Call to Action
Through a series of seven “beatitudes,” Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility and persecution.
One method used to summon believers to action is the exhortations
to “overcomers” found at the end of each of the seven letters to
the “churches in Asia.” Additionally,
the book exhorts Christians through seven “beatitudes” that appear at
key junctures of the book.
The figurative use of numbers is widely recognized, especially the
numbers seven, four, ten and twelve - (e.g., the seven seals,
the four corners of the earth, the twelve apostles of the
Lamb). Multiples of the same numbers also occur, such as twenty-eight
(4 x 7), 1,000 (10 x 10 x 10), and 144,000 (12 x 12,000). Additionally, several
unnumbered series are featured; for example, the name 'Jesus' occurs 14
times (2 x 7), “Christ” 7 times, and “lamb” 28 times (4 x 7).
A prominent unnumbered series is that of the seven
“beatitudes,” pronouncements of “blessing” on faithful believers when
certain conditions are met.
- (Revelation 1:3) - “Blessed is he who reads, and they who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep what is written in it, for the season is near.”
The first beatitude reflects the historical context. “He who
reads” is singular, and “they who hear” plural. In the first
century, books were expensive, and many individuals were barely literate. The
common practice was for one person to read a document aloud to an assembled
group. The following is a complete list of the seven beatitudes:
- (Revelation 1:3) - “Blessed is the one who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
- (Revelation 14:13) - “And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
- (Revelation 16:15) - “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame.”
- (Revelation 19:9) - “And he said to me, Write, Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me, These are true words of God.”
- (Revelation 20:6) - “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
- (Revelation 22:7) - “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
- (Revelation 22:14) - “Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.”
The second beatitude exhorts saints to faithful endurance in
persecution and temptation. That is how the disciple “keeps the commandments
of God and the faith of Jesus” - (Revelation 14:13).
The third beatitude exhorts believers to vigilance in view of the
coming of the Lord. Watchful Christians “keep their garments” pure
because Jesus could appear at any moment, and watchfulness is necessary because
no one except God knows when that day will occur, just as the homeowner cannot
know when the “thief” will strike - (Revelation 16:15).
The fourth one pronounces blessings on “those who are invited
to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The fifth declares all men who
participate in the “first resurrection… blessed and holy.”
The “second death” will have no authority over them. Instead, they are “priests
of God and of Christ, and reign with him” - (Revelation 19:9, 20:6).
The sixth beatitude reiterates the promise of the first one: “Blessed
is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” It stands at the
end of the book. Believers prepare for the coming of the Lord and keep their
garments unsoiled by heeding the words of Revelation - (Revelation
22:7).
The seventh and final beatitude pronounces blessings on all who “wash
their robes.” They will eat of the “tree of life” and enter “New
Jerusalem” freely by its gates. The image of washing one’s robes occurs also
in the vision of the “innumerable
multitude.” Having come out of the “great tribulation,” they have “washed
their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” - (Revelation
7:9-17, 22:14).
Collectively, the seven beatitudes constitute a call to
action for the seven “churches of Asia.” They highlight the key
themes of the book, including, exhortations to bear witness, remain vigilant, keep
one’s “garments” unsullied, strive to attain the “first resurrection,”
keep the “words of the prophecy,” and to wash one’s robes in the “blood
of the Lamb.”
Finally, this call to action is summarized best
by the declaration of the saints’ victory over the “Dragon” - “They
overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and
they loved not their lives even unto the death” - (Revelation 12:11).
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