Title: Three Definitions of the Blessed One
Revelation (2)
The three great definitions of the blessed (Rev 1:3)
1. one who reads the word
Is it really a blessing just to read the words of this prophecy? The text says “Yes!” Of course, if you read all the words of the Bible, you are all blessed. It is because you will develop faith as you continue to read the words of the Bible. But why does the text specifically say that ‘those who read the words of this prophecy’ are blessed? It is because the hope of heaven becomes clear when you read the words of Revelation. You don't know how much that clear hope for heaven can benefit your life.
When the hope for heaven becomes clear, you will yearn for God even more, your church life will become more vibrant, and the final victory will be guaranteed, so your heart will be relaxed, your fear will disappear, and you will become wiser as you gain courage in your life in the midst of suffering. A wise person lives knowing that “there is an end!” It is wisdom to recognize that even if you are healthy, you will have days of illness, if you are successful but you will fail, and when you are wealthy, you will also be aware of when you will be poor.
Because the great forefathers of faith always lived with the consciousness of the end, they were able to overcome any hardship with joy. The reason that the early church grew powerfully was because of the strong sense of the end. When spiritual revival occurred in the history of the church, it was always the time when the faith of the end times was strong. Even in an individual's life, the most spiritually abundant time is when the consciousness of the end is complete. In that sense, how blessed would it be to read the book of Revelation and to have a new consciousness of the end times?
2. Those who hear the word
Here, “hearing the word” means not simply listening to the words of this prophecy with your ears, but accepting them with your heart. Of course, hearing the Word with your ears is also a blessing. Because faith comes from hearing (Romans 10:17). However, we must go one step further than hear and receive the words of this prophecy in our hearts. If you look at the words of Revelation, there are many scenes and words that are difficult to understand, but still, seriously draw those scenes for yourself and listen to them with an open mind. God blesses a heart that is open to the Word like that.
This principle is a necessary principle in the life of faith. When you hear the Word, always listen with the conviction that “These are the words that God has given me.” Then God will give you grace through His Word. I want to receive grace, so I use various methods, but the best way is to have an open mind and accept the Word. For the Word to be grace, the preacher must prepare well for the Word, but the audience must also prepare well to receive the Word.
3. Those who keep the word
What does the phrase “written in the midst of it” mean in the text? In the book of Revelation, various symbols and scenes that John saw are realistically described, but there are also words of God's commands, exhortations, and challenges. It is said that those who practice the word are blessed. The true work of grace will also be revealed when the Word is transmitted from the eyes and ears to the heart, and from the heart to the lips, fingertips and toes, and is manifested in practice.
The book of Revelation emphasizes a life of obedience to the Word in the beginning, and a life of obedience to the Word in the conclusion. “And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the time is near” (Revelation 22:10). In this verse, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this scroll!” is “Keep the words of the Revelation!” The book of Revelation is not a Bible that emphasizes prophecies and visions, but a Bible that emphasizes a Word-centered life that obeys the Word. Therefore, as the time of the end draws near, we should try to live a more word-centered life.
The first thing to do with end-time faith is to obey the Word. If your head is full of visions and prophecies after hearing the words of Revelation, you have heard the book of Revelation incorrectly. Also, if you hear the word of Revelation and feel that the future is gray like gray, and you are gripped with fear and fear, you have also heard the word of Revelation incorrectly. On the other hand, if you listen to the word of Revelation, think about the hope and reward of heaven beyond trials and tribulations, and make a commitment to be faithful in your daily life according to God's will, you will be listening to the words of Revelation correctly.