Revelation 1:3 kjv

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.

Revelation 1:3 nkjv

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.

Revelation 1:3 niv

Blessed is the one who reads aloud 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.

Revelation 1:3 esv

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3 nlt

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

Revelation 1 verses

Revelation 1 3 Meaning

Revelation 1:3 pronounces a unique blessing upon those who actively engage with the book's prophetic message. This beatitude, the first of seven in Revelation, specifies a three-fold engagement: reading, hearing, and keeping (obeying) the words written within it. The urgency for such engagement is underscored by the declaration that "the time is near," indicating the immediate relevance and unfolding nature of its divine declarations. It is not mere intellectual assent, but active, obedient response to God's revealed truth that secures this spiritual blessedness.

Revelation 1 3 Context

Revelation 1:3 stands as a vital introductory blessing within John's inaugural address to the churches. Following the formal salutation and the doxology praising Christ, this verse sets the tone for the entire book. It establishes that Revelation is not merely an intellectual treatise but a divinely inspired "prophecy" (propheteia) intended for the active participation and obedience of its recipients.

Historically, this verse addresses a specific need in the late 1st-century church, likely facing Roman persecution under Emperor Domitian. Believers needed assurance of God's sovereignty, understanding of present sufferings in light of ultimate triumph, and preparation for future events. The "reading" of the book would typically occur in congregational settings, where one literate individual would read aloud to the gathered assembly, thus necessitating "those who hear." The emphasis on "keeping" or obeying speaks directly to the need for faithful endurance and moral living amidst tribulation, guided by the eschatological hope provided in the vision. The statement "the time is near" injected urgency and spiritual sobriety into a community grappling with intense pressures.

Revelation 1 3 Word analysis

• Blessed (μακάριος - makarios): This word signifies a state of profound spiritual well-being and divine favor. It's more than simple happiness; it's a condition of being divinely approved and prospering in the sight of God, irrespective of external circumstances. It reflects God's bestowal of inner joy and security upon those who adhere to His will, often used in the Beatitudes to describe those living righteously.

• is he who reads (ὁ ἀναγινώσκων - ho anaginōskōn): This refers to the public, liturgical reading of Scripture, a common practice in ancient synagogues and early Christian gatherings (e.g., Acts 15:21; Neh 8:8). The one who "reads" is typically the designated leader or elder who makes the text accessible to the congregation. This highlights the communal aspect of encountering God's Word.

• and those who hear (καὶ οἱ ἀκούοντες - kai hoi akouontes): This refers to the assembly of believers. It implies not merely the physical act of hearing sounds but a receptive, attentive, and understanding hearing that prepares one for response (compare Matt 13:9: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear"). For many in the ancient world, literacy was limited, making oral dissemination crucial for understanding.

• the words of the prophecy (τοὺς λόγους τῆς προφητείας - tous logous tēs prophēteias): Explicitly defines Revelation's genre. It emphasizes that this book is not just a general message, but a divine prophetic utterance. "Prophecy" here encompasses both foretelling (prediction of future events) and forthtelling (speaking God's truth, encouragement, warning). "Words" denotes the specific content and message.

• and keep (καὶ τηροῦντες - kai tērountes): This is a critical term, implying active obedience, watchful safeguarding, and practical application. It means to "hold fast," "obey," "observe," and "guard." This is not passive reception but an active engagement that transforms belief into practice. The true blessing comes from translating knowledge into concrete actions and life choices consistent with the divine message.

• what is written in it (τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ γεγραμμένα - ta en autē gegrammena): This phrase emphasizes the written, authoritative, and fixed nature of the divine revelation. It highlights the divine origin of the text and the permanence of its message. It confirms the specific contents of Revelation are to be the object of reading, hearing, and keeping.

• for the time is near (ὁ γὰρ καιρὸς ἐγγύς - ho gar kairos engys):

  • time (καιρός - kairos): Refers to the "opportune" or "appointed time," a decisive moment in God's redemptive plan, distinct from mere chronological time (chronos). It implies that events God has purposed are about to unfold or have already begun.
  • is near (ἐγγύς - engys): Signifies imminence and proximity. This imparts an urgent imperative for action. It conveys that the time for God's purposes to culminate or intensely manifest is at hand, demanding immediate spiritual attentiveness and preparedness from believers. It is an eschatological statement underscoring the urgency of heeding the prophecy.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear, and keep": This phrase describes a divinely favored spiritual state attained through a triple-layered interaction with God's prophetic word: intellectual apprehension (reading), communal reception (hearing), and transformative obedience (keeping). The active verb "keep" is paramount, elevating the blessedness beyond mere exposure to divine truth, demanding spiritual fidelity and practical application.
  • "the words of the prophecy... for the time is near": This connects the divine nature and urgency of the message. The content is explicitly labeled as "prophecy," giving it authoritative weight. The phrase "for the time is near" serves as a powerful motivational clause, stressing the critical juncture in history. This imminence mandates immediate attention and obedience to the revelation, making its messages incredibly pertinent to the audience's contemporary and future experiences.

Revelation 1 3 Bonus section

This verse initiates a pattern of seven "beatitudes" or blessings found throughout the Book of Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14). Each highlights a specific aspect of faith and faithfulness leading to divine favor, often related to perseverance, purity, or vigilance in light of the prophetic message and the coming of Christ. This first beatitude thus sets the stage for understanding the conditions of true blessedness within the context of eschatological events. The very act of disseminating and engaging with the divine scroll, previously sealed, indicates its paramount importance and necessity for the church.

Revelation 1 3 Commentary

Revelation 1:3 offers a foundational blessing that unveils the essence of truly engaging with God's ultimate revelation. It's a striking counter-cultural statement of blessedness in a world often valuing power or prosperity. The "blessed" status (makarios) signifies deep spiritual contentment and God's approval, available regardless of earthly conditions. This beatitude directly links divine favor not to outward displays, but to genuine internal and external responsiveness to the divine word.

The verse outlines a progressive path: reading (typically a leader in a congregation, ensuring accessibility), hearing (the community's attentive reception), and most critically, keeping (active obedience and application). It's a holistic engagement that moves from intellectual understanding to volitional adherence. Revelation is thus not an academic exercise but a divine call to transformed living. The book, presented as "prophecy," aligns itself with the authoritative word of God delivered by prophets throughout history, signifying its divine origin and crucial importance for both understanding God's plan and guiding righteous living. The concluding declaration, "for the time is near," infuses the entire command with urgency. It points to God's kairos—His sovereignly appointed moment for the unfolding of His redemptive and judgment plans—as being imminent. This is a call to awaken, prepare, and endure in light of what God is about to do. For believers, this means understanding their place in God's unfolding story, fostering resilience during trials, and living with vigilant expectation.

Practical examples:

• Regularly participating in public scripture readings in church (reading).
• Actively listening to sermons and Bible teachings (hearing).
• Meditating on biblical truths and applying them to daily life decisions (keeping).
• Living with a sense of urgency about one's spiritual condition and evangelism, motivated by the nearness of Christ's return (time is near).