Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:1-8

Key Verse: “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.” Revelation 1:3 (NIV 2011)

Did you ever scroll through your social media and see #blessed? The hashtag is often used under a picture of a group of smiling children, a generous gift received, or a colorful broad brush stroke of a sunset. Our world makes us think that being #blessed only takes the shape of what we can see.

Biblically speaking, being blessed speaks of receiving divine favor. Sometimes the blessings take the form of material things or natural things. But other times divine favor speaks of what we cannot see.

When John was a much younger man he had left everything to follow Jesus. The love in his heart for Jesus and his message of eternal life is beautifully written in the gospel of John. After Jesus, his Savior, has risen from the dead, John stands with his fellow disciples and asks about the timeline of the end times when, suddenly, Jesus is lifted up into the clouds. Jesus gives his last instructions: “It is not for you to know the times and dates the Father has set. Wait for the Holy Spirit. Then get busy being my witnesses to those close to you and those far away.”  Dumb-struck, the disciples are standing there with their mouths agape until angels appear and snap them back to reality. “What are you waiting for? Jesus will be back. Now get busy.”

That is exactly what John does. He, along with the other followers, including a group of women, is in the upper room praying when they all receive the Holy Spirit who empowers them to do exactly what Jesus told them to do: be his witnesses. The book of Acts continues to tell of the powerful way in which John and the other disciples spread the news of Jesus. John becomes a church leader and writes the letters of 1,2,3 John encouraging believers to love one another and stay away from false teachings.

By the time we open the book of Revelation, John is an old man. He has been exiled to the island of Patmos during a time of intense persecution for the church. This was the moment when God sent his angel to reveal to John the message of what was to come. John was faithful to write to the message to the seven churches and,ultimately, to all believers today.

John’s blessings from the Lord did not appear in material form. Yet John was blessed with God’s comfort and presence while he was in his exile and imprisonment. John received blessing from the Lord to sustain him through difficult times.

Other followers of Jesus did receive God’s blessing through wealth like Job, Abraham, Joseph, Solomon, just to name a few. Many other followers received God’s blessing through protection like Elijah, through second chances like Saul, and through the simple power of God’s presence like Moses.

I do not know how God will bless you while you read through Revelation and take it to heart. I only know that He promises that He will.

Take note of God’s blessing on your life through this particular study. Record when you notice his movement in your life or in other’s lives because of your witness. Jot down material blessings he gives as well.

Take It To Heart: Think beyond the world’s label of #blessed. Look for the blessings from God that are both seen and unseen.

Take It Further: What other avenues for blessing has God provided? Check out John 13:12-17, John 20:29, Matthew 5:3-12.

This blog post is the first in a summer series of short devotionals through Revelation.