Introduction

• Revelation chapter 22 continues the description of the New Jerusalem began in Revelation chapter 21
• Revelation chapter 21 emphasized the exterior of the city and now chapter 22 will describe some of the interior of the city

 

Revelation 22:1

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.

 

Revelation 22:1

“And he shewed me a pure river”

• John now is shown a pure river
• This river is similar to the river Ezekiel is shown in Ezekiel 47:1 which is flowing out of the temple

“water of life”

• This water will sustain life
• This water represents Jesus who is the Sustainer of Life

 “clear as crystal”

• Clear: Greek “lampros” means “brilliant or bright” (see Rev. 15:6; 19:8; 22:16)

“proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

• This is similar to Ezekiel 47:1 and Zechariah 14:8

 

Revelation 22:2

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.

 

Revelation 22:2

“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life”

• The tree of life will be in the midst of the city
• The tree of life will be in the midst of the street
• The tree of life will be on both sides of the river of life

• The tree of life is a symbol of our dependence on God for eternal life (God is the source of life)
• The tree of life was central in the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9) and it is central in the New Jerusalem

 “which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month:”

• This tree will bear fruit every month!
• This tree will bear 12 different fruits!
• This tree will bear a different fruit for each month of the year!
• This monthly fruit suggests that days and months and years will exist, probably based on the sun and moon (which are not needed for anything else! See Rev. 21:23)

 “the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations”

• Healing: Greek “therapeia” meaning “service” or “healing” or “nurture” or “care”
• The leaves are for the nurture of God’s people (possibly in the sense of growth: spiritually, mentally and physically)
• The leaves are not to treat illness since there not be any illness in heaven

 

Revelation 22:3

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:

 

Revelation 22:3

“And there shall be no more curse:”

• Curse: Greek “katathema” meaning “the thing cursed” or “the person cursed”
• This can apply to people not cursing others however, it probably refers to God’s curse on the serpent, mankind, and the earth (Gen. 3:14-19)
• It also applies to the curse of sin which will not arise again

 “but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it”

• This refers to God’s and Jesus’ throne in the city New Jerusalem

“and his servants shall serve him:”

• Serve: Greek “latreuo” meaning “to serve or to worship”
• This refers to natural, spontaneous service or worship
• God’s people will serve and worship Him from love
• The saints will be committed to a life of worship

 

Revelation 22:4

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

 

Revelation 22:4

“And they shall see his face”

• This phrase suggests an intimate relationship with another person
• Mankind had lost this ability to walk and talk with God when Adam and Eve sinned
• Sinful man could not look upon God or come near to Him (see Ex. 3:5; 33:20-23)

 “his name shall be in their foreheads.”

• “in their foreheads”: better translated “upon their foreheads”
• This name on the forehead is a symbol of ownership and authentication
• The saints will have 3 new names: God’s name, the name of the city, and Jesus’ name (Rev. 3:12)

 

Revelation 22:5

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.

 

Revelation 22:5

“And there shall be no night there”

• There will be no night because God’s glory never dims

“and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:”

• There is no need for candles or light fixtures
• There is no need for the sun!
• God will give both physical and spiritual light!

 “and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

• Reign here probably refers to the restoration of mankind to its prior Eden-like state where man was to reign over the earth
• This does not mean men will reign over each other
• Man will be free of bondage just like a king
• For ever: this is how long man will live and reign

 

Revelation 22:6

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.

 

Revelation 22:6

“These sayings are faithful and true:”

• These words are trustworthy

• These words are authentic

“the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants”

• God sends His angels to reveal His truths to His prophets

• God also guides His prophets thru His Spirit

 “the things which must shortly be done.”

• God reveals the future to His servants

• The book of Revelation is about what “must  shortly be done”

 

Revelation 22:7

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

 

Revelation 22:7

“Behold, I come quickly:”

• Jesus is quoted here
• Jesus is coming soon!

“blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book”

• This is another of the 7 beatitudes of the book of Revelation (see Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 14:9; 20:6; 22:14)

 “keepeth the sayings”

• This means that they keep the counsels and warnings of this book

 

Revelation 22:8

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.

 

Revelation 22:8

“And I John saw these things, and heard them”

• John is here attesting to the fact that he saw these things and heard them
• John is essentially confirming the truth of these things

 “I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.”

• John was humbled by the scenes he had seen
• John was humbled by the quote of Jesus that He was coming soon
• John now falls down and worships the angel bearing the message!
• This is a human mistake: worshipping the messenger instead of God

 

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 22:9

“Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant”

• Fellowservant: means fellow slave or fellow bondsman
• John is told by this angel not to worship the angel (note: this is opposite to the angel Satan, who desired the worship of others)
• The angels are our fellow created beings and do not deserve worship, which belongs only to the Creator

 “and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book”

• The angels are also fellow servants with the prophets and with those who follow the counsel of this book

• “thy brethren”: this group has the “testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 19:10) which can be considered “the sayings” of Jesus and refer to the entire book of Revelation (Rev.1:1,2) as given to the prophet John

“worship God.”

• Only God deserves worship: God created us and He saved us

 

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 22:10

“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book:”

• This book was not to be sealed

• This is opposite to what Daniel was told to do (Dan. 12:9)

“for the time is at hand.”

• John’s book would apply to some events during his lifetime (for example, the seven churches)

 

 

 

Revelation 22:11

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.

 

Revelation 22:11

“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still”

• This reads literally “the one doing unrighteousness, let him do unrighteousness still”

• This means they are still actively sinning

• This decree applies to the close of probation when the investigative judgment has ended

 “and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still:”

• This reiterates the previous  phrase: it is too late to change

“he that is righteous, let him be righteous still”

• The righteous are also sealed at the close of probation and will remain righteous

 “and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”

• This again reiterates the prior statement
• This will occur at the close of the investigative judgment
• This occurs at the close of probation

 

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 22:12

“And, behold, I come quickly;”

• This is referring to Jesus statement in Revelation 22:7

“my reward is with me”

• Reward: Greek “misthos” meaning “hire” or “wages” or “that which is due”
• Jesus is bringing His reward with Him which means that the investigative judgment must be complete prior to the 2^nd Coming in order to know what the rewards are

 “to give”

• Give: Greek “apodidomi” meaning “to pay off” or “recompense”
• Each will be repaid for their works even though their works do not save them

“according as his work shall be.”

• Work: Greek “ergon” means “an act done”
• The singular form suggests all the acts that make up a whole life of acts

 

Revelation 22:13

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

 

Revelation 22:13

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, ”

• These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet

• Alpha: Jesus is the Creator of all (Col. 1:16,17) and the Beginning of our salvation

• Omega: Jesus is the Sustainer of all things and the end of our salvation

• Jesus is the beginning and the end of the revelation of God to man

 “the first and the last.”

• Jesus is eternal (see Rev. 1:17)

• Jesus is the source of our salvation, now and forever

 

Revelation 22:14

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

 

Revelation 22:14

“Blessed”

• This is the last of the seven beatitudes of the book of Revelation
• This blessing will apply to those who wash their robes in Christ

“Blessed are they that do his commandments”

• This phrase can be translated “blessed are those who wash their robes”

 “blessed are those who wash their robes”

• Washing their robes would refer to Revelation 7:14 where God’s people wash their robes in the blood of Christ’s righteousness
• Our title to heaven is Christ’s righteousness imputed or given (Jesus as our Savior)
• Our fitness for heaven is Christ’s righteousness imparted or instilled in us (Jesus as Lord in our life)

 “Blessed are they that do his commandments”

• This phrase would connect to Revelation 12:17; 14:12; John 14:15,21; 15:10; I John 2:3-6
• Those who have washed their robes in Christ will keep His commandments
• Both washing robes or keeping His commandments apply to this blessing

 “that they may have right to the tree of life,”

• Right: Greek “exousia” meaning “liberty” or “privilege” or “right”
• It will be the saint’s privilege to eat of the tree of life (see Rev. 22:2)

 “may enter in through the gates into the city”

• In some ancient cities a list, of those who could enter in, was kept at the gates
• Only those of mankind who are the saved righteous will be able to enter in through the gates into the New Jerusalem

 

Revelation 22:15

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie

 

Revelation 22:15

“For without are dogs,”

• Dogs: here this term is used to refer to a vile, shameless person (see Phil. 3:2)

“sorcerers”

• Greek: “pharmakoi” which refers to practicing magic, enchanters, and drug use
• Root word for pharmacy

 “whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters”

• All of these types of people will not be inside the city

• Note: this list describes especially the wicked at the end of time (see Revelation 18)

• Whoremongers: they worship the whore (Babylon)

• Murderers: they will kill God’s people

• Idolaters: they will worship Satan

 “whosoever loveth and maketh a lie”

• This group will also be left outside the city (outside refers to Rev. 20:9)
• This group is also very significant at the end of time: deception will be the final great sign of Jesus Coming (see Matt. 24:4)
• All of the wicked at the end of time will love lies: they will either have accepted Satan as Christ or accepted Satan’s other false religions

 

 

Revelation 22:16

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.

 

Revelation 22:16

“I Jesus”

• Jesus now testifies that these revelations are true and come from Him

“sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.”

• Angel: Greek “aggelos”   meaning “messenger”
• Churches: this refers to the seven churches which cover the entire history of the church until Jesus comes

 “I am the root and the offspring of David”

• Jesus is “the Root of David” (Rev. 5:5)
• Jesus is the Root out of Jesse, David’s father  (Isaiah 11:1,10)

“the bright and morning star.”

• Jesus is the Morning Star (see I Peter 1:19)
• This probably refers to Balaam’s prophecy about the star coming out of Jacob (Num. 24:17)

 

Revelation 22:17

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.

 

Revelation 22:17

“And the Spirit”

·         This is the Holy Spirit

“and the bride”

• The bride is the city, New Jerusalem (Rev. 19:7; 21:2,9,10)

• The guests are the righteous (see Matt. 25:1-10)

 “say”

• Means “are saying” or “keep on saying”

“Come”

• This can refer to Jesus prior promise that He is coming (Rev. 22:12)

• This is also an appeal to the unbelieving to accept the gospel

 “And let him that heareth say, Come”

• Him is singular which means that this is an individual decision

• Heareth: Greek “akouo” means hear and obey

• This phrase also suggests a public confession by the individual (they must say “Come”)

• We must confess with our lips to be saved (Rom. 10:9,10)

 “let him that is athirst come”

• Thirst here refers to a thirst for the things of God (see Matt. 5:6; Rev. 21:6)

“come”

• This is God’s call to all that thirst after righteousness: come and get the water of life (Rev. 21:6)

 “And whosoever will”

• This offer is universal

• No one is excluded (I John 2:2)

“let him take the water of life”

• This water of life is a gift from Jesus (Rev. 21:6)

“freely.”

• This water is priceless but is without price (see Isaiah 55:1-3)

 

 

Revelation 22:18

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:

 

Revelation 22:18

“For I testify”

• Jesus is now going to essentially take an oath
• This statement must be important!

“every man that heareth ”

• This refers to anyone who hears and studies the messages of Revelation

 “of the prophecy of this book”

• This warning first applies to the book of Revelation
• This warning also applies to all of the books of the Bible

“If any man shall add unto these things”

• This is a warning against any deliberate change of the message of the book (see Deut. 4:2; 12:32)

 “God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:”

• God’s rewards remain consistent: Babylon was known for its lies and deception and will be rewarded with the plagues (Rev. 18:4) and so will any who turn God’s book into lies

 

Revelation 22:19

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.

 

Revelation 22:19

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,”

• The rewards are the same whether you add or subtract from God’s book!

“God shall take away his part”

• Not only will you experience the plagues you will also lose out on eternal life

 “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.”

• Take away his part of :
• Book of life: lose eternal life
• Holy city: lose your home in the New Jerusalem
• Things written: lose all of the promises of this book

 

Revelation 22:20

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

 

Revelation 22:20

“He which testifieth these things saith”

• This refers to Jesus Christ

“Surely”

• Greek “nai” this is a strong affirmation, similar to English word “verily”

“I come quickly”

• Jesus is reaffirming the surety of His Coming

• Jesus is reaffirming the imminence of His Coming (see Rev. 1:1; 3:11; 22:7,12)

 “Amen.”

• Probably spoken by John
• Should probably read “ Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus”

• Amen means “verily” or “sure” or “firm” or “established” ;also “so be it” or “true”

• It is a confirmatory and emphatic answer to another’s statement (see Rev. 1:6,7,18; 3:14; 5:14; 7:12; 19;4)

 “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

• This is John’s response to what he has seen
• John wants Jesus to come soon

 

Revelation 22:21

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

Revelation 22:21

“The grace”

• This is John’s benediction to his readers

• John wishes that all will experience the forgiving grace of Jesus

“Lord Jesus Christ”

• Jesus is the source of this book
• This book was to reveal Christ (Rev. 1:1)

 “be with you all.”

• This can be translated “the saints”
• John wants all of the saints to be filled with Jesus grace

“Amen.”

• Some experts suggest that this word may be omitted
• However, “amen” is appropriate for the book and the whole Bible! (“true” or “so be it”)

 

Summary

• Revelation chapter 22 continues the description of the New Jerusalem began in chapter 21
• The River of Life is seen coming out of God’s throne and running through the middle of the city symbolizing that life itself comes from God
• The Tree of Life is seen growing on both sides of the river and providing 12 fruits for God’s people (one for each month) representing God’s peoples dependence on Him for sustenance and life
• The city would be lit with God’s glory and would not require a lamp or the sun
• God’s throne and the throne of the Lamb would be in the city and God’s people would worship and serve Him
• Two of the seven beatitudes of the book of Revelation are found in this chapter:
• Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book
• Blessed are those who do His commandments (those who wash their robes)
• John is told not to seal up the words of Revelation because some of it would apply soon because the time was near
• Jesus closes the book with an affirmation that He has given this message and that He is the Root and offspring of David
• The book ends with a promise and a warning:
• Promise: Jesus is coming soon
• Warning: do not alter this prophecy or you will forfeit eternal life