BLESSED Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-11 Beatitudes of Revelation Blessed = Happy “The Happy Attitudes” Message is inspirational Reward of Happiness Beatitudes of Revelation Revelation Has Seven Beatitudes First Century Saints Needed Encouragement Revelation Promises Happiness and Victory to Those that are Faithful

BLESSED #1 Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keeps those things which are written in it: for the time is near.” They were to read, hear and keep the words They were to remain faithful Ephesians 6:13 “for the time is near” We must also hear, do and remain faithful Galatians 6:9

BLESSED #2 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.” Revelation 14 A scene of Triumph and Victory for followers of God A scene of Punishment for followers of Evil II Timothy 4:6-8 They had a choice to make Joshua 24:15 Psalms 116:15

BLESSED #3 Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Jesus is coming to Judge. We will be happy if… We remain watchful We keep our garments spotless James 1:27 Ephesians 5:27 Revelation 3:5 We must watch and keep ourselves spotless

BLESSED #4 Revelation 19:9 “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” Bride is the church - Bridegroom is Christ To be joined with Christ we must be Pure Parable of the Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13 Parable of the Marriage Feast – Matthew 22:1-14 To be called to the Marriage Supper we must… Be Prepared Work Diligently Remain Faithful

BLESSED #5 Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:13-15 Faithful Christians will not experience the second death I Peter 2:9; II Timothy 2:12 Revelation 3:21

BLESSED #6 Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” God always expected us to keep His commands Ecclesiastes 12:13 Matthew 7:21 Luke 11:28 Philippians 4:7 Those that keep God’s Word will be blessed!

BLESSED #7 Revelation 22:14 “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.” Obedience to God has always been required John 14:15; Hebrews 5:8-9 Those obedient to God will receive… The right to the Tree of Life The right to enter the City of God Revelation 22:1-2 The Faithful will spend eternity with God

BLESSED Beatitudes of Revelation gave comfort and hope to first century Christians They suffered tremendous persecution They needed all the help and encouragement they could get Beatitudes of Revelation are a great source of comfort and hope for the faithful Christian, today! May not suffer as early Christians but we still have heartaches and temptations

BLESSED Are You a Faithful Child of God? But to receive these blessings we must… Be a child of God Believe Repent Confess Be Baptized Live Faithfully Are You a Faithful Child of God?

By Bob Gard – Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www By Bob Gard – Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org Adapted from sermon by Mark S. Aites