Revelation 1:3 > For the Time is at Hand

1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

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Blessed is he that readeth,

• Blessed = overwhelmingly happy or fortunate to the extreme; ecstatic; joyful excitement; supremely blest
• ​he = any true believer with reverence for and faith in "the word of God"
• ​readeth = reads, studies, shares (reads aloud for others to hear)

And they that hear,

• and = which is to say
• ​they = true believers with reverence for and faith in "the word of God"
• hear = want to know, carefully listen to, are taught, come to understand, gladly accept​​

The words of this prophecy,

• ​In this context, "the words of this prophecy" specifically refers to "The Revelation of Jesus Christ"
• prophecy = a divine message involving future events set apart to teach the gospel and which will accomplish the will of God and the kingdom of Jesus Christ​

And keep those things which are written therein:

• and = which is to say
• ​keep = to attend to carefully; take care of; to guard; to obey (involves action, not just to "cherish" or "hold dear")
• in this context, "those things which are written therein" specifically refers to "The Revelation of Jesus Christ"

"and" (Greek: "kai") often has both a copulative and a cumulative force. As a copulative conjunction, "and" adds another aspect to the same entity; repeats itself using a different word or phrase for emphasis and clarity.

• "and" (copulative) = "which is to say"
• John's 3-fold blessing is not to 3 different groups of people (readers, hearers, or keepers).
• John is compelling every believer to 1. Read (study), 2. Hear (understand), and 3. Keep (experience) "those things which are written therein" in order to correctly participate in God's great work of salvation.
• Only the believers who do all 3 (read, hear, and keep) will be truly "blessed" (ultimately saved).

For the time is at hand.

• ​for = because
• time: "kairos" (Greek) > a fixed and definite period of time; the time during which things are brought to crisis or an objective is to be accomplished; the decisive epoch waited for
• is = present tense, but relative to the reader's lifetime
• ​at hand = a "now and present" opportunity; within reach​

All true believers throughout the Christian era are called to participate in the incremental fulfillment of this prophecy, which reveals Christ in His ongoing work for our salvation.

• We all have a personal role to play in this prophecy, which is specific to our life's time and circumstance.
• Our individual part begins by reading (studying), hearing (understanding), and keeping (living) "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" for our own benefit (blessing) by being in harmony with the will of God.
• Christ's promise to us, if we read, hear, and keep the message of this book, is that we will be supremely blest (saved) and able to share our experience with others - leading them to Christ for their salvation, as well.
• Why should we study Revelation? Because "the time" is at hand (now)!

Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. -- John 13:19

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1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

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