Prophesy Is About Blessing, Not Stressing

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3, ESV

So many people in today's times are stressing out. Freaking out about this or that. They see the news, read the paper. Scroll through social media and their heart rate increases, their blood pressure rises. The news and media seem to add to their anxiety, and then the read the quotation of Bible verses about trials and tribulations out of context and they stress even more. Many are left with to worry and wait, thinking they are the victim of a bleak future and have a hard time holding on to hope.  I believe as we look at God’s word concerning the future events concerning the end of the world as we know it, we actually have a very bright future. God in fact uses prophecy to prepare us not to scare us. He wants us blessed not stressed. 

As American Christians, most of us know we are blessed and thank God for them. But do we really know what we can do to procure those blessings?  God’s word actually tells us. The Bible literally teaches that we can find blessings by obeying God’s word! But what exactly does it say we should do?

The last book of our Bible is Revelation. It’s the final record of God’s divine book. It’s been called the book of blessings. It contains a series of blessings that ought to be studied at some point. (1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14)

In the very first chapter of Revelation, we get a special promise. It says…” Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (1:3) The promise is for those who do these three things.

THE BOOK OF BLESSING  | REVELATION 1:3

What’s the Bible say about this blessing?  It reads… Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:3, ESV)  There are three things we need to do to get these blessings into our lives!

Read it. - For those that read aloud, there is blessing for you in your reading. God’s word will surprise and satisfy you. This blessing is to all the teachers, preachers, and professors, parents, and the pastors of their homes. This blessing is a blessing for those who openly and clearly read aloud the sacred scriptures. From the board rooms to living rooms, to the Sunday school classrooms might we openly read aloud God’s word and expect God’s blessing in our own lives.

Hear it. – For those that sit under the teachers, preachers, pastors and parents, and professors. Listen closely to God’s word. There is blessing in the words of scripture. Prophecy is intended to do something special in your soul. There are blessings in the book. Don’t miss it. Listen closely.

Keep it. -  For those that keep what is written in it. There is blessing. As you obey you find blessing. As you keep its words hidden in your heart you will be blessed. God’s promised to bless all who keeps it. Let your actions share your story and God’s glory. People are watching and waiting. As you keep it, others are growing stronger. Your witness is blessing others and will soon bless you too. Keep trusting, keep pressing on.  In scripture, we see that Jesus himself studied to the prophetic scriptures and debuted his ministry by quoting from them. (Luke 4:18) As well, we see Daniel when in captivity studied the scriptures as well to best understand the times he was in (Daniel 9) and the early church as well made a pattern in their study too. (1 Peter 1:10-11).

APPLY 

As a believer experience a great deal of blessing in your life as you seek to live by God’s word and ways!  Today take a moment and plan on how you will take the truth and live it out. Read Revelation 1:3 slowly. Focus on how you will secure your blessings as God’s promises to reward those who seek him.  (Hebrews 11:6)