obey

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.

Many have approached the book of Revelation with the intent to understand it or apply it to history, however that is not what God has intended nor what John has recommended. According to this, we are to receive it, obey it and proclaim it (that is, read it aloud so that other may receive and obey it too). The very nature of this blessing and advice demonstrates that the book of Revelation is not a timely, cryptic message to be deciphered, but a timeless, practical book to be obey. Those who seek to decipher and understand the apocalyptic nature of Revelation outside the context of the early church run the risks of pride, arrogance and error. But those who seek to obey and proclaim the practical commands which transcend time and context will be blessed.

Father, give me the eyes to see, the ears to hear and the heart to obey the commands written in this book. Amen.