Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Blessed (makariov). As in Matthew 5:3 ff. This endorses the book as a whole.
He that readeth (o anaginwskwn). Present active singular articular participle of anaginwskw (as in Luke 4:16). Christians in their public worship followed the Jewish custom of public reading of the Scriptures (II Corinthians 3:14 f.). The church reader (anagnwsthv, lector) gradually acquired an official position. John expects this book to be read in each of the seven churches mentioned (Revelation 1:4) and elsewhere. Today the public reading of the Bible is an important part of worship that is often poorly done.
They that hear (oi akouontev). Present active plural articular participle of akouw (the audience).
And keep (kai thrountev). Present active participle of threw, a common Johannine word (I John 2:4, etc.). Cf. Matthew 7:24. "The content of the Apocalypse is not merely prediction; moral counsel and religious instruction are the primary burdens of its pages" (Moffatt).
Written (gegrammena). Perfect passive participle of grafw.
For the time is at hand (o gar kairov egguv). Reason for listening and keeping. On kairov see Matthew 12:1, time of crisis as in I Corinthians 7:29. How near egguv (at hand) is we do not know any more than we do about en taxei (shortly) in Revelation 1:1.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 1:3:
Colossians 4:16
Revelation 2:7
Revelation 11:6
Revelation 16:15
Revelation 20:6
Revelation 22:7
Revelation 22:10
Revelation 22:17
Revelation 22:18
Revelation 22:21
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