PART III — BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO KEEP

Living Ready Because the Time Is Near

Revelation 1:3

“…and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”

Now we arrive at the most demanding word in the verse.

Reading is not enough.

Hearing is not enough.

God says:

KEEP IT.

This is where prophecy becomes personal.

You can know about the seven churches.

You can understand the seals.

You can study the trumpets.

You can debate the timing of prophetic events.

You can discuss the Antichrist.

You can study Armageddon.

You can understand the Millennium.

And yet still fail to receive the blessing of Revelation 1:3.

Why?

Because God did not merely say:

Know these things.

He said:

KEEP these things.

1. TRUE PROPHECY PRODUCES OBEDIENCE

Jesus said in John 14:15:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Prophecy without obedience can produce pride.

A person can become knowledgeable about the future while remaining careless in the present.

God did not reveal the future so we could win theological arguments.

He revealed the future so we would become faithful disciples.

If Revelation tells us Christ is returning, then we should live faithfully.

If Revelation tells us judgment is coming, then we should proclaim the Gospel.

If Revelation tells us Babylon will fall, then we should not fall in love with Babylon.

If Revelation tells us Satan will be defeated, then we should stop following his lies.

If Revelation tells us Christ will reign, then Christ should reign in our hearts now.

2. “THE TIME IS NEAR”

Revelation 1:3 ends:

“For the time is near.”

Those words should shake spiritual complacency.

The Bible does not teach us to live as though we have unlimited time.

James 4:14 says:

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

Life is short.

Eternity is long.

Christ is coming.

Every heartbeat moves us closer to eternity.

Every sunrise brings us one day closer.

Every passing year reminds us:

The time is near.

3. KEEP YOUR GARMENTS

Revelation 16:15 says:

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments…”

There is that word again:

Keeps.

The believer is called to spiritual vigilance.

Do not allow this world to stain what Christ has cleansed.

Guard your testimony.

Guard your heart.

Guard your eyes.

Guard your speech.

Guard your worship.

Guard your prayer life.

Guard your relationship with Christ.

We are not preparing ourselves because we know the exact day of His coming.

We prepare ourselves because He told us to be ready.

4. KEEP THE FAITH WHEN THE WORLD COMPROMISES

Revelation presents tremendous pressure upon those who belong to God.

Yet repeatedly we find saints who remain faithful.

Revelation 14:12 says:

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

There will always be pressure to compromise.

Pressure from culture.

Pressure from friends.

Pressure from society.

Pressure from temptation.

Pressure to remain silent about Christ.

But the Church must stand.

When the world says compromise—

Stand.

When temptation says surrender—

Stand.

When persecution says deny Christ—

Stand.

When discouragement says quit—

Stand.

Because our King is coming.

5. THE FINAL MESSAGE OF REVELATION IS JESUS IS COMING

The Bible closes with these words from Christ:

Revelation 22:20

“Surely I am coming quickly.”

And John’s response is:

“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

That should be the cry of every believer.

Come, Lord Jesus!

But before we say those words casually, we must ask ourselves:

Are we ready for Him to come?

Is there unforgiveness in my heart?

Is there secret sin in my life?

Have I become spiritually lukewarm?

Have I neglected prayer?

Have I neglected God’s Word?

Have I stopped sharing the Gospel?

Have I fallen in love with this present world?

If Christ came today, would He find me watching?

THE THREE BLESSINGS OF REVELATION 1:3

The entire three-part message can be summarized in three words:

READ — because God has spoken.

HEAR — because God is calling.

KEEP — because Christ is coming.

Do not merely read Revelation with your eyes.

Read it with faith.

Do not merely hear Revelation with your ears.

Hear it with your heart.

Do not merely understand Revelation with your mind.

Keep it with your life.

Because the verse ends with a declaration that every generation of the Church must remember:

“FOR THE TIME IS NEAR.”

Brothers and Sister in Christ, Jesus Christ is coming.

The One whom John saw in Revelation 1 is coming.

The One whose eyes are like a flame of fire is coming.

The One whose voice is as the sound of many waters is coming.

The One who died and rose again is coming.

The Lamb who was slain is coming.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is coming.

The Faithful and True Witness is coming.

The King of kings is coming.

The Lord of lords is coming.

And when He comes, faith will become sight.

Hope will become reality.

The dead in Christ will be raised.

The saints will rejoice.

Satan will ultimately be defeated.

Death will be destroyed.

God’s kingdom will triumph.

And Jesus Christ will reign forever and ever.

Therefore:

READ THE WORD.

HEAR THE WORD.

KEEP THE WORD.

Final Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the words of this prophecy. Give us hunger to read Your Word, spiritual ears to hear what the Spirit says, and obedient hearts to keep what You have commanded. Awaken every sleeping believer. Restore those who have grown cold. Call the wandering back to Christ. Give us courage to proclaim the Gospel while there is still time.

Lord Jesus, prepare Your Church. Purify Your people. Strengthen our faith. Help us to live every day with our eyes fixed upon You.

May the cry of our hearts agree with the final prayer of Scripture:

“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

In the mighty and glorious name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.