses “blessed” of God (1 Timothy 1:11; 6:15).
“Blessed” carries the idea of a state of being fortunate or privileged, the recipient of God’s favor. Blessedness is the state that is neither made nor influenced by outside circumstances but is intrinsic within. This state comes from God, not man. Blessedness is not happiness because happiness depends on circumstances. These are people independent of the world and its allurements. They need nothing but God. They are not dependent upon outside circumstances. This quality belongs intrinsically to God. No one can make God blessed, so the people who are in the state of blessedness are souls satisfied from the source of God.
Why will we receive blessedness if we read this book? Because Revelation is about Jesus Christ and His ultimate fulfillment of God’s purpose for creation.
is he who reads
There is a blessing both for the reader and for the hearers. John intends that the Book of Revelation has a practical impact on the lives of those who read it.
The study of any portion of Scripture is beneficial to our souls (2 Timothy 3:16). However, some Scripture is more profitable than others.
Principle:
God will confer a blessing on us if we read and apply to our lives the principles of this book.
Application:
Satan will rob us of a special blessing if he can delude us into believing that we cannot understand Revelation. If we read Revelation, we will enter a state of independence from outside influence, a state of blessedness.
Hi Grant.
I lost my brother last month and this has given me a yearning to be closer to God and drawn me to the book of Revelations – I guess my need to make sense of my brother’s death has led me to Revelations. I’ve just started reading Revelations and I’m at the seals. I said to my sister today that’s it’s such an interesting book in the Bible, even though I can’t make sense of it sometimes – well to be honest, most times…but strangely it’s made me even more determined to understand it. Your last sentence “Satan will rob us of a special blessing if he can delude us into believing that we cannot understand Revelation” really struck a chord in me and I am more determined than ever to get into the Word of God, I mean really get into the Word…like I should. I know God will give me understanding. Thank you and God Bless!
Tanya, I am in India right now and do not have time to answer your questions, however, in light of your brother’s passing, I suggest you jump to chapters 21 and 22 that describe heaven.
Many thanks Grant, will do so:)