REVELATION 1:3; 22:18-19 - Technology Ministries

SEVEN BLESSINGS One Blessing ~ One Warning REVELATION 1:3; 22:18-19
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REVELATION 1:3; 22:18-19
I. SEVEN BLESSINGS I
A. ONE BLESSING
1. BEATITUDES IN THE BIBLE
2. FIRST BLESSING IN REVELATION
3. MEMORY VERSE
4. PARAPHRASE
5. CLASS ACTIVITY
B. ONE WARNING
1. WORDS AND PHRASES FROM TEXT
2. CHANGING GOD’S WORD
3. FIRST CREATURES TO CHANGE GOD’S WORD
4. CONCLUSIONS
5. SONG

2 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery—TEACHER’S GUIDE THE PAST
REVELATION 1:3; 22:18, 19
Students might stand and sing the “Class Anthem” (Page 156 in Student
Songbook). Recitation of previous memory verse could follow. Opening
exercises can became a popular activity.
OPENING PRAYER
Let us bow our heads for a few moments of silence. Remember, these are your
moments. They allow you to prepare your soul for the most important activity
in the life of God’s child: studying God’s Word. I will open class by praying out
loud.
Dear heavenly Father, Thank You for your wondrous Word. Teach us as we
open Your Word, the Bible, and consider the truth You would have us learn.
Thank You for our heavenly Teacher, the Holy Spirit, and for young people who
love Your Word. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
REVIEW
Vocabulary list
Vocabulary List contains definitions from other lessons for review and often
includes ideas for promoting discussion. It can be a class activity.
The earthly author: The apostle John
The heavenly author: Jesus Christ
Chain of communication: From God to Jesus Christ through His angel
and His bond-servant, John, to the Seven Churches and thus to all
believers of the Church Age.
Two Sets of circumstances: John’s personal circumstances: John was in
exile on the Isle of Patmos, because he would not quit talking about the
Lord. Bible class circumstances: one Sunday morning, on the Island of
Patmos, Jesus Christ taught a series of Bible lessons. John was His only
pupil.
Summary
Discuss and explain anything about which students display confusion or lack of
understanding when reviewing the Vocabulary List.

SEVEN BLESSINGS One Blessing ~ One Warning REVELATION 1:3; 22:18-19
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I. SEVEN BLESSIINGS I
A. ONE BLESSING
1. BEATITUDES IN THE BIBLE
a. Beatitudes in Matthew.
The book of MATTHEW contains nine blessings, referred to as
“beatitudes”.
Direct students to turn to MATTHEW 5:3 and see that all nine
beatitudes begin with the words, “Blessed are those who …”
b. Blessings in Revelation.
1) Seven beatitudes (or blessings) are scattered throughout “THE
REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST”.
BEATITUDES AND BLESSINGS
ARE THE SAME
BEATITUDES = BLESSINGS
2) The number 7 means “full and complete.” All seven blessings are
covered as a unit, because impact is lost if all are not studied as a
“full and complete” set.
2. FIRST BLESSING IN REVELATION
Display First Blessing Symbol.
(Symbol on page 12 may be cut
out for flannel board use.)
REVELATION 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and
those who hear the words of the prophecy, and
heed the things which are written in it; for the
time is near.

4 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery—TEACHER’S GUIDE THE PAST
Take a closer look at the words and phrases from Revelation 1:3 in
preparation for making a paraphrase.
a. “Blessed”.
“Blessing”, “happiness” and “beatitude” carry the same meaning. All
emphasize inner happiness and inner peace of soul. God tells His
children what they need to know to have happiness and peace.
b. “He Who Reads”
1) The phrase “He who reads” refers to the one reading this book. The
reader is not required to understand everything, simply to be
interested in God’s Word.
2) God promises abundant happiness to those interested in “THE
REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST”. Those who apply the truth to
decisions in life receive more blessings.
3) REVELATION 1:3 promises blessings to three categories of people:
1) Teachers who organize and present information. 2.) Those listening
and 3) those reading the book of Revelation with the correct attitude.
c. “Those Who Hear”.
READ THIS BOOK AND RECEIVE A BLESSING.
THIS IS THE ONLY PORTION OF GOD’S WORD
ACCOMPANIED BY SUCH A PROMISE.
“Those who hear” are those who listen to the truth contained in the
book of Revelation. This phrase implies the listener respects what he is
learning and considers it important.
d. “Those Who Heed”.
1) In some Bible translations the word “heed” is translated, “keep”.
The Greek word means, “to guard something of great value that
belongs to you.” Wise believers “heed” God’s Word because they
recognize it as a priceless treasure. They want to “keep” it.
2) When we value God’s Word, we want to protect the truth we
already possess, add to our storehouse of knowledge and obey what
we know to be true. “Keep”, “guard”, “protect” and “heed” all carry the
same meaning. All speak of staying in God’s plan, because we love
God and His Word. “Keeping” God’s Word brings blessing.

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e. “Things which are written”.
1) The word “things” emphasizes the reality of predicted events.
It does not refer to “things” dreams are made of, but to concrete
events guaranteed to happen in the future.
2) The entire phrase “The things which are written” generally
refers to the Bible as a whole, but in this case, it speaks of events
recorded in the book of REVELATION.
f. “The time is near”.
1) “The time is near” does not mean the events will happen
today or tomorrow (although they could). It means these events
are next on God’s calendar. It is as if God is leaning over the
brink of eternity, saying, “These events are coming up”. The
exact time is uncertain, but believers need to stay prepared,
because when the events begin to happen, they are carried out
quickly.
1)
Direct attention to the picture symbolizing the first blessing.
2) Blessing One is a promise to believers who study God’s
Word, store it in their souls and use it to make life’s decisions.
THE ONE WHO LIVES IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD‟S WORD IS
WISE. HE IS IN GOD‟S PLAN AND WILL BE BLESSED WITH
PEACE OF SOUL AND ABUNDANT HAPPINESS.
3. MEMORY VERSE
REVELATION 1:3 Blessed is he who reads
and those who hear the words of the
prophecy, and heed the things which are
written in it; for the time is near.
Students previously learned how to make a paraphrase. Remind them
that the first step (defining each word or phrase) is complete. Suggest
they listen to the finished paraphrase of REVELATION 1:3.
4. PARAPHRASE
Abundant happiness to anyone who reads, studies and/or teaches this
prophetic book; to those who read and give close attention on their own
and to those who believe and act on what they learn, because these
events are scheduled next on God’s calendar.

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5. CLASS ACTIVITY
Continue decorating Blessing Boxes. Finished Blessing Box is a small,
container covered with gold: paper, glitter, braid and ribbon. The top
should be removable and preferably contain a slit for quickly inserting
blessing symbols. At the end of this study, all seven blessing symbols
will be stored inside the decorated box.
If teacher has a talent for handcraft, teacher might design a pattern for
covering identical boxes with shiny, gold paper. Other decorations may
be added by students. Encourage individuality and creativity. Student
Workbook contains a Blessing Box activity.
B. ONE WARNING
REVELATION also contains an important warning. Deliberate
disobedience, or participation in forbidden activities invites God’s
discipline. God’s children need to be aware of the activities that
displease their heavenly Father. What then is the warning?
Suggest students turn to Chapter 22 and read the warning.
REVELATION 22:18, 19 I testify to everyone who
hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if
anyone adds to them, God will add to him the
plagues which are written in this book, and if
anyone takes away from the words of the book of
this prophecy, God shall take away his part from
the tree of life and from the holy city, which are
written in this book.
1. WORDS AND PHRASES FROM TEXT
a. “Add to”.
God’s Word is pure just as it is written. Perfect God has given His
perfect Word. Adding anything changes God’s Word and God warns
against doing such a thing. How can imperfect man “add” anything of
value to the perfect Word of God?
b. “Take away from”.
“Take away” means, “to remove”.
God does not want anything

SEVEN BLESSINGS One Blessing ~ One Warning REVELATION 1:3; 22:18-19
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removed from His Word. He wants it to remain full and complete.
Every word in the original Scripture is exactly as God intended.
IT IS A STRONG WARNING!
“DO NOT MISREPRESENT GOD’S WORD IN ANY WAY.”
2. CHANGING GOD‟S WORD
a. Changing God‟s Word reflects one of the following motives…
1) First, an honest mistake due to lack of knowledge of God’s Word.
2) Second, a spinning of God’s Word to fit pre-conceived ideas
rather than studying to uncover God’s intended message.
3) Third, the worst motive is a conscious twisting of God’s Word
deliberately desiring to deceive.
b. Serious consequences accompany the teaching of false doctrine.
Deliberately changing God’s Word is dangerous. It creates a
counterfeit Doctrine (Scripture), which pleases Satan tremendously.
3. FIRST CREATURES TO CHANGE GOD‟S WORD
Be familiar with GENESIS 2:16-17; 3:1-4 and thus prepared to answer
questions. Turn to these verses if necessary.
a. Satan.
1) The first creature guilty of changing God’s Word was a fallen
angel named Satan. Satan took on the form of a serpent, approached
Eve in the garden and deliberately twisted God’s Word, creating a
counterfeit. This is Satan’s customary mode of operation. He is the
wicked and evil enemy of God, the master counterfeiter of all time.
GENESIS 2:16-17 And the Lord God
commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of
the garden you may eat freely, but from the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not
eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall
surely die.
2) God said Adam and Eve could eat from all the trees … except
one.

8 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery—TEACHER’S GUIDE THE PAST
3) GENESIS 3 records Satan’s challenge of God’s Word. Satan
directly contradicts God’s instructions in GENESIS 2:16-17.
GENESIS 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty
than any beast of the field which the Lord God
had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed,
has God said, „You shall not eat from any tree of
the garden?‟ “
4) First, Satan changed God’s Words. He wanted Eve to think God
was unreasonable. Satan’s motive was evil.
GENESIS 3:4 And the serpent said to the
woman, “You surely shall not die!”
5) Second, Satan contradicted God’s Word and substituted his own
words. He declared, “You surely shall not die.” But God said they
would “surely die”. Satan wanted to break the relationship between
God and Adam and Eve. He wanted to trick Adam and Eve into
following him (Satan) instead of God.
b. Eve.
1) Eve was the second creature to change God’s Word.
c. What God really said…
Compare GENESIS 2:16-17 to 3:2-3 to see how Eve changed God’s
Word.
GENESIS 2:16-17 And the Lord God
commanded the man saying, “From any tree of
the garden you may eat freely, but from the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not
eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will
surely die.”
d. What Eve claimed God said…
GENESIS 3:2, 3 And the woman (Eve) said to the
serpent, (Satan) “From the fruit of the trees of the
garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree
which is in the middle of the garden, God has
said, „You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest
you die.‟ ‟‟.
Direct students to compare (for themselves) and hold up their hands when

a.
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they notice differences in Eve’s report of God’s Words. Be sure they
notice three misquotes “or touch it”, “lest you die” and the omission of
the word “freely”. Eve’s omission of “freely” indicates her complete lack
of understanding of God’s grace.
1) It is easy to see what Eve did with the phrase “or touch it”... She
added to God’s Word. God never said they could not touch the tree.
2) Eve also left out the word “freely” from God’s Word. When she
omitted “freely”, Eve left out God’s grace.
3) Additionally, Eve softened the consequences of eating the fruit
by saying “…lest you die”. God said “you shall surely die.” No
“perhaps” or “maybe” was implied by God’s Words.
4) Adam and Eve died twice when they disobeyed God: Spiritual
death (separation and alienation from God) was immediate,
demonstrated by the fact that they hid from God after they ate the
fruit. Though they lived physically for a while, the process of
physical death began the moment they disobeyed.
4. CONCLUSIONS
a. Danger.
God’s Word is perfect just the way it is. It is dangerous to alter
God’s meaning.
b. Instructions.
God gave the first man and woman instructions (His Word). Eve
subtracted from God’s instructions and added words of her own.
After she sinned, Eve took the fruit to Adam and he sinned. Since
the time of Adam’s sin, the entire human race has suffered spiritual
and physical death. Terrible consequences accompany the act of
deliberately changing God’s Word.
c. Responsibility.
1) God holds us responsible for understanding His message to us.
We cannot insist on our own interpretation and alter God’s
meaning.
The study of Bibliology containing a simple definition of Interpretation is
in Teacher’s Appendix, if teacher wishes to pursue that subject.

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2) God’s Word is not subject to different interpretations. God
means what He says. The true Bible student desires to know what
God is saying and searches for the Truth.
THOSE WHO TRY TO MAKE SILLINESS, ABSURDITIES AND
UNREASONABLE IDEAS OUT OF SCRIPTURE AND CLAIM GOD
DOES NOT MEAN WHAT HE SAYS ARE GUILTY OF DOING
EXACTLY WHAT SATAN AND EVE DID.
WE WILL BE VERY CAREFUL
NOT TO DO THIS!
If there is enough class time, teacher could suggest going back to the
REVELATION 1:3 paraphrase to demonstrate we were not guilty of
changing the meaning of God’s Word. Paraphrase is on page 5.
5. SONG: “Happiness is the Lord”. Page #122 in Student Songbook.
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You, Father, for Your perfect Word to man. We pray that as Your
children, we will continue to love Your Word, honor it and store it as a
treasure in our souls. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
IMPORTANT
** PRELIMINARY PREPARATION FOR NEXT SUBJECT
(Blessings Two, Three, Four and Five).
**In preparation for blessing five, fill in the following invitation.
Mail it to yourself. Do not open the letter when you receive it.
Bring unopened envelope to class. Immediately following the
opening prayer for the class on blessing five, pretend to discover
this letter among your notes and be surprised.

SEVEN BLESSINGS One Blessing ~ One Warning REVELATION 1:3; 22:18-19
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Copy invitation and use as suggested. Be sure date of wedding
precedes date of lesson on the Fifth Blessing.
The idea is to show the class that due to your careless attitude,
you have missed something extremely important.
The pleasure of your company is requested at
The wedding
Of
Miss Especially Lovely and Patient
To
Mr. Extremely Wonderful and Kind
On
Saturday, the ________ of the month of __________
In the year of Our Lord _______.
RSVP

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