There are seven blessings recorded in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep these things…”
Revelation 14:13: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
Revelation 16:15: “Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
Revelation 19:9: “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”
Revelation 20:6: “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.”
Revelation 22:7: “Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:14: “Blessed are those who do His commandments.”
Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy…”
In Matthew 13:16-17, Jesus said, “Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. For assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Divine revelation is a gift from God.
Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep these things which are written therein…”
In Luke 2:19, “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
In John 13:17, Jesus said, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Let us live circumspectly of Biblical prophecy.
Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy and keep these things which are written therein, for the time is near.”
In Matthew 24:27, Jesus said that His return will happen as suddenly as lightning strikes. In Matthew 24:36-44, He said “Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” People will be going about life as usual as in the days of Noah. He warned, “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Revelation 1:4: “John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne.”
Revelation 1:4: “John, to the seven churches which are in Asia…” Note: The Lord addressing churches not Israel.
These churches were located in modern day Turkey. These churches were located in modern day Turkey. These churches likely consisted of Gentiles. How wonderful that a Jewish disciple wrote a book for the Lord and sent it to Gentile churches!
The early Church began with Jewish believers in Jerusalem, but by the time John wrote Revelation, the Gospel had spread extensively among the Gentiles. [1]
Revelation 1–3 addresses the churches because the immediate subject is Christ’s relationship with His Church during the present age. Israel is not the focus of these opening chapters. Israel does, however, become very important later in Revelation. [2]
Revelation 1:4: “…Grace to you and peace from Him...”
Revelation begins in Revelation 1:4 and ends with a blessing of grace in Revelation 22:21: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Amazing grace! In Ephesians 2:4-5, it is written, “Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ... it is by grace that you have been saved.”
Here we have an apostolic blessing upon those who give proper attention to this divine revelation. This blessing seems intended to encourage us to study this book and not become discouraged because some parts are difficult to understand. Careful and attentive study will be rewarded. [3]
Revelation 1:4: “...From Him who is and who was and who is to come...” Revelation 4:8: “Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 16:5: “You are righteous, O Lord, the One who is and who was and who is to be…” John blesses the churches in the Name of the One who is, and who was, and who is to come. He is eternal.
Revelation 1:4: “...And from the seven Spirits who are before His throne.” Seven Spirits speaks of His perfectness. The seven Spirits are characteristics of our Lord who is anointed by the Holy Spirit. [4]
The Holy Spirit is called the seven spirits. This does not mean that there are seven Holy Spirits. Rather, it speaks of the one perfect and infinite Spirit of God, who works through many different gifts and activities. He is before the throne because God works and governs all things through His Spirit. [5]
Revelation 1:5: “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”
The Lord Jesus Christ is likely mentioned after the Spirit because John is about to say much more about Christ.
Note: John had seen Christ on earth. In Revelation 19:11-16, John sees Christ returning in glory. This vision fulfilled what Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16:28 when He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
In Revelation 1:5, Jesus is the faithful witness. Christ was eternally a witness to all the counsels of God. When He came into the world, He faithfully revealed God’s will to us. We can 100% depend upon Christ’s testimony because He cannot be deceived and cannot deceive us.
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. In John 18:37, Jesus stood before the judgment seat of Governor Pontius Pilate, and said, “You say that I am a king, I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of truth listens to My voice.”
Jesus is the firstborn from the dead. Unlike others who falsely claimed to be prophets for God, He died and rose again and appeared to His followers to verify His claims. He is the only founder of a religion who did that! Jesus is the first person to rise from the dead and remain alive forevermore.
Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus, but she had to die again before entering heaven.
In Revelation 1:5, Jesus is “Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” This book is dedicated to Him who loved us, loosed us and lifted us.
Jesus especially revealed His love for us by dying on the cross for us and taking away our sins. “Thank You Jesus for dying for our sins.”
Have you ever washed a shirt that had an ink pen in the pocket? The stain would not come out. Sin is like that. The word for “wash” in Greek can mean to wash or to let loose. When Jesus commands our sins away, they must release us.
Some say, “I need to get cleaned up before I come to Jesus.” Does a mother wash a dirty child clean so she can love him? Or does she wash the dirty child clean because she loves him? Jesus washes our sins away because He loves us. He washed our sins away with His blood.
In 1 Corinthians 11:24-26, when Jesus had given thanks, He broke the bread and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
To Christ be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
[1-5] Material developed and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
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