People often say regarding the book of Revelation that it is the only book in the Bible that directly promises a blessing to those who read it. But I think it is essential that we notice that the promised blessing is to those who read and heed its message. In the gospels when Jesus called people to have ears to hear, He wasn't referring to them simply listening to what He said, but to them believing His words and acting on them in faith (Matt. 11:15, 13:5; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8).
Jesus continued this call to have "ears to hear" as He addressed His audience in Revelation: the seven churches in Asia Minor and by extension the church today (Rev. 2:7, 11, 3:6, 13, 13:9). According to the Lord, those who receive the message of Revelation in faith and act on what they hear will be blessed. These are those who heed—keep, or obey—what He has declared.
Regarding heeding Revelation's prophetic message, Chuck Swindoll writes, "The primary purpose of prophecy is not knowledge, but obedience." It is the obedient who will eat the fat or the best of the land (Isa. 1:19). I don't know about you, but this just leads me to another question regarding studying the book of Revelation What in Revelation's message am I called to heed? Stay tuned for more....