Good morning. Today is Saturday, June 27th!

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— Revelation 1:3

Did you know the book of Book of Revelation opens by blessing the person who reads it?

John the Apostle writes:

“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.”
(Revelation 1:3 NKJV)

And honestly, it’s kind of crazy that this is the book that opens that way.

Out of all the books in the Bible, Revelation is probably the one people are most intimidated by because of the prophecies, symbolism, judgments, beasts, and end times imagery.

Yet before any of that appears, the book opens with a blessing for the reader.

And the wording is deeper than it first seems.

John says blessed are the people who read it, hear it, and keep it

In the early church, Scripture was usually read aloud publicly because most believers did not own personal copies. So this blessing was spoken over the person reading Revelation aloud, the church hearing it, and the believers who would actually hold onto its message.

And notice John does not say:
“Blessed are the people who perfectly decode every symbol.”

He says:

“keep those things which are written in it”

Meaning hold onto it, obey it, and remain faithful to it.

It also matters who the book was written for.

Most New Testament letters were written to one specific church or one specific person dealing with one specific issue.

But Revelation feels much broader.

John writes:

“John, to the seven churches which are in Asia…”
(Revelation 1:4 NKJV)

Then throughout the book Jesus repeatedly says:

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
(Revelation 2:7 NKJV)

Churches.
Plural.

Which makes Revelation feel less like a private letter to one church and more like a message intentionally preserved for believers across generations.

Almost like it was written knowing Christians far into the future would still be reading it.

And it was written to bless the person who reads it.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your truth.

Confession: Forgive me for the times I avoid or neglect Your Word.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for the hope and blessing found in Revelation.

Supplication: Help me read, hear, and keep Your Word daily. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Unashamed” by Matthew West

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God