1:3 - Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it...
14:13 - Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow them!"
16:15 - Blessed is the one who stays awake...
19:9 - Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
20:6 - Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!
22:7 - Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
22:14 - Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
Question for you: What do these blessings call to mind?
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteSeven blessings (of course, it's Revelation).
The first and sixth blessing both include the one who (not only hears but) keeps the words of the prophecy (or what is written). This calls to mind the emphasis of Jesus (and the NT) on not only hearing the word but doing it.
Several blessings also speak of a bright, eternal future for those who are "dressed" properly. "Those who wash their robes" and enter the New Jerusalem (22:14) are contrasted with those outside, who practice idolatry and immorality (22:15). Similarly, the blessed who are invited to the Lamb's marriage supper (19:9) are those given "fine linen" to wear; this garment/robe is identified as the "righteous deeds" of the saints (19:8). And the blessed who are awake when the "thief" (Jesus) comes in the end are those who keep their garments (on) and are not exposed as "naked" (lacking righteous deeds) (16:15).
Before Christ comes, the blessed are those who die "in the Lord," whose deeds follow them, remembered for all eternity (14:13). This entry into heaven at death could be the "first resurrection" of those blessed in 20:6. The deeds of those "resurrected" there include their testimony to Jesus and the word of God, and not worshiping/adoring the beast (world empire) or its image (perhaps the beautiful harlot, the great world city) and not having a mark that shows they "belong" to those idolatrous and immoral kingdoms and cities (20:4-6). For they belong to a different kingdom--the kingdom of "priests" created by the Lamb (1:6; 5:10)--and the true eternal city, the New Jerusalem.
All those blessings bring to my mind the finished work of The Lord Jesus Christ and I am humbled by the knowledge of His Constant Work on His people.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me like a demonstration of love through positive reinforcement. He is giving us reasons for hope and perseverance.
ReplyDelete