Revelation 11:15-19

"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."

{Revelation 1:3} (NIV1984)  

The threefold blessing of Revelation gives us a peek inside the service of a New Testament local assembly (church). 

The blessing is for those who read it; we think of reading words on a page in a Bible, but in the days of the early church these letters, (we call them books) were read out loud in the local assemblies. 

The blessing is for those who hear it; who were present in the same location, at the same time and listening to a person read the Scripture. 

The blessing is for those who take it to heart. Many are blessed who hear the Word, but those who take it to heart (decide to do what the Word says) are twice blessed. 

How we need God’s blessing in our lives! We cry out to God for blessings in our lives and our families’ lives. Hear the promise of Scripture; they will be blessed every time they attend a church service where Scripture is read! God is so good to us. 

Thank you God for your Word and for your local church called Parkdale.