"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." - Revelation 1:3
From Omega Frequency: Episode 3 (2:23):
When you think about the book of Revelation does it inspire feelings of blessings and peace or does it inspire feelings of anxiety and fear? Instead of getting the blessing God intended from it, people are often pushed away from it. That's unfortunate, because Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing for reading it. What exactly is the blessing? John tells us the answer himself in 1 John 4:15-18:
15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
If you confess Jesus is the son of God, God dwells in you and you dwell in God. God is the perfect embodiment of love and that love dwells in us. If you know this love you will have no dread facing God on the day of judgement. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior then you dwell in God and you do not have to fear, because He does not fear.
The book of Revelation was written because God wanted to reveal two things to you:
- He wanted to reveal who Jesus was so you can confess that He is the Messiah, and
- He wanted to let us know that dark days are coming so we can apply the blessings and promises of Revelation to our lives.
First, we must read the book of Revelation. If we never read it, how will we know what is going to happen next? In some of the early churches, they would read the entire book of Revelation, every time they met because they faced heavy persecution and they knew Revelation had a blessing attached to it. They needed to be reminded that Satan's victory is only temporary. Even if they had to give up their lives, it would be worth it because Jesus won the victory, and one day they would rule and rein with Him.
Second, we need to hear the words of the prophecy. In the original language of the Bible the word "hear" meant a lot more than just listening. It means to consider and understand what is being said.
Lastly, we need to keep or do the things that are written in the book of Revelation.
Consider this example. Let's say you want a new watch. You read in the newspaper a store is giving away 30 new watches to the first 30 people when they open the store. First you read the paper, then you understand they are only giving away watches to the first 30 people. You realize you will have to get to the store early and wait in line. Finally, you get in your car and do it. You don't let the fact that it will be cold stop you because you planned ahead. you brought along a coat, hat and mittens.
So if you want the blessings of the book of Revelation, read the book, find out what it tells you to do to receive the blessing and then do what it tells you to do. Do it now, because we read at the end of the verse these words, "...for the time is at hand." You might be saying, 'this book was written 2,000 years ago. How soon at hand is it?' Acts 2:16-17 sheds some light on it.
Peter was preaching to a large crowd on the day of Pentecost and the Holy Ghost had just been poured out on the Disciples. This was the day the church was born. Peter said, "16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:..." Peter said the last days began at that moment in human history. That is when the prophetic clock began to tick, and every day we grow a little closer to the end.
We read in Acts 2:38-39 "38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." The end of days started the moment the Holy Ghost was given so that people could be saved. The promises of God were given to those that were alive at the time and unto their children and unto all who were far off.
In Luke 1:50 we read, "And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation." It is up to every generation to claim the mercy of God. To claim the blessings of the book of Revelation for themselves. The phrase "the time is at hand" is an urgent call obedience, not a reference to a precise historical time. You must lay hold to the blessings found in this book for yourself. And the clock continues to tick. As the end draws closer and the days grow darker, the light of Jesus must burn even brighter inside of you.
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