Read Revelation 14

"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)

Blessing "His servant 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. Revelation is a book of "prophecy," " the words of this 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.

Trinity Sign Three Corners The " one 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 center 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.

¹ Luke 4:16; Acts 13:15

"Read Revelation of Jesus Christ."

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