1:3 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.
“Blessed is he…” ～ Verse 3 is the first of seven beatitudes in the Revelation. The other six can be found at: 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. The beatitudes keep the symmetry of the book, with having their number at seven. It would be proper to list all seven of the beatitudes together so the reader may obtain an overall view of their scope.
The Seven Beatitudes of the Apocalypse (NKJV)
- (1:3) 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.
- (14:13) Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
- (16:15) “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
- (19:9) Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
- (20:6) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
- (22:7) “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
- (22:14) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
The word “blessed” (Grk: makarios) means: happy; but, not only that; it indicates the favorable position God has placed one into. One hears the psalmist sing: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, or standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful ...He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season: His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so ...” (Ps 1:1ff): blessed, that is. One should consider the beatitudes set forth in the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matt 5:3-12) in order to discover the most propitious position of the disciples of Christ.
“…that readeth, and they that hear the words…” ～ In this first beatitude of the Apocalypse the blessing is pronounced upon the reader and the hearer of this wonderful manuscript. We must acknowledge here that the idea conveyed is one of oral reading. This is seen in that the blessing is for the hearer as well as the reader; and it follows that the reading must be oral for there to be a hearer. Both prayer and reading of Scripture are intended to be spoken. There is creative power in the spoken word. Notice, that in the beginning God “said,” “Let there be ...!” (see Gen 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, and 24). At His spoken word His world leapt into existence. Because we humans are made in His likeness and image, something of spoken creativeness is intrinsic to us. Jesus underlined this truth with His words recorded in Mark 11:23; He taught His disciples to “speak” to their circumstances. However, the blessings pronounced upon the readers and hearers of this book are unparalleled in any other biblical treatise. The intent was clearly for the Revelation to be read aloud to the congregations of the seven churches to which the book is addressed (1:4).
“…the words of this prophecy…” ～ The nature of the Apocalypse is prophecy (as is stated in v3, which we are presently viewing). This, alone, sets it apart from the gospels and epistles; earning for itself a place beside the other apocalyptic books of the Old Testament. Similar to these sister works, and following the true Hebraic nature of apocalyptic material, the Revelation is written in a highly covert style. Because of this, and the esoteric knowledge it contains, the Revelation experienced a long and ardent fight for its place among the canonical books of the New Testament (see the footnote).
“…keep those things which are written therein:…” ～ This being said, it must be acknowledged that prophecy consists of telling-forth as well as foretelling. Both forms of prophecy are found here, and the reader is admonished to “keep those things which are written therein.” This admonition makes clear that the Revelation provides exhortation for Christians living at the time of Revelation’s writing, as well as futuristic prognostication; and both are to be kept in the minds and hearts of the present-day disciples.
“…for the time is at hand.” ～ The need to “keep” these sayings is emphasized by the last statement of verse 3, “for the time is at hand.” The NKJV states: “for the time is near.” The author was obviously under the divine impression that he was writing for the benefit of the believers of his generation. To John, these events were “at the door.” This truth, dear disciple, must be kept before you—for it is the consistent theme of this ancient manuscript (see v1, here, 22:6, 7, 10, 20). One would do well to consider the words written by James, our Lord’s brother (some say as early as A.D. 50): “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9). The question must be asked: “Were these holy, God-inspired, men mistaken?” Or, are you, dear reader, on a journey of discovery, during which time you will read prophecy, some of which has already had a fulfillment that can be ascertained, and, thereby, gives testimony to the sureness and faithfulness of the Holy Scripture? Yes. That surely will be the case. But not only that, for the prophecy is unto the very end of human history: a history that contains both the author who is writing this humble commentary, and you, dear reader, who has given him the honor of considering it.
Footnote:
Revelation was the last of the traditional books to become accepted as part of the Christian biblical canon, up to 100 years later than the other books. According to Denzinger, Revelation was accepted at the Council of Carthage of 397 AD(Denzinge); according to McDonald & Sanders it was added at the later 419 council, at the subsequent synod of Carthage (McDonald & Sanders' The Canon Debate,). Revelation's place in the canon was not guaranteed, however, with doubts raised as far back as the 2nd century about its character, symbolism, and apostolic authorship (Pattemore, Stephen (2004), The People of God in the Apocalypse, Cambridge University Press, p. 1.). These doubts have been regularly expressed through the history of the Church.
Second-century Christians in Syria rejected the book because it was relied heavily upon by Montanism, a sect which the mainstream church deemed heretical (see N. B. Stonehouse, Apocalypse in the Ancient Church (c. 1929), pp. 139–42, esp. p. 138). In the 4th century, Gregory of Nazianzus and other bishops argued against including Revelation because of the difficulties of interpretation and the risk of abuse. In the 16th century, Martin Luther initially regarded it as "neither apostolic nor prophetic" and stated that "Christ is neither taught nor known in it,"("Luther's Treatment of the 'Disputed Books' of the New Testament") and placed it in his Antilegomena (his list of questionable documents), though he retracted this view in later life. In the same century, John Calvin believed the book to be canonical, yet it was the only New Testament book on which he did not write a commentary (Hoekema, Anthony A (1979), The Bible and the future, Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, p. 297,). It remains the only book of the New Testament that is not read within the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church, though it is included in Catholic and Protestant liturgies.
Merrill Unger and
Gary N. Larson have argued that in spite of the objections that have been raised over the years, Revelation provides a logical conclusion, not just to the New Testament, but to the Christian Bible as a whole, and there is a continuous tradition dating back to the 2nd century supporting the authenticity of the document and indicating that it was generally included within the as yet unformalized canon of the early church (Unger, Merrill; Larson, Gary (2005), "Revelation", The New Unger's Bible Handbook, Chicago: Moody.) Source: Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia)
After spending over forty years in the dispensational doctrine, and having raise my children in that theological framework, I became a convinced adherent to a "kingdom" theology that recognizes the Church as the Israel of God, and that the first century actually saw the fulfillment of most of Matthew chapter 24. "Letters to My Children on Apostolic Kingdom Theology" is a compilation of twenty four letters written to my children explaining my journey. These "Letters" provide a systematic approach to Apostolic Eschatological study of Scripture. It is sure to interest all students of Scriptures.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BY PURCHASING MY BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY. -JLH
Gary N. Larson have argued that in spite of the objections that have been raised over the years, Revelation provides a logical conclusion, not just to the New Testament, but to the Christian Bible as a whole, and there is a continuous tradition dating back to the 2nd century supporting the authenticity of the document and indicating that it was generally included within the as yet unformalized canon of the early church (Unger, Merrill; Larson, Gary (2005), "Revelation", The New Unger's Bible Handbook, Chicago: Moody.) Source: Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia)
Order your personal copy today from the link provided here:
https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Children-Apostolic-Kingdom-Theology/dp/1482716712/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_2?keywords=Letters%2C+Bishop+Jerry+hayes&qid=1558365492&s=books&sr=1-2-fkmrnull
The Apocalypse, is the introduction to the biblical book of Revelation. Here Bishop Hayes also gives a verse by verse commentary of the first three chapters of the Apostle John's Revelation of Jesus Christ, covering the letters addressed to the seven churches of Asia Minor. The Bible student will thrill at the Bishop's easy evangelistic style of presenting deep and unique truths never before published. In this study a wealth of information will be shared with the disciples of Christ on each verse of this great manuscript.
Own your personal copy of this enlightening work by ordering at the link provided here:https://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Introduction-Epistles-Seven-Churches/dp/1686423152/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Bishop+Jerry+Hayes%2C+Apocalypse&qid=1568308793&s=books&sr=1-1
The Apocalypse, is the introduction to the biblical book of Revelation. Here Bishop Hayes also gives a verse by verse commentary of the first three chapters of the Apostle John's Revelation of Jesus Christ, covering the letters addressed to the seven churches of Asia Minor. The Bible student will thrill at the Bishop's easy evangelistic style of presenting deep and unique truths never before published. In this study a wealth of information will be shared with the disciples of Christ on each verse of this great manuscript.
Own your personal copy of this enlightening work by ordering at the link provided here:https://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Introduction-Epistles-Seven-Churches/dp/1686423152/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Bishop+Jerry+Hayes%2C+Apocalypse&qid=1568308793&s=books&sr=1-1
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BY PURCHASING MY BOOKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY. -JLH
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