Paul measures a church gathering by what happens to the outsider who walks in. When the church speaks plainly, God reveals the heart, and the visitor ends up on his face in worship rather than impressed with the insiders.

Revelation introduces itself not as a code to crack but as a revelation of Jesus Christ, given by God so his servants would know what must soon happen. The first thing it pronounces over its readers is a blessing on those who read, hear and keep what is written.