THE SEVEN BEATITUDES OF REVELATION
(Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14)
Big Idea: Seven words from The Revelation that stir God’s people to faith and faithfulness.
INTRO
We are all familiar with the beatitudes of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). But did you know that The Apostle John has a list of beatitudes too? His are here in The Revelation.
We began looking at these last week.
Jesus and John use the same word; “markarios” and it means “happy or blessed.” Scholars tell us the word has a sense of finality that rings through it. Markarios suggests one is “supremely blessed,” “very happy,” or “fulfilled.” I think I like that word!!!
John’s beatitudes are sprinkled throughout The Revelation and are, you guessed it, seven in number.
The number seven is a big deal in Hebrew theology. It represents completeness; finality. John, like other Bible authors, often communicates more than is on the written page by using this number and that is certainly the case in this book. There are seven churches, seven lamp stands, seven Spirits of God, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls, seven angels, seven heads on a very strange beast and, now, seven beatitudes. All of these indicate that John is writing about events that will, just like the seven days of creation, find fulfillment, completion and finality in the victory of God. In using the number seven John reinforces the sense of finality or completeness in his beatitudes.
John is in essence saying; “Do you want to be happy” Do you want to find a sense of fulfillment? It is found in God and these seven ‘blessings’ will direct your steps towards His fulfillment.”
But there is another layer of meaning here too. God may be saying even more than John. By placing these (and Jesus’) beatitudes in the Bible God is saying “I want you to be happy. I made you to be happy. I know how to make you authentically happy and here are some of the ingredients found in that recipe.”
I am giving you these seven beatitudes in seven words. Each of these texts has a deeper richer meaning than I can bring out in a sermon but the selected word will give you a sense of some of the nuance of each blessing.
To help us I will use the acronym B-L-E-S-S-E-D and take them in the order they are found (Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14).
Last week we looked at the first four:
B – Bravery (1:3)
L – Legacy (14:13)
E – Equipped (16:15)
S – Secure (19:9)
B = BRAVERY (1:3)
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Revelation 1:3, NASB)
Pastor John, and the seven churches he serves, are fully aware of the storm clouds of persecution on the horizon. They know that a deep sense of faith and resolve is required. From the outset he tells his people that they will find fulfillment, energy and joy by courageously holding fast.
Hebrews 4:14-16 encourages us with: “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
John says, “Those who are happy are those who hang in there, remain faithful, and trust God to the end.”
L = LEGACY (14:13)
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
The whole nature of this book is forward looking. Oh, it is about the present but Pastor John knows that hope, resolve, and joy are found not in looking at the storm clouds but at looking past the clouds to the blue sky that follows. John wants them to see into the future. John wants them to realize that God knows their future and God takes note of their courageous, faith-full deeds. That, you see, motivates us in the “here and now.”
Real joy, John suggests, is found when we take the long look; when we look past the immediate pressure to the calm that promises to reside afterwards and allow it to provide us with calm here and now.
E = EQUIPPED (16:15)
“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Revelation 16:15)
John suggests there is a joy and peace in preparedness. Life cannot be fully lived or blessed without it. There is a sense of well-being that cannot be explained or over-estimated.
S = SECURE (19:9)
Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:9)
The English wording of this blessing loses something in translation. It can easily be read as if it is wistful or hopeful thinking. Some read this as if it says, “lucky are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
It’s more accurate to read this with a sense of certainty; with a sense of expectation and anticipation. You know you are on the invitation list! You’re family!
John is telling says that in Jesus Christ there is security and assurance of salvation and this brings a deep sense of joy.
Hebrews 7:24-25 encourages us with: “Because Jesus lives forever … he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
Seven words from The Revelation that stir God’s people to faith and faithfulness.
B – Bravery (1:3)
L – Legacy (14:13)
E – Equipped (16:15)
S – Secure (19:9)
SERMON
S SUMMONED (20:6)
Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
John often speaks of a calling for the people of God. He looks at his church and he sees what God has in store for them. They have been called to Him. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Rev. 21:3). He knows what they are and who they are and he knows that when they begin to discover their identity in Jesus they will have reason to rejoice – to be happy.
I have used this illustration once before (March, 2011) but it serves us well.
Disney’s movie “The Lion King” features a young lion named Simba who is destined to rule the jungle but finds himself “on the outs.” As the story opens, his father takes him to “Pride Rock” (the equivalent of a throne) and shows him his inheritance … he would rule as far as his eyes could see; everywhere the sun placed its light.
Soon afterward an evil plot is set afoot and Simba’s father is murdered. Simba flees. He runs from his destiny due to guilt and fear. In his absence the evil Hyenas take “Pride Rock.”
When the hyenas seize the throne the world changes. Their evil alters everything. The land becomes desolate and grey and life erodes into desperation.
Rafiki, the monkey, is the wise sage of the land. Rafiki seeks out Simba and helps Simba overcome his guilt and fear and aids him in understanding his destiny and person. You see, Simba did not fully grasp who he was or what power and authority he possessed.
Once Simba realized who he was, what he possessed, and his role in the society of the Savannah he returned, drove the hyenas from Pride Rock, assumed His place as king, and restored peace and beauty to the land.
GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE AND WHOSE YOU ARE. YOU ARE HIS. He has summoned you to a life in the Spirit; a life that transcends the destiny of death that await those without life in Christ. Seize God’s purposes for you! What is that purpose? He is clear on this throughout this book:
• To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6)
• You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10)
• There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)
Respond to Christ’s calling to be a priest to the nations and a light to the world. It is only when we abide in Him and fulfill His calling for our lives that we will find real “happiness.”
Seven words from The Revelation that stir God’s people to faith and faithfulness.
B – Bravery (1:3)
L – Legacy (14:13)
E – Equipped (16:15)
S – Secure (19:9)
S – Summoned (20:6)
E ENDURANCE (22:7)
“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” (Revelation 22:7)
The idea of “keeping” the words of this book is worth noting. It comes from the word “tēreo” and means to heed, guard, maintain, or prevent. It is not a one-time act either; it is an active, ongoing obedience. It is a chosen lifestyle. And John tells his people that such a lifestyle has a great reward – “happiness.”
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Due to the nature of its criteria, it is often awarded posthumously but not always.
Can I tell you a story?
John D. Hawk was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army in WWII.
He manned a light machinegun on August 20, 1944, near Chambois, France, a key point in the encirclement which created the Falaise Pocket. During an enemy counterattack, Hawk’s position was threatened by a strong force of tanks and infantry. His fire forced the infantry to withdraw, but an artillery shell knocked out his gun and seriously wounded his right thigh. Securing a bazooka, he and another man stalked the tanks and forced them to retire to some nearby woods. In the lull which followed, Sgt. Hawk reorganized 2 machinegun squads and, in the face of intense enemy fire, he made 1 workable artillery weapon from 2 damaged ones.
Another enemy assault developed and it appeared they would have the upper hand. Two of our tank destroyers were brought up but their shots were ineffective because of the terrain; they could not see what they were shooting at. Despite his wound, Sgt. Hawk boldly climbed to an exposed position on a knoll where, unmoved by the shelling from the enemy, he became a human aiming stake for the destroyers. He tried to shout fire directions but could not be heard above the noise of battle so he hobbled back to the destroyers through a concentration of bullets and shrapnel to correct the range. He then returned to his exposed position, repeating this performance until the tanks were knocked out and forced back into the woods yet again. Still at great risk, he continued to direct the destroyers' fire into the Germans' wooded hideout until the enemy finally came out and surrendered. Sgt. Hawk's fearless initiative and heroic conduct, even while suffering from a serious wound, was in large measure responsible for crushing 2 desperate attempts of the enemy to escape from the Falaise Pocket and for taking more than 500 prisoners. (http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/ii_a_hawk.html)
That my friends, is what is meant by “keeping the words in this book.” It means to stay the course, be obedient, even unto death. It means “I will not be moved!”
Hey! God gives out Medals of Honor! God has one for you and everyone else who stays remains obedient in the face of the enemy.
John is telling his churches that there is a deep abiding sense of fulfillment and meaning given to life, even during times of attack, when we have chosen to “stay the course.”
The apostle Paul encourages us similarly in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Seven words from The Revelation that stir God’s people to faith and faithfulness.
B – Bravery (1:3)
L – Legacy (14:13)
E – Equipped (16:15)
S – Secure (19:9)
S – Summoned (20:6)
E – Endurance (22:7)
D DESTINY (22:14)
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14)
John likes the word “right.” Between the Gospel he wrote and this book he uses it 25 times. One of the more famous usages of the word is found in John 1:12: “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the RIGHT to become children of God—”
The word is “exousia” and it means: “power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; the power of authority, influence and privilege.”
The Rome of John’s day had many similarities to western countries of today, including the United States. Rome offered certain “rights’ or “privileges” to its citizens and that is where this term originates. The privileges of citizenship were coveted by most and even bought by some.
Those privileges included:
• The right to vote in the Roman assemblies.
• The right to stand for civil or public office.
• The right to make legal contracts and to hold property as a Roman citizen.
• The right to have a lawful marriage with a Roman citizen, to have the legal rights over the family, and to have the children of any such marriage be counted as Roman citizens.
• The right to move and relocate around the empire as a Roman and not a guest.
• The right of immunity from some taxes.
• The right to have a legal trial (to appear before a proper court and to defend oneself).
• A Roman citizen could not be tortured or whipped, nor could he receive the death penalty, unless he was found guilty of treason. If accused of treason, a Roman citizen had the right to be tried in Rome, and even if sentenced to death, no Roman citizen could be sentenced to die on the cross.
John is revisiting a very important theme to him; the concept of belonging, destiny, membership and citizenship. Even a casual reading of His Gospel will show its importance. The new birth in Jesus Christ is the gateway into Kingdom privilege. It is the entry point into membership in his Church, citizenship in heaven. And here we see it illustrated in grand fashion. Only His people have the “right” – the privilege and authority to partake of the benefits in heaven.
John is saying, “You want to be happy? Being in God’s presence will make you happy! Being given free access because you are a citizen of the Kingdom will make you happy.”
I can’t help but wonder if John was reminiscing Jesus’ words to him and his colleagues when Jesus said, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
WRAP-UP
That’s a great note for John to conclude his seven blessings isn’t it? For those of us who know Jesus we do indeed find joy in knowing we have citizenship in heaven. And for those who have never surrendered their will to Him and received him as Savior it should whet the appetite because citizenship is not closed.
In the paragraph following John’s final blessing we read this: “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (Rev. 22:17).
Because: “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the RIGHT to become children of God—”
Seven words:
B – Bravery (1:3)
L – Legacy (14:13)
E – Equipped (16:15)
S – Secure (19:9)
S – Summoned (20:6)
E – Endurance (22:7)
D – Destiny (22:14)
Do they stir you to faith and faithfulness? They are sprinkled across the pages of this solemn letter and intended to give you hope, encouragement, and vision. They are designed to give the scene a little color; to fill the air with a more pleasant aroma.
I trust they will accomplish their mission within you today.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
(Rev. 22:21)
++++++++++++++++++
This sermon is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene, Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
+++++++++++++++++++
Responsive Reading – Come and Worship
Psalm 95 (Portions)
Leader: Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
People: Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Leader: For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.
People: In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.
Leader: Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
People: For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
