This is the first of the seven beatitudes in the book of Revelation on how one may be: truly blessed, be full of eternal joy and enjoy divine happiness. This is a beatitude separate from those in Matthew 5:1-11. A special beatitude at the very beginning of the book. Many consider the book of Revelation to be a difficult, dark, mysterious book that can better remain closed, especially since it was, and often still is, hijacked by various sects as a basis for all kinds of fantastic predictions, which amounts to eschatological science fiction.
Calvin, the great reformer, never wrote a commentary on it. It was a closed book for him, just like the second half of the book of Ezekiel. And yet: Revelation 1:3a declares blessed is he who reads and hears. Jesus meant this book to be read out aloud in the congregations, as a message of comfort for the Church. A spiritual blessing is promised to anyone wishing to make the contents of this book known, and a spiritual blessing for those who wish to listen to it, not just with their ears, but with open hearts and, like Mary, wishing to ponder the word in their hearts.1 What is the Book of Revelation all about? It is all about the Lord Jesus Christ. He removes the veil that exists between us on earth and the One who is enthroned in Heavenly glory. It shows how the Father gives the Son the reward, His Glorification;2 how He is now surrounded by the Heavenly hosts; how He, as the Heavenly High Priest performs His duties for us, Hebrews 4:14 – 5:10 and 6:13 – 10:25. And especially how one-day He will come back from Heaven to planet earth in glory! It is a message of comfort to His Church during the trials and tribulations, the plagues and the judgments that we and planet earth will go through during the end times!
The Book of Revelation also shows the significance of the great ‘Day of the Lord’ as the day of judgment of unbelievers (Revelation 21:8), as a trial for the children of God, but also as the introduction to the great final victory over the powers of sin, sickness and decay, Satan and his powers of darkness. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. Finally, He portrays the bodily resurrection of the dead and the total renewal of all creation. Jesus is the Victor! He is the same yesterday, and today and forever.3 His Kingdom is coming! The light that is already shining in the hearts of many today will shine through everything so that darkness will no longer exist. Indeed, because all these things will certainly come to pass, the words of the prophecy of this Book must be read out aloud and be heard. Forewarned is forearmed! From this Book, believers will know that however dark the world becomes, Jesus is coming!
Bible References
2.Luke 2:19 3.John 17:5 4.Hebrews 13:8
