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

And they that hear,

• ​they = anyone (believers in particular, but potentially non-believers, too)
• hear = want to know, carefully listen, are taught, come to understand, gladly accept​​

The words of this prophecy,

• ​This phrase in this context 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
• This book is to be read aloud by the "messengers" (human "angels," = the pastors, teachers) to all the church congregations throughout the world and throughout the Christian era.

And keep those things which are written therein:

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

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 = 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.
• We all have a personal role to play in this prophecy, which is specific to our time, circumstance, and talents (spiritual gifts).
• Our individual part begins by reading (studying), hearing (understanding), and keeping (living) "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" for the benefit (blessing) of others as well as our own.
• Christ's promise to us, if we read, hear, and keep the message of this book, is that we will be supremely blest (saved)!
• Why should we study the book of Revelation? Because, Christ tells us, NOW is "the time!" (John 13:19-20)

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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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