THE GLORIFIED STATE Devotion 23 of 25 "Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." (Verse 6b) – Tomorrow:
And what will we do with this marvelous book – the Revelation God gave to Jesus, to give to the angel, to give to John, to give to the churches? If we looked at the use the average church makes of this book, we would think it was a sort of optional message, meant only for a select few. We might also conclude it really had no pertinence for the life of faith. But that is not the way the Spirit treats the book. He challenges us to take hold of its words, pronouncing a blessing upon those who keep it.
This is the second time this very blessing has been given. "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" (1:3).
What does "keeps the words of the prophecy of this book" mean? Most people equate the word "keep" with "obey," so that "keep the commandments" (Rev 12:17) and "keeping the commandments" (1 Cor 7:19) is considering obeying or doing them. However, God's words speaks of keeping AND doing (Deut 5:1; 7:12; 26:16). To keep something God has declared is to take into the heart and mind, refusing to let it fade away. It is then, and only then, that the doing or obeying can be accomplished.
The word "keep" literally means to guard (from loss or injury) . . . to maintain . . . hold fast. Keeping these words involves hiding them in our hearts keeping them close so we can ponder them. It is maintaining them within the range of our recollection, refusing to allow anything to wash them from our hearts and minds. To "keep" the words of the prophecy of this book is to recognize their value and relevance to the good fight of faith, and think upon them.
The fact that individuals retaining the words of this book are blessed, confirms its importance to the believer. This is not a novel book. Rather, it is rich with blessing.
The expression "prophecy of this book" places it in the profitable category. Elsewhere the Spirit affirms, "But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation" (1 Cor 14:3). This message, therefore, like all prophecy, is for us "men." It contains something we need, and will yield indispensable spiritual benefits to those who will take it seriously. These benefits are all objective and intentional. They do not simply occur independently of consideration of, and commitment to, them.
"Edification" is the process whereby the child of God is built up, strengthened, and brought to maturity in Christ. "Exhortation" is a means whereby the soul is stirred, and the believer prompted to conduct his life in strict harmony with the truth. It moves the child of God to DO something with the truth. "Consolation" or "comfort" is the process through which the heart is calmed and the abrasiveness of life dulled. In consolation hope is aroused and the will is strengthened for spiritual action.
I want to underscore the importance that is ascribed to this book. It is called "prophecy" five times. "The words of this prophecy" (1:3). "The prophecy of this book" (22:7,10,18). "The book of this prophecy" (22:19). It differs from most prophecy because it is a vision. Thirty-five times in Revelation John says, "I SAW" (1:12,17; 4:4; 5:1,2; 6:1,2,9; 7:1,2; 8:2; 9:1,17; 10:1,5; 13:2,3; 14:6; 15:1,2; 16:13; 17:3,6; 18:1; 19:11,17,19; 20:1,4,11,12; 21:1,22). This book is a sort of animated prophecy in which the truth is painted in active colors and imagery. By doing this, the truth is more hidden to those possessing no appetite for it. It is like a Kingdom parable, filled with life, yet obscure to those who walk in the flesh.
The character of both good and evil are emphasized in Revelation. Satan, for example, is a "serpent," "a king," "Abaddon," "Apollyn," "a great dragon," and "the devil." In each of these depictions vivid pictures are painted of his activity, and the nature of his objectives. Triumphant believers are referred to as "kings," "priests," "the servants of our God," " the woman," "the bride the Lamb's wife," and "they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb."
A PARTICULAR KIND OF PROPHECY
This book is "prophecy," like the visions of Daniel and Ezekiel. It portrays the truth in picture form. Remember, Daniel spoke of the triumph of the Kingdom of God as a small stone, hewn out of mountain without hands, crushing a gigantic statue, and eventually becoming a mountain that filled the whole earth (Dan 2:31-45). Ezekiel saw the awakening of Israel as a valley of very dry and scattered bones, brought together by a powerful word, and made a living army by the Spirit of God (Ezek 37). He also spoke of the healing virtues of the Gospel as a flow of life-giving water issuing from the heavenly altar, and eventually becoming a great river no man could cross (Ezek 47).
Other examples of this type of prophecy include Joseph's dreams concerning his appointed superiority. In the first Joseph and his brothers were seen as twelve sheaves of grain, with the brother's sheaves bowing down to Joseph's. The second pictured personalities as heavenly bodies, with the sun, moon, and eleven stars making obeisance to Joseph (Gen 37:7,9). Another prophecy of famine, and the means to sustain life during it, was given to Joseph. In it, seven years of plenty were portrayed as seven "fatfleshed and well favored" cows. Seven years of famine were seen as "poor and very ill favored and leanfleshed" cows that consumed the fat ones (Gen 41:2-27).
This, then, is not a strange type of message. These few examples confirm God uses this method to communicate vital and relevant truth – prophecy. When men spend time haranguing about whether the figures are literal or spiritual, they rob the book of its power. One might as well argue about the cows of Joseph's dream or the waters of Ezekiel's vision. Let every soul be encouraged to take hold on "the prophecy of this book." If you keep it – keep it in your heart and mind – the Lord will see to it that you are edified, exhorted, and comforted. You take care to retain the message, God will see to its effectiveness.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for giving words that are challenging to both heart and mind. Before Jesus and the angels, I pledge to give myself to a hearty consideration of them. I now ask for grace to help me in this objective.