17 February 2023

Blessing 1&6: Blessed is he who reads the words of God

Scattered throughout the book of Revelation are seven blessings that give hope and remind us that God’s way brings blessings and that, in the end, God wins. Together, the seven beatitudes of Revelation sum up many of the greatest promises and themes of the Bible, providing hope and direction for those who will worship God through the dark days of the end times.

Blessing 1 - Revelation 1:3 (AMP) Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it ; for the time is near.

Blessing 6 - Blessed is the one who keeps the words of this book, Revelation 22:7 (ESV) “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Similar to the first blessing, those who follow God's commandments and are obedient to His Word will be blessed. God will bless those who spend time reading the Bible and who follow what it says. God is not interested in the act of us simply reading His Word, but in how we apply what we read.

James 1:22 (ESV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP) All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for instruction, for conviction , for correction , for training in righteousness ; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

A blessing is promised to the one who reads. A blessing is promised to all who listen. A blessing is promised to all who obey.

The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the inspired words of the Bible. When we deny ourselves the power of the Bible, we also miss out on an important way by which we hear God’s voice. The Bible is like a loudspeaker for God’s voice in our life.

“Read your Bible daily. Do not be content to skim through a chapter merely to satisfy your conscience. Hide the Word of God in your heart. It comforts, guides, corrects, and encourages; all we need is there.” -Billy Graham