Blessing One – Reading Revelation
Before we dive in to discussing blessing one, let us clear up the meaning of ‘blessed’. In scripture and in the verses we will be looking at, we understand blessed to mean “spiritually happy”. It does not carry any physical or material blessing, but spiritual happiness, which gives us peace and comfort.
Let us examine the first blessing, which is found in Revelation 1:3.
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud 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.”
Early Bible was a Scroll
At the time that John wrote Revelation (the same John who was a disciple of Jesus and wrote the books of John, 1, 2, and 3 John; and not John the Baptist), people did not have their own copies of Scripture. The Bible that we are familiar with today did not exist. The scrolls (which was the format of the time), were kept at the Temple, and people had to go there to hear the Word of God. Someone had to read it to them, for most were illiterate.
This brings clarity to the words of instruction ‘one who reads aloud’ and ‘those who hear’. This was for a specific time and place, to John’s time. However, what we need to take from this, is that we have the ability to have our own copy of God’s Word, so it is up to us to read it and take to heart what is written.
The Book of Revelation offers a Blessing for Reading God’s Word
Revelation is the only book of the Bible, with a promised blessing to anyone who reads this book. However, if you take a closer look, there is an additional opportunity, the blessing is extended beyond the reader to hearers as well. I am not asking you to go to a street corner and read Revelation out loud, although if you are driven to do so, I will not stop you. Each of us has a different mission, or purpose, in God. For our current purpose, we will start small. Just read this one verse out loud, to yourself, right now.
Pray Before Reading Blessing One
It is my hope you will not stop here, but when you have some quiet time, read a few more verses or the entire first chapter. It is up to you. However, before you start, I suggest you take a few minutes and pray, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you into understanding. Ask Him to illuminate a passage that you need to take to heart. If you want, mark the passage or even write it down in a journal. Up to you. Start small and I promise, if you keep it up, your journey will bring much joy and hope.
To Hear and Listen Means to Take to Heart
Of course, I would be remiss if I did not discuss the extended blessing and the reasons for it. The blessing is extended to those who also listen. This means to take the word of God to heart and apply it to our lives. Yes, that means not in one ear and out the other. Consider it to mean to learn and apply to one’s life. It is what we do with the Word of God that matters.
Why? Our time on earth is short. None of us know how long we have, so we need to take these teachings to heart when we hear or read them.
James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Blessings
Jana
Introduction to Revelation Series: click here
Nest lesson… Blessing Two
Next Article: Blessing Two
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