The seven beatitudes in Revelation.
We are all familiar with the eight beatitudes spoken by Yahshua Messiah in Matt.5:1-11. They form the beginning of what is popularly called the Sermon on the Mount. Each beatitude starts with a condition followed by the result. These beatitudes highlight the spirit of love and humility that every Christian should have.
Similarly, there are seven such beatitudes in the book of Revelation. A study of the book of Revelation shows that seven is a commonly used number denoting completeness or perfection. Some of the things for which ‘seven’ is used are given with the refences:
Churches(1:4; 1:11; 1:20); spirits(1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6); candlesticks(1:12; 1:13; 1:20; 2:1); Stars(1:16; 1:20 ; 2:1; 3:1); lamps(4:5); seals(5:1; 5:5); horns(5:6); eyes(5:6); angels(8:2; 8:6; 15:1; 15:6; 15:7; 15:8; 16:1; 17:1; 21:9); trumpets(8:2; 8:6); thunders(10:3; 10:4); thousand men(11:13); heads(12:3; 13:1; 17:3; 17:7; 17:9); crowns(12:3); plagues(15:1; 15:6; 15:8; 21:9); vials(15:7; 17:1; 21:9); mountains(17:9); kings(17:10)
The seven beatitudes in the book of Revelation are shown below.
1. Revelation 1:3: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
This is the only book in the Bible that comes with a built in promise to those who read, hear and heed the message. God promises a special blessing to those who spend time in this blessed book. In those days when the scriptures were read out on the Sabbath day, a blessing is pronounced on those who read this Revelation. The people who listen carefully and keep these words in their hearts are also promised a blessing.
2. Revelation 14:13: “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.'”
They are blessed because of what has ended. The word labor here is meant in the Biblical sense. We associate our term labor with work. We think of work as the activities that we do for a living. This word means struggles, or wearisome toil. Many things end with death but not memories. The good deeds, the words and works all remain in the hearts of the ones we leave behind. Those who die in the Lord leave a legacy that continues to shine in the lives of others for a long time. Death does not end that. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord …because their deeds follow them.”
3. Revelation 16:15: “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
The governor of the temple had the right to burn the clothes of the Levites who were found sleeping while on night watch. Imagine the shame of the Levite the next day when he appears before others with burnt clothes! So a man is blessed when he watches for the coming of the Lord and in anticipation of His coming, he keeps himself clean and pure.
4. Revelation 19:9: “Then he said to me, 'Write: “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”' And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.'”
We are all excited by the prospect of attending a wedding feast! But the wedding feast of the Lamb is a special occasion. This wedding will be attended by all the Jews as well as all the Gentiles who are saved. The Lord Yahshua is going to present His Bride with a celebration that will last 1,000 years! After the wedding, we will return with Him to this earth. Are we going to be in that guest list?
5. Revelation 20:6: “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
The souls who are martyred for Messiah, those who do not worship the beast or anti-Christ, these are holy and blessed people. They will sit on thrones with the twelve apostles and they will judge the nations.
6. Revelation 22:7: “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
These word are not spoken by an angel but by our Saviour Himself, referring to His second coming. This time Messiah is coming not as a man but in all His majesty, as a judge and the King of Kings. We mortals cannot fix a time table for His coming, ‘of that day and hour knoweth no man…but my Father only’ (Matt.24:36). John again repeats Rev.1:3 regarding the blessedness of those who keep the words of prophesy meaning ‘ to read them with observation, to take notice of the accomplishment of them, so far as it has taken place, to keep them in mind and memory, to meditate upon them, and through the grace of God to steer the life and conversation according to the instructions, directions, and cautions here given;’ (John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible )
7. Revelation 22:14: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”
Eccl.12:13 says ’fear Elohim and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man’. Those who do His commandments are blessed and their reward is that they will have the right, the privilege to approach the tree of life. This was denied to Adam because of sin, but now we will have this privilege if we live according to His commandments. They will also enjoy the privilege to enter into the holy city, which is New Jerusalem.
All these blessings are kept in store for those who keep His commandments and live pure and holy lives.