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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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.
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 said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”
- Rev 22:10He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
- Rom 13:11Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
- 1 Pet 4:7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
- Rev 22:6–7He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.”
- Prov 8:34Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
- Dan 12:12–13Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days.
- Jas 5:8–9You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
- Rev 22:12“Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.
- Rev 22:20He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.
- 2 Pet 3:8But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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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.