What are the seven blessings of Revelation?

In verse 7 we have two points presented to us. Firstly, "behold, I come quickly" is the word given to us by Christ Himself. Secondly, it is one of the seven blesseds found in the book of Revelation, "Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book". Concerning the first thing, "behold, I come quickly", the expression is found four times in the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation has been called 'the book of the Lord's coming'. The first time we find this expression is in the epistle to Philadelphia, "behold, I come quickly", and then three times here in the last chapter, verses 7 already quoted, and now verse 12, "Behold, I come quickly, and my reward with me, to render to every one as his work shall be" and lastly in verse 20, "He that testifies these things says, Yea, I come quickly. Amen; come, Lord Jesus". There are two phases in the second coming. First the Lord to take the church to Himself, and then His public appearing in glory. We must not here exclude the first stage of the Lord's coming particularly in view of the fact that in this chapter the Lord Jesus presents Himself not as the Sun of righteousness, as in Malachi. "The bright and morning star" is more particularly is connected with the church. As to the second mention of His coming (in verse 12) this relates to the reward is in connection with the public appearance of the Lord Jesus.

A brief word on the seven times the "Blessed" is found seven times in the book of Revelation. They can be called the beatitudes of the Revelation1. There are similarities with the blessings in the words of the Lord in Matthew 5, the blessings for the earth and for the heaven. The first blessing is in chapter 1:3, "Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of the prophecy", and interestingly enough it is very much the same as the sixth one, chapter 22:7, so there is a completeness in those seven blessings. The second time is in chapter 14:13, "Write, Blessed the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; for their works follow with them". The next one is in chapter 16:15, "Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments, that he may not walk naked, and that they may not see his shame". The next one is in chapter 19:9, "Blessed are they who are called to the supper of the marriage of the Lamb. And he says to me, These are the true words of God". The fifth one is in chapter 20:6, "Blessed and holy he who has part in the first resurrection: over these the second death has no power; but they shall be priests of God and of the Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years". The sixth one is in the verse we have before us this morning, verse 7 of chapter 22, "Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book" and then in chapter 22:14, "Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have right to the tree of life, and that they should go in by the gates into the city".

Rev. 1:3. — In this verse, which completes the preface, the divine benediction, “Blessed,” is pronounced on the reader, the hearers, and on those who keep these verbally inspired communications. The fact that the blessing is repeated at the close (Rev. 22:7), and judgment threatened on all who tamper with the whole or part of this book of prophecy (vv. 18, 19), imparts an unusually solemn character to this hitherto much neglected portion of Scripture. None can read it or hear it read without blessing, and none dare despise it with impunity. God is ever faithful to His Word, whether in the bestowal of blessing or in the execution of judgment.

The divine beatitude, “Blessed,” occurs seven times (Rev. 1:3; Rev. 14:13; Rev. 16:15; Rev. 19:9; Rev. 20:6; Rev. 22:7, 14).

To summarise in few words the various blessings that are in the last two or three verses. Firstly, no more curse, eternal and perfect blessing from and through the throne of God and the Lamb, second, divine administration perfect and eternal, and third, servants serving Him in perfect liberty, seeing God's face, fourth, this is fellowship and communion. Fifth, the name of God on their forehead is the seal of the perfect identification with the Godhead. Number six, no more night, no more candle, luminary, divine light for ever. Seventh, reigning to the age of ages, the ultimate destination.

There are different words that are rendered "blessed" in English, quite a subject in itself. But the verb 'to bless' usually has often a special meaning in both Hebrew and Greek to speak well or to say good things when the Divine aspect is considered. Thus in Hebrews 7:7 where we read, "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better". The word 'makarios', means happiness in the highest imaginable state, not from human sources but from God. In the beatitudes on the 'Sermon on the Mount' when the Lord says "Blessed", it is not quite the same word as in Ephesians, it is not a verb there, but an adjective, [makaria] which means the highest form of blessing conferred by God. It cannot be equalled by anything on earth from God's side. In Revelation in the seven references the adjectival form is used.

Most confirming it is to find in the book of Revelation,which so clearly brings before us the trials and sufferings of these very Israelitish saints, the same question anticipated and provided for. In the 14th chapter, which has to do with those who are seen anticipatively in the commencement of it as standing upon Mount Zion with the victorious "Lamb," after Babylon is fallen (ver. 8), and when the time of the antichristian "beast" and his followers is in contemplation; it is suddenly announced, as if in contrast with the woe upon the beast-worshipers, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." (ver. 13.)

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things therein written: for the time is at hand." What a serious mistake in the face of such words as these for Christians to think that this book or any part of it is unprofitable, and that it may be safely set aside either as too difficult to understand, or, if understood, as having no practical bearing upon the soul! It is remarkable indeed with what special care the Lord has commended it, not only here at the commencement but at the close, where we read, "These sayings are faithful and true; and the Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show his servants the things which must shortly come to pass. Behold, I come quickly; blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book." It would seem that the Lord's prescient eye anticipated in such warnings the neglect with which the Apocalypse would be treated by His servants, and that He was thus solemnly guarding them against it by commending the book emphatically to their study and use. It is a little remarkable, by the way, that a somewhat similar admonition occurs in the close of 1 Thessalonians, which was the first of Paul's epistles, and the one which above all others develops the grand truth of the coming of the Lord. In Rev. 1:3 the Lord takes pains to encourage every possible class of people who might come in contact with the book. Not only the individual who reads is pronounced blessed, but those who hear its words and keep (or observe) what is written therein. And certain I am that the Lord does not fail to encourage His saints who count on His assured faithfulness and blessing. He has never turned aside from using it for good, and especially in times of danger, spite of all contempt or perversion.

"Blessed is he that readeth." One might say, I cannot understand these wondrous symbols that abound throughout the book, things which have been hid even from the wise and prudent. Ah! notice it says not, blessed are they that understand, but "blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy." That is something more than the mere hearing of audible words. Hearing in Scripture is always connected with the heart: "Hear and your soul shall live." It is the opening of the heart to the truth; and the blessing is pronounced to those who read and open their hearts to the Word; and the result is that they will keep the things that are written therein. And then that solemn thought, the time is at hand. No one can truly understand the book of Revelation, who does not realize something of the preciousness on the one hand and the solemnity on the other, of those simple words, "the time is at hand."

Be it remarked too, that a special blessing is prefixed to the prophecy. Was it not expressly and graciously to encourage His bondmen, as well as to foreclose the cavils of unbelief? "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein." It is even for those to hear and keep who could not read; and blessed are such. What can one think of those who all but exclude it from their liturgies? What of those who boast of their freedom from these forms, and are no less disrespectful and unbelieving? Doubt not its practical power. No one ever decried the book whom it did not morally condemn; none read or hear, and keep it without rich blessing.

"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" (verse 3). A blessing is promised to him who readeth, and who hears and keeps. It does not say that a blessing is for him who understands and knows everything which is in this book. If such were the condition the writer and reader would have no claim on this promised blessing. The Bible teacher, or any other man, who says he knows and understands everything found in this great finale of God's Word is very much mistaken. We cannot be sure about everything in some of these visions and the full meaning of some may not be understood till the world sees the fulfillment. The blessing is promised to all His people who give attention to the Revelation of Jesus Christ. What is the blessing we may expect through the reading and prayerful study of the words of this prophecy?

First of all we receive through this book a wonderful vision of our Saviour and Lord. This is what we need as His people above everything else, and it is this which brings blessing into our lives. As stated before, this book is preeminently His revelation, a blessed unveiling of His person and glory. But we also get another blessing. In reading through this book we see what is in store for this age, what judgments will overtake the world, and how Satan's power will be manifested to the full upon those who rejected His grace. Judgment, tribulation and wrath are swiftly coming upon this age. Out of all this our gracious Lord has delivered us. There is no judgment, no wrath for us who know Him as our sin bearer and our hiding-place. Praise must fill our hearts when we read the words of this prophecy and remember the grace which has saved us from all which is coming upon this age. Another blessing is the assurance of ultimate victory and glory. Dark is the age, and becoming darker, but in Revelation we behold the glory which is coming for His saints first of all and after the judgment clouds are gone, for Jerusalem, the nations and the earth. Reading Revelation fills the heart with the assurance and certainty of the outcome of all. It is a solemn atmosphere which fills the whole book of Revelation. As we continue to read and continue to breathe this heavenly and solemn atmosphere it will result in a closer walk with God, a more spiritual worship and a greater and more unselfish service for Him "Who loveth us and hath washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us priests and kings unto God His Father."

Rev. 14:13. — “And I heard a voice out of the Heaven saying,‎ Write, Blessed are the dead who die in (the) Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; for their works follow with them.” The voice, but not the name, of the speaker falls upon the ear of the christian Seer. The Authorised Version interpolates unto me. The message was not addressed to John, although he heard it, but it is one for all saints,‎ while it has its own special application to saints in that critical hour preceding the Coming of the Lord in judgment.‎ It is ever true that those who die in the Lord are blessed, but why is the statement reserved for this awful juncture in human history? and why is it added, “from henceforth?” Why from that particular moment? The‎ answer to these questions is a simple and satisfactory one.‎ The word “henceforth” intimates the near end, and that the blessing is just about to be entered upon.‎