Revelation 1:3, commentary and pictures

The blessing rests on all who read its words aloud, listen to them with attention, and live out what is written, and that blessing may be claimed now. Reading means prayerful seeking for divine knowledge, hearing means diligent listening with open ears, and keeping means remembering and practicing its truth in character. It is not a sealed or obscure book but an opened revelation that can be understood by the enlightening of Christ and the Holy Spirit. That the time is at hand means its prophecies are nearing fulfillment in the closing scenes of earth's history and the soon coming judgment, calling for urgent preparation. Keeping it means heeding its warnings, reforming the life, purifying character, standing for God's commandments, and preparing without delay to meet the Lord.

Words of the Blessing

The blessing rests on three joined actions — one who reads aloud, those who hear, and those who keep what is written — and it is offered now to all who so read, hear and keep, because fulfillment is near. It is a special blessing from the Lord upon readers and hearers of the book and keepers of its message, carrying urgency since the time is at hand and its words retain solemn force that must not be emptied of meaning. Against the claim that the book cannot be understood and is closed, it is a privilege to know what the Scriptures say and mean, and the book should be understood far better through study with a receptive mind and a heart open to divine impressions. Its prophetic teachings were given for guidance, comfort and duty through the centuries, and their study is especially important as history nears its close. Its warnings are to be heeded as of divine origin, and diligent study is the path to an abundant entrance into Christ’s kingdom, to share heaven’s bliss with no tempting devil, no sorrow, sickness, pain or death, to see the King in His beauty and gather around the throne of God.

Reading is first, and it is to be prayerful and purposeful reading aloud that seeks divine knowledge, with the Holy Spirit enlightening mind and heart. Hearing calls for diligent, attentive listening with open ears and no indifference. Keeping means far more than encountering the words; it is remembering the lessons, practicing the truth, doing and living it out in character, heeding its warnings for present and eternal good. The whole book is to be read from beginning to close, every verse marked and clearly understood, and not merely read but studied most earnestly with determination to understand, for it is opened for understanding and not sealed or unfit for study. Its scenes concern the past, the present and events still to come, and its symbols will be fulfilled.

The blessing does not belong to mere contact with the words but to those who become doers of the Word and not readers only. Keeping therefore requires a living connection with God and whole-hearted consecration of body, soul and spirit to Him, giving obedience solemn importance and urgency because the time is at hand. It includes concrete doing, such as repenting and doing the first works. Its solemn words must be kept in full force and not robbed of solemn import by being turned into a spiritualistic mystery stripped of meaning. That doing centers on the present truth made known, even the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed to warn the world of the conflict in which every person will have a part; this work of proclaiming present truth and preparing a people in connection with gospel ministry is the principal work for this time, to which means and talent belong and from which they are not to be diverted.

Those who refuse to read or hear, who ridicule its subjects or symbols, or who reject its call to reform life and prepare for Christ’s coming in the clouds cannot claim the blessing. The blessing is for those who heed its warnings and instruction and observe what is written, not for those who refuse study or turn away the call to prepare. The prophecy is revealed and opened to understanding, not a mystery beyond human reach, giving important instruction about the close of the world’s history, the dangers and conflicts ahead, what is coming upon the earth and nations, and the needs of the last church. The blessing was pronounced with foreknowledge that efforts would be made to keep people from studying it. To add to its meaning, lessen its force, or take away from it brings the plagues written in the book and loss of part in the book of life and the holy city.

Giving on Patmos

The prophecy is the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to John, who bore record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw. Its opening verses set out the character and purpose of the whole book, which Christ has given to enlighten understanding, so that as this Word is read God is speaking and teaching. Its light comes from God through Jesus Christ and is conveyed by an angel to John, and close study of its prophetic visions and warnings is essential.

Christ came in person to John on the Isle of Patmos to present this gospel, to show him the things that were to be, and to command him to write what he saw and heard because they are of vast importance to His people. The words are those spoken by Christ as the divine Teacher when He came personally to give the revelation to His servant John, and His coming is clearly described in the first chapter. It was given when Christ came from heaven to meet John to reveal heavenly things and show what would take place in the last days, including what was coming upon the churches and the messages to be given them to prepare for the trying times before them.

John had been banished to the lonely, barren, rocky, desolate Isle of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ, to silence his testimony. Wicked men had failed to take his life and expected him to become discouraged and soon die and trouble them no more, and his enemies, tired of a testimony he could not hold back with unchanging faith, exiled him thinking to stop his mouth. He was the oldest living man who had seen Christ, one who always spoke the truth, and he spoke from that desolate island because he would keep the Word of God, while the power that apostatized in heaven tracks with satanic emissaries every soul that would favor Christ to block their way.

God did not forsake faithful aged John in exile, for Christ knew where to find him on a lonely island and honored his true and faithful service with His presence. There He gave him more communications from heaven than during the rest of his lifetime, showing God does not forsake faithful aged ministers when they become feeble and human wisdom counts them past service as an old and broken reed. For the aged disciple it was a happy place where every day he communed with God with praise falling from his lips, and God revealed Himself to him in a most signal manner by His angel, so that the words he there wrote under inspiration have lived through the ages.

John was commanded to write the instruction in a book for the benefit of the seven churches, with what he saw and heard made plain by symbols of things to come to pass until the coming of Christ, and that writing is preserved as the book of Revelation. What was to be written and sent to the seven churches was not for John alone on Patmos and not for those churches alone, but was to come through those churches as the inspired message for God's people in every place and every age to the close of earth's history. The seven represent all the churches in the world, for the light was not to be hidden under a bushel and the number seven represents a perfect whole, concerning the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter.

Open Book for Last Days

The very name of the book means that something of importance is revealed, an open revelation rather than a sealed, closed, mystical or obscure book, a mystery unfolded and not eclipsed in obscurity. The blessing pronounced on the one who reads and on those who hear and keep the words of the prophecy shows it was given to be opened and understood by those living on the earth today, with truths revealed for all who give heed to what is written. It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to John who bore record of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw. Its truths are to be taught and its fearful import learned, for it must be understood in regard to the scenes to take place in the last days of this earth's history.

It is not beyond human understanding and is not to be dismissed as unknowable or left as a hidden mystery, for Christ can give understanding and the Holy Spirit enlightens seekers who receive it with open hearts. Even those who cannot explain the meaning of every symbol are to search it with earnest desire and not grow weary because of its symbols, giving diligent study to its warnings and instruction rather than ridiculing its subjects or refusing to read and hear. The claim that it cannot be understood merely soothes those troubled by its faithful tracing of unpleasant events and its closing warnings and promises, which call for careful prayerful attention. When so searched its study gives important instruction about events at the close of the world's history and has a sanctifying influence, bringing a foretaste of heavenly things to those who understand and follow its teachings.

Its truths are addressed to those living in the last days, who stand with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things and must enter with reverence and godly fear. They were given for the guidance, comfort and duty of God's people throughout the centuries, concerning events before the close of world history, and their study is especially important and urgently suited to the time as the world's history nears its close. Christ intends them to be understood, declaring through John what would take place then and giving through him a testimony for the church to search in order to know what will come in the last days of earth's history. Those living now are the ones to whom the prophecies especially belong, because fulfillment is near.

For the time is at hand means the prophecies of the book are nearing fulfillment in these last days, in the closing scenes of earth's history when the end of all things is at hand and the solemn scenes of the final judgment are soon to take place. That nearness is the reason for attending to, obeying and keeping the prophetic message, confronting indifference to the foretold signs and calling for prompt attention, reform of life and urgent preparation to meet the Lord coming in the clouds with power and great glory. The evidence is that the end of the world is right upon us, so its messages of warning and hope must be appreciated, studied and kept. This language of nearness does not fail though time continues longer than expected, because God's promises and threatenings are conditional.

Prophetic Message Taught

The prophecy outlines the past, the present, and what is still to come, giving instruction for all future time and declaring God's sure purpose concerning every nation in the closing scenes of earth's history. It shows what must shortly come to pass upon the earth, what will come upon the nations, and the solemn scenes of final judgment soon to take place, with evidence that the end of the world is right upon us. It warns to prepare to meet the Lord, for He comes in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. It rehearses what Moses recorded, including the plagues visited upon Egypt. Its twenty-first and twenty-second chapters should be presented more frequently before the people, bringing comfort and assurance to God's children living amid the perils of the last days.

It is the gospel for the present time, the last warning message to the world, even the third angel's message, to be borne to the churches at this stage of earth's history because the time is at hand. That truth concerns everyone who will act a part in the closing scenes of this earth's history, giving waymarks of truth from the Word that establish feet upon a sure foundation, to be presented with a certain sound and stood for firmly without turning aside to attack others. It warns the world of the conflict in which every individual will have a part, and proclaiming this present truth and preparing a people in connection with the gospel ministry is the principal work for this time, to which money and talent belong and from which they should not be diverted. Though many regard it as a closed book, earnest prayerful study, especially of the passages relating to the present time, helps readers understand Christ's position and His relation to God and to humanity.

Its first three chapters contain the message Christ came from heaven to give to John, to be heeded and obeyed to the best of one's knowledge in continual readiness, and heeding the prophecy means taking that counsel seriously. Churches are to read and study this instruction lest they follow a course God condemns, particularly when members grieve the Lord by searching into speculative scientific problems that make void the past experience of God's people. Such searching comes from superficial minds supposing they can comprehend God and His working when they cannot comprehend past facts of faith, bringing dissatisfaction because they cannot sway minds as they desire. Those chapters give the history of Satan's effort to bring dissension into the church, including the loss of first love in Ephesus, and describe difficulties that must be met today.

It exceeds in importance any other message ever entrusted to mortals, given in person by Christ on the Isle of Patmos with command to write what was seen and heard so the churches might know what was to come upon the earth. It holds solemn, weighty, testing messages full of interest to every soul, with solemn messages, precious promises, and warnings concerning present and future welfare, instruction for the needs of His people in the last days. It gives the last church instruction about dangers and conflicts ahead, and the blessing was pronounced with knowledge that efforts would be made to keep people from studying it. Its solemn messages are to receive the first place in minds, to be appreciated, studied, kept, believed as revelation and living reality, made plain, and shown with earnest zeal so all contacted see and understand that belief, and they must not be dismissed or replaced with false teaching.

It completes God's eternal plan, bringing the books of the Bible together and complementing Daniel. The two are to be studied together and better understood, traced together before large congregations with the Bible in hand, giving believers an entirely different religious experience. So studied with humble, meek, earnest searching, listening and obedience, it is full of glory and large with immortality, giving glimpses of the open gates of heaven that impress heart and mind with the character all must develop to gain the blessedness promised as the reward of the pure in heart.

Study and Proclamation

The blessing calls for diligent study of the prophecy, with careful attention because the time is at hand and its truths concern those living in the last days. That study is to be earnest, prayerful, and reverent, done with humility, meekness, contrite and open hearts, and with no indifference. It means reading, searching, and explaining scripture by scripture, seeking to understand what is revealed and to value what was shown to John for the world. Its lessons are to be given more time and made prominent in preaching, and when they are fully learned there is a great revival, an entirely different religious experience with glimpses of the open gates of heaven. The book holds much that is large with immortality and full of glory, bringing a sanctifying influence when received with open hearts and kept in life.

The whole book is to be read from beginning to close, not only read but studied most earnestly with determination to understand it. Every verse is to be marked and clearly understood, its true meaning taken in with open heart, solemn seriousness, and humility, with care to make no mistake in interpretation. Its truths and warnings must be kept constantly before the people, made prominent in preaching as truths all who live in these last days should know, and repeated to show the dangers of the last days and how to avoid them.

Giving this message is the work of every gospel minister and the service of every church member, for the churches are not awake to their responsibilities and the prophecy is a message to be borne to the churches because the time is at hand. Medical workers need to realize the importance of the message, students are to be taught that it is not too mystical to be understood and taught, and watchmen and all with clearer light are accountable to rightly understand and explain it. Its great and solemn truths for this time are to be proclaimed to the world through papers, books, periodicals, publications, and personal labor, entering into the very designs and principles of the church. The books of Daniel and Revelation are to be circulated so people may receive light and truth, and those who faithfully hear are to take the message to others as laborers together with God inviting others to come. The messenger must have the power of the Holy Spirit resting upon him to declare the words given him with great boldness, going into all the world to preach the gospel to every creature and showing that the end is near.

Its solemn messages given in their order are to occupy the first place in the minds of God's people, holding first place in attention because they contain instruction, precious promises, and warnings concerning present and future welfare. Nothing else is to be allowed to engross attention, and workers with pen and voice are to labor with deep interest to make plain the wonderful things revealed for the needs of the last days. That work means giving meat in due season to the old and the young, to saints and sinners, awakening the church from its slumbers and speaking without losing more time. It is done without dwelling on things that are not essential and have no bearing on the present necessities of God's people or on the ignorant who know not the truth.

This instruction concerning the closing scenes of earth's history is to be studied carefully and prayerfully, which guards against false theories promoted by people not taught by the Holy Spirit. Its truths for training Christian missionaries must be kept pure and not confused by mingling specious, scientific errors with scriptural instruction, lest minds be confused and deceived and led away. Interpretation is to be entrusted only to safe, sincerely converted, consistent, level-headed Christian workers who carry the work forward in right lines, follow the light, and bear a clear testimony with no double meaning or misconstruction.

Keeping in Life

To keep the prophecy is to heed its warnings and instruction, reform the life, and prepare without delay for the coming of Christ. All who have received light and had opportunity to read and hear must take heed to what is written, because the time is at hand in the closing scenes of earth's history when a grand work of preparation is going on in heaven and on earth. That call to be awake to solemn realities means refusing sin and indifference and making sure to be on the Lord's side. It means rejecting sin, purifying character, living works that match profession of faith, and standing for God's commandments.

Understanding gives wisdom to meet the deceptive designs the enemy will bring in, and those with no desire to understand what must shortly come to pass lack wisdom. Because the events foretold are being fulfilled and the time is at hand, those who know this have no excuse for remaining ignorant, while the message also gives comfort and assurance to God's children living at the end of time. Diligent study with humble, contrite hearts brings reward in the discovery of important truths, especially prophecies referring to the last days declared by Christ through John. Satan has blinded the eyes of men against this book so that they are glad of any excuse for not studying it, and its instruction must be studied carefully and prayerfully to guard against false theories from those not taught by the Holy Spirit.

When received with open hearts its revealed truths exert a sanctifying influence, and all who humbly and meekly seek to understand what is revealed receive the promised blessing for hearing and keeping its words. The book holds much that is large with immortality and full of glory, and when it with Daniel is better understood believers gain an entirely different religious experience. They receive glimpses of the open gates of heaven that impress heart and mind with the character all must develop in order to realize the blessedness that rewards the pure in heart. When God's people understand what the book means to them and fully learn its lessons, there will be a great revival among them, for understanding and obeying its lessons are connected with spiritual revival.

Diligent study with obedience is the way to strive for an abundant entrance into the kingdom of the Lord and to receive the overcomer's crown of unfading glory and a life that measures with the life of God. That entrance is to share heaven's bliss with no tempting devil, no sorrow, sickness, pain, nor death, to see the King in His beauty and meet around the throne of God. In the great day when the end of all things and the solemn scenes of final judgment take place, those whose characters are vindicated will stand glorified and honored and be rewarded according to their works for manifesting the light and glory of God on earth. Keeping the blessing means studying the prophecy instead of filling the mind with trashy reading such as love stories about disappointed love, keeping such trash out of heart and mind and glorifying God by the food given to the mind. Temperance in reading is required just as surely as temperance in drink, because feeding the mind on the trash flooding the world benumbs the sensibilities and faculties so that righteousness and judgment and even the common duties of life are not appreciated.

Those who have not appreciated this instruction will face a heavy charge, and every person will be asked whether they diligently studied the Word of God to know the will of God and to understand the difference between sin and righteousness. Those who would not come to Christ to be cleansed from unrighteousness will see the character of God and the sinfulness of rebellion. Its solemn words must be kept in their full force and not robbed of their solemn import by being made a spiritualistic mystery. To add to their meaning or to lessen their force or to take away from them brings increased dreadful judgments, the plagues written in the book, and loss of part in the book of life and the holy city.