Revelation 1:3 Most overlooked verse in Rev

[7sForDays]

In the Beginning of Revelation, we are told that the revealing of Jesus Christ (2nd coming) and what will take place, are given by God to Jesus Christ to impart on the Church (bond-servants).

Lets examine Rev 1:3, as I feel this is one of the most powerful verses in Revelation.

Rev 1:3 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.


Lets break this verse up.

1. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy

Amazing.. Just amazing. Our creator, our Father, has just confirmed, that by reading the prophecy of the revealing of Christ as well as those who hear it are BLESSED!

Blessings come from God, and he wanted to know that the importance of this book is not taken lightly, as it contains the written words of things which are "soon to come".

God blesses those who read this prophecy and teach it, and those who hear it, and receive it.

Since this applies to "He who reads" we know this applies to US too!!!!

2. And Heed the things which are written in it

Now a more firm approach to the events surrounding the revealing of Christ.

We are indeed blessed by God for those that read this and those who receive it, but there is one more stipulation on that "blessing" we have just been promised.. We MUST heed the prophecy of the revealing of Christ.

So what does that mean? To heed?

HEED

intransitive verb-to pay attention
transitive verb-to give consideration or attention to

WOW!!!

So, God wants us to "pay attention to" and to "give consideration or attention" to the prophecy of the revealing of Jesus Christ!

3. For the Time is near.

How can the time be near to the first century Christians?? Christ hasnt returned yet and this was written 1900 years ago...

So why say the time is near???


Because Revelation was written as a guide. And end time playbook that keeps you "the reader" informed on the events as they transpire.

When you begin to question your reality, and everything you know, this Book is going to come to life, its all going to make sense.. All the players will be known, you will simply have to plug in the information to identify the prophecy.

This is your survival guide, and this book in particular and the comprehension of it are absolutely tantamount to the end times.

But fret not, our Lord has told us what to expect!

I love you all.

 

[Interplanner]

You might look at the Rev like this: the other 7 Asian churches (Turkey not far east) had their problems. Then you get to Judea. The believers in Judea have a huge problem. They have to extricate themselves from their land, roots, religion, temple, families, all very difficult to do in a culture that is quick to insult and shame them.

The short version of all this was Mt 24 & //s. They would see an awful person take over the temple and know it was time to stop trying to help Jerusalem and get out.

The long but maybe more compelling account was the Revelation. It would be one of the worst decades of human history--Nero and the zealots too. But the believers would have to see that their roots was a harlot--the term used is actually a wayward Levitical priests wife; it is that specific. and for a while that harlot would 'ride' that beast Rome. But God would use Rome to devour the harlot and then the blissful wedding for the church could take place. Cp. Eph 5.

EbedM has some great material on how the 3 synoptics have their 'little apocalypses' of Jesus and the DofJ, but John had too much to say about it, and it was a whole scroll in itself.

this does not deny that Christ will return in judgement and victory for us. It just means that those materials had to do with immediate, at hand, near time, things happening quickly and had practical urgency to them.

If you saw the suffering for being a believer from both angles, from both Rome and the zealots, you would soon see why they needed the dramatic book of the Rev, pastorally, to help them leave it all behind, face all the scorn and reproach and betrayal, and get out of Jerusalem before it incinerated.

The primary audience is not modern and never was conceived of as such.

 

[7sForDays]

The primary audience is not modern and never was conceived of as such.

I wasnt asking..

 

[Old Timer]

Another wonderful admonition..

Just READ it...

Unfortunately there are far too many today who interpret the book rather than simply read it and hear what it does say.

 

[Old Timer]

Now obviously interpretation isn't a bad word is it? I wouldn't even pretend to understand all that it entails because of the simple fact that the word of God is truly miraculous.. it's living and powerful, and its deep things are certainly spiritually discerned and unknown to the carnal mind and heart.

One must have the mind of Christ to hear His words, which is certainly to have the Spirit of Christ in your earthen vessel.

And as miraculous and unfathomable as I believe that is.. to me interpretation is sometimes simply making connections.. scriptural connections that have the same or similar context.

Then there's thematic study of the scriptures where we simply want to let the story tell the story.. there's no need to figure out what it all means per se.. just read it and let it digest into your mind and heart.. the Spirit of Christ does the rest and before we know it we take control of the Sword of the Spirit with unsearchable depth and precision..

Again, it's miraculous.. one must be born again by the incorruptible word of God which does live and abide for ever..

For He is the One and only One with the words of eternal life.. The Word made flesh..

 

[Old Timer]

As a side note that's why I believe the KJV of the bible is 2nd to none with respect to its consistency of interpretation..

That's huge in my mind because the Spirit of Christ is bringing these things to remembrance and the more consistent the scriptures are in their interpretation, the better that whole process becomes imo..

Back to the wondrous topic of reading and hearing the word of God.. especially concerning the unfathomable depth of that coming Day..

The Day of the Lord, the Day of Jesus Christ..

 

[Biblewriter]

As a side note that's why I believe the KJV of the bible is 2nd to none with respect to its consistency of interpretation..

That's huge in my mind because the Spirit of Christ is bringing these things to remembrance and the more consistent the scriptures are in their interpretation, the better that whole process becomes imo..

Back to the wondrous topic of reading and hearing the word of God.. especially concerning the unfathomable depth of that coming Day..

The Day of the Lord, the Day of Jesus Christ..

I love the KJV, and still use it in my personal devotions. But the NKJV shares in its consistency and updates the wording to the twentieth century. It also corrests some of the errors of the KJV, but introduces a few of its own, as is necessarily the case in any and all translations. For translation is not an exact science. Anyone who has had to deal with more than one language knows that an exact translation is often impossible, particularly when going from Greek to English. For Greek has tenses that simply do not exist in English.

Long ago I decided to use the NKJV in my writing because the American education system had succedded in "dumbing down" the population sufficiently that they have difficulty dealing with King James English. So I decided to use the NKJV because that is the only modern translation available that does not rely on the highly corrupted Alexanderian manuscripts. But that is not a subject for this thread.

 

[Interplanner]

Interesting posts OT. You denounce interpretation, and then you love the KJV or something because of its consisistency of interpretation. So which is it?

I both love the Rev and ask why would that person at that time write that? It is people "who weren't asking" who scare me (7sfordays, above).

Another above-average intelligence translation is NEB.

 

[Interplanner]

I only mention these things about interp because you guys don't see your encasement in futurism. I grew up inside and out of it. I also know I'm not preterist based on accusations of preterism particularly by OT. I am a historian first, theologian 2nd.

 

[Old Timer]

I love the KJV, and still use it in my personal devotions. But the NKJV shares in its consistency and updates the wording to the twentieth century. It also corrests some of the errors of the KJV, but introduces a few of its own, as is necessarily the case in any and all translations. For translation is not an exact science. Anyone who has had to deal with more than one language knows that an exact translation is often impossible, particularly when going from Greek to English. For Greek has tenses that simply do not exist in English.

Long ago I decided to use the NKJV in my writing because the American education system had succedded in "dumbing down" the population sufficiently that they have difficulty dealing with King James English. So I decided to use the NKJV because that is the only modern translation available that does not rely on the highly corrupted Alexanderian manuscripts. But that is not a subject for this thread.

I like the NKJV as well and think that it does as you say and maintains that consistency.. and again it is so important to me for those connections to be there.. there's no telling how important this has been for me in my studies of the scriptures.. I don't like to get fanatical about it although it does matter to me greatly.

Anyway your writings always fascinate me BW and it's a pleasure to digest some of the knowledge you have of the grace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a wondrous topic and who can tell of the seemingly infinite ways in the which the good seed of the word of God can do its work in these hearts and minds of ours.

 

[Old Timer]

Interesting posts OT. You denounce interpretation, and then you love the KJV or something because of its consisistency of interpretation. So which is it?

I didn't denounce interpreting the scriptures.. I even admitted that I couldn't begin to understand the depth of that alone..

What I said in its context was that it's too bad that so many interpret it rather than simply read it and let it speak.

I'd still be interested in hearing how you came up with 0.5 comings of Christ in the cloud formations..

 

[Interplanner]

I don't make a connection to the cloud formations!

The question is whether the DofJ as an act of judgement is what some of the Luke references to the DofJ meant when they called it a visitation, or day of visitation.

There were formations and signs in the sky (see Josephus 7 signs) but I'm not chasing bunny trails on them individually (as a group of events, they qualify as signs and wonders for sure).

Two things are called a coming for sure: the Gospel events, and the day of judgement. Those hearing the 'little apocalypse' of Jesus originally would have thought the day of judgement and the next world were 'right after' the DofJ. Only later did the reality of the allowed delay factor in. The allowed delay is that only the Father would decide the day of judgement.

My question, and you will find this in commentaries, is whether the DofJ was also being called a parousia, a coming, a visitation, esp. in Luke.

 

[Codger]

Revelation 1:3 Most overlooked verse in Rev...

It certainly is. The first thing that is overlooked is the fact that John didn't write Chap 1:1-3. It was never a part of his letter to the first century Christians.

Verses one through three was later written by a scribe or copyist on the outside of the original scroll in order to identify its contents. Those searching for a certain scroll in a library would be able to identify the scroll by this description. Note that it is just a summary of the contents of the scroll. When this scroll was transferred into codex (book) form – probably in the second century – this three verse description on the outside of the scroll was simply added to the beginning of John's letter to the seven Churches in the codex format.

Remember that Revelation is the only book of the Bible that contains a curse on those who add or detract from its contents.

So lets look at the comments of this external third party observer or scribe. What did he think about the scroll.

Revelation 1:1-4 (NKJV)
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place.

The most urgent message of the book of Revelation was the soon coming persecution of the Christians under Domitian who passed laws that all subjects of the Roman Empire must do sacrifice before a statue of the Emperor once per year – to show their loyalty to the emperor. The bloodbath began under Domitian in 93AD. So the book of Revelation was written “shortly” before this date.

And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

The scribe is telling us that this scroll is not written in straightforward language, but that it had been “signified” – that is – written in signs or symbols. You don't have to read very far to see that the symbols in this book are impossible in real life.

2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

Self explanatory.

3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy,

The first century Church was made up of cell groups which consisted mostly of Gentile believers and those who were uneducated slaves. The literacy rate was very low in those days so few could read. There were no Bibles at that time either but the Churches were actively collecting copies of all the known letters written by the Disciples and Apostles. Justin Martyr said that portions of the memoirs of the Apostles were commonly read in early Church gatherings.

And so some of the literate ones were used as “readers” who read to the congregation of hearers and so the early Church had to lean heavily on memorization in their teaching efforts. This is why the scribe said what he said in Revelation 1:1-3. Continuing on...

...and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

There were a lot of statements made to direct the Church during this time of persecution under the Roman government. Don't worship the beast – statue of the Emperor etc.

And now at verse 4 - the letter from John to the Seven Churches begins...

4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne...

 

[7sForDays]

How convenient, so we can just remove the first 3 verses from Revelation according to you Cogent..

Just wow..

 

[interpreter]

In the Beginning of Revelation, we are told that the revealing of Jesus Christ (2nd coming) and what will take place, are given by God to Jesus Christ to impart on the Church (bond-servants).

Lets examine Rev 1:3, as I feel this is one of the most powerful verses in Revelation.

Rev 1:3 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.


Lets break this verse up.

1. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy

Amazing.. Just amazing. Our creator, our Father, has just confirmed, that by reading the prophecy of the revealing of Christ as well as those who hear it are BLESSED!

Blessings come from God, and he wanted to know that the importance of this book is not taken lightly, as it contains the written words of things which are "soon to come".

God blesses those who read this prophecy and teach it, and those who hear it, and receive it.

Since this applies to "He who reads" we know this applies to US too!!!!

2. And Heed the things which are written in it

Now a more firm approach to the events surrounding the revealing of Christ.

We are indeed blessed by God for those that read this and those who receive it, but there is one more stipulation on that "blessing" we have just been promised.. We MUST heed the prophecy of the revealing of Christ.

So what does that mean? To heed?

HEED

intransitive verb-to pay attention
transitive verb-to give consideration or attention to

WOW!!!

So, God wants us to "pay attention to" and to "give consideration or attention" to the prophecy of the revealing of Jesus Christ!

3. For the Time is near.

How can the time be near to the first century Christians?? Christ hasnt returned yet and this was written 1900 years ago...

So why say the time is near???


Because Revelation was written as a guide. And end time playbook that keeps you "the reader" informed on the events as they transpire.

When you begin to question your reality, and everything you know, this Book is going to come to life, its all going to make sense.. All the players will be known, you will simply have to plug in the information to identify the prophecy.

This is your survival guide, and this book in particular and the comprehension of it are absolutely tantamount to the end times.

But fret not, our Lord has told us what to expect!

I love you all.

The time was near. The Revelation began unfolding in 312 AD when the sign of the Son of Man appeared in the clouds, and Jesus came into power through St. Constantine who rode a white horse and conquered with a bow.

 

[7sForDays]

The time was near. The Revelation began unfolding in 312 AD when the sign of the Son of Man appeared in the clouds, and Jesus came into power through St. Constantine who rode a white horse and conquered with a bow.

 

[Old Timer]

My thoughts exactly 7s..

Too funny..

 

[parousia70]

My thoughts exactly 7s..

Too funny..

Hilarious, Though using a GIF of Atheist Ricky Gervais laughing at a "false doctrine" kinda defeats the purpose.....

 

[Old Timer]

I don't care who it is.. It fits perfectly to the 0.5 coming in the cloud formations that he spoke of and is now unwilling to elaborate upon..

Gee, I wonder why.

 

[interpreter]

My thoughts exactly 7s..

Too funny..

Why do you guys think its funny? To say anything else is to call John a liar.