Today’s reading is Revelation 1:1-2:29.

Revelation 1:3 says, “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.”

Interestingly, while we categorize Revelation with the genre of Apocalyptic (or some take the easy but not altogether correct label of Prophecy), there is a sense in which it should also be considered an Epistle. In fact, Revelation 1:11 says John is to record what he sees and send it to seven churches in Asia. Chapters 2 and 3 are very specifically epistles to those congregations.

That explains what Revelation 1:3 is all about. The one who reads aloud is the member of the congregation who reads this epistle to the congregation. Those who hear are those in attendance, but not who simply let the words flow into their ears. The ones who actually listen are meant here. As Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” It is not enough for the sound waves to attach our ear drums. Rather, the words must enter our heads and our hearts.

But the part that really gets me is “…and who keep what is written in it.” I’ve rarely considered Revelation a book to be kept. I’ve seen it as a book that said what was coming. I’ve seen it as a book that explained what some people did or would do. However, I’ve not generally seen it as a book to be kept.

However, isn’t that what every writing in the New Testament is? Aren’t they all books to be kept? Aren’t they all books to not simply inform or narrate, but books to be followed? I think this one little verse gives us some insight into Scripture. Scripture is not given to simply tell us how God feels for us. It is not given to simply tell us what God has done for us. It is not given to simply tell us what God will do for us. It is given to tell us how to respond to all of that. We need to keep it.

As we read Revelation, I understand the time is not near for us. The time has past. The time was near in the first century and the book has been fulfilled (despite the best attempts by modern fiction writers and movie actors to claim otherwise). Yet, there is still a message for us. We need to read. We need to hear. But most of all we need to keep what is written. Let’s examine with a more watchful eye and heeding ear for what we must keep.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you find in today’s reading?