The Final Promise — Jesus Is Coming Soon (Revelation 22:1–21)
The last chapter of the Bible gives us a beautiful and hopeful ending. After everything that has happened—the struggles, the judgments, and the victories—God shows us what eternity will be like with Him. Revelation 22 is a final reminder that Jesus wins, and those who follow Him will live with Him forever.
Let’s walk through this inspiring chapter and see what it tells us about the future we can look forward to.
The River of Life and the Tree of Life
John, the writer of Revelation, is shown a picture of the new city of God—and right in the middle is something amazing:
“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.”
This river brings life, just like God’s Spirit does. It flows straight from God’s throne, showing us that real life and joy come from God alone.
On both sides of the river is the Tree of Life, which we last saw in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2). It now grows freely and bears fruit every month. Its leaves bring healing to the nations.
This is a picture of complete restoration—no more pain, no more war, no more curse. Everything broken is healed.
“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.”
God Himself will be our light, and we will reign with Him forever and ever.
These Words Are Trustworthy and True
An angel reminds John that everything written in this book is true and dependable. These are not just symbols or ideas—they are real promises from God.
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
This is a call to stay faithful and obedient. Revelation isn’t just meant to inform us—it’s meant to prepare us.
John is so overwhelmed that he falls down to worship the angel—but the angel says:
“Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you… Worship God!”
This is a good reminder for us too: we don’t worship people, angels, or things—we worship God alone.
Jesus Speaks Directly
Jesus speaks clearly and powerfully:
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
Jesus promises that He is returning, and when He does, He will make all things right. He also describes Himself:
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“I am the Alpha and the Omega” (the beginning and the end).
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“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Jesus is the center of everything. He is the promised King, and His light shines through all history and into eternity.
The Invitation Is Open
This verse is one of the most loving and open-hearted invitations in all of Scripture:
“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.”
Anyone who wants Jesus can come to Him. You don’t need to earn your way in. It’s a free gift—you just need to be thirsty for it.
God is not closing the door—He’s holding it wide open.
A Final Warning and a Final Promise
John ends this powerful book with a warning: Don’t add to or take away from these words. God’s truth is complete and perfect, and we must not change it.
Then, Jesus gives one last promise:
“Yes, I am coming soon.”
And John replies with a prayer that we can echo today:
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
The very last verse is a blessing:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”
Even in the final line of the Bible, God reminds us of His grace—His love that we don’t deserve but freely receive.
Final Thoughts
Revelation 22 closes the Bible with hope, beauty, and certainty. This world is not the end of the story. Jesus is coming back, and when He does:
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There will be no more death or darkness.
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God will live with us forever.
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We will be fully healed, restored, and joyful.
And the invitation is open to you, today.
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.