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Commentary on Revelation 22 verses 6–19
We have here a solemn ratification of the contents of this book, and particularly of this last vision (though some think it may not only refer to the whole book, but to the whole New Testament, yea, to the whole Bible, completing and confirming the canon of scripture); and here, 1. This is confirmed by the name and nature of that God who gave out these discoveries: he is the Lord God, faithful and true, and so are all his sayings. 2. By the messengers he chose, to reveal these things to the world; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God; and God would not employ his saints and angels in deceiving the world. 3. They will soon be confirmed by their accomplishment: they are things that must shortly be done; Christ will make haste, he will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt; and then those will prove the wise and happy men who have believed and kept his words. 4. By the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's guide and interpreter in these visions; this integrity was such that he not only refused to accept religious adoration from John, but once and again reproved him for it. He who was so tender of the honour of God, and so displeased with what was a wrong to God, would never come in his name to lead the people of God into mere dreams and delusions; and it is a still further confirmation of the sincerity of this apostle that he confesses his own sin and folly, into which he had now again relapsed, and he leaves this his failing on perpetual record: this shows he was a faithful and an impartial writer. 5. By the order given to leave the book of the prophecy open, to be perused by all, that they might labour to understand it, that they might make their objections against it, and compare the prophecy with the events. God here deals freely and openly with all; he does not speak in secret, but calls every one to witness to the declarations here made, Rev 22:10. 6. By the effect this book, thus kept open, will have upon men; those that are filthy and unjust will take occasion thence to be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those that are upright with God; it will be a savour of life to some and of death to others, and so will appear to be from God, Rev 22:12. 7. It will be Christ's rule of judgment at the great day; he will dispense rewards and punishments to men according as their works agree or disagree with the word of God; and therefore that word itself must needs be faithful and true. 8. It is the word of him who is the author, finisher, and rewarder of the faith and holiness of his people, Rev 22:13, Rev 22:14. He is the first and the last, and the same from first to last, and so is his word too; and he will by this word give to his people, who conform themselves to it, a right to the tree of life, and an entrance into heaven; and this will be a full confirmation of the truth and authority of his word, since it contains the title and evidence of that confirmed state of holiness and happiness that remains for his people in heaven. 9. It is a book that condemns and excludes from heaven all wicked, unrighteous persons, and particularly those that love and make lies (Rev 22:15), and therefore can never be itself a lie. 10. It is confirmed by the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy. And this Jesus, as God, is the root of David, though, as man, his offspring - a person in whom all uncreated and created excellencies meet, too great and too good to deceive his churches and the world. He is the fountain of all light, the bright and the morning star, and as such has given to his churches this morning light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of that perfect day which is approaching. 11. It is confirmed by an open and general invitation to all to come and partake of the promises and privileges of the gospel, those streams of the water of life; these are tendered to all who feel in their souls a thirst which nothing in this world can quench. 12. It is confirmed by the joint testimony of the Spirit of God, and that gracious Spirit that is in all the true members of the church of God; the Spirit and the bride join in testifying the truth and excellency of the gospel. 13. It is confirmed by a most solemn sanction, condemning and cursing all who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it or taking from it, Rev 22:18, Rev 22:19. He that adds to the word of God draws down upon himself all the plagues written in this book; and he who takes any thing away from it cuts himself off from all the promises and privileges of it. This sanction is like a flaming sword, to guard the canon of the scripture from profane hands. Such a fence as this God set about the law (Deu 4:2), and the whole Old Testament (Mal 4:4), and now in the most solemn manner about the whole Bible, assuring us that it is a book of the most sacred nature, divine authority, and of the last importance, and therefore the peculiar care of the great God.
He is not expressing any doubts about the trustworthiness of John. Rather, he is commending this vision to the whole church as true, for he knew that in the future there would also be those who are to learn from it. [By speaking of his angel], he teaches that he has always looked after the welfare of all. He is the Spirit of the prophets who is also the Holy Spirit and indeed is the Lord. For this reason the prophet said, “I will hear what the Lord God speaks to me,” and “The beginning of the speaking of God to Hosea.” Because of the essence of the one, divine Trinity, he also fittingly mentions here the Holy Spirit, since above he had mentioned the Father and the Son. For when we read that “God is spirit,” it refers to the entire Trinity.
What is so faithful and true as the promise of Christ and the future hope of the saints? He who spoke through his servants, the prophets, did so that he might be recognized as the Lord of the living and be called “the Spirit of the Lord.” For the Spirit is life, and all flesh is made alive by the Spirit.
These words are “trustworthy and true” because they come from the Truth.… Since Christ is “the God of the prophets, who sent his angel” by means of the blessed John who saw this vision, “to show his servants what is to take place,” it is clear that he gave the Revelation for the sake of the flesh according to the condescension of the economy of the Son, as it said at the beginning. For he who is the God of the prophets and who sent his angels as ministering spirits for the revelation of coming things would not be ignorant of the hour or the day of the consummation, so that he who has all “the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge” would learn [these things] only now from the Father.
To show his servants what must soon take place. As I said, he showed that he foresaw things generally useful for everyone.
And the Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel. Do not doubt, he says, about the person giving the warning. For God himself, who usually imbues the spirits of the prophets with a heavenly vision, has sent me to show you these future things.
And he said to me: These words are faithful and true. He did not doubt the faith of John, but commended the true vision to the whole Church, in which he knew there would be even the little ones.
These words, he says, are faithful, that is, true. And the Lord is the spirit of the prophets. He says "spirits of prophets" to mean the prophetic gifts, according to what was said to the most wise Paul. And "the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets," (1 Cor. 14:32) and to the divine prophet Isaiah: "Because of your fear, O Lord, we conceived in the womb and we travailed; and we bore the spirit of your salvation, which you made upon the earth." (Isa. 26:18)
He says to show his servants the things which must shortly take place. For through John and his writings all things that were shown to him have been learned. And he rightly said "shortly," for every time is short, as was said before, even if some appear to be especially great, when compared with the coming unending ages.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 22:6 serves as a climactic divine affirmation, validating the entirety of the prophetic visions presented in the book. It declares with absolute certainty that the messages conveyed to John are divinely inspired, inherently trustworthy, and destined for swift and sure fulfillment. This verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign control over history, assuring His servants that the revealed future events, culminating in the establishment of His eternal kingdom, are not merely possibilities but certainties.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse appears at a pivotal point in the book of Revelation, marking the conclusion of the angel's direct discourse with John and serving as a divine seal on all the preceding revelations. It immediately follows the glorious descriptions of the New Heaven and New Earth and the New Jerusalem, and the River of Life. The angel, who has been John's primary guide through much of the apocalyptic visions, delivers this emphatic declaration of truth and reliability, setting the stage for Jesus's own concluding words and the final benedictions and warnings of the book. It echoes the opening declaration of the book in Revelation 1:1 regarding "things which must shortly come to pass," creating an inclusio that frames the entire prophecy with divine certainty.
Historical & Cultural Context: Written during a period of intense persecution for early Christians under the Roman Empire, the book of Revelation offered a message of hope, endurance, and ultimate triumph. Prophetic literature, especially apocalyptic, was a common genre in Jewish and early Christian contexts, designed to reveal divine truths about the end times and God's ultimate victory over evil. The assertion that "These sayings are faithful and true" would have provided immense encouragement to believers facing tribulation, assuring them that their suffering was not in vain and that God's promised justice and deliverance were absolutely reliable. The emphasis on God as "the Lord God of the holy prophets" firmly grounds John's revelation within the established tradition of Old Testament prophecy, lending it authority and continuity with God's historical dealings with His people.
Key Themes: Revelation 22:6 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes of the book. Firstly, it highlights Divine Authority and Truthfulness, asserting that the entire prophecy originates from God and is therefore absolutely reliable and trustworthy. This echoes similar affirmations throughout Revelation, such as God's declaration in Revelation 21:5 that "these words are faithful and true." Secondly, the verse emphasizes God's Sovereignty and Control over History, portraying Him as the one who orchestrates all events, past, present, and future, through His "holy prophets" and His "angel." Thirdly, the phrase "must shortly be done" reiterates the theme of Imminence and Urgency, a recurring motif from the book's very beginning in Revelation 1:1. While not necessarily implying immediate chronological fulfillment, it conveys the certainty and rapid unfolding of events once they commence, demanding a posture of readiness from believers. Finally, the revelation is specifically "to shew unto his servants," reinforcing the theme of Divine Disclosure for God's People, indicating that God reveals His plans not to terrify, but to inform, comfort, and prepare those who are devoted to Him.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 22:6 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Affirmation, as the verse explicitly declares the "sayings" to be "faithful and true," serving as a powerful concluding validation for the entire prophetic book. This emphatic statement functions as a Seal or a divine guarantee, reinforcing the credibility of the preceding visions. The phrase "the Lord God of the holy prophets" uses Appellation to describe God, connecting Him to the long tradition of biblical prophecy and emphasizing His consistent character as the source of all divine revelation. The angel acts as a Messenger Figure, a common trope in apocalyptic literature, bridging the divine and human realms. Finally, the phrase "must shortly be done" utilizes Foreshadowing and Imminence, creating a sense of urgency and certainty about future events without necessarily specifying an exact chronological timeline, but rather emphasizing their divine inevitability and rapid unfolding once they commence.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 22:6 firmly grounds the entire apocalyptic vision in the unshakeable character of God. The declaration that "These sayings are faithful and true" is not merely a statement about the accuracy of John's record, but a profound theological assertion about God's own nature. He is a God who cannot lie, whose word is utterly dependable, and whose promises are guaranteed. This truthfulness is the bedrock of all biblical prophecy, ensuring that His redemptive plan, from creation to consummation, will be perfectly executed. The verse also highlights God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His sovereign will through sending His angel to reveal "the things which must shortly be done." This divine necessity ("must") underscores that the unfolding of eschatological events is not random but part of a predetermined, unalterable divine agenda, providing comfort and assurance to His servants amidst the uncertainties of the world.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 22:6 offers profound comfort and a clear call to action for believers today. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, deception, and shifting truths, this verse provides an anchor: God's word, specifically His prophetic word concerning the future, is absolutely "faithful and true." This assurance should cultivate deep trust in God's promises, including His ultimate victory over evil, the establishment of His eternal kingdom, and the return of Christ. Such confidence empowers believers to live with hope, perseverance, and courage, knowing that their faith is founded on an unshakeable reality. Furthermore, the revelation is given "to shew unto his servants," reminding us that God desires His people to be informed and prepared. This calls us to diligent study of His word, a life of readiness, and a faithful witness to His coming kingdom, living out the truths revealed in anticipation of their glorious fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "shortly be done" mean in the context of Revelation?
Answer: The phrase "shortly be done" (Greek: en tachei) does not necessarily imply immediate chronological fulfillment within a human timescale, but rather emphasizes the certainty and swiftness of the events once they commence. From God's eternal perspective, time operates differently. It conveys that when these events begin to unfold, they will do so rapidly and without delay until completion. It also suggests a state of readiness for believers, as the timing remains unknown but the certainty is absolute. This phrase appears at the beginning of Revelation in Revelation 1:1 and here at the end, creating a literary frame that underscores the book's urgent message of divine certainty and the need for preparedness.
Who is "he" who said these words to John in Revelation 22:6?
Answer: The immediate context indicates that "he" refers to the angel who has been guiding John through the visions and explaining them, particularly from Revelation 21:9 onwards. This angel acts as a divine messenger, conveying God's authoritative word to John. While the ultimate source of the message is "the Lord God of the holy prophets," the direct speaker to John at this moment is the angel, serving as an intermediary for the divine revelation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 22:6, while spoken by an angel, points directly to Christ as the ultimate embodiment and fulfiller of these "faithful and true sayings." Jesus Himself is the "faithful and true witness" (Revelation 3:14), the very Word of God (the Logos), through whom all things were created and by whom all prophecies are ultimately brought to fruition. He is the Lamb who was slain, worthy to open the scroll and reveal God's plan (Revelation 5:1-7). The "Lord God of the holy prophets" is the Father who sent His Son, Jesus, to reveal His will, and Jesus, in turn, sent His angel to John (Revelation 1:1). Therefore, the "things which must shortly be done" are intrinsically linked to Christ's ongoing work, His second coming (Revelation 22:7), and the establishment of His eternal kingdom where He reigns supreme. Every truth, every promise, and every future event declared in Revelation finds its ultimate guarantee and realization in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.