A DECISIVE PERSON Revelation 1:3 

A SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE  Blessed is he that reads, and

                   they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those

                   things, which are written therein for the time is at hand.

STUDENTS                              Blessed is he that reads, and they

SAVOR THE SYMBOLS   that hear the words of this prophecy

Reading the book of Revelation guarantees a positive result.  It is a circular letter.  The intent was that it was to be read out loud in the seven churches of chapters 2 and 3. (Symbolic of the entire church)

That may seem a daunting task.  Actually the 22 chapters take about 2 to 3 min. per chapter to read.  The assignment is not that overwhelming.  God wants us exposed to the words of His prophetic unveiling.

SURRENDER TO THE SUBJECT   and keep those things,

                                                                  which are written therein

Keeping is defined as placing each thought and word in front of our mind.  The sense is for us to value the integral fabric of Revelation and investigate it with alert contemplation.

To “keep those things” is to recognize with appreciation and respect this final drama of our Savior.  He’s paid an infinite price to bring us to Himself.  This is Christ’s triumph exposed.  Each detail can be viewed in admiration as we keep Him as our conscious treasure.

SECURE THE SEVERITY      for the time is at hand.

Admiration and respect of the themes of future events is not that trendy or popular.  To imply that God is in control of events and that He’s weaving His design is not a well-liked position.  There are scoffers who say:

Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3:4

The Lord assures: Every vision will be fulfilled Ezek. 12:23-25

The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.  For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.  For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I speak will come to pass; it will be no more prolonged 

Every Israelite will return to Israel Ezek. 36:8-11 But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home.  For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown.  And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt.  And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

The day of the Lord will start Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

This is the first of seven blessings Ron Mantoon calls these:

The Blessed Challenge Rev.1:3      The importance of the Word

The Blessed Comfort  Rev.14:13  The blessings of eternal life

The Blessed Cautiousness Rev.16:15 The anticipation of His return

The Blessed Calling  Rev. 19:9   The joy of Christ’s presence

The Blessed Conquest   Rev. 20:6    The participants in His Life

The Blessed Cherishing  Rev. 22:7    The joy of obedience to Him

The Blessed Conformity Rev. 22:14   Access to eternal nourishment

The Blessed Challenge Rev. 1:3

  Reading          Blessed is he that reads

  Retaining       and they that hear the words of this prophecy

  Responding   and keep those things which are written therein

  Recognizing   for the time is at hand

To be “Blessed” means to have God’s approval on us by His joy being in us.  We are favored not based on changed circumstances or because our surroundings are improved.  True blessing is opening to the transforming perspective of God through His Word decoding our conditions.  It is not matchless plenty but renewed perception.

“Blessed” means to lean on the intrinsic presence of God Spirit within. He has designs in everything, independent from what appears to be fading.  To need nothing but God is real blessing.  This is not a denigration of the physical things we have and could have.  This is a commendation of the spiritual things we have in Christ.

Read, hear and keep are action words, which are continuous action verbs.  Lange writes this is “the earnestness of delight where our intensity and industriousness centers in God’s Word”.

R.E. Gingrich writes: “The blessing is to those who keep on reading, keep on hearing, and keep on keeping”

John Phillips writes: “The blessing here relates to…the glimpses of Christ in glory, seeing God’s consistent outworking, His glorious ultimate consummation, and hearing the prophecies of this book.  This is a blessing in our troubled world. We are to “keep” what is written. To “keep” is “to watch over,” or “to observe attentively”