Revelation 22:7
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 22:7
**Meaning & Context** (200 words)
Revelation 22:7 proclaims, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” The speaker blends exhortation with promise: a future event (Christ’s return) is imminent, and the blessing rests on faithful obedience to the book’s prophecies. The command to “keep” the prophecies implies active, ongoing obedience—receiving, applying, and living out the truths contained within Revelation. The blessing attaches to perseverance under trial, faithful witness, and trust in Jesus’ lordship. The phrase echoes Jesus’ own teaching in the Gospels about readiness and watchfulness (Matthew 24) and the book’s overarching call to moral fidelity in the face of deception, suffering, and spiritual compromise. The immediacy of “quickly” serves as a counterbalance to apathy, urging readers to live in urgent, steadfast faith.
**Theological Significance** (150 words)
The verse anchors eschatology in practical piety: belief in Christ’s return is not abstract but transformative for daily life. Keeping the sayings of this prophecy aligns with fidelity to Jesus, obedience to his commands, and integrity in worship. It situates Revelation within the broader biblical pattern of anticipation: Christians live in hopeful expectancy, ordering time, resources, and relationships toward God’s coming kingdom. The verse also guards against desacralizing or domestication of the text: it invites readers to embrace the book’s warnings, promises, and invitations with faithfulness.
**Modern Application** (150 words)
Practically, this means orienting your life around Jesus’ return. Build habits that endure: prayer, Scripture meditation, acts of mercy, and transparent worship. In your relationships, practice integrity and truth-telling, even when it’s costly. For churches, it means keeping the core message of Revelation central—Jesus as Lord, sin confronted, grace offered, and hope secured. In times of cultural pressure to compromise truth, this verse encourages steadfastness, discernment, and compassionate witness. It also invites preparedness: living with mission, generosity, and humility, ready to welcome the King when he comes.
**Cross-References**: Matthew 24:42-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6; James 5:7-9; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3