FRIDAY September 13th
Revelation 22:7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Well, we have come to the sixth of the ‘blessed’ statements in Revelation, and this one and the seventh are found in the final chapter of the holy, inspired word of God. The revelation of Jesus Christ which John had received while exiled on the Isle of Patmos has almost come to its completion, and with it the completion of the canon of scripture, 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Together they comprise the most sacred, holy, special, and beautiful book that a man or woman can ever hold in their hands and to open and read. God’s revelation of himself to mankind, God’s instructions for mankind, and the details of God’s perfect plan of redemption.
The ’blessed’ statement today is dependent upon those who on reading the words of prophecy of this book in keeping them, that is to be obedient to them.
I think that directly, the reference to ‘the words of the prophecy of this book’ are to this particular book, Revelation, as it is a book of revelation or prophecy, so although it may be one of the least read or least understood, it is a book that we should desire to read, to learn from and to keep, after all, reminding ourselves that it is all a part of God’s bigger plan concerning salvation. Yes, he sent his Son to save us, yes, he sent his Son to redeem us, yes, he is preparing heaven for us, which if you look at what it says in Revelation 21 is going to be an incredible place, as I often say it is going to be out of this world, but at the same time, God’s redemptive plan and purpose also has to deal with evil and all who refuse to come to a knowledge of the truth, and so we see something of how this will be realised or brought about in this book.
But indirectly, I think that we can and should apply the phrase ‘Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’ to the whole of the word of God. For to remind us of some other verses of scripture related to the word of God, we see:
‘All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.’
‘For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.’
‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.’
(2 Timothy 3:16–17, Hebrews 4:12-13, 2 Timothy 2:15)
I don’t know about you, but I feel that I need to pray for God to help me to not only keep the truth, but to keep hold of the truth, allowing it to be my daily light to help me navigate through this dark world in which we are living in. For as we keep his word, we will be blessed.