Notes on Revelation 1:3 | Notes on the Apocalypse of John

This is the first of seven beatitudes in the Revelation. This beatitude may be taken from Luke 11:28: “But [Jesus] said: Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

The beatitude pronounces a blessing on the one who reads aloud; ancient texts were almost always read aloud. Very few of those in antiquity could read well.

The phrase “the time is near” gives reason for hearing John’s counsel. This phrase means that the time is right around the corner, not off in the distant future.

This Bible class lesson was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Alum Creek church of Christ in Alum Creek, West Virginia.