The most familiar beatitudes are found in Matthew 5:1-11,  in what is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  There are, however,  some beatitudes found in the book of Revelation that are encouraging as well.  Let’s take a look at them.

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy…” (Revelation 1:3). While the prophecy considered by John is the content of the book of Revelation, the one who regularly reads and applies any portion of God’s word is going to be blessed. The Bible is the greatest book ever written because it reveals the mind of God to us.  Knowing God’s mind can only be profitable, that is, as long as we determine to make use of what we know.  True happiness is found in understanding and doing God’s will.  Read the Bible! You will be blessed for your effort.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth…” (Rev. 14:13). Death is usually considered a curse.  Nobody likes to think about it.  It is full of sorrow and disappointment for those who lose a loved one, but for the individual who dies in the Lord, death is indeed a blessing.  It means an escape from the tribulations of life and an eternal victory over the Devil.  Those who die in the Lord are promised a crown of life (James 1:12).  A state of comfort and bliss is experienced by the one who dies in the Lord (Luke 16:25).  This is why Paul could look at death without fear.  In some ways, he looked forward to it, for he wanted to go and be with his Lord (Philippians  1:23).  In Christ, death is no longer to be feared (Hebrews 2:14, 15; 1 John 4:17,18).  This does not mean that we have to look forward to dying.  God has blessed us with life, and we should enjoy it as long as we live.  But, in the Lord, there is something greater waiting for us after we die.

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments…” (Rev. 16:15). That Jesus will someday return is a fact no Bible student denies.  When He will return, however,  is a different matter.  We do not know because God has not found it fit to disclose it; thus, we are encouraged by the Word of God to watch.  Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matt. 24:42).  How do we watch?  Jesus said it is by keeping the spiritual garments of life clean and pure.  Living a morally upright life is essential to being prepared for the second coming of our Lord.  Those who continue to be on watch, i.e., those who prepare themselves for the day of judgment by living according to God’s word, will truly be blessed.

“…Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb…” (Revelation 19:9). In Revelation 19:7, we are told that the marriage of the Lamb has come.  Following the marriage, there is a great feast or supper.  Who is it that is called to the marriage supper?  Those made righteous by the blood of Christ (ver. 8).  The church is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-32; Revelation 21:2, 9).  When one obeys the gospel of Christ, he enters into a covenant relationship with Christ and becomes part of His bride.  In other words, to obey the gospel of Christ is to enter into a marriage relationship with Christ.  Paul said, “Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead…” (Rom. 7:4).  The benefits of being married to Christ are innumerable.  All spiritual blessings belong to them (Ephesians 1:3).  The greatest blessing of all is the eternal enjoyment of heaven.  That is depicted by the “marriage supper of the Lamb” which takes place after the consummation of the marriage.  Those called to that supper are truly blessed.  They will enjoy an eternity of bliss in heaven.

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power…” (Rev. 20:6). There has been much disagreement over to what the “first resurrection” refers. The premillennial view, that says it refers to a bodily resurrection of the saints, followed by an earthly thousand-year reign of Christ in Jerusalem, is without scriptural backing.  But, even brethren have differed on what the first resurrection is.  Some say that it refers to the resurrection of baptism (Romans 6:4); however, since those who experience this first resurrection will not experience the second death (the lake of fire – ver. 14), that conclusion would mean that it is impossible to fall from grace.  Thus, the first resurrection is not the resurrection of baptism.  Homer Hailey believes that the first resurrection is the resurrection of the cause of Christ as outlined in the book of Revelation (Revelation, an Introduction and Commentary, pg. 394).  Homer may be right, though I am not sure that the cause of Christ in the book of Revelation ever experienced a death from which to be resurrected.  Another view is that the first resurrection is a description of those who die in Christ and are raised to the Hadean realm called paradise over which Christ has control.  This view would conclude that Christians go to the Hadean realm to await judgment when they die.  This view has a lot in its favor.  One thing we do know is that those who die in Christ will not experience the second death, and the fact that the second death will not have power over us is the real blessing. Only those who are right with God when they die will experience the first resurrection.  That should be the aim of each one of us.  To be cast into the lake of fire is to be in eternal torment where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:41, 42).  To escape that end is surely a blessing.

“Blessed are they that do his commands…” (Rev. 22:14).  This is actually the seventh beatitude of the book of Revelation.  The sixth is similar to this one, though not as broad in its scope, so we will consider them together.  The sixth beatitude says, “…blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (Rev. 22:7).  Both of these beatitudes point to obedience.  There can be no blessedness apart from obeying the commandments of God.  Faithfulness to all that God commands us to do is the only way that we can secure for ourselves a home in heaven.  That does not mean that we have to be perfect, but it does mean that we must strive to obey God in all things.  When we fall short, we must follow God’s law of pardon, i.e., we must repent of the sin and pray to God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).  If we keep the commandments of God, John says we have a right to the tree of life and will enter into the gates of the heavenly city.  Heaven will be ours to enjoy forever.  Isn’t obedience worth it?  So, our responsibility is to simply learn God’s will and keep it (Matthew 7:21).  The result will be the blessed state of heaven.

Let’s rejoice over all the blessings our God graciously gives to us.