The 7 Beatitudes

My Dad has started a Bible study on Wednesday night on the book of Revelation and it's very intriguing. Revelation is a book full of blessings for his people, but chaos and eternal torment for those who are not in Christ Jesus. Here are the 7 beatitudes or blessings for his people:

Revelation 1:3 - Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Notice that it states, "hear it and take it to heart". Revelation is a book that has moral instructions that we must obey in our day to day lives and if we apply it, it promises blessings.

Revelation 14:13 - Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes", says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

Here is a verse we all can have peace with knowing that our loved ones who have died and will die in the Lord are and will be at rest in Heaven. Serving the Lord, living for him, and sharing him with others are deeds we must abide by.

Revelation 16-15 - "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."

Here Jesus is speaking blessings to his people during the tribulation. Never the less it even applies today as we wait, watch and are ready for the Lord to return for his people.

Revelation 19:9 - Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

It is believed that His saints are already up there in heaven at this time. The Rapture I believe will take place before the Great Tribulation. However the only way to make it to the marriage supper of the Lamb is to be living for Jesus when he returns.

Revelation 20:6 - Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

This refers to those who are in Christ Jesus when he returns the first time, or who that have already passed and went on to glory. Now they will reign with Christ for a thousand years on earth.

Revelation 22:7 - "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

Jesus here is talking to his saints today and back in the New Testament days. How do you keep the words of Revelation? By obeying it's commands, taking everything in light of eternity, and looking forward to the day that Jesus returns.

Revelation 22:14 - "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city."

Blessed are his people whose sins are forgiven, and can take part of eating of the tree of life for all eternity.

Stay close to Jesus, and may God Bless.
Joshua Smith