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As you are aware, the book of Revelation contains not just one astonishing promise, but seven promises scattered throughout the book (Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). Consider the first of those promises:

“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” (Rev. 1:3).

According to Scripture itself, there is a blessing promised to all who read, hear, and keep what is written in Revelation. I can say personally that I believe I am experiencing that blessing as a result of the time I have spent in this book. One of my primary motivations for preaching through Revelation is that I want you to experience the blessing God promises His people who read, hear, and live out its message.

I believe part of that blessing is reflected in what The Center for Bible Engagement discovered through a large-scale study on Bible engagement involving more than 600,000 participants. The results surprised many people—including those who conducted the research. The study found that individuals who engaged with Scripture at least four times a week experienced:

  • a 30% drop in loneliness
  • a 32% drop in anger
  • a 40% drop in bitterness in marriage and relationships
  • a 57% drop in alcoholism
  • a 60% drop in sexual sins, including pornography addiction
  • a 62% drop in those who felt distant from God

 

Source: The Center for Bible Engagement, “Scientific Evidence for the Power of 4.”
https://bibleengagement.org

 

So here is my challenge to you: choose a book of the Bible—any book—and commit to reading it four days a week. You may also want to include the section of Revelation we are covering each Sunday by reading that passage thoughtfully four times throughout the following week.

 

Whenever possible, I would encourage you to read from a physical Bible rather than your phone. A printed Bible helps limit distractions and creates space for slower, more attentive reading—allowing God’s Word to shape not just our minds, but our hearts.

 

This Sunday we will focus much of our attention on Revelation 1:4–8. I encourage you to begin this practice by reading that passage at least twice before Sunday.

 

Grace,
Pastor Keith