AN UNUSUAL BLESSING -- Monday:
"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" (Revelation 1:3).
Our hearts must take hold on this promise! It tells us the message of the book of Revelation can be received. It also declares it is to our advantage, because of the time, to expose our hearts and minds to this word from Jesus. Do not withdraw from it, as though it were reserved for a special segment of God's people. The book of Revelation is written to "the churches," and those who are "His servants." How could anything possibly be more relevant?
Observe that this is the pronouncement of a "blessing." It is like another beatitude! There are few blessings announced in Scripture just like this one. Specific blessings are pronounced upon the individual who lives in an orderly manner, listens, trusts, fears God, and endures temptation (Psa 1:1; 34:8; 84:12; 112:1; James 1:12). The well-known beatitudes address those who appropriate the grace of God at personal expense (Matt 5:3-11). But notice the simplicity related to this blessing: reading, hearing, and keeping the words of this book! Briefly summarized, those who expose their hearts and minds to the message will be blessed by God.
THOSE WHO READ
Do not shun to read what will bring a blessing! Man lives by "every Word of God" (Luke 4:4), and this is expressly called "the Word of God." Jesus talked about reading "what David did" (Matt 12:3), and what was contained in the Law (Matt 12:5). He also asked if His hearers had read what God said about marriage (Matt 19:4). Many times, He interrogated men concerning their Scriptural literacy (Matt 21:16,42; 22:31; Mark 12:26). It comes across to me that one of the very elementary aspects of spiritual life is simply READING the Word of God!
However, our text does not approach such reading as an obligation, but as something of profit. It is a source of "blessing." This means God is near, or at hand, as we take these words into our hearts and minds. Our proximity to God is what brings the blessing, not our natural abilities to decipher Scripture! The point of this expression is that God blesses those who have a high regard for His Word, and freely subject themselves to it.
Exposure to the Word opens a bigger door of blessing than diagnosing the Word. Do not stumble at this! To read the Word is to step within the circumference of Divine influence. This is true of all Scripture. It will require faith on your part to take hold of this word, but it is well worth the effort. It is quite true that the Jews thought they had life simply because they had the Scriptures (John 5:39). But that in no way diminishes the value of the Bible. It only confirms that one can have the Scriptures without giving due heed to them. Our text is speaking of the exposure of the heart, as well as the mind, to the Words of Jesus. It particularly deals with reading the book of the Revelation, often neglected by Christians.
THOSE WHO HEAR
Hearing is also a fundamental activity in the heavenly Kingdom – hearing the Word of God! Faith, after all, "comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ" (Rom 10:17, NASB). This is how faith came to those who had killed Jesus (Acts 2:41), the city of Samaria (Acts 8:12), the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:37), the house of Cornelius (Acts 11:17), and the Philippian jailor (Acts 16:34). There are heavenly influences experienced through hearing the Word of God that are not otherwise appropriated.
Again, God draws near when we "hear" His Word, and the "testimony of Jesus." This is particularly true of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Yet, how few people know this to be the case! Vistas of truth, and facets of Christ's reign will be opened to us as we give ear to the message of this book. God gave it all to Jesus. Jesus gave it all to the angel. The angel gave it all to John. And, John gave it all to us (Rev 1:1-2). Now, a blessing is pronounced upon those who hear it in its entirety! Candidly, you will have difficulty finding a less complicated blessing. Seek to obtain it!
THOSE WHO KEEP
Keeping "the things written in" this book is certainly not limited to commandments. In the first place, there are not that many commandments in this book. The ones that are there are more exhortations, calling men to recover lost ground, or give honor to the Lord (3:11,18,19; 18:4; 22:17). In this book, the word "commandments" is only used in phrases describing the faithful (12:17; 14:12; 22:14). This by no means minimizes obeying the commandments of God, a primary activity in Christ's Kingdom (Acts 5:29,32; Heb 5:9). It does accentuate the nature of the sacred volume of Revelation.
Keeping "the things which are written" in this book is retaining them in your heart. It involves meditation (1 Tim 4:15), consideration (2 Tim 2:7), and pondering (Luke 2:19). Those willing to think upon these words will experience blessing from the Lord! That means the message is pregnant with meaning and relevancy, else you could not be blessed in the consideration of the same. Why not read, hear, and keep its words?
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the benefits that are realized by hiding Your word in my heart.