The Other Seven Beatitudes

Most Christians are aware of the Beatitudes of Jesus found in the Gospels, but most are not aware that there is another list of beatitudes found in scripture.

In the book of Revelation we find seven more Beatitudes spoken mostly by Jesus to those who follow Him.  Here they are in order of appearance:

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”  (Rev. 1:3).

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Rev. 14:13).

“Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed.” (Rev. 16:15). .

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Rev. 19:9).

“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:6).

“Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Rev. 22:7).

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.”  (Rev. 22:14).

So blessings are spoken over those who read the book of Revelation out loud, and those who keep [obey the teaching and hold dear] the words of Jesus found in the book.

Blessings are also pronounced for those who are martyrs for Christ, and for those who do not grow cold in their faith.

The other blessings pronounced are self-fulfilling. For example, those who attend the final marriage supper of the Lamb after the final judgment, and those who are resurrected from the dead are said to be blessed (obviously), because the condition of the blessing itself is already a blessing. In other words, you can only receive the blessing if you are already blessed.

“He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 2:29)

-kg