The Blessing of God's Word

The book of Revelation has seven blessings scattered throughout its twenty-two chapters. The first two are found in verse three, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3. The word “blessed” is the Greek word makarios, which was used in the Greek world to describe someone who was rich. Their wealth gave them something to rise above the struggles of the poor. They were not disturbed or threatened by circumstances. They had something greater. The blessing that God promises goes way beyond any and all material wealth. The spiritual strength in the blessings of God is eternal and arms believers with confidence for every occasion in life.

         The church in the day of John’s writing was suffering intense persecution by the Roman authorities. It was open season on the followers of the Way. The apostles had all been martyred. John had been exiled. As believers were found they were forced to confess their allegiance of worship to Caesar with the confession, “Caesar is Lord.” Instead they would declare, “Christ is Lord.” They would then be tortured and killed. The church had gone underground. Many were beginning to wonder if it would survive.

In this setting God gave the promise of a greater strength and power than of Roman persecution and the fear of death; the power of a word from God, of His Son, Jesus Christ, for His own glory by the Holy Spirit to all who would believe. No doubt the church was praying for relief, for deliverance, and for the persecution to end. We certainly would. But instead, God gave them a blessing in the midst of suffering. He gave them this word, His word. This is instructive for us today. Our greatest need is a word from God. And regardless of the situation or circumstance, God’s word provides the strength to rise above the fray. The blessing of God’s word is eternal. It is from God, of God, and for God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Today, spend time in God’s word. Read Revelation 1, out loud, and meditate on the reality of Jesus Christ. He is with you and for you. According to God’s word, there is a blessing in reading God’s word, out loud. Try it today and experience the richness of eternal Truth, and know for certain that there is nothing more powerful than the child of God armed with a word from God! They are blessed to be a blessing.