Okay . . . so who isn’t up for a blessing? Who wouldn’t like to stumble upon a bit of a windfall from time to time? Who doesn’t want a little good to come to them once in while. Well, my friends, if I’m reading this correctly . . . look no further than the Book of Revelation . . . a place of blessing . . . so says the inspired word of God . . .

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Rev. 1:3)

“Blessed” aka “happy” . . . that’s the deal for those who read . . . and those who hear . . . and those who take to heart . . . the things written in these next twenty-two chapters . . . blessed!

So often, this book is approached like some great spiritual Rubik’s cube . . . a puzzle to be solved . . . a mystery to be broken . . . all the pieces to be lined up just right. And, to be sure, there is a way to “rightly divide” this portion of the Word of Truth and a wrong way and so we should be diligent, with the Spirit’s help, to carefully seek to understand what’s being revealed. But, is the blessing really found in mapping every detail to current events . . . in taking something that is a heavenly vision and mapping every iota to some earthly reality? Or, is the blessing found in getting that this book is telling us “the time is near” (1:3) . . . and in tuning our heart’s to cry out, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (2:20)

You look at this “beatitude” in verse 3 and the blessing is for those who read it . . . literally “read it aloud.” I’ve never done that . . . read aloud the book of Revelation . . . either to crowd or just to myself. I guess because there weren’t a lot of copies (like one) of John’s letter floating around, it wasn’t going to get passed on much unless someone read it aloud. So there was a blessing for the reader . . . ok, I’m up for that.

Next there’s a blessing for those who hear. Even in my morning devo times, I can read but not hear. You know, the eyes are scanning the page, but the brain is kind of disengaged. But if I want the full benefit that can be mine from spending these next few mornings in this part of Scripture, I better have my ears on . . . pay attention . . . ask the Teacher within me to school me in the truths I’m about to encounter. If I do? . . . blessing! God’s word says it . . . I believe it.

Finally, the blessing is for those who “keep” . . . . or “heed” . . . or “take to heart” . . . the words of this prophecy. Far from being spurring just some intellectual act of deciphering prophetic visions, as I read . . . and as I seek to hear . . . I am to receive these words . . . chew on them . . . consider not only the meaning but the implications of them, as well. Truths to be internalized . . . truths to be externalized. Things to know . . . things to obey. Things to be taken to heart. And therein lies the blessing.

Oh, that by the grace of God and the Spirit of God I might be attuned to this book over the next few weeks. That, as I approach the end of another year, I might be acutely aware that “soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!” That, as the activity level ramps up over the next few weeks, I might ensure time to be still and know that He, even now, is preparing a place . . . and a wedding feast . . . for all those who love His appearing. That, as my focus is drawn to His first advent . . . to the wonder of Immanuel . . . to the glory of the Babe in the manger . . . that I might have ears to hear of His “any day now” second advent . . . the wonder of Him who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals . . . the glory of the Him of who is robed in white and will soon establish His visible kingdom.

Who’s up for a blessing? Oo . . . oo . . . pick me! . . . pick me! I can hardly wait . . .