Revelation22

Revelation 22 concludes with a vivid description of the new heaven and earth, featuring the river and tree of life, where God's servants reign and see His face. The chapter emphasizes the truthfulness and immediacy of the prophecies, with Christ affirming His swift return and offering a final invitation to take the water of life freely. It also includes stern warnings against altering the words of this prophetic book.
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Life in the New City

1
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. ​
2
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ​
3
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: ​
4
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. ​
5
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Divine Affirmation and Command

6
And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. ​
7
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. ​
8
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9
Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. ​
10
And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. ​
11
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. ​

Christ's Final Testimony and Invitation

12
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. ​
13
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. ​
14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. ​
15
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. ​
16
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. ​
17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. ​

Warning and Final Benediction

18
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: ​
19
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. ​
20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. ​
21
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. ​

Study Notes for Revelation 22

Verse 1

The vision of the New Jerusalem concludes with imagery symbolizing restored paradise (Gen 2:10). The 'river of water of life' flowing from the throne signifies eternal sustenance and life derived directly from God’s presence.

Verse 2

The 'tree of life,' lost in Eden, is restored and yields fruit continually. The 'healing of the nations' refers not to residual sickness, but to the ongoing maintenance of perfect health and life for the redeemed.

Verse 3

The promise that there shall be 'no more curse' directly reverses the judgment pronounced in Genesis 3:17-19. The visible throne of God ensures permanent, unhindered communion.

Verse 4

To 'see his face' is the ultimate fulfillment of divine fellowship, a privilege denied to Moses (Ex 33:20). Having God’s name on their foreheads signifies permanent ownership and service.

Verse 6

This verse transitions from the vision to the concluding dialogue, emphasizing that the preceding prophecies are entirely reliable ('faithful and true') and originate with God, the source of the prophets.

Verse 7

The first of three declarations of Christ’s imminent return (cf. vv. 12, 20). The blessing is for those who actively heed and obey the message of Revelation.

Verse 9

John repeats the mistake of attempting to worship the messenger (cf. 19:10). The angel firmly redirects worship to God alone, affirming that he is merely a 'fellowservant.'

Verse 10

Unlike the prophecy of Daniel, which was sealed because the time was distant (Dan 12:4), John’s prophecy must be immediately published because its fulfillment is 'at hand.'

Verse 11

This challenging verse describes the fixed state of character at the moment of Christ’s return. It is a declaration of finality: when the judgment begins, the opportunity for moral change is past.

Verse 12

Christ’s swift return is tied directly to the final judgment, where reward is administered based on the deeds or 'works' performed during earthly life.

Verse 13

This title affirms Christ’s eternal and comprehensive deity, declaring Him to be the source, sustainer, and goal of all creation and history (cf. 1:8).

Verse 14

This beatitude emphasizes that access to eternal life and the New Jerusalem is granted to those whose faith is evidenced by obedience to God’s commands.

Verse 15

This list defines those excluded from the city, focusing on moral impurity and deception. 'Dogs' is a metaphorical term for despicable persons and immoral outsiders (cf. Phil 3:2).

Verse 16

Jesus personally authenticates the prophecy. He is the 'Root and the Offspring of David' (fully God and fully man, fulfilling the Messianic line) and the 'bright and morning star' (the herald of the new age).

Verse 17

The final, universal invitation of Scripture. The Holy Spirit and the Church ('the bride') invite both Christ to return and humanity to accept the gift of eternal life freely.

Verse 18

This solemn warning guards the integrity of the prophetic text. It parallels similar warnings in the Law (Deut 4:2), emphasizing the divine completeness of the message.

Verse 19

The penalty for tampering with the prophecy is exclusion from the 'book of life' and the 'holy city,' indicating that the book of Revelation is a closed, authoritative revelation.

Verse 20

The book concludes with Christ's final promise, followed by the Church's ancient, eager response: 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus' (Maranatha).

Verse 21

A final benediction, similar to those found in Paul’s letters, concluding the entire biblical prophecy with a prayer for the grace of Christ to be with all believers.

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