Revelation 22 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Revelation 22

The River of Life

22:1 Then the angel¹ showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life² with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Jesus Is Coming

6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes,³ so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

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

17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.⁴ Amen.

Footnotes

[1] 22:1 Greek he
[2] 22:2 Or the Lamb. In the midst of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life
[3] 22:14 Some manuscripts do his commandments
[4] 22:21 Some manuscripts all the saints

Commentary

v1: As with all things, the river of the water of life flows from God and the Lamb; its origin is divine and eternal. Here is the fulfilment of God's promise to grant access to this water, 21.6. There is an echo here of Eden, with rivers, and the tree of life, Gen 2.9-10.

v2: The curse of Babel is finally removed; all are truly one in Christ; 21.24 refers to the nations of those who are saved; see also 7.9 where representatives of all nations appear in Heaven. There is health (shalom) for all nations in eternity.

v3: The curse of sin is removed; this was taken away when Christ died; there is no fear of judgment.

v4: Only now will men see the face of God; Ex 33.20, for we shall be like Christ, 1 John 3.2.

v5: There is no need of anything, as in 21.23; for all our needs are met in God. There is no longer any enmity, so we don't think of God's people as reigning over others; but rather enjoying the dignity and status of sons of God.

v6: The angel who revealed the Revelation to the servants of God (1.1); all that John has seen will happen, for the words are trustworthy and true. The message is from God, and will surely be fulfilled.

v7-21: The epilogue brings the challenge, "I am coming quickly," and, like the gospel writers especially, the motivation is that we make sure we are ready.

v7-9: Obedience; the challenge of the will. Although John saw and heard wonderful things, the blessing of God is for all who obey what has been revealed; hearing and seeing must be followed by our obedience. Some things are not right for the Christian, and even John is rebuked here, see also 19.10. Obedience begins with our worship of God.

v10-11: These truths remain relevant. There is something in man which continues his rebellion against God. Many, who started in sin, continue. And many who live righteously continue to do so. Most people behave according to their character most of the time.

v12-15: Reward; the challenge of the intellect. There is a reward for believers, distinct from salvation by works, but reward for works. Christ declares His own divine Names; He was at the beginning of all things, and is eternal.

Outside are unbelievers (21.8), who prefer sins, rejecting God and Christ. Again, murderers and immoral are listed with liars, see 21.8.

v16: The Lord Jesus Himself brings the testimony for His churches. The 'you' here is plural, indicating the responsibility of all His people to take His message.

17-20: Fellowship; the challenge of the emotions.

v17: The invitation to enter into fellowship with God; the invitation is from the Spirit (in us) and from the bride (in Heaven). The invitation, which is repeated (v1; 21.6) is to take freely of the water of life; we will enjoy the fullness of God in Christ.

v18-19: The final warning to the ungodly, to those who seek to modify the word of God, by adding or subtracting; this is a serious matter, such that God will add to him the plagues recorded therein, or exclude him from its blessings. The godly man believes it entirely, Ps 119.160, even if he struggles to understand all of it.

v20: The one who speaks (v16), who sent His angel (v6) is the one who is coming soon (v7); His words are faithful and true; and thus His final wonderful promise is also true. In response the faithful believer simply prays, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

v21: In the meantime, while we await His return, we enjoy His grace, and we have all we need.