Revelation 22
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have 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, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”
Revelation 22 Meaning
Revelation 22 is the final chapter of the book of Revelation, which is the last book of the Bible. This chapter contains the glorious vision of the new heaven and new earth, as well as the promise of Jesus’ return. It depicts the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom and the eternal blessings that await believers who remain faithful until the end.
Revelation 22 Commentary and Explanation
Revelation 22 is a remarkable chapter that brings us to the culmination of the entire biblical narrative. It provides a glimpse into the eternal state and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan for His people.
Verse 1: In the opening verse, we see the river of the water of life, flowing crystal clear from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This vivid imagery hearkens back to Ezekiel’s vision of the temple, where a river flowed from the sanctuary (Ezekiel 47:1-12). In both cases, the water symbolizes God’s life-giving presence and His sustaining grace for His people. It is a reminder that, in eternity, we will continually be refreshed by God’s love and provision.
Verse 2: The tree of life appears once again, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). Here, in the New Jerusalem, it yields fruit every month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. This emphasizes the restoration and wholeness that will characterize the new heavens and new earth. The leaves representing healing evoke Isaiah’s prophecy of God’s healing touch (Isaiah 53:5).
Verse 3: “No longer will there be any curse” reminds us of the consequences of the Fall in Genesis 3. The curse will be completely lifted, and we will be in the presence of God Himself, serving Him unceasingly.
Verses 4-5: The promise of seeing God’s face and bearing His name on our foreheads is a reflection of God’s intimate relationship with His people. In the Old Testament, God’s face was often veiled, but in the new heavens and new earth, we will have unrestricted access to Him (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Verse 6: The angel’s message that these words are trustworthy and true echoes the importance of Scripture as a whole. It affirms the authority and reliability of the entire Bible.
Verses 7-9: Here, we are reminded of the urgency to heed the message of Revelation and the consequences of rejecting it. John’s instinct to worship the angel reflects our tendency to exalt created beings rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). We must worship God alone.
Verses 10-11: The time is near. This serves as a reminder that the return of Christ and the final judgment are imminent, and we should live with a sense of urgency in our faith and witness.
Verse 12: The promise that Jesus will return with His recompense underscores His role as Judge. This aligns with Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels about His second coming (Matthew 25:31-46).
Verses 13-15: Jesus identifies Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, emphasizing His divine nature. This declaration corresponds to Isaiah’s words about God (Isaiah 44:6) and reinforces Jesus’ deity.
Verses 16-17: The invitation to come and partake of the water of life freely recalls Jesus’ invitation to all who thirst (John 7:37-38). It reaffirms that salvation is a gift, available to all who believe.
Verses 18-19: The stern warning against adding or taking away from the words of this book underscores the importance of preserving the integrity of Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:2).
Verses 20-21: The closing words, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” resonate with the longing of believers throughout history for Christ’s return. This desire for His presence reflects the sentiments of Psalm 73:25-26.
In Revelation 22, we find the consummation of God’s redemptive plan, a return to Edenic perfection, and an invitation to partake in the eternal blessings of the New Jerusalem. It’s a glorious conclusion to the entire Bible, and it beckons us to anticipate the day when we will dwell in the presence of our Savior for all eternity.
Also Read: Revelation 1:14-15 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Revelation 22
The book of Revelation is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, revealing the ultimate victory of Christ over evil and the establishment of His eternal Kingdom. Throughout the book, the apostle John receives a series of visions and prophecies regarding the events leading up to Jesus’ return and the final judgment. Revelation 22 concludes this prophetic message with a vision of the new Jerusalem, where all believers will dwell in the presence of God.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Revelation 22
The river of the water of life: This imagery represents the eternal blessings and sustaining presence of God. It signifies joy, refreshment, and spiritual nourishment. Just as a river brings life to the land, God’s presence brings life to our souls.
The tree of life: This tree symbolizes eternal life and the continuous provision of God. It represents the restoration of what was lost in the Garden of Eden. In the new Jerusalem, believers will have unrestricted access to the tree of life, where they will find sustenance and never experience death or decay.
No more curse: This phrase emphasizes the complete eradication of sin and all its consequences. In the new Jerusalem, there will be no more pain, sorrow, or death. God’s perfect plan for His creation will be fully realized, and His people will experience unending joy and peace.
The promise of Jesus’ return: Jesus reassures His followers that He is coming soon to establish His Kingdom. This promise serves as a hope-filled reminder that despite the challenges and trials we face in this world, our ultimate destiny is to be with Him forever.
Study: Genesis 18:19-22 Meaning and Commentary
Lessons from Revelation 22
- Trust in God’s promises: The vision of the new Jerusalem and the promise of Jesus’ return remind us to place our hope and trust in God’s faithfulness. Even in the midst of uncertainty, we can hold onto the assurance that He is in control and will fulfill His promises.
- Seek spiritual nourishment: Just as the river of the water of life provides refreshment and sustenance, we should continually seek a deep relationship with God through prayer, studying His Word, and fellowshipping with other believers. This spiritual nourishment will enable us to grow and bear fruit in our Christian walk.
- Embrace the restoration of all things: The absence of the curse in the new Jerusalem reminds us that God is in the business of restoration. As we await His return, we should actively participate in His redemptive work, bringing His love, healing, and reconciliation to a broken world.
- Live with an eternal perspective: The vision of the new Jerusalem serves as a reminder that our time on earth is temporary. We should live with an eternal perspective, focusing on what truly matters in light of eternity. Our actions, priorities, and decisions should be guided by our desire to glorify God and invest in His Kingdom.
Final Thoughts
Revelation 22 paints a breathtaking picture of the new heaven and new earth, where God’s presence is fully experienced, and His blessings flow abundantly. This chapter reminds us of the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and evil and the hope we have as believers. As we await Jesus’ return, let us hold fast to His promises, seek His nourishment, and live with an eternal perspective, eagerly anticipating the day when we will dwell in the new Jerusalem with our Lord forever.