The Beatitudes of Revelation

In the first book of the New Testament, as recorded in the Sermon on the Mount, we find the well-known Beatitudes from the Savior: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth…. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Matt. 5:3-11).  There are nine statements beginning with the word “blessed” that pronounce the Lord’s blessings upon the faithful.  As this commentary highlights, the book of Revelation similarly has seven beatitudes, though they are scattered through the book instead of being listed in one place.  The first comes just three verses into the book: “Blessed are they who read, and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein” (JST Revelation 1:3).  The Lord promises blessings to those who read, hear, understand and keep the words of the book of Revelation.  The final two beatitudes similarly focus on our actions here and now in keeping the commandments and specifically the words of Revelation: “Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book… Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:7,14).  If we will follow the principles taught therein and keep the commandments, they will lead us to the Lord’s salvation. 

               The other four Beatitudes focus on those blessings that come in eternity.  In the first John wrote, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Revelation 14:13).  Those who die on the path and faithful to the Lord will rest from their labors and will be blessed by the Lord.  We also read these words of the Savior: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Revelation 16:15).  Again the focus is on enduring to the end so that we will be blessed when He comes again—if we watch we will be blessed and not be filled with shame.  Another Beatitude reads this way: “Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).  While I don’t know exactly what the marriage supper is, clearly it is a place we want to be at the end of this life, and following the words of Revelation will help us to make it there. Great blessings await the faithful if they can stay true to the Lord even amidst the difficulties foretold in the book itself.