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.

Life in the New City

1
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, ​
2
in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ​
3
There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him. ​
4
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ​
5
There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

Divine Affirmation and Command

6
He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.” ​
7
“Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” ​
8
Now I, Yochanan, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.
9
He said to me, “See you don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” ​
10
He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. ​
11
He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.” ​

Christ's Final Testimony and Invitation

12
“Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. ​
13
I am the Alef and the Tav, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. ​
14
Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. ​
15
Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. ​
16
I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.” ​
17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely. ​

Warning and Final Benediction

18
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. ​
19
If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book. ​
20
He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Yeshua. ​
21
The grace of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with all the holy ones. 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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options