Reading aloud or even hearing the Book of Revelation being read aloud brings a blessing, but there is a second stipulation to this blessing, and that is to take it to heart and keep what is written in it.
Revelation 1:3 NIV
3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Here’s the same verse in the King James Version:
Revelation 1:3 King James Version
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.
When I first read this promise, I was confused.. How do you “keep” the Book of Revelation? It’s mostly just prophesies about what is going to happen someday, how do you obey it, keep it or take it to heart? Other books are far more instructional. However, not wanting to miss the blessing, I went through the letters to the seven churches and compiled a list of admonitions and put them in my own words in a personal attempt to keep them.
Here’s how my summary read:
Come back to Me, your first love. Work for Me like you did at the beginning. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Be faithful even when facing death.
Be victorious, don’t soil your clothing. Hold fast what you have received and keep it from dying. Repent and strengthen your relationship with me. Stay awake.
Buy from me gold refined in the fire. Buy clean, white clothes. Buy salve for your eyes. Be earnest and repent. Open the door to Me so we can eat and commune together.
Later in the last chapter of Revelation, He said:
Revelation 22:7
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
None of these admonitions are about developing your ministry to others or spreading the gospel. They are about focusing on our own relationship with Jesus with the spotlight on the condition of the heart. We’re urged to wake up from our spiritual stupor and take our place at the feet of Jesus, pursuing His holiness.
Peter addressed this as well in I Peter chapter 2. He admonished us to rid ourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander.
Paul urged us to get rid of everything displeasing to God in Ephesians chapter 4, including emotions that lead to sin.
Ephesians 4:25-32
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Something to think about.
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