Seven Blessings

Seven Blessings

Words of Faith 10-26-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

www.faithfellowshipweb.com

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We are starting a series of devotions in the first five chapters of Revelation. I am also currently teaching in Revelation 14-22 at Faith Fellowship. These first chapters in Revelation are powerful devotionally and are among the most applicable in the Bible. 

Past and current messages that I have taught in Revelation are available at www.faithfellowshipweb.com

JDH

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Revelation 1

[3]  Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

         There are a lot of symbolic numbers in the book of Revelation. Just get used to it. Of course, the number Seven is prominent. We will find that there are seven of a lot of things. We often get focused on the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets, and Seven Bowls that come later. But throughout the book, we find Seven Blessings that we do not want to miss. This is the first. The Seven are sometimes called the Beatitudes of Revelation. 

        There is a Blessing that comes in reading aloud the words of this prophecy. There is a blessing that comes in reading and in hearing these words, but also in keeping what is written here.

         We know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). The Word of Christ is powerful and draws us to Himself in faith. The truth is that when all else fails, we need to get into the Word of God and get the Word into us! One of the first declarations of Revelation is that the Word will be a blessing to us.

          I have encouraged people to read through the entire book, aloud if possible. I have done it. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes. Parts of it are difficult, for sure. But there is a blessing in reading the Word aloud.  

          What are the Seven blessings?

      1 - Blessing of Reading, Hearing, and Keeping.  Revelation 1:3 - Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

       2 – Blessing of Rest from our Labor. Revelation 14:13 - And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

       3 – Blessing of Readiness. Revelation 16:15 - “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”

       4 - Blessing Invitation.  Revelation 19:9 - And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

       5 - Blessing of Resurrection. Revelation 20:6 - Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

       6 - Blessing of Keeping the Word. Revelation 22:7 - “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

       7 - Blessing of His Washing. Revelation 22:14 - Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

        Father God, I am ready for blessing. Not in the silly sense that is selfish and self-focused. But I desire all the blessings that You have for me in Your Word to use through me. May I receive and know these blessings the deepest way possible. Carry my spirit forward and uplift my heart for the challenges of my day. In Jesus' Name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2005, 2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        

2820 Business Center Blvd.

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.