Evangelism Resources and Antique Photos Galleries
| Next | Previous | Contact Ron | Ron's Blog | Index | Tellout Home |
Revelation Blessing Day 4
"He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw - that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads 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." (Revelation 1.2,3)
Special Blessing
The Revelation of John is the only book in the Bible that promises a special blessing. "Blessed is the one, who reads the words of this prophecy" writes John. Those who listen to its words and do what it says will be favored. Then, as if to lift his eyes to the Third Millennium reader, John adds, "blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it." The book as it was read out aloud in First Century household churches would be an encouragement to Christians of every century to stand firm in our faith in order to receive God's special blessing.
Who God is
According to the Early Church Fathers, the Apostle "John" wrote Revelation, the Gospel of John and the three Epistles under his own name. The tone of the letters to the seven churches shows the author's authority as a respected leader of the Christian community in Asia in the early part of the Second Century A.D.
"John" was venerated for his wisdom as one of the closest disciples to Christ himself. He was an eyewitness of the incarnate Christ in Israel as a young man and now as an elder statesman has a remarkable vision of the same glorified Christ in heaven.
Future Events
Revelation is a book of "prophecy" or "a vision given by God of what lies ahead in both the immediate and long-term future." A prophecy is more than telling the future, for behind the predictions are important principles about God's character. As we read Revelation, it is God's intent that we will get to know him more completely and in this way receive his blessing.
Threefold Blessing
The "person who reads" these words is blessed. The reader here mentioned is not the private reader, but the person who publicly reads the Scripture in the presence of the congregation, which was the centre of any service.1
In the Jewish synagogue, Scripture was read to the congregation by seven ordinary members, although if a Priest or Levite was present he took precedence. The Christian Church took much of its service from the synagogue order and the reading of Scripture remains a central part of the service.
Meditation
1. What kind of blessing do you think God will give you because you are reading Revelation?
Notes
1Luke 4:16; Acts 13:15
The person who reads these words is blessed.
| ^ Top Page | Next | Previous |