Revelation 22:7

KJV

Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold {G2400}, I come {G2064} quickly {G5035}: blessed {G3107} is he that keepeth {G5083} the sayings {G3056} of the prophecy {G4394} of this {G5127} book {G975}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Look! I am coming very soon. Blessed is the person who obeys the words of the prophecy written in this book!”

Berean Standard Bible

“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”

American Standard Version

And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 22:7 delivers a profound and urgent declaration from Jesus Christ, positioned near the culmination of the prophetic book. It serves as a final, solemn admonition and a blessed promise, encapsulating the core message and ultimate purpose of the entire Revelation. The verse underscores the certainty and imminence of Christ's return, while simultaneously pronouncing divine favor upon those who diligently guard, obey, and live out the truths revealed within this sacred prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated in the concluding chapter of the Book of Revelation, following the majestic descriptions of the new heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem descending from God, and the life-giving river flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. It is part of a series of direct divine pronouncements, often from Jesus Himself, that punctuate the final messages of the book, reinforcing the authenticity, authority, and urgency of the visions John received. Specifically, it follows a warning against altering the words of the prophecy and precedes further declarations of Christ's swift return and the final invitation to come to the water of life. This verse stands as a personal affirmation from Jesus, validating the entire prophetic scroll and calling for a responsive obedience from its readers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Revelation was written by John, likely during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian (c. AD 95), a period marked by escalating persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, particularly in Asia Minor where the seven churches addressed in Revelation were located. The original audience faced immense pressure to conform to imperial cult worship, often at the cost of their lives or livelihoods. In this context, Revelation served as a powerful message of hope, endurance, and divine sovereignty. It revealed God's ultimate victory over evil and the certainty of Christ's return to establish His eternal kingdom. The call to "keep the sayings of the prophecy" was not merely an academic exercise but a life-or-death imperative, urging believers to remain faithful amidst tribulation, trusting in God's ultimate plan and the promised blessedness for their perseverance.
* **Key Themes:**
* **The Imminent and Certain Return of Christ:** The declaration "Behold, I come quickly" is a recurring and central theme in Revelation, echoing earlier pronouncements such as those found in [Revelation 3:11](/revelation/3-11 "Revelation 3:11 - Hold Fast") and repeated later in [Revelation 22:12](/revelation/22-12 "Revelation 22:12 - Christ's Reward") and [Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Maranatha!"). The Greek word for "quickly" (G5035 *tachý*) implies swiftness, suddenness, or imminence, emphasizing a state of readiness and the certainty of His coming, rather than a specific immediate temporal arrival in human terms. It urges believers to be vigilant and prepared for [Christ's Second Coming](/matthew/24-44 "Matthew 24:44 - Be Ready!").
* **The Authority and Efficacy of God's Prophetic Word:** The phrase "the sayings of the prophecy of this book" refers to the entire revelation given to John. This highlights the divine origin and authoritative nature of the book's contents—its warnings, exhortations, promises, and revelations about God's character and plan. The book is not merely a historical record or a curious vision, but a living word that demands a response.
* **The Beatitude of Obedience and Perseverance:** This verse contains the fifth of seven beatitudes found within the Book of Revelation (cf. [Revelation 1:3](/revelation/1-3 "Revelation 1:3 - Blessed is He Who Reads")). The blessing is pronounced upon those who "keep" these sayings. This "keeping" involves more than intellectual assent; it signifies actively guarding, preserving, observing, and living out the truths revealed. It is a promise of divine favor, spiritual well-being, and ultimate reward for faithfulness in light of Christ's impending return.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behold (Greek, _idoú_):** G2400 - This is a second person singular imperative, functioning as an interjection meaning "lo!" or "see!" It is used here to draw immediate and emphatic attention to the declaration that follows, signaling a crucial and urgent statement from the speaker, Jesus Christ. It demands the reader's full focus on the truth being presented.
* **quickly (Greek, _tachý_):** G5035 - Derived from the neuter singular of the adjective *tachýs* (swift), used adverbially, this term signifies "shortly," "without delay," "soon," or "suddenly." In the context of Christ's return, it conveys the idea of an unexpected or swift arrival, emphasizing the certainty and readiness required of believers, rather than a specific, immediate timeframe on a human calendar. It implies that when He comes, it will be decisive and rapid.
* **keepeth (Greek, _tēréō_):** G5083 - This verb means "to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon)," "to note (a prophecy)," or "to fulfill a command." It implies a diligent and active adherence. In this context, "keeping" the sayings of the prophecy involves not just intellectual understanding or passive reception, but a conscious, ongoing effort to preserve, observe, obey, and put into practice the warnings, commands, and truths revealed in the Book of Revelation. It is a comprehensive commitment to living by its light.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I come quickly:"** This is a direct, emphatic declaration from Jesus Christ Himself. The "Behold" (G2400 *idoú*) calls for immediate attention to the profound truth that follows. The phrase "I come quickly" (G2064 *érchomai* G5035 *tachý*) underscores the certainty and imminence of His return. It's not merely a prediction but a divine promise from the One who has the authority to fulfill it, signaling that His arrival will be swift and decisive when it occurs, demanding a state of constant readiness from His followers.
* **"blessed is he that keepeth"**: This clause introduces a beatitude, a declaration of divine favor and spiritual well-being. The term "blessed" (G3107 *makários*) signifies a state of supreme happiness, fortunate, or well-off, indicating God's approval and the spiritual prosperity that comes from a right relationship with Him. The blessing is specifically for those who "keepeth" (G5083 *tēréō*), implying active obedience, diligent preservation, and practical application of the truths revealed. This is not a passive reception but an engaged, transformative response.
* **"the sayings of the prophecy of this book."**: This specifies the object of the "keeping." "The sayings" (G3056 *lógos*) refers to the words, messages, and teachings contained within the book. "The prophecy" (G4394 *prophēteía*) identifies the nature of these sayings as divinely inspired predictions and revelations. "Of this book" (G5127 *toútou* G975 *biblíon*) explicitly refers to the entire Book of Revelation, emphasizing that its entire message, not just select parts, is to be guarded, understood, and obeyed. The blessing is for comprehensive faithfulness to God's final revelation.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 22:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its urgent and profound message. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as Jesus Christ Himself speaks, lending ultimate authority and personal urgency to the declaration "Behold, I come quickly." This personal utterance makes the promise and the command deeply intimate and compelling. The verse also features a **Beatitude**, a common biblical form (e.g., in the Sermon on the Mount) that declares a state of blessedness or happiness upon those who exhibit certain characteristics or actions. Here, the formula "blessed is he that..." confers divine favor upon the obedient. The use of the imperative "Behold" (G2400 *idoú*) functions as an **Exclamatory Interjection**, immediately seizing the reader's attention and underscoring the critical importance of the message that follows. Finally, the entire statement serves as a **Prophetic Declaration**, not just foretelling an event but also carrying divine authority and a call to action, characteristic of apocalyptic literature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 22:7 stands as a powerful capstone to the biblical narrative, weaving together themes of divine sovereignty, the authority of God's Word, and the nature of true blessedness. It affirms that history is moving towards a definitive climax orchestrated by God, with Christ's return as the central event. The call to "keep" the sayings of the prophecy highlights the active and transformative nature of faith; it's not merely intellectual assent but a life lived in accordance with God's revealed will. This obedience is the pathway to genuine blessedness, a spiritual well-being that transcends earthly circumstances and is rooted in God's favor. The verse thus serves as a timeless reminder that living in light of eternity, with vigilance and faithful adherence to Christ's teachings, is the path to enduring joy and divine commendation.

* [Revelation 1:3](/revelation/1-3 "Revelation 1:3 - Blessed is He Who Reads")
* [John 14:21](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Keeping Commandments")
* [Matthew 24:44](/matthew/24-44 "Matthew 24:44 - Be Ready!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 22:7 serves as a timeless call to vigilance, faithful living, and a deep reverence for God's revealed will. The certain and imminent return of Christ should not be a cause for fear for believers, but rather a powerful motivator for living with intentionality and purpose. To "keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book" means allowing the truths of Revelation—its warnings against compromise, its promises of ultimate victory, and its vision of the New Creation—to shape our daily choices, priorities, and character. It calls us to live in a state of readiness, actively pursuing holiness, engaging in mission, and persevering through trials, knowing that our labor is not in vain. The blessing promised is not for passive knowledge, but for active obedience that transforms our lives and aligns them with God's eternal purposes, fostering a deep and abiding spiritual peace even amidst a turbulent world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of Christ's "quick" return influence my daily decisions, priorities, and sense of urgency in living for Him?**
* **In what specific ways am I actively "keeping" (guarding, obeying, living out) the truths and warnings found in the Book of Revelation and other biblical prophecies?**
* **What does "blessedness" mean to me in light of this verse, and how can I cultivate a life that truly experiences this divine favor through obedience?**

### FAQ

**What does "I come quickly" mean in Revelation 22:7?**

Answer: The phrase "I come quickly" (Greek: G5035 *tachý*) does not necessarily mean "immediately" in human temporal terms, but rather emphasizes the suddenness, swiftness, and certainty of Christ's return. It conveys that when He does come, His arrival will be decisive and without delay, much like a thief in the night ([Matthew 24:42-44](/matthew/24-42-44 "Matthew 24:42-44 - Be Ready!")). The emphasis is on the need for readiness and vigilance on the part of believers, rather than predicting a specific date. This declaration is repeated multiple times in Revelation ([Revelation 3:11](/revelation/3-11 "Revelation 3:11 - Hold Fast"), [Revelation 22:12](/revelation/22-12 "Revelation 22:12 - Christ's Reward"), [Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Maranatha!")), consistently urging believers to live in expectant anticipation of His glorious return.

**What does it mean to "keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book"?**

Answer: To "keep" (Greek: G5083 *tēréō*) the sayings of the prophecy means much more than simply reading or intellectually understanding them. It implies actively guarding, preserving, observing, and putting into practice the truths, warnings, and commands revealed throughout the Book of Revelation. This involves diligent study, faithful obedience to its ethical and theological implications, and perseverance in the face of tribulation, trusting in God's ultimate victory and justice. It is a call to live a life transformed by the prophetic vision, aligning one's actions and attitudes with God's revealed will, as exemplified by the call to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" ([James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Doers of the Word")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 22:7 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is both the speaker of this profound declaration and the very subject of the prophecy. As the One who declares, "Behold, I come quickly," Jesus asserts His divine authority and sovereignty over all of history, including its culmination. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last ([Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Alpha and Omega")), whose return will bring about the full realization of God's redemptive plan. The "sayings of the prophecy of this book" ultimately point to Him—His triumph over sin and death, His establishment of the New Jerusalem, and His eternal reign with His redeemed people ([Revelation 21:1-7](/revelation/21-1-7 "Revelation 21:1-7 - New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem")). The "blessedness" promised to those who "keep" these sayings is a blessedness found exclusively in union with Christ, who is the Living Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")) and the source of all life. Our ability to "keep" His commands and prophecies is empowered by His Spirit, made possible by His atoning sacrifice, and motivated by the hope of His glorious return, when He will make all things new and dwell perfectly with His people ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 3:11

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Revelation 1:3

¶ Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

Revelation 22:20

¶ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:9

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.

Revelation 22:10

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Revelation 22:12

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Revelation 16:15

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.