Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.
Parallel translations
- WEB Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.
- KJV Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
- NKJV 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.
- NASB Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
- NLT God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A blessing is pronounced on those who read, hear, and keep this prophecy, for the time is near. It matters because Revelation is meant to shape obedient living, not mere curiosity.
Overview
This is the first of seven beatitudes in Revelation, promising blessing to those who engage the book rightly. "Read" and "hear" reflect public reading in worship, while "keep" stresses obedient response. The nearness of the time gives the call urgency and points the church toward faithful watchfulness for Christ's coming.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Luke 11:28But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
- Rev 22:10Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near.
- Rom 13:11And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
- 1 Pet 4:7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
- Rev 22:6–7Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”
- Prov 8:34Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.
- Dan 12:12–13Blessed is he who waits and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
- Jas 5:8–9You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
- Rev 22:12“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
- Rev 22:20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
- 2 Pet 3:8Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 1:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.