*Revelation 22:1-21
John describes a new heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem, with the tree of life and the river of life, where God dwells with his people.
- The River and Tree of Life:
- The angel shows John a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.
- On each side of the river stands the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
- No More Curse:
- There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him.
- They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more; they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.
- Reign Forever:
- They will reign forever and ever, marking a period of eternal peace and divine governance.
- Affirmation of the Prophecy’s Trustworthiness:
- The angel assures John that the words of the prophecy of this book 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.
- Behold, I am Coming Soon:
- Jesus declares, “Behold, I am coming soon!” Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
- John is instructed not to seal up the prophetic words of this book, for the time is near.
- Final Exhortations and Warnings:
- The text presents a contrast between the righteous and the wicked: 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.
- Invitation and Warning:
- Jesus reiterates His imminent return, promising to bring His recompense with Him to repay each person according to what they have done.
- He declares Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
- Blessings and Open Invitation:
- 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.
- Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
- Final Prayer and Benediction:
- The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” and let those who hear say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
- John concludes with a warning not to add to or take away from the words of the book of this prophecy.
- The book closes with a benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”
Revelation 22:1-21 reminds us that Jesus is coming back and that we should be ready. It encourages us to live faithfully, doing what is right and staying close to God. The passage also shows us a picture of heaven—a place of life, peace, and joy in God’s presence. This gives us hope and reminds us to keep our focus on what truly matters. No matter what challenges we face, we can trust in God’s promises and look forward to the day when we will be with Him forever.
Revelation 22:1-21 (WEB)
22:1 He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, 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 night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.6 He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.”7 “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”8 Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. 9 He said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.”12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.18 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. 19 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 out of the holy city, which are written in this book. 20 He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!21 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.