Blessings

Blessings are a central concept in the understanding of God’s relationship with His people, encompassing both spiritual and physical well-being, primarily focused on salvation and eternal life.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what blessings entail:

Core Meaning of Blessing:

    ◦ To be blessed by God fundamentally means to be able to go to heaven and live eternally. This eternal life is described as the “blessing of all blessings”.

    ◦ It involves receiving the promises of God and having a covenant relationship with Him.

    ◦ A true blessing brings comfort to one’s heart and leads to unity with God and Jesus.

Source and Conditions of Blessings:

    ◦ God is the ultimate source of all blessings. Both God and Jesus bestow blessings.

    ◦ Blessings are conditional. They are not automatically given simply for being a follower of God. Instead, they are received by those who obey God’s words and carefully follow His commands.

    ◦ To receive blessings, one must keep the covenant.

    ◦ Those who hear the word of God and obey it are blessed.

    ◦ It is crucial to overcome challenges and endure until the end to receive the promised blessings.

Key Spiritual Blessings and Their Manifestations:

    ◦ Eternal Life and Salvation: This is the ultimate hope and blessing.

    ◦ Becoming God’s Kingdom and Priests: The 144,000 are destined to become God’s kingdom and priests. Priests “teach the world, healing all nations”.

    ◦ Protection from Second Death: Those who overcome “will not be hurt at all by the second death”.

    ◦ Understanding God’s Word and Mysteries: A profound blessing is the ability to understand God’s mysteries, the true meanings of parables, prophecies, and their fulfillment. This understanding helps one to “discern good from evil”.

    ◦ Divine Authority and Possession: Receiving “hidden manna” (the open word) and a “white stone” (authority to judge). Being sealed with God’s word in one’s heart and mind means becoming “God’s property”.

    ◦ Spiritual Rebirth and Purity: Being “born again” through the water and the Spirit (God’s word) and washing one’s robes (purifying hearts and actions with the word) are essential for entering the holy city.

    ◦ God’s Presence and Guidance: God shelters and dwells among His people. His angels serve those who will inherit salvation, providing protection, comfort, and strength.

    ◦ Becoming a Light to the World: Believers are meant to shine God’s light and truth to others.

Other Forms of Blessings:

    ◦ Physical and Spiritual Health/Success: God’s blessings can extend to physical and spiritual health, and success in families and businesses.

    ◦ Harvesting and Becoming Firstfruits: Being “harvested” and becoming “firstfruits” are blessings for the end times.

    ◦ Receiving the Rain of the Word: The word of God is compared to life-giving rain and dew that brings understanding and life.

    ◦ Righteousness and Forgiveness: The ability to live righteously and receive forgiveness of sins through Jesus’s sacrifice is a profound blessing.

    ◦ Peace: Great peace is promised to those who love God’s law.

Contrast to Blessings:

    ◦ Breaking God’s covenant results in curses.

    ◦ Those who add to or subtract from Revelation will receive plagues.

    ◦ Satan’s “fire” is lies leading to death, and his “scales” deceive.

    ◦ “Maddening wine” (Satan’s seed/doctrines) leads to spiritual death.

    ◦ Believers who remain in “Babylon” (those without the open word or who are misled) may not have their prayers answered by God, or their perceived answers could be from demons.

    ◦ Worrying about physical needs like food and clothing is characteristic of “pagans” (unbelievers), whereas believers should seek God’s kingdom and righteousness.

The Importance of Thankfulness:

    ◦ Recipients of blessings are urged to offer praise, glory, thanksgiving, honor, power, and strength back to God.

    ◦ This includes being thankful for the opportunity to gather and study God’s word, as well as for God’s grace in choosing them.

In essence, a blessing in this context is far more than material gain; it is the profound spiritual gift of salvation, eternal life, deep understanding of God’s revealed truth, and a close, obedient relationship with the Creator, enabling believers to live righteously and partake in God’s divine purpose on earth.