Apocalyptic Blessings | Revelation 1:3

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Revelation 1:3 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.

The reason the readers and hearers should keep the words of this prophecy is because the time is near. But what does this mean? Many interpretations have been offered.

Daniel Wallace notes the importance of the definite article. It is “The time”. It signifies the well known period of eschatological consummation.

The OT prophets looked forward to the last days. But Christ’s first coming kicked off the last days. According to Peter the last days have begun. 1 Peter 4:7 “The end of the world is coming soon.” While we don’t know exactly when the end will be, we are to live sober, holy lives in expectation of it.

2 Peter 3:11-12 “Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along.” It seems the timing of the end has some relation to the behavior of God’s people.

The eschaton is coming, this world is ending, and the final reward belongs only to those who are obedient.

Sources:

Aune, David E. Revelation,. 3 vols. (WBC). Dallas: Word, 1997; Nashville: Nelson, 1998

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation (NIGTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999

Fanning, Buist. Revelation(ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 20

Ford, J. Massyngberde. Revelation (AB). Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1975.

Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997

NET Bible. Full Notes Edition.

Schreiner, Thomas R. Revelation (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker, 2023

Thomas, Robert L. Revelation. 2 vols. Chicago: Moody, 1992-1995