Revelation Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Overview

Revelation chapter twenty two brings the vision — and the entire Bible — to its close. John is shown the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, with the Tree of Life on either side, bearing fruit every month and leaves for the healing of the nations. There, in the New Jerusalem, the curse is fully undone, God's people see His face, and they will reign with Him forever. The angel affirms that these words are true and trustworthy, and the chapter closes with Yeshua's own repeated promise, "I am coming very soon," along with warnings not to add to or take away from the words of this prophecy, and a final, simple invitation: "Let anyone who is thirsty come."

Revelation 22:1

Next the angel showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

In chapter 21, John gave us many details concerning the new city of Jerusalem. That continues here as he describes the river of life. Throughout the Bible, water was a symbol of the Word of God and it brought life to all that heard and trusted in Yeshua. Now, we see that this living water still flows from God and maintains life even in this new Jerusalem. If we look around us today, most of the rivers are polluted or muddy but this river is crystal clear and has no impurities in it. This also reminds us that we will be with God and his Word and we will continue to grow in our understanding and love for God.

Revelation 22:2

Between the main street and the river was the Tree of Life producing twelve kinds of fruit, a different kind every month; and the leaves of the tree were for healing the nations -

This New Jerusalem is also called the Garden of God in Hebrew and here we see a contrast between the Garden of Eden and this Garden of God. In the Garden of Eden there were two trees (the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil) but, here, we see that there is only the Tree of Life in the Garden of God. A tree requires water to live and to bear fruit and so the tree of life is on both sides of the river. The tree produces twelve kinds of fruit and the number twelve reminds us of Israel and the fact that they will be fruitful in the Kingdom of God. The leaves of the tree healing the nations speaks of the fact that there will be those in the kingdom that do not have glorified (perfect) bodies. These are the people that came to faith after the rapture of the church and they will use the leaves of the tree to provide the eternal experience.

Revelation 22:3

no longer will there be any curses. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him;

The new earth will be free from the curse of sin. Man will no longer have to work the ground for food; women will no longer suffer through childbirth. Everything on earth will be freed from the effects of sin and we will live with God and serve him forever.

Revelation 22:4

they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

We will be able to see God face to face and yet live. Since the Garden of Eden, this has not been possible because of sin but, now, we will once again dwell with our Father.

Revelation 22:5

Night will no longer exist, so they will need neither the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because ADONAI, God, will shine upon them. And they will reign as kings forever and ever.

We will no longer grow tired and weary and so there will be no need for sleep and night. The glory (presence) of God will be our light and it will never fade.

Revelation 22:6

Then he said to me, "These words are true and trustworthy: ADONAI, God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must happen soon."

Everything that has been revealed to John in this book is consistent with what was shown to the Old Testament prophets. We are shown this so that we can understand things that are happening and to prepare others for what is to come.

Revelation 22:7

"Look! I am coming very soon. Blessed is the person who obeys the words of the prophecy written in this book!"

The "soon" mentioned here is better translated as quickly. When we think of "soon," we think of tomorrow and, although Yeshua could return for us then, people can get discouraged when they expect something tomorrow and it does not come at the expected time. When the verse says "keeps the words," it is talking about not changing them or trying to explain them away. Many of the things that John has seen are hard to imagine but we must remember that, with God, all things are possible.

Revelation 22:8 & 9

Then I, Yochanan, the one hearing and seeing these things, when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel showing them to me. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am only a fellow-servant with you and your brothers, the prophets and the people who obey the words in this book. Worship God!"

John gives us a look at his human side as he falls down to worship the angel who had been giving him the tour. He was immediately corrected and reminded that we are only to worship God. It is comforting to know that the people that God used were, for the most part, common folks just like you and me. They made mistakes just as we do but God's grace is great enough for all of our sins!

Revelation 22:10 & 11

Then he said to me, "Don't seal up the words of the prophecy in this book, because the time of their fulfillment is near. "Whoever keeps acting wickedly, let him go on acting wickedly; whoever is filthy, let him go on being made filthy. "Also, whoever is righteous, let him go on doing what is righteous; and whoever is holy, let him go on being made holy."

We see that John is told "Don't seal up the words" which is the exact opposite of what the Prophet Daniel was told to do in Daniel 12. In this, we see that this prophecy as well as those contained in the Book of Daniel are for us today. The prophecy of Daniel was not written for the people of his time but for us in the last days. John could have kept all of the things that he had been shown to himself but the angel told him not to. He shared it with the church but, today, it seems that most church leaders will not teach it to their congregations. Many, in fact, "seal up" the words instead of showing people the hope that is contained in the Book of Revelation. John is showing us that there are two ways to go when you have heard the truth that is contained in this book speaking of those that reject the words of God and those who come to faith in Yeshua Messiah.

Revelation 22:12

"Pay attention!" [says Yeshua,] "I am coming soon, and my rewards are with me to give to each person according to what he has done.

Here, we see a promise from Yeshua and that promise is that he will reward his people for what they have done. In Luke 10:7, Jesus told the seventy-two that a "worker deserves his wages" and that is the promise that we see fulfilled in this verse. This is often referred to as "the second judgment" or the "judgment of rewards." Although Jesus does not tell us what those rewards are, we can be sure that they are awesome!

Revelation 22:13

I am the 'A' and the 'Z,' the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

From the first revelation in Genesis to the final chapter here, Yeshua has always been there and in control. Even through the darkest times that John has told us about, he is still God and he is in control.

Revelation 22:14

How blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they have the right to eat from the Tree of Life and go through the gates into the city!

"Blessed" (without fear) are we who have accepted Yeshua Messiah as our Lord and Savior. We do not have to fear the things that we have seen throughout this book because we have the right to be in the presence of God because of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 22:15

Outside are those involved with the occult and with drugs, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol-worshippers, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will not enter the presence of God.

Revelation 22:16

"I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the Messianic communities. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.

Jesus lets us know that this book is for us (the church) and we should not be afraid but we should see the hope that it contains. We see in his names that this hope is for both the Jews (Offspring of David) as well as Gentiles (Morning Star). The term "morning star" refers to a star that appears just before the dawn of a new day when the night seems to be the darkest. That star shines on all peoples just as the salvation through Yeshua is extended to all peoples.

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!' Let anyone who hears say, 'Come!' And let anyone who is thirsty come - let anyone who wishes, take the water of life free of charge."

The Word of God (Jesus) is for everyone and salvation is a gift from him. This reminds us that our job (until Jesus returns) is to tell others to come to him for eternal life.

Revelation 22:18

I warn everyone hearing the words of the prophecy in this book that if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.

Jesus warns everyone to keep God's Word pure. There are those that have taken this description of the last days and changed them to fit into their beliefs. God will deal with them and the deception that they spread.

Revelation 22:19

And if anyone takes anything away from the words in the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the Tree of Life and the holy city, as described in this book.

There are those who want to minimize or even dispute the things that are written in this book. We have to remember that Jesus was the One that was sharing this with John and so they are his words. We either believe Jesus or we call him a liar by rejecting his words. If we reject his words, we reject him and the things that he has prepared for us such as the tree of life and the holy city.

Revelation 22:20

"The one who is testifying to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!'" Amen! Come, Lord Yeshua!

These words were given to John by angels (messengers) sent from Jesus. These messengers only deliver what they have been given and so are true to the one that sent them. Therefore, it is Jesus himself that is the witness testifying to the things contained in this book. His final words are an affirmation of the fact that he is going to come quickly.

Revelation 22:21

May the grace of the Lord Yeshua be with all!

How fitting it is that the last verse of the Bible points us back to the grace (gift) of God.