Revelation 22

¹ And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. ² In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. ⁴ They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. ⁵ There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Just as a garden was in the time of Genesis for man to dwell in, so here is a garden of life coming from God with waters of life, abundant fruit for living, and healing.  Unlike the original garden, there is no curse as it has been destroyed forever.  We will all see God in His glory and everyone will carry the mark of the name of Jesus before them.  This mark could easily simply be God’s face shining upon us.  The reflection of His glory as it can be seen on everyone.

Now we see a turn from the images of the new city on the new earth back to John and why he has been shown these things to write down and record.

⁶ Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

⁷ “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

The time is near.  This is the first of four references in this chapter that Jesus is coming quickly or the time is at hand.   All that you have seen is coming.  Blessed are you if you do not lose sight of what is to come.  These words are true, believe them and obey them.

⁸ Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

⁹ Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” ¹⁰ And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. ¹¹ He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

It is John who saw and heard these prophesies.  He is reminded again to think clearly, worship God, not anyone else.  He is then told to share this with others, do not seal it.  The time of the coming of the Lamb is too close, proclaim these prophesies to all who will listen.  Daniel was told to keep his words secret and seal the book (12:4), but John is told to share it and share it now.

¹² “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

¹⁴ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. ¹⁵ But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Jesus is the righteous judge.  Everyone will be judged perfectly.  Pursue the will of God, do His commandments.  Obey His Words.  This is the seventh and final beatitude in Revelation.  Blessed are you if you do His commandments. 

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Jesus sent this message; He is the author.  The Spirit and the church invites all to come.  Whoever hears this should say to all, come.  And anyone who is thirsty, let them come and freely accept life.  This is an urgent call to all to “Come!”  Isaiah 55:1 says, “Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!”  Jesus said in John 7:37, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink!”  Come!  Do it now; do not wait.  Now is the time. 

¹⁸ For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; ¹⁹ and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

A warning to anyone who wants to change these prophesies.  If you decide to change them and add to them or take away from them, the plagues described will be added to you and you will be removed from the Book of Life.  I can’t imagine a more dire or significant warning.  We are to love the Word of God and not hate it or change it. 

²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Even with the knowledge of all that is described in this letter, the seals, the trumpets, the bowls, the judgement, and eternal lake of fire, even in view of all of that, come Lord Jesus.  There is a new heaven and new earth and a new city where Your glory shines forever and we will walk with You, come Lord Jesus.

I pray that our hearts yearn and continually call for our Lord Jesus day and night.