Revelation 22 – The River of Life and Closing

Revelation 22:1-2

(1) Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. (2) On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and (3) the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

  1. The river of God is seen in the city, from the throne of God.
  2. The river has the tree of life on either side, with fruit every month.
  3. It is unclear, exactly, why there needs to be healing yet for the nations, but it is there.  Perhaps this is refers back to the fall, when the fig leaves covered sin, as opposed to here, where they are restoration.

Revelation 22:3-5

(1) There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; (2) they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. (3) And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; (4) and they will reign forever and ever.

  1. If the curse is removed, then it would seem so is all sin and occasion for stumbling.  We who believe will all serve Christ.
  2. We will see His face and be His.
  3. Again repeated, there will be no night.
  4. And, instead of only a reign for a thousand years, we will reign forever.

 

Revelation 22:6

(1) And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, (2) the God of the spirits of the prophets, (3) sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.

  1. Again, the trustworthiness of these prophecies are recorded.
  2. God repeats that He alone rules over the spirits of the prophets–the regenerated spirits of men united with the Holy Spirit.
  3. God reaffirms that this is prophecy of events, and that he rules over the spirits of them, and that he has shown John what will happen.

 Revelation 22:7

(1) And behold, I am coming quickly. (2) Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.

  1. Jesus reaffirms that He is coming quickly.
  2. The blessing again is upon those who heed the words of this book.  This is the same as at the beginning, but, having read and heard the whole thing, the last half of the requirement is repeated, and not the first, being already completed.

 

Revelation 22:8-9

(1) I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. (2) And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. (3) But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. (4) Worship God.”

  1. John adds personal remarks, that he heard and saw these things.
  2. John says he fell to worship the angel.
  3. These works make some wonder if the “angel” in this episode were really a saint that has fallen asleep that has brought this message.  However, the angel merely says he is a servant of those.
  4. The angel tells John to worship God.  Worship of angels is never correct, although they do bring messages and serve us and minister for us.

Revelation 22:10-11

(1) And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, (2) for the time is near. (3) Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”

  1. Do not seal up, as opposed to the end of Daniel, where Daniel was instructed to seal up the book.
  2. The time is near, meaning, the events of 70 AD will soon take place, and the second prophecy will commence.  The fulfillment of the whole book will take over one thousand years, since there is a thousand year reign.  The events after that reign will obviously be at least a thousand years away.
  3. People will continue to be people, and there will be wheat and tares all the way up until the final day.

Revelation 22:12-13

(1) Behold, I am coming quickly, and (2) My reward is with Me, (3) to render to every man according to what he has done. (4) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

  1. Jesus is coming quickly.  Possibly not in eschatalogical judgment here, but in all the things contained in the book.
  2. His reward, his recompence, his vengeance, especially upon Jerusalem in a few years.
  3. Each man will receive according to what he has done.
  4. He will have the last say, regardless. 

Revelation 22:14-15

(1) Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

  1. Like Mark 16:16, those who believe shall inherit life, those who do not shall be damned. 

Revelation 22:16

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. 

  1. Jesus again testifies that He has sent His angel to relate these things.  He is the Messiah, and all truth.

Revelation 22:

(1) The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” (2) And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

  1. The cry for the Lord to come is echoed through the church.  The desire for the Lord’s returning is displayed in this and the previous chapter, that Eternal dwelling and abode of Christ be here upon the Earth.
  2. The promise of life is given to all who will draw water from the well of salvation.  There is salvation in no other name under heaven other than Jesus Christ, who is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. 

Revelation 22:18-19

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.

  1. John testifies to curses upon those who alter the book of prophecy given. 

Revelation 22:20

(1) He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. (2) Come, Lord Jesus. 

  1. Jesus again says He is coming quickly.
  2. John echoes the cry, as do we all.

Revelation 22:21

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

  1. John again speaks the grace of Jesus upon all who are listening.