The word revelation in Gr.-apokalupsis meaning to "reveal" that which is hidden. In this case, it is to show "what must soon take place." (Rev 1:1)KJV. Who is it to be revealed to? His servants,us. The word servants appears twice in the first 3 verses of Revelation. The word servant is, in Greek, doulos and in Hebrew, ebedh. Both are difficult to translate but normal translation of doulos is slave. Yes,slave, not a servant or someone who is in service to. A servant can leave when serving is over, there are stated hours of work necessary, and there is monies or wage we are working for. In addition, servants can negotiate deals with the one he is providing service to and what the service will be. Doulos and ebedh are words expressing how we are not our own, we have Him as our Father and have his Holy Spirit in us. As children of God we must completely devote ourselves to Him.....with no conditions and we get the blessings of being Gods. That type of servant, slave with a wonderful master.
Consider these persons; Moses, Abraham, Daniel, Jacob, Caleb and Joshua, David, Ezekiel, the prophets and the apostles of God are all listed as doulos servants as are all Christians.
...."he sent and signified it by his angel...."(Rev. 1:1)KJV. Signified here means the message was from Him and He signified this by the presence of the announcing angel. This was for John to see and to write down.
Blessings are mentioned In verse 3. Three ways to be blessed: reading the book, hearing the words and keeping that which is written.
1. Reading here means the person who actually reads the words of the book of Revelation out loud to the congregation. This stems from the Jewish services where they have a reading of the scripture. Christian church took on many of the Jewish synagogue practices, this being one and a blessing goes with the reading.
2. Hearing the words and understanding them is a privilege that many people gave, and continue to give their lives for many to be able to do. Many parts of the world today are still striving to get the written Word and to get it in their language. Hearing the words have a blessing attached to them.
3. Keeping the words we read, or hear from the Book will be a blessing. To keep the words means to obey what God has called us to do. We need to read, listen and keep Gods word because of the following statement: "for the time is at hand." (Rev 1:3) KJV. Meaning, that the time is near for the Last Judgment and the establishment of God's kingdom. We need to be ready, willing servants of God.
Blessings to all!
-Calabash
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