The Beatitudes of the Revelation

The Beatitudes of the Revelation

By:Scott Ingram

TEXT:

Revelation 1:3, Revelation 14:13, Revelation 16:15, Revelation 19:9, Revelation 20:6, Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:14

THESIS:

To make it clear that the blessed will be those that are faithful and keep themselves clean.

INTRODUCTION:

1. The book of Revelation can be summed up in the idea that the faithful will win.

2. The faithful to God are a distinct people, and the distinction is made when one follows the commands of Christ. (Hebrews 5:9)

Hebrews 5:9 NKJV

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

3. Following the commands of Christ is not always easy for us and it was not easy for the brethren who received this letter, but they were expected to do so despite the conflict they would face. (Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life“ (Revelation 2:10).

Revelation 2:10 NKJV

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

4. Those that obeyed and stayed true to the Lord were rewarded, and we can do so as well. (James 1:12)

5. We can not let the peer pressure of the world weigh you down when you have the elevating word of God to pull you up.

DISCUSSION:

I. The Blessed Reader (Revelation 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.")

A. In the context, the instructions given in the next two chapters were essential to the first century church for their correction and discipline.

1. The seven churches of Asia are not the only ones that need correction and dscipline, we often do as well, and the application can still be made to us.

2. To be taught and intructed is not a curse or burden, but it is a blessing that is done in love (Heb. 12:6 "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth"; Proverbs 3:12 "For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." )

B. The reader was blessed for having read the words of the prophecy but those that lived by them would receive a greater reward.

1. Not all people are blessed in a physical or financial way for following God's, word but there is not a soul alive, that has heeded the call of the Bible, that has not benefitted from it in a spiritual way.

2. The first step in receiving God's blessing must begin with the hearing of the word of God.

C. The Bible records Peter's remark about Jesus, that he had the words of life (John 6:68 “Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”)

1. It is a blessing to have those words recorded for us to read today.

2. It is a blessing to sit down and read the words given directly from God to man, words recorded in the form of a book, everyday, whenever we have opportunity to do so.

a) Do you take advantage of that blessing on a daily basis? If not then why not?

b) When you have the choice to conisder how to spend your time, do you think about the blessing of reading God's word each day or do you choice more trivial things to fill all of your time?

c) We have the greatest source of information that could ever be had and so many people choose to do less valuable pursuits to the total exclusion of Bible reading and study.

II. The Blessed Keeper (Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.")

A. Whether we need the instruction found in the book of revelation because of our disobedience, or instructions for correction else where in the Bible, we will always be blessed when we keep the commands of our Lord. (Blessed is the man that walketh not in the ocunself of hte ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful but his delight is in the law of hte Lord; and in this law doth he meditate day and night, and 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 - Psalm 1:1-3)

B. The idea of being blessed when we follow God’s instructions can be seen even in simple practical ways (Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger")

C. Every day that we gather in assembly we thank God for our blessings, the physical and the spiritual blessings, but the physical won‘t mean anything at the end of life if we don't have the spiritual blessings, and the spiritual blessings won‘t be gained if we are not living by God's words. (If ye love me, keep my commandments - John 14:15; ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you - 15:14)

D. Failure to keep God's words will not only result in a state of life without God's blessing, but it will ultimately result in a cursing from God instead, similar to what happened to the nation of Israel, as was foretold in Deuteronomy 28 and even in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 – In flaming fire taking vengeance o nthem that know not God, and that obey not hte gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

III. The Blessed Doer (Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.")

A. The blessing of being a keeper and a doer of God's word is eternal life (1 John 2:25 "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.")

1. Those that follow God's word will always receive the blessing that is associated with keeping His commands (Matt. 25:21,23).

2. The life that we find in the here after is going to be eternal for both the faithful and unfaithful, but the question to be asked is will it be a life worth existing for, or will it be a punishment that is worse than physical death (2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad )

3. We make that decision each day of our lives by chosing how we treat others, what we do towards God's service, and if we do it because of the right reason.

B. The doer of God's word is also blessed in his entrance into the eternal city of God. (v. 14)

1. The eternal city of God is a way of saying the place where God resides and will always be, heaven.

2. We have the choice and opportunity to be in that city that never fades, that never grows old, that habitation that is eternal in the heavens, a place in the presence of God, the greatest priviledge of all.

IV. The Blessed Watcher (Revelation 16:15 "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.")

A. The Watcher of God is blessed because he keeps himself prepared.

1. We have a warning, that there will be no warning.

a) While that statment is seemingly contradictory, it serves an important purpose of pushing us constantly work and be vigilent over our masters house and the work He has given to us.

b) This warning of the uncertainty in timing, gives us certainty,that the Lord wants good, honest, men and women with intergrity that will be faithful stewards of God's blessings and earnest servants of His house.

B. This goes back to the Lord's teaching in Luke 12:37-38 "Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants."

V. The Blessed Guest (Revelation 19:9 "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.")

A. The guests of God are more than a guests, they are participants in the ceremony.

B. We as christians are members of the Lord's church and are some times referred to as the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25-27)

C. They that are called are those that are called by the gospel (Romans 1:16) and those thatheed the call and obey will be participants in God’s kingdom. (Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. ")

1. Not all that are called will come (Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen.")

2. Should any man that honestly believes that God exist and that the Bible is His word deny the call to come to the feast?

VI. The Blessed Dead (Revelation 14:13 "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.")

A. The dead in the Lord are blessed because they get to be in the presence of the Lord.

1. What great gain it is to be with the Lord, Paul expressed it that way (Phil. 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain")

2. Much in the same way, the idea is reflected in comfort in (1 Thesalonians 4:17,18)

B. The Lord spoke of laying aside treasures in heaven, we do that by the works which the Lord has taught us to do (Matthew 6:20).

C. The dead which die in the Lord are the ones that are blessed, not simply the dead but those that are already inside the Lord when they die (Gal. 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." ; 1 Cor. 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." )

VII. The Blessed Raised (Revelation 20:6 "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.")

A. The christian is blessed in that he has no part in the lake of fire but instead eternal peace, eternal joy, in nor sorrow or anguish but in fellowship with the Lord (Revelation 21:4)

B. Christians are those with their names written in the book of life, the ones that are raised by the Lord and escape that fiery grave reserved for the wicked. (Revelation 20:15)

CONCLUSION:

1. Throughout Revelation there is blessing and cursing being proclaimed.

2. The man of God will heed God's warnings and we today have a good opportunity to learn from, and take comfort from, the blessings found in the book of revelation.

3. When we stop to think about the struggle, pain, strife, inconvenience of life, persecution of the early church, it becomes much easier to understand why these blessings are recorded and the purpose they serve as encouraging words.

4. Use the words of the Revelation to help yourself be faithful, keep in mind what waits and remember that it is worth whatever the cost to follow the Lord.