Daily Devotional

Money doesn’t buy happiness, but researchers have learned which kinds of people are consistently happy—and one known group are those who practice their faith. This comes as no surprise to students of the Bible, for inspiration declared it so in today’s verse.

The Greek word for “blessed” is makarios, the same word Christ used in His sermon on the mount. It means “happy” There are seven such blessings in the book of Revelation (1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7; 22:14).

Notice that those who are blessed are not just hearers; they must be keepers as well. What does it mean to “keep” God’s Word? Obey it: “Keep those things” in your heart (Hebrews 8:10); “in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:11). Yes, happy people practice their faith. When they “hear [Christ’s] voice, … they follow [Him]” (John 10:27). As James explained, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

Today’s verse also gives evidence as to the intent of this book. The Revelation was meant to be read by others, most immediately by the members of “seven churches” (Revelation 1:4), which John lists later in chapters 2 and 3. In the early Christian church, it was customary for one person to read such correspondences aloud to the entire congregation. Thus, there was one “who reads” and many “who hear.” But make no mistake: Revelation’s prophecies are for all of us, from the believers in the first century all the way down to today.

If you read through the last chapter of Revelation, you’ll find similarity to this first chapter. For instance, compare Revelation 1:1 with 22:6 and today’s verse with 22:7, 10. Like two bookends, these “alpha and omega” chapters underscore the urgency of understanding and believing these prophetic messages. They are indeed, like their spiritual Author, “faithful and true” (v. 6). The future events disclosed in them will indeed occur soon, for Christ is “coming quickly” (v. 7). And we are called to “not seal the words” (v. 10) but to herald them to the whole world!

Dear Jesus, let me not forget Your prophetic words here nor my purpose in this time of urgency. May we follow You in the way of true happiness.

For Further Study: Matthew 7:24; Luke 11:28; Romans 13:11