It is likely that many of those Christians in the seven churches in Asia Minor could not read. The churches would have contained people from all social classes but almost certainly there would be a large number from the lower groups in society including slaves. However, they did not have to be able to read to get the message being conveyed to them. As part of their worship, they listened as someone read out from the Book of Revelation. This must have taken some time and almost certainly was the main part of the service. The church at Sardis, for example, did not only hear the letter specifically addressed to them. They heard the other six letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Philadelphia and Laodicea. In fact, they listened to the contents of what we now have in 22 chapters. So they would hear the whole drama from the powerful vision of the Son of Man in the midst of his seven churches right up to the jaw-dropping vision of the New Jerusalem.
There was a special blessing for those who listened to this letter/prophecy/apocalypse. I have enjoyed hearing David Suchet reading the chapters from Revelation. There was a blessing for the reader as well as the hearer. But the blessing was for those who not only listened to the words, but put into practice what they heard.
[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, for the time is near. [Revelation 1:3 ESV]
We need to pause and think about the significance of this verse. It was clearly intended first and foremost for the readers of the first century. Both the reader and the hearer are given a blessing. It was expected that it would have an impact on the way they lived their lives. John tells them and us that 'the time is near.' There is no reason to doubt that the Book of Revelation was speaking about the situation in which they found themselves as citizens of a province of the vast Roman Empire. Jesus knew the seven churches in intimate detail and he passed the message to the apostle John with the command to write down what he witnessed. When they heard the public reader commanding them to 'look' or more accurately to 'behold,' they were expected to do just that. When they were told to 'Fear not,' again they were expected to obey that command. Above all, they were told to 'keep what is written.' There was a special blessing for those who did just that. There is a call to 'overcome' or to be faithful to the risen Christ. The Revelation of Jesus Christ calls for loyalty to him. There are blessings associated with faithfulness despite the persecution some were facing or the temptation to compromise and just fit into the heathen Godless society of their particular city.
Revelation is the only book in the Bible which includes this blessing for the reader. In fact, the book begins and ends with a blessing. We have quoted the blessing in the third verse of the first chapter. Here is the same blessing at the end of the Book.
“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” [Revelation 22:7 ESV]
This is a literary device known as an 'inclusio.' A phrase or a passage is deliberately repeated as a way of drawing our attention to what is contained in the section in between. I like to think of it as bookends holding intact the books or papers in between. So we have the whole book of Revelation sandwiched in between these two statements of promised blessings.
There is a total of seven blessings in Revelation. The number 'seven' is significant - the number of perfection. Revelation is the book of complete blessing for the child of God. Here are the other 5 blessings. We will say more about each of these when we come across them in their contexts.
Death has been defeated: reward for faithfulness
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: 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!” [Revelation 14:13 ESV]
Being watchful for Jesus second coming
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) [Revelation 16:15 ESV]
Invitation to Marriage Supper of the Lamb
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” [Revelation 19:9 ESV]
Immunity from the second death
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. [Revelation 20:6 ESV]
Right of entrance to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
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. [Revelation 22:14 ESV]
These blessings are given to us throughout the Book of Revelation as an encouragement to be faithful to Jesus the Son of God. As life was difficult for many Christians as citizens in the Roman Empire, so it is increasingly difficult to live for Christ in 2023 - in Scotland or wherever you are in the U.K. or Europe or further afield. We need to be constantly reminded of the blessings that are promised to those who overcome - who are victorious .
Photo by Billy Pasco on Unsplash
through the power of the risen Lord.
Comments