APOCALYPTIC BEATITUDES

1.     INTRODUCTION:

According to Ellicott's Commentary for English readers; Any declaration of the divine government's principles, with indications of their incoming exemplification history, is a prophecy. Sometimes the history which exemplifies these principles is immediate, sometimes more remote.

 Sometimes, the events experienced or currently happening is the prototype of what is to come like the Six Seals' vision in the Book of Revelation.

The Author.

The book of Revelation was written by John, the beloved apostle of Jesus Christ when Christians were going through persecution under the Roman Emperor Domitian. Dominitian promulgated a decree that he should be worshipped. That was totally against Christian faith of not worshipping another god but God and hence the great persecution that followed. John was sent to the Island of Patmos as a victim of anti-Christian persecution. He wrote the book of Revelation on the Island; hence he was nicknamed Eagle of Patmos.

Beatitudes mean blessedness translated from the Hebrew word (Makarios), which means to be happy, particularly in the promised blessing of God. 

Jesus made the first introduction to the beatitudes in His sermon on the Mount recorded in the book of Matthew 5:3-12. Its theme is the new righteousness of Christ in contrast to the old righteousness of the law. Its values unfold in Christian character, influence, worship, and relation to others. 

2.     SERMON ON THE MOUNT BEATITUDES. 

Matthew: 5:3-11 NKJV.

i)               3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven: 

This is a state where a believer is conscious of his spiritual bankruptcy before God and solely depend on Him. Utter spiritual destitution, the consciousness of which precede the entrance into the kingdom of God.

ii)              4. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted: 

We have been reminded to be sorrowful for sin and sharing in the sorrows of others.

iii)            5. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth: 

A man who is ready to obey God in all situations and circumstances, humble-minded, teachable, and willing to accept His discipline, that man is meek. 

iv)            6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled:

 This is a state of sincere desire after righteousness without compromise. The heart is yielded and cannot but embrace what is right before God and hate or detest whatever is contrary.

v)              7. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy:

 God is merciful. Jesus thought and demonstrated acts of mercy. He wants us to follow the same pattern.

vi)            8. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God: 

This has to do with unadulterated purity of the heart and soul committed to God.

vii)           9. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God: 

These are people committed to being Christlike in nature. They make peace with men; they toil for the right relationship between God and man and committed to nurturing the proper relationship between man and man. 

viii)          10. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for there is the kingdom of heaven: 

Peter and most of the apostles of Jesus were joyful to be killed for a just cause; the gospel. It remains a blessing to be persecuted for a just cause.

ix)            11. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake:

 Jesus is our eternal example. For the joy laid before Him, He went through it all. 

           3.THE APOCALYPTIC BEATITUDES.

The Beatitudes in Matthew were Jesus teaching to the Jews who did not yet understand the kingdom. The apocalypse beatitudes, written by John, was to Christians who were in the kingdom and needed encouragement to remain faithful. It stresses the joy of overcoming and entering into Christ and the realisation we are secure in Him. Jesus identified himself to John as the Alpha and Omega. 

i)               Revelation 1:3 N.K.J.V.: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophesy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 

 This verse endorses the book as a whole.

The word "blessed" is translated from the Hebrew word (Makarios), which means to be happy, particularly in the promised blessing of Christ. A supreme measure of joy because of a divine state of favour before the father. In the time of John, it was quite expensive to produce copies of documents. The practise was for a reader to read out loud to a congregation. This medium made contents to be available to wider listeners. In John 1:1 N.K.J.V.; In the beginning, was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. The message of God is conveyed through His word. God revealed himself through His word. The terms sometimes constitute prophesy. They are predictions that definitely must be fulfilled. Jesus said that not one jot or one tittle would pass from the law till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:18). Believers are expected always to keep those things which are written in the Bible. The content should be preserved with the proper interpretation of the text and its successive generation. Jesus said blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. Today, we must read to understand its contents and save the word. The Word must be embedded in our hearts and allow it to be our life's compass.

The time is near (Luke 11:28); When we refer to time, it may be Chronos that we call chronological time, time on a clock or calendar; Or Kairos, which relates to seasons, epochs, or eras.  The time is near; used in this beatitude is Kairos. It refers to an eschatological term, referencing the right time or moment. This time will be when Christ shall return at His second coming. It is near to each of us because our life is short and temporary. 

ii)              Revelation 14:13

…'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.''' "Yes,'' says the Spirit, "

That they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

While this blessing referred to those who died from a particular time, they apply equally to those who died in the Lord irrespective of time. Death does not severe or separate the bond those who died in the Lord have with Christ. It is gratifying to know and be reminded that this life is not an end itself. As mortal beings, we are one breath away from the ultimate establishment of God's everlasting kingdom. 

Luke 9:25 N.K.J.V. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

iii)            Revelation 16:15: "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walks naked and sees his shame."

God has not revealed the time of Christ second coming to anyone. Everyone knows that the end is near, and so it is for all time and season. We are commanded to live ready and prepared at all times. Every believer knows of two available options: to sleep and resurrect with Christ or be cut up with Christ at the rapture. What is expected from us is obedience.

iv)            Rev. 19:9: …' Blessed are those who are called to the Lamb's marriage supper!'''" These are the true sayings of God."

2 Corinthians 11:2-3 NKJV For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. [3] But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

 When we count what is in salvation, the conclusion is it worth it. It may be tough, difficult, and hard. Jesus Christ sacrificed His life. Many were killed and murdered for the sake of the gospel, but it worth it.

During the time of Jesus, a wedding supper was a serious event diligently prepared for with so much expectation. Likewise, we are to adequately prepare for the second coming of Christ with full details and great expectations.

v)              Revelation 20:6 N.K.J.V.

Blessed and holy is he who has a part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Emperor Domitian, who sent John to the Island of Patmos, was very brutal to Christians. The church was passing through so much persecution, and many were being murdered just like in some places today. This scripture was apt then but with so much relevance today. Jesus is offering a glimpse of reward to those who stand for him.

vi)            Revelation 22:7 N.K.J.V.

"Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

The time to return quickly is God's time (Kairos). Jesus is strengthening and placing emphasis on the promise of His return. This promise keeps everyone going. Whether he comes now or later, we are sure of His coming back, and we live ready at all times for Him.

vii)           Revelation 22:14 N.K.J.V.

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

The tree of life was first mentioned in Genesis. It was the tree that grows within the Garden of Eden and is the source of eternal life. It is a life-giving tree. Adam and Eve were warned from accessing it. Jesus came to redeem man from his fallen status. Those that surrendered their lives to Christ through obedience would be resurrected to see the tree of life again, for it stands in the new holy city, the New-Jerusalem. Access to the tree of life would be reinstated, Eden will be restored. Obedience is a great test for the right to the tree of life.

4.     Exegetical Note:

The study of the book of Revelation demonstrates that nothing in the scripture is casual or accidental. It is a meticulous literary composition. Richard Bauckham draws attention to several of the features which make the book a meticulous literary piece.

Seven beatitudes, seven seals, seven churches, seven eyes, horns, trumpets, bowls, thunders etc. Seven times the word "Christ" is used, seven times Christ announces His coming, seven times the form "the Lord God Almighty" appears, there are seven "amens" in the book, "Prophets" are referred to seven times, "the one who sits on the throne is used seven times, the spirit is referred to fourteen times, the name of Jesus occurs fourteen times etc.

The seven beatitudes are linked to the ethical purpose of the book.

Beatitudes One and Six can be linked together. (Reading, hearing and keeping the words of the prophecy)

The Second and fifth can also be linked together as they are closely related—death and resurrection of the faithful. The relationship between the third and fourth beatitudes are equally strong. Those invited to the Lord's supper are those who keep their clothes. The arrangement makes the reader anxious, and the ultimate answer was provided in the seventh.

In conclusion, the apocalyptic beatitudes, also known as bonus beatitudes, demonstrated blessings available to those who overcame. Salvation comes with its price of hardship and sacrifice. One thing that is guaranteed is those who endured the journey will be rewarded. These bonus beatitudes encourage to be faithful.

Reference:

1.     Kempis,T.A.,(2012). The Imitation of Christ The Beatitudes Edition. Barrington Publications.

2.     Spence, W.A., (2014) The Seven Beatitudes of The Book of Revelation No. 2, Book 4. U.S.A.

3.     Bauckham, R.,(1993) The Climax of Prophesy. Edingurgh

4.     Foundations, 2020, 7/7/2020, Field. D.,The Seven Blessings of the Book of Revelation-a Brief Exegetical Note, http:www.affinity.org.uk.