Revelation – The Blessed Life

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

For a brilliant study on Revelation one can’t go past ‘Blessed – Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation’ by Nancy Guthrie. I’ve had my head buried in this book for the past two months or so, and it has truly helped me to plumb the depths of our LORD’s instructions and apocalyptic prophecies in the final chapter of the Bible.

Revelation includes seven promises of blessing, which together, present a picture of the person who is truly blessed. ‘Blessed is the one who reads aloud, hears and keeps the words of this prophecy’ (Revelation 1:3); ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord that they may rest from their labors for their deeds follow them!’ (Revelation 14:13); ‘Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on’ (Revelation 16:15); ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb’ (Revelation 19:9); ‘Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection; (Revelation 20:6); ‘Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book’ (Revelation 22:7); ‘Blessed are those who wash their robes.’ (Revelation 22:14).

Revelation’s definition of the blessed life differs from the way most people in the world and even in the church, perceive what it means to be ‘blessed’. What images come to mind when you think of being blessed by God? Mostly we think about material possessions – that is the way our self-focused western mind is wired. Certainly, we should pray for the LORD to meet our needs and to bless us, for Jesus Himself tells us to ask Him for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). But this ought not to be our consuming passion. We need to ensure that we do not seek God’s gifts as ends in themselves. We ought to seek to remember His grace and mercy in the distribution of His blessings and ask the LORD to bless us in such a way that those who do not know Him will recognize His goodness and saving power.

God’s blessings are good gifts in themselves, but they are ultimately to show people His holiness, mercy, power and grace. And it is these very blessings as listed in Revelation that will do just that. The question I am left asking after soaking in the promises of Revelations is, How do we keep the words of Revelation so that we will indeed experience all the blessings that are revealed therein?

If we are truly serious about keeping the words of Revelation in order to experience these blessings, our posture needs to be very different. These seven statements are intended to shape our thoughts, beliefs, actions and values. They are pivotal in who we are to be. As Christ’s bride, we have one primary focus in our life – Christ and His return. Who we are becoming is centered on our faith and hope in His imminent return and preparing ourselves, under the guidance and in the provision of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 2:1 is a clarion call to pay closer attention to the things we have heard and read in the Word. Or else we will forget the LORD’s teachings and like a boat without anchorage, drift away on the prevailing cultural current. Christ’s words are a sure and steadfast anchor for our soul and blessed is the one who pays attention to every single one of them.

Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven.

God’s voice speaking to us from the book of Revelation and indeed the entirety of Scripture must be heard and heeded with even greater attention and faith than the law that was spoken to Moses at Mount Sinai. Furthermore, we are to not add or take away one word of it and are called to obey all of it. Let us offer to God the worship due to Him and hold His Words with an attitude of reverence and awe. For as the Israelite’s discovered in their disobedience at Sinai, our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12: 29).

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

In order to inherit the promises of God given in Revelation, can we continue to stir up one another by reminding each other of these things and ‘all the more as we see the day approaching.’ (Hebrews 10-25)? Can we persevere under trial as we recall the joy that was set before Jesus who endured the cross, despised the shame and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God? Let this be an encouragement to us. Our Mighty Redeemer will come again in glory to welcome us into His eternal city, if we keep the promises-He has given to us- and hold fast with patient endurance to His commandments, and to the faith that He has deposited in our hearts.

Revelation 22:20 ‘He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.’