The Bible's Benediction - Part 1

Opening Story

The last book of the Bible can be very intimidating. Things don’t look good for the church until Jesus comes back.

Question

Until the time of Christ return we must encourage each other, and give hope.

The Lord gave 7 “benedictions” or “blessed statements.” Today we will take a look at the first.

Text

Revelation 1:1 CSB

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Please not that in the first sentence along with the title of the book. It is Revelation - singular, not plural.

Revelation meaning - uncovering (LSJ) or process of God’s making Himself known… (HIBD)

“to show”

We are being shown, this is not a secret.

Must

Thru the Bible Vol. 58: The Prophecy (Revelation 1–5) The Title of the Book

“Must”—He says that they must shortly come to pass. The word must has in it an urgent necessity and an absolute certainty.

Revelation 1:2 CSB

2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, whatever he saw.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

1:2 Standing true to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ caused John to be exiled to the island of Patmos (v. 9). Christians have been persecuted throughout church history for their fidelity to Christ. Only by failing to stand do we escape persecution.

Revelation 1:3 CSB

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 1

1:3 The reading of this prophecy carries with it a promise of blessing. The reading in view is not just mental. The reader must also keep (i.e., “take to heart” and apply) what is written. This is the first of seven significant “blessing” statements or beatitudes in the book of Revelation (14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). Seven, the number of perfection, will recur throughout this book.

Thru the Bible Vol. 58: The Prophecy (Revelation 1–5) The Beatitude of Bible Study

This verse gives us the beatitude of Bible study. This is the first of seven beatitudes found in the Book of Revelation. This verse says, “Blessed is he that readeth,” and that means the reader, or in the church, the teacher. Both those who read this book and those who hear it will be blessed. And both the reader and the hearer are to keep those things which are written in the book. The threefold blessing comes from reading, hearing, and keeping. I believe those who go through the Book of Revelation will receive a special blessing. I really believe it because that is what John says.

“For the time is at hand” does not mean that the things which are mentioned at the end of the book are happening in our day, but it does mean that the beginning of the church on the Day of Pentecost began this movement of the Lord Jesus’ ministry in heaven. We are going to see a vision of Him in this chapter, a vision of the glorified Christ. Then we will see what His ministry is, and that will move us right on into the future.