Rev.1: 1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John”

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

 

Those who hear the prophecy of this Book are blessed.

 

“Blessed — happy — to be envied — are they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev. 1:3). Ampl.

 

Let me touch one more thing here briefly and move on to discuss a few things in relation to what men called fulfilled eschatology of the 144,00 standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion.

 

These opening words are something interesting to behold. Do you know a lot of people don’t like reading the Book of Revelation because of fear based on how men have interpreted the Book by illustrating and revealing the devil, the Ant Christ , Armageddon, earthquakes, killings , failing economy , climate change to destroy all mankind, Israel to fight with Russia or Iran resulting in Third world war, now of late Russian with Turkey etc?

 

But see what the author is saying, that those who read this Book are blessed, why? Because it is a prophecy. It’s it not about these negatives things , otherwise how can hearing these things produce joy and happiness. This is a Book that demonstrate and reveals the Victory of the Christ over the canal man Adam , it is a Book over failure and disappointment, so producing joy and thanksgiving to the one who have so conqured death and have the key of hell and death. It is Book of victory beloved and not the declaration of sorrows, fear, doubt and unbelief.

 

I said the reason reading this Book is a blessing is because, it carries the prophetic voice of the author, here I mean of the one that the Father gave the Book to reveal and that is Jesus Christ himself.

 

Notice, that Prophecy is the word of God, which is not merely a foretelling, but a forth-telling. A revealing of God’s mind if you will. The Prophetic voice found in this Book is the voice of God in Christ,. This is because God gave it to Jesus. For we read

 

“ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” 2 Cor.5:19.

 

And let us not forget that Christ is King, Priest and Prophet, as a king, he rules, as a Prophet, he speaks and reveals the mind of God, and as a priest, he reconciles men unto God. And this of course, is the role we ought to be playing amongst men, for he is the first born amongst many brethren, the head of the Church which is his Body

 

This is therefore a Book that is bringing all of these faces of the ministry of the Christ into maturity in his Body as he reveals it to them and through then ultimately.

 

This is why it is a Book of joy and gladness unto the reader, who truly read and understands.

 

“Blessed — happy — to be envied — is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand!” (Rev. 1:3).Amp.

 

And this is one of the uniqueness of this Book, the only Book in the Bible that has promises for its readers even in the opening passage. It has promise and blessings for those who can appropriate the Book to themselves by way of overcoming. For to the overcomers are specific promises which no other Book has offered. It is truly such a wonderful Book unlike others. The problem therefore is, the inability to read and understand what the Book is saying, and so derive from it, the glory so enshrined in it.

 

Comparing this Book with other Books of the Bible will reveal a contrast, though they could be so easy to read but they do not have the promises and blessings that the Book of Revelation offers. Not just offering this promise, it starts you with these promises so that you might find the need to proceed to read and understand it so as to get the benefits therein. It sort of draws you in, because there is much good in it for you when you read through it with understanding.

 

Now, what does that speak to us. It gives a clear meaning and definition of what the Book is all about and what it can offer the readers who will keep the sayings of this Book.

 

Rev. 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

 

Now, this is talking of whosever will keep the sayings of this Book, right up till date and anytime. It therefore cannot be a historical Book but an ongoing fulfilling Book into all ages. It is any one that can keep the sayings of the Book, he is a blessed man.

 

Friends, this is a Book worth reading for it has so much promises and God in Christ is intending to raise a people of Joy and gladness on the face of the earth through the voice of the Christ in a people. This is what the Book is all about; it is such a good Book and not a Book full of evil happenings.

 

To be continued …

 

© 2016 – Dr. David O. Ogaga