THE SEVEN BEATITUDES OF THE APOCALYPSE
Introduction
Whenever we read the book of Revelation we are filled with questions. Filled with symbols, amazing creatures, scenes of both horror and triumph - John’s Revelation can be challenging. Despite its apocalyptic nature and the often unsettling imagery, the Book of Revelation is ultimately a message of hope. It reminds us that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, God is in control and will bring about a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more pain, suffering, or death. Revelation assures us that our faithfulness in the midst of trials is not in vain, as God's redemptive plan will prevail.
In the pages of the Apocalypse there are seven beatitudes. The Sermon on the Mount begins with beatitudes, where Jesus sets the foundation for what it means to live as a Christian. Now at the end of our Bibles, Jesus gives the suffering church some beatitudes to encourage them. Ernest Lloyd: The beatitudes in the book of Revelation should be better known. They form a golden chain of glorious promises, which run through this wonderful book, and these could be a source of comfort and inspiration to all believers.
As we listen to the Beatitudes of the Apocalypse, let us keep our hearts open.
Blessed by the Word
Revelation 1:3 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.
-Blessed to Read. Blessed to be able to read the Scriptures in our own language, and have multiple copies in various translations! Lloyd: The book of Revelation is the only book of the sixty-six in the Bible that contains a declaration of special blessing to the readers and hearers…
-Blessed to Hear. In Revelation 2 and 3 the phrase “Hear” is spoken to each of the seven churches. Luke 11:28 “Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it”. Romans 10:17 ESV "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Luke 8:15 NIV "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
-Blessed to take it to Heart! So important because time is near! For them, persecution. In the book of Revelation, Jesus appears as a Lion, a Lamb, and a Lord, but … he is always victorious. Despite the Persecution, those with the Lord will be victorious. For us? Whatever lie ahead. Demonstrates the importance of staying in the Word, taking it to heart, regarding it as preparation for challenges to come.
2. Blessed When We Die
Revelation 14:13 "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write this: 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 is a violent book, stained with blood, but the shedding of blood, loss of life is not defeat, but victory for the Christian. Jesus has the keys of death and Hades (Rev 1:18). Scripture presents a view of death very different from ours. Those who die in the Lord are blessed! Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants” Garrett: Death is man’s most consummate fear, but for those who die in the Lord there is nothing to fear, for death is here made part of life. … those who die in the Lord will through their good deeds continue to bless mankind long after they leave planet earth.
3. Blessed Are the Alert
Revelation 16:15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Though they experienced persecution, the judgment of God was coming - be ready - stay awake! We are reminded that Jesus is coming. Garrett: “…Lord’s unexpected return, like a thief in the night, an oft-repeated theme in Scripture.” Scott: "The idea of being clothed is to be ready to go. The children of Israel were to observe the Passover feast fully clothed and with their shoes on in preparation to depart. We are to clothe ourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:27 “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”. Lloyd: "We must be always vigilant lest we succumb to spiritual drowsiness. The blessing is for the watchful."
4. Blessed to Be Invited
Revelation 19:9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
Barclay “The Jews had the idea of a Messianic Banquet. …Isaiah speaks of God preparing for His people a feast (Is 25:6).” Those who are called to the wedding feast have …
-Washed their robes in Christ’s blood (7:14)
-Been faithful unto death (2:10)
-Faithful Christians are the bride of the Lamb (21:9).
Matthew 8:11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
There is life after fighting, death, and war! Life goes on!
5. Blessed By the Resurrection
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who share 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.
We experience the first “resurrection”, many believe, when we become a Christian. Echols: “Those who die to the world come back to life in Christ’s Kingdom (symbolized as ‘the thousand years’)… All people were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1,2), but some have been raised to sit with Christ (Ephesians 2:5,6) by God’s grace. The “second death” has no power over them.”
The “second death” is the lake of fire (v. 14; 21:8).
Christians who have been true to Christ realize the Second death has no power over them. Death cannot harm those who have committed themselves to Jesus Christ; being one with Him they share His Resurrection and His triumph over death. We serve as priests of God. We are to reign with Christ. Barclay: “In Christ even the most ordinary man becomes a king.”
Garrett: What is certain and what matters is that this beatitude assures us that we are to have no fear of death and that we are destined to reign with Christ in glory.
6. Blessed to be Cleansed and Ready
Revelation 22:7, 14 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” .... 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."
Obedience to God’s commandments is a blessing both for this world and the world to come. It is those who keep God’s commandments who have the right to the tree of life and enter by the gates into the eternal city. Apart from simple trusting submission to the will of God there is no hope.
Conclusion
Revelation presents many battles and persecutions, but proclaims the victory of those who belong to the Lamb.
Whatever we suffer in this life, there is a blessing to come if we will remain faithful.
Blessed to read the Word and take it to heart, Blessed when we die, blessed when we are alert to His coming, blessed to be invited into the Kingdom, blessed by resurrection power, blessed to be cleansed and ready.
Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
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Questions for Discussion
1. Preacher / Author Clovis Chappell called Revelation “the most tightly closed book in the Sacred Library.” In what ways is the book of Revelation difficult to understand?
2. What would you say is the difference between reading and hearing the Word of God? In the church of John’s day, very few early Christians could read well. So one person would read to the assembly. What is the value of reading / hearing the Word aloud?
3. Why are those who die in the Lord said to be blessed (14:13)? How does this inform your view of your own death? How do we grow to face death with the confidence of this promise?
4. Jesus refers to himself as a thief (16:15). What is this meant to convey? (See also Luke 12:39). Based on that image, what is to be our response? How would you advise someone about how to stay alert?
5. Why is there so much celebration in heaven? Where are we in this joyful celebration?
6. In Revelation 20:6 there are two “deaths” proclaimed. One of them is for believers to experience. What is it? The second death is one that believers escape, as it has “no power over them”. Instead of a lake of fire (Rev 20:14; 21:8), believers serve what role? What does it mean to you that we serve in this way? (1 Peter 2:9)
7. The final beatitude of Revelation reflects that we will have the “right to the tree of life”. This is a vivid image in Scripture. Read Genesis 2:9, 3:22-24. Three other times in Revelation, the tree of life has a mention. What do you gather from each text: Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 19.
8. What else did you want to talk about today?
Teacher Resources?Leroy Garrett’s brief essay on the seven beatitudes of Revelation
Sarah Koontz. What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Book of Revelation
https://livingbydesign.org/the-book-of-revelation/
Wayne Jackson. Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation.
https://christiancourier.com/articles/jesus-christ-in-the-book-of-revelation
Resources
Barclay, William. Daily Study Bible Series: Revelation.
Chappell, Clovis G. Sermons From Revelation. Abington-Cokesbury Press, 1943.
Echols, Eldred. Havent You Heard, There’s a War Going On? Sweet Publishing, 1992.
Garrett, Leroy. The Seven Beatitudes of the Apocalypse
http://www.leroygarrett.org/soldieron/number468.htm
Hailey, Homer. An Introduction and Commentary: Revelation. Religious Supply, 1992.
Lloyd, Ernest. The Beatitudes of Revelation https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1963/12/the-beatitudes-of-revelation
McCartney, Michael. Be Happy Blessings of Revelation Pt 2 https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/print?sermonId=150464
Pell, Ken. The Seven Beatitudes of Revelation Part 2 https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/print?sermonId=164549
