characteristics are less correctly understood than those of the apostle John. Among the most gentle and amiable of men; with a heart so fitted for _love_ as to be known as “the beloved disciple”――he yet had mental characteristics which made it proper that he should be called “a son of thunder” (Mar. iii. 17); a mind fitted to preserve and record the profound thoughts in his gospel; a mind of high poetic order, fitted for the magnificent conceptions in this book. 3 Blessed[57] _is_ he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: [58]for the time _is_ at hand. 3. _Blessed |is| he that readeth._ That is, it is to be regarded as a privilege attended with many blessings, to be permitted to mark the disclosures to be made in this book; the important revelations respecting future times. Professor Stuart supposes that this refers to a public reading, and that the phrase “those who hear the words of this prophecy,” refers to those who listened to the public reader, and that both the reader and hearer should regard themselves as highly favoured. It is, however, more in accordance with the usual meaning of the word rendered “read,” to suppose that it refers to the act of one’s reading for himself; to learn by reading. So Robinson (_Lex._) understands it. The Greek word, indeed, would bear the other interpretation (see Lu. iv. 16; Ac. xiii. 27; xv. 21; 2 Co. iii. 15); but as this book was sent abroad to be read by Christians, and not merely to be in the hands of the ministers of religion to be read by them to others, it is more natural to interpret the word in the usual sense. ¶ _And hear the words of this prophecy._ As they shall be declared or repeated by others; or perhaps the word _hear_ is used in a sense that is not uncommon, that of giving attention to; taking heed to. The general sense is, that they were to be regarded as highly favoured who became {39} acquainted in any way with what is here communicated. The writer does not _say_ that they were blessed who _understood_ it, or that they who read or heard it _would_ fully understand it; but it is clearly implied, that there would be so far an understanding of its meaning as to make it a felicitous condition to have been made acquainted with it. An author could not be supposed to say that one should regard his condition as a favoured one who merely heard words that he could not understand, or who had placed before him magnificent symbols that had to him no meaning. The word _prophecy_ is used here in its more strict sense as denoting the disclosure of future events――a large portion of the book being of this nature. It is here synonymous with _Revelation_ in ver. 1. ¶ _And keep those things which are written therein._ Keep in mind those things which relate to the future; and obey those things which are required as truth and duty. The blessing which results from