Seven Beatitudes of Revelation - Notes
1. REV. 1:3:
BLB: (Rev. 1:3) A blessing to the reader and "keeper" of this book.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
a. Blessed is he who reads ... and keep those things which are written in it: The Book of Revelation offers a particular and unique blessing to those who read and keep the message of this book. This is the first of seven beatitudes of Revelation (Revelation 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, and 22:14). i. Because they neglect the book Revelation, many people miss this blessing. For example, the Anglican Church virtually omits Revelation in its regular schedule of readings for both public worship and private devotions. This is a typical attitude towards the Book of Revelation. Many people believe that only fanatics want to dig deep into this book. But really, it is a book for anyone who wants to be blessed. ii. Fortunately, John didn't say that we had to understand everything in the Book of Revelation to be blessed. There are some difficult things in this book, that may only be understood as we look back at fulfilled prophecy. But we can be blessed by reading and hearing even when we don't understand.
b. This promise gives more reasons to know John believed this book was Holy Scripture. First, the words he who reads and those who hear show that this book was intended to be read publicly, just as other accepted Scriptures. Second, the promise of blessing itself shows that John regard this book as Holy Scripture. In the Jewish world, such a blessing could never be pronounced on a merely human book. i. All of these things together show that beyond doubt, the Book of Revelation claims to be Holy Scripture. A critic can agree or disagree with that claim, but it can't be denied that Revelation makes the claim.
c. Keep those things which are written in it: The Book of Revelation gives us much more than information for prophetic speculation. It gives us things to keep. If we understand the Book of Revelation, it will change the way we live.
d. He who reads is in the singular. It speaks of one person who reads. Those who hear is in the plural. It speaks of many people hearing. The idea is probably from custom of the early church, where attention was given to the public reading of Scripture, which would often be explained. In our modern way of speaking, John might say "Blessed is the pastor who teaches Revelation, and blessed is the congregation who hears it." But most of all, pastor or congregation, blessed are those who keep those things which are written in it. i. "Neither must we only live up to the words of this prophecy, but die for it also, and be content to be burned with it, if called thereto; as that holy martyr, who when he saw the Revelation cast into the fire with him, cried out 'O blessed Revelation, how happy am I to be burned in thy company!'" (Trapp)
KRELL: 1:3: John begins 1:3 with the word "blessed" (makairos, Matthew 5:13). This is the first of seven usages of "blessed" in Revelation.12 This is a promise of the happiness, spiritual blessing, and joy that will come from knowing and obeying the truth of this book. This is an amazing verse. No other book of the Bible promises us a blessing for reading, hearing, and heeding its contents.
This blessing is given to "he who reads." Note that this is singular while the next clause, "those who hear" is plural. This reflects the early form of taking in the Word. In the early church Christians did not have their own copy of God's Word. They were not as fortunate as we are today. Rather, the Scripture was publicly read and expounded to the congregation by an elder or qualified teacher.13
Today, we can be blessed by simply reading through the book of Revelation AND hearing and heeding its contents. The words "hear" and "heed"14 are linked together by the word "and." These two terms form one concept, not two. The person who "hears" in the biblical sense of the word "heeds." Hearing MUST be combined with obedience.15
In this context, the main idea is that of obeying "the words of this prophecy" and "the things which are written." Notice that both "words" and "things" are plural. These two words point us to the importance of perceiving and obeying all the contents of this book (i.e., the person of Christ, the church, the saints, the tribulation, witnessing, faithfulness, overcoming, angelic warfare, Israel, Satan, demons, judgments, the millennium, the resurrection, the eternal state, etc.).
2. REV. 14:13:
BLB: 4. (Rev. 14:12-13) The blessedness of the saints, even in the midst of the Great Tribulation.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."
a. Here is the patience of the saints ... Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on ... that they may rest from their labors: We can easily contrast the rest of the saints with the continual torment of the wicked (Revelation 14:11). The rest comes through patient endurance and faithfulness to God and His Word (here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus).
i. We can only imagine what courage and comfort this passage will give embattled, persecuted saints during the Great Tribulation. Clearly, God wants to encourage His people to be steadfast in times of trial, focused on what blessed rest and reward awaits them in eternity.
ii. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: "These are the only glorious dead ... they die in the cause of God, they die under the smile and approbation of God, and they die to live and reign with God for ever and ever." (Clarke)
b. Their works follow them: The patient endurance and work of these saints is remembered in heaven. Our work for the Lord goes with us into heaven, giving dignity and significance to all work here below.
KRELL: In 14:13, the Lord gives a positive incentive to remain faithful that balances the negative warning previously given (14:9-12). John hears a voice from heaven say, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'41 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.'" This "voice" was probably the Lord's.42 The voice told John to record that it would be a blessing for the believers who live during the great tribulation to die as martyrs.43 There are two reasons given in this verse for the blessedness of dying in Christ. The first is that by dying they will "rest from their labors." The term "labors" stresses the pain and the persecution of living as witnesses in a wicked world which seeks to overcome them (cf. 2 Cor 6:1-10). The second reason for the blessedness of the saints who die in the last days is that their "deeds follow with them." If there are consequences for wickedness and unbelief, so there are consequences for righteousness and perseverance. What is a cause for fear on the part of sinners is a cause for faith on the part of the righteous (1 Cor 15:58). As J. Vernon McGee once said, "God does not save anyone for his works, but He does reward us for our works. Our works (good or bad) are like tin cans tied to a dog's tail; we cannot get away from them. They will follow us to the bema seat of Christ."44 Always remember the words of Hebrews 6:10: "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work." He will reward you one day!45
3. REV. 16:15
15 ("Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.")
BLB: Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame: In the midst of the description of the coming battle, there is a warning to be prepared in light of Jesus' assured victory. i. Garments are pictures of spiritual and practical righteousness. We are given the righteousness of Jesus as a garment (Galatians 3:27), but we are also called to "put on" the nature of Jesus in terms of practical holiness (Ephesians 4:20-24). Above all, we must not be "naked" - that is, without a covering, or trying to provide our own covering like Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:7), which is like filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6).
KEATHLEY: This verse is a parenthesis written to the faithful remnant of the Tribulation to give them comfort, hope, as well as a warning lest they become discouraged and lose their testimony. These plagues are but a proof that the Lord's return is near. So in this verse the Lord Himself now speaks.
He says, "Behold." This means, "stop, and think, take note"! "I am coming" is what we call a prophetic present which views a future event as certain, as though already in the process of occurring. Here the Lord is assuring the Tribulation saints that His coming is certain.
"As a thief" stresses the fact that while the general time of Christ's return in the Tribulation can be known because of the signs and specific events of the Tribulation (like the drying up of the Euphrates), the exact moment cannot be known (Matt. 24:36; Acts 1:7). Therefore, Tribulation believers are warned to stay awake, producing righteousness for the Lord. They are to live with a view to His return. Some would try to apply this to the church, but though there is some similarity to 1 Thessalonians 4:13f in the fact that Christ will come silently for believers, take what is His, and leave the world in disarray, the primary picture of Christ's coming for the church is that of a Bridegroom. The thief concept primarily deals with the Tribulation or the day of wrath (cf. 1 Thess 5:2-3).
Thus, special blessing or happiness is promised to the believer, even in these horrible times of the Tribulation if he follows the warnings and exhortations of this verse. They are told to do two things:
(1) "To stay awake." The Greek word here is grhgorew and is used of alertness and fellowship with the Lord (cf. its use in 1 Thess. 5:6f). It refers to one who has the right priorities and is living for the Lord and His return. To stay awake is to stay in fellowship. This is the root aspect.
(2) "He keeps his garments." Here is the fruit, the results. Keeping his garments refers to righteous behavior or good works which the believer wears like a garment; it is practical living from fellowship with Christ (Rev. 14:13; 19:8; 11:18).
"Lest he walk about naked and men see their shame." Men cannot see the imputed righteousness which God imputes to the account of believers which gives them a righteous standing and access to God. But they can see the practical results of this in Christian behavior, or the fruit of the Spirit and the Word, Christ-likeness. Otherwise what they see is empty profession or spiritual nakedness (i.e., carnality). Romans 13:11-14: And do this because we know the time, that it is already the hour for us to awake from sleep, for our salvation is now nearer than when we became believers. 12 The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light. 13 Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.
4. REV. 19:9:
9 Then he *said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he *said to me, "These are true words of God."
BLB: d. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Blessed indeed; Jesus Himself eagerly anticipates this marriage supper. He spoke longingly of the day when He will drink of the fruit of the vine again, with His disciples in the kingdom (Matthew 26:29). i. In Jewish culture, the marriage supper was the best banquet or party anyone knew; it always was an occasion of tremendous joy. According to Rabbinical teaching, obedience to the commandments was suspended during a wedding celebration if obeying a commandment might lessen the joy of the occasion. ii. On that day, everyone will see the church for what she really is: the precious bride of Jesus. "The Bride of Christ is a sort of Cinderella now, sitting among the ashes. She is like her Lord, 'despised and rejected of men'; the watchmen smite her, and take away her veil from her; for they know her not, even as they knew not her Lord. But when he shall appear, then shall she appear also, and in his glorious manifestation she also shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the Father." (Spurgeon)
e. These are the true sayings of God: This is a necessary note of assurance for us. This anticipated consummation will take place, and though it seems too good to be true, it will happen.
KEATHLEY: Verse 9 has reference to the custom of inviting guests to the wedding feast as seen in Matthew 22 and 25. Verse 9 is a beatitude, a pronouncement of blessing upon those invited. John was first told, "Write, blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." First, this is the pronouncement of blessing and happiness to those who are invited because the millennium will be the most blessed time in the history of the earth. It will be an unprecedented time of blessing just as the Tribulation was an unprecedented time of misery. It will be a time worth waiting for and worth suffering for.
Second, all men are invited, both Jews and Gentiles, but to enter and be a part one must accept the invitation and come with the right wedding garment, the dikaiosunh, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This means one must first accept the invitation to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12; 3:3, 16; Rom. 3:21-22; 4:5; Matt. 22:8-13). Not only will the bride have her trousseau, but every guest must have on a wedding robe, a garment of righteousness, in order to be a part of the marriage feast or the millennial reign of the Savior. These guests are friends of the bridegroom (John 3:29).
Next, in verse 9 John is told, "these are true words of God." In the Greek text, the word "true" is emphatic, further stressing the element of the veracity of this event. This underscores the absolute certainty of this beatitude.
5. Rev. 20:6:
6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
KRELL: In 20:6, John declares, "Blessed25 and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection;26 over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign27 with Him for a thousand years."28 There is great blessing and joy in our salvation. The "second death" has no power over us. The "second death" is separation from God in the lake of fire (cf. 19:20; 21:8).29 Instead of experiencing this fate, we will reign as priests for a thousand years.
We must note that in 20:2-7, "thousand years" is used six times in connection with a number of chronologically interrelated events.30 John appears to be setting up a definite timetable of events relative to the 1,000 years. As someone wisely suggested about interpreting the Bible, "When the plain sense makes good sense, seek no other sense."31 There are four good reasons why Jesus Christ's reign will be a physical, earthly reign, rather than a spiritual, heavenly one.32 First, Christ will be on earth after He returns (19:11-16). Second, at the end of His reign, the saints, who reign with Him, will still be on the earth (20:9). Third, God promised the saints an earthly reign (5:10). Fourth, the Old Testament messianic prophecies anticipated an earthly kingdom (e.g., 2 Sam 7:10-16; Ps 2:8; Isa 65:17-66:24; Dan 7:27). The thousand-year reign of Christ will be a time when the suffering servant, Jesus Christ, and His faithful followers will celebrate His victory.
KEATHLEY: "Blessed and holy is the one who has a part ..." (vs. 6a). "Blessed" means "happy" as well as blessed, the recipient of God's blessings. "Holy" means "set apart." This is both positional and experiential. The believer is set apart in Christ and is the recipient of the blessings of salvation-Christ's righteousness, forgiveness, eternal life, reconciliation to God, etc. (1 Cor. 1:30). As a result he will experience the ultimate rewards or fruits of this, experientially, in the thousand-year reign. All believers as resurrected saints will share and experience all the blessings of the Millennium, politically, spiritually, morally, and in every possible way. It will be a time of unprecedented joy.
"Over these the second death has no power (or authority)" (vs. 6b). The "second death" refers to eternal consignment to the lake of fire following the second resurrection, the resurrection of the unjustified (vs. 14). This comes from having no part in the first resurrection of the just, those who stand justified by faith in Christ (Rom. 1:16-17). Or, to put it another way, the second death comes from having only one birth.
Man is born (physical birth) spiritually dead. He needs a second birth (spiritual birth) by faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:1-8; John 3:3-6, 16). If only one birth, then because man is spiritually dead, he must face two deaths (physical death and the second death-eternal separation from God). If man has two births, (physical and spiritual), then because he has been made spiritually alive in Jesus Christ, he may face physical death (if he dies before the rapture), but he can never face the second death by virtue of the first resurrection. The second death can have no power over believers because the Lord Jesus has "rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:14).
"And will be priests of God ... and will reign" (vs. 6c). Believers will be given responsibilities of service and worship in the Millennium. The Millennium, as well as eternity, will be a time of joyous activity and service.
Nothing is mentioned here or elsewhere about the resurrection of Millennium saints, that is those who go into the Millennium with mortal bodies or who are born during this time. Some have taught that: because there is no mention of this resurrection, because of the lifting of the curse (Isa. 11:6-9; 35:1-2, 9), and because of the healing and lack of sickness in the Millennium (Isa. 35:5-6; 29:17-19; 33:24; Ezek. 34:16), there will be no death in the Millennial age.
But Isaiah 65:20 appears to teach otherwise. This verse indicates: (1) The normal life span will be over 100 years, but death will evidently occur. (2) Evidently there will be no shortened life span because of sickness or old age, but (3) there will be a shortened life span through divine discipline for sin and rebellion (cf. Isa. 11:4; 65:20b). (4) Otherwise people will live out a long life span and then death will take them. Except for those who die by divine discipline, it will undoubtedly be very peaceful and without fear-perhaps even with immediate resurrection. (5) It also appears that when men do die, they will die, not from old age, but as a youth, young of body and mind (Isa. 65:20b).
6. REV. 22:7:
7 "And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book."
BLB: d. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book: This blessing reminds us that prophecy gives us a word to keep, not merely material for interesting discussions and debates. The main intent of prophecy is to lead us to trust and obey God, and apply His truth to the way we live.
KRELL: Expect Christ's return (22:7, 10, 12, 20). In 22:7a, the speaker here is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself rather than the angel or John. Jesus states, "And behold, I am coming quickly." This is the first of three times that Jesus declares, "I am coming quickly." In 22:7 and 12, the promise is preceded by the word "behold." "Behold" (idou) is a term intended to grab our attention. Jesus is saying, "Give this your undivided attention!"
The word translated "quickly" (tachu) means "at once or suddenly" (cf. 2:16; 3:11; 11:14).7 The point is that our Lord is coming, and when He comes, He is coming suddenly, without warning, as a thief who comes without announcement.8 These words of our Lord are in the present tense-not the future tense. Jesus is saying, "I am coming now!" Not, "I will be coming later." There must be a sense of urgency. That sense of urgency must urge us to rise above the crisis. If we believe that Jesus Christ is coming back today-quickly, imminently, shortly-it will decisively mark the way we live our lives.
How should these words mark our lives? They should motivate us to obey God's Word. Jesus finished 22:7b by saying, "Blessed9 is he who heeds the words10 of the prophecy of this book." If we read, study, and apply the book of Revelation to our lives, God assures us that He will bless us. The book closes as it opened, with a special blessing for those who pay attention to what it teaches (1:3; cf. 16:5).
The word "heeds" or "keeps" means to guard the words of Revelation by applying it to our lives.11 We can "heed" the word of Revelation by (a) Observing the warnings of chapters 2 and 3 to the church, warnings against dead, cold orthodoxy, apostasy, immorality, materialism, etc. (b) Living constantly in light of Christ's presence and imminent return. (c) Carrying on a vital witness, having an open door to the unbelieving world in view of the coming tribulation and the lake of fire, that we might see men snatched from hell (Jude 23). (d) Living as sojourners who refuse to become bogged down with materialism and who live with a view to the Eternal City. (e) Enduring the trials of this life, during this age of darkness, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, the glory that is to follow. (f) Remembering that God's plan is being accomplished, that He is sovereign and still on the throne as we see this old world moving farther and farther away from the Lord and the absolutes of His Word.12 As we heed the words of Revelation in this fashion, the Bible promises that we will be "blessed."
7. REV. 22:14:
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes [who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
BLB: (Rev 22:14) A blessing and a curse (v.15) is pronounced by someone (perhaps John, perhaps the angel, perhaps Jesus Himself).
a. Blessed are those who do His commandments: Doing His commandments does not earn us eternal life, but it is evidence that we have been granted eternal life. Besides, there is an inherent blessing in doing His commandments, because they are good and right for us. i. Regarding the phrase those who do His commandments some translations have those who have washed their robes instead. The difference is between two ancient Greek words: HOIPLUNONTESTASSTOLAS (washed their robes) or HOIPOIOUNTESTASENTOLAS (do His commandments) ii. This is a good example of how a copyist's error can cloud a text in rather minor ways, without affecting the essential meaning of the context.
KEATHLEY: The Promise of Blessing to Those Who Wash Their Robes (14-15). Here is the seventh and final beatitude in Revelation. Here the word "blessed" is plural, makarioi, which strongly brings out the multitude of blessings given to the robe-washers. The robe stands for one's condition of righteousness. A dirty robe stands for being without righteousness, falling short of the glory of God. A washed robe is one which has been made white and clean by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It means the person stands in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. It stands for imputed righteousness or justification by faith in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:19, 21; Phil. 3 9). The tense of the verb is present, but it is what we call in Greek grammar, the perfective present; it describes the abiding results, "washed robes" (cf. Rev. 7:14; 3:5). Some translations read "who do His commandments" instead of "who wash their robes," but the older manuscripts have the reading of the NASB and NIV. This is also the most accurate theologically. The reference here is to those who qualify for entrance into the city where they have the right to the tree of life. Though obedience to the commandments of the Lord should be a characteristic of believers, and may even give evidence of one's faith, entrance into eternity is obtained by faith alone in the person and work of Christ, not by obedience or works (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; John 3:16).
The word "right" in the clause "that they may have the right" is the Greek exousia which means (a) the right or authority to do something, or (b) the power or capacity to do something. Believers, by virtue of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ and their glorified and sinless bodies, will have both the right and capacity to dwell in the eternal city in righteousness.
