This post is part 3 of a series of studies on the book of Revelation..
- Part 1: The Gospel Book With a Thread of Prophecy
- Part 2: The Chain of Handing The Revelation
- Part 4: The Second Beatitude in The Revelation (a)
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. KJV Revelation 1:3
In the gospel books, the “blessings” given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:3-12 (see also Luke 6:20-22) have always been defined by the word “beatitude” so much that some prefer calling that mountain (beside the lake of Gennesaret-Gerizim) on which the Sermon on the Mount was given as “the Mount of the Beatitudes.” How pleasant for us to know that there is also, in the Word of God, an “Isle of Beatitudes.”
In this gospel book with a thread of prophecy are to be found seven Beatitudes of which Revelation 1:3 is the first. In the subsequent studies, we will endeavor to study the beatitudes and their related subjects.
-
Blessed “is he” and “they”
How many groups of people are here referred to? Is the blessing partly for the readers of the Revelation and partly for the hearers?
It is of importance that we learn to take the Bible as it reads especially when no symbolism is implied in the text. However, this should not overshadow the spiritual meaning that is to be obtained from the text.
In the fourth verse of the first chapter, we see John writing to the seven churches which are in Asia. As it were, the leaders of the churches would read out these letters to their members and for this reason we read in the third verse, “Blessed is he that readeth (that is, the leader) and they that hear (that is, the members)”. In a special sense, these words apply to us today. Obviously, there is that follower of Christ who is deaf and another blind, do they miss the blessing because of their physical state? Absolutely No. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. This makes room for a spiritual application of this text and thus the blessing.
Based on the assumption that the blessing is upon the readers and the hearers, many have neglected the study of the Revelation waiting to hear it being preached to them when they can read it for themselves. Others, instead of searching the scriptures daily to see if those things are so, take the preacher’s word for “Thus saith the Lord”. How are we to understand this text? What exactly is meant by this beatitude and to whom is the blessing declared?
Contrary to popular belief which is true in a sense, the blessing is declared upon just one group of people. How is this? Let us read the beatitude again and this time we will focus on each word as though it had a bearing on the meaning of which it does,
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. KJV Revelation 1:3
I would like us to notice by the phrase “the words of this prophecy” who is thus referred to. Previously, we looked at the chain of handing the revelation and a keen look at the first three verses of this chapter reveals the Revelation differently in the chain. Here is what I mean. Jesus receives the Revelation from the Father and His intention is to get it to His church. Revelation 1:1. When John who is to give the Revelation to the church receives it, He receives it as “the testimony of Jesus Christ”, we read in the second verse speaking of John, “Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ”. Revelation 1:2. Elsewhere, the angel who brings the Revelation to John tells him, “I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus Christ:” Revelation 19:10.
Now, notice how the Revelation is referred to when it gets to the hands of the Church. John writes, “Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy,” Revelation 1:3. So what the Church receives is the words of prophecy. This is why Peter writes, “We(the church) have also a more sure word of prophecy;” 2 Peter 1:19. So in writing “Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy,” John is referring to no other group but the church, the servants of Christ.
Let us examine what the reading and hearing implies. The servants of Christ are characterised by doing ALL that Christ commands. He says, _“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 Of which commandments James writes, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:8-10.
In as much as the one group referred to in the beatitude is the church, the servants of Christ, the blessing is referred to that one individual who reads and hears and keeps the words of prophecy. Notice the use of the conjunction ‘and’ in the beatitude.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. KJV Revelation 1:3
Reading represents the process of obtaining the knowledge while to hear is to understand. It is only when you know and understand that you can truly keep Christ’s teachings. In one of the Gospels He declares, “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28. Of the seed that fell on the good ground Christ said, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15.
Therefore, knowing that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17, after obtaining faith through the reading of these words of prophecy, Christ wants us to keep the word also, to fulfill it. Only, in doing this do we receive the blessings here declared. This will help us be doers of the word and not hearers only. James 1:22.
The Chain of Handing The Revelation