SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:3
¶ Bienaventurado el que lee, y los que oyen las palabras de esta Profecía, y guardan las cosas que en ella estn escritas, porque el tiempo est cerca.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Revelation 1:3
Verse 3. Blessed is he that readeth] This is to be understood of the happiness or security of the persons who, reading and hearing the prophecies of those things which were to come to pass shortly, took proper measures to escape from the impending evils. The time is at hand.] Either in which they shall be all fulfilled, or begin to be fulfilled. See the note on ver. 1.
These three verses contain the introduction; now the dedication to the seven Churches commences.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. Blessed [is] he that readeth , etc.] This book the Revelation, privately, in his closet or family, carefully and diligently, with a desire of understanding it; or publicly in the church of God, and endeavours open and explain it to others; and may allude to the reading of the law and the prophets in the synagogues, which were not barely read, but expounded; (see Acts 13:15 15:21); and the rather this may be thought to be the sense of the words, since there is a change of number in the next clause, and they that hear the words of this prophecy ; that listen attentively to the reading and exposition of this book, and have ears to hear, so as to understand the prophecies contained in it: for the whole, when delivered to John, was a prophecy of things to come: but some versions read the number alike in both clauses; as either, blessed is he that readeth, and he that heareth, as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions; or blessed are they that read, and they that hear, as the Arabic version: and keep those things which are written therein ; the last version adds, concerning this frail world; who not only read, and hear, but put in practice what they read and hear; for there are some things in this book which are of a practical nature, especially in the epistles to the seven churches; or the sense is, happy are those persons that observe, and take notice of what is written herein, and meditate upon them, and well weigh them in their minds, and retain them in their memories. Now, though eternal happiness does not depend upon, nor is procured by any of these means, as reading, hearing, and observing; yet there is a real happiness, a true pleasure, that does attend these things, which may stir up to a regard unto them; and for which purpose the following words are added: for the time [is] at hand ; when thee things should begin to be fulfilled.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - This book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ; the whole Bible is so; for all revelation comes through Christ, and all relates to him. It principal subject is to discover the purposes of God concerning the affairs of the church, and of the nations as connected therewith, to the end of the world. These events would surely come to pass; and the would begin to come to pass very shortly. Though Christ is himself God and has light and life in himself, yet, as Mediator between God an man, he receives instructions from the Father. To him we owe the knowledge of what we are to expect from God, and what he expects from us. The subject of this revelation was, the things that must shortl come to pass. On all who read or hear the words of the prophecy, blessing is pronounced. Those are well employed who search the Bible It is not enough that we read and hear, but we must keep the thing that are written, in our memories, in our minds, in our affections, an in practice, and we shall be blessed in the deed. Even the mysterie and difficulties of this book are united with discoveries of God suited to impress the mind with awe, and to purify the soul of the reader, though he may not discern the prophetic meaning. No part of Scripture more fully states the gospel, and warns against the evil of sin.
Greek Textus Receptus
μακαριος 3107 ο 3588 αναγινωσκων 314 5723 και 2532 οι 3588 ακουοντες 191 5723 τους 3588 λογους 3056 της 3588 προφητειας 4394 και 2532 τηρουντες 5083 5723 τα 3588 εν 1722 αυτη 846 γεγραμμενα 1125 5772 ο 3588 γαρ 1063 καιρος 2540 εγγυς 1451
Vincent's NT Word Studies
3. Blessed (makariov). See on Matt. v. 3.
He that readeth (o anaginwskwn). See on Luke iv. 16. The Reader in the Church. See 2 Cor. iii. 14. They that hear, the congregation. The words imply a public, official reading, in full religious assembly for worship. The passage is of some weight in determining the date of this book. The stated reading of the Apostolical writings did not exist as a received form before the destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70.
And keep (kai thrountev). The absence of the article from thrountev keeping (compare oiJ ajkountev they that hear), shows that the hearers and the keepers form one class. Threin to keep, is a peculiarly Johannine word, and is characteristic of Revelation as of the other writings in its own peculiar sense of "keeping" in the exercise of active and strenuous care, rather than of watching over to preserve. See on reserved, 1 Pet. i. 4.
Prophecy. See on prophet, Luke vii. 26.
Which are written (ta gegrammena). Perfect participle, have been written, and therefore stand written.
The time (o kairov). See on Matt. xii. 1.
At hand (egguv). Lit., near. See on shortly, verse. 1.
