Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 1:3

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand." — Revelation 1:3 (ASV)

Blessed is he that reads. This means it is to be regarded as a privilege accompanied by many blessings to be permitted to note the disclosures to be made in this book—the important revelations concerning future times. Professor Stuart supposes that this refers to a public reading, and that the phrase "those who hear the words of this prophecy" refers to those who listened to the public reader, and that both the reader and hearer should regard themselves as highly favored.

It is, however, more in accordance with the usual meaning of the word translated "read" to suppose that it refers to the act of one's reading for oneself, to learn by reading. So Robinson (Lexicon) understands it. The Greek word could indeed bear the other interpretation (Acts 13:27; Acts 15:21; 2 Corinthians 3:15), but as this book was sent out to be read by Christians, and not merely to be in the hands of ministers of religion to be read by them to others, it is more natural to interpret the word in its usual sense.

And hear the words of this prophecy. This means as they will be declared or repeated by others; or perhaps the word hear is used in a sense that is not uncommon: that of giving attention to, or taking heed to. The general sense is that those who became acquainted in any way with what is communicated here were to be regarded as highly favored.

The writer does not say that they were blessed who understood it, or that those who read or heard it would fully understand it. However, it is clearly implied that there would be enough understanding of its meaning to make it a blessed condition to have become acquainted with it.

An author could not be supposed to say that one should regard one's condition as favored if one merely heard words that one could not understand, or had magnificent symbols placed before oneself that had no meaning to oneself. The word prophecy is used here in its stricter sense, denoting the disclosure of future events, as a large portion of the book is of this nature. It is here synonymous with Revelation in Revelation 1:1.

And keep those things which are written therein. This means to keep in mind those things that relate to the future, and to obey those things that are required as truth and duty. The blessing that results from possessing God's revealed truth is not merely in reading it or hearing it; it results from the fact that the truth is properly regarded and exerts a suitable influence over our lives. Compare Psalm 19:11: And in keeping of them there is great reward.

For the time is at hand. See Revelation 1:1. The word used here—egguv—has substantially the same meaning as the word "shortly" in Revelation 1:1. It would apply to any event whose beginning was soon to occur, even though the end might be remote, for the series of events might stretch far into the future.

It cannot be doubted, however, that the writer meant to urge upon them the importance of paying attention to these things, from the fact that, either entirely or in part, these things were soon to happen. It may be inferred from this verse that it is possible to so understand this book that it may convey useful instruction.

This is the only book in the Bible for which a special blessing is pronounced on the one who reads it; but certainly, a blessing would not be pronounced on the reading of a book that is entirely unintelligible. Therefore, while there may be many obscurities in this book, it is also to be assumed that it can be understood enough to be useful to Christians in supporting their faith and giving them elevated views of the final triumph of religion and of the glory of the world to come. Anything is a blessing that enables us with well-founded hope and joy to look forward to the heavenly world.