Revelation 22:1-21

Revelation 22 provides a further description of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1-5), as well as a closing epilogue to the book (Rev. 22:6-21). The chapter opens with a scene in which John is shown “a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1). On either side of the river is the tree of life, which bears “twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2). There will not be any curse upon the creation, for “the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads” (Rev. 22:3-4). And there will be no need of the light of a lamp, or of the sun, “because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:5). The angel then tells John, “these words are faithful and true” (Rev. 22:6), which means they can be accepted as fact. The theme of the book is reiterated in verse 7, where we are told that Jesus is coming quickly (cf. 12, 20), and there is a blessing pronounced upon those who take seriously the words of this prophecy (Rev. 22:7). In a moment of emotional fervor, John then falls at the feet of the angel and worships him, and for a second time is rebuked and told to “worship God” (Rev. 22:8-9; cf. 19:10). John is instructed not to seal up the words of this prophecy (Rev. 22:10), and is informed that people, both the wicked and the righteous, will continue as they are (Rev. 22:11). Jesus then states that He is “coming quickly” and will reward each person according to his deeds (Rev. 22:12; cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10-11). As the “Alpha and Omega” (Rev. 22:13), the eternal One, He can promise and fulfill His word. He then contrasts the righteous with the wicked. The former have the right to eat from the “tree of life” (Rev. 22:14), whereas the wicked are those “outside” of God’s blessing (Rev. 22:15). Jesus’ word is confirmed through His messenger to the churches. He then describes Himself as “the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Rev 22:16; cf. Matt. 1:1). The Holy Spirit and the church (called a “bride”) extend an offer of salvation to any who will heed, saying, “let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Rev 22:17). The book closes with a pronouncement of cursing to anyone who adds or subtracts from the words of this prophecy (Rev. 22:18-19), and a final word that Jesus is “coming quickly” (Rev. 22:20). John then writes, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Rev. 22:21).