Revelation is the one book of the Bible that offers a particular promise to those that read it, hear it, and obey it. From the very first chapter, the heavenly and divine message features a blessing. Revelation isn’t meant to be feared or avoided. God means for it to bless us in a novel way. Revelation is supposed to be engaged with, learned from, and lived out.
The words are on the very starting of the book. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those that hear it and take to heart what’s written in it, since the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3) This verse frames the remainder of the book, from the messages to individual churches to the disturbing tribulations. As disturbing or confusing because it may appear, God’s heart is to bless the reader. It’s a call to live faithfully now in light of the top.
Revelation also ends with a warning, not so as to add or take away from its words. God will add plagues to those that add words and take away blessings from those that subtract from the book (Revelation 22:18-19). Like the blessing, this warning calls us to respect the book, treat it seriously, and uphold it as truth.
To ignore Revelation, we miss out on the very blessing God wants to provide us. Further, it would bring consequences our way, especially if we consider it in light of Jesus’ parables in regards to the end times, especially the five sensible and silly virgins. When we read it with open and looking for hearts, we receive the hope and courage God guarantees through its words.
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