Revelation22
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;
4and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads.
5And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.
7And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.
8And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things.
9And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God.
10And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.
11He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.
12Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
14Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.
17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.
18I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:
19and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 22.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A description of the heavenly state, under the figures of the water and the tree of life, and of the throne of God and the Lamb. (1–5). The truth and certain fulfilling of all the prophetic visions, The Holy Spirit, and the bride, the church, invite, and say, Come. (6–19). The closing blessing. (20, 21).
vv1-5
All streams of earthly comfort are muddy; but these are clear, and refreshing. They give life, and preserve life, to those who drink of them, and thus they will flow for evermore. These point to the quickening and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to sinners through Christ. The Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, applies this salvation to our souls by his new-creating love and power. The trees of life are fed by the pure waters of the river that comes from the throne of God. The presence of God in heaven, is the health and happiness of the saints. This tree was an emblem of Christ, and of all the blessings of his salvation; and the leaves for the healing of the nations, mean that his favour and presence supply all good to the inhabitants of that blessed world. The devil has no power there; he cannot draw the saints from serving God, nor can he disturb them in the service of God. God and the Lamb are here spoken of as one. Service there shall be not only freedom, but honour and dominion. There will be no night; no affliction or dejection, no pause in service or enjoyment: no diversions or pleasures or man's inventing will there be wanted. How different all this from gross and merely human views of heavenly happiness, even those which refer to pleasures of the mind!
vv6-19
The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God. They are things that must shortly be done; Christ will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's interpreter. He refused to accept religious worship from John, and reproved him for offering it. This presents another testimony against idolatrous worship of saints and angels. God calls every one to witness to the declarations here made. This book, thus kept open, will have effect upon men; the filthy and unjust will be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those who are upright with God. Never let us think that a dead or disobedient faith will save us, for the First and the Last has declared that those alone are blessed who do his commandments. It is a book that shuts out form heaven all wicked and unrighteous persons, particularly those who love and make lies, therefore cannot itself be a lie. There is no middle place or condition. Jesus, who is the Spirit of prophecy, has given his churches this morning-light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of the perfect day approaching. All is confirmed by an open and general invitation to mankind, to come and partake freely of the promises and of the privileges of the gospel. The Spirit, by the sacred word, and by convictions and influence in the sinner's conscience, says, Come to Christ for salvation; and the bride, or the whole church, on earth and in heaven, says, Come and share our happiness. Lest any should hesitate, it is added, Let whosoever will, or, is willing, come and take of the water of life freely. May every one who hears or reads these words, desire at once to accept the gracious invitation. All are condemned who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it, or taking from it.
vv20-21
After discovering these things to his people on earth, Christ seems to take leave of them, and return to heaven; but he assures them it shall not be long before he comes again. And while we are busy in the duties of our different stations of life; whatever labours may try us, whatever difficulties may surround us, whatever sorrows may press us down, let us with pleasure hear our Lord proclaiming, Behold, I come quickly; I come to put an end to the labour and suffering of my servants. I come, and my reward of grace is with me, to recompense, with royal bounty, every work of faith and labour of love. I come to receive my faithful, persevering people to myself, to dwell for ever in that blissful world. Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus. A blessing closes the whole. By the grace of Christ we must be kept in joyful expectation of his glory, fitted for it, and preserved to it; and his glorious appearance will be joyful to those who partake of his grace and favour here. Let all add, Amen. Let us earnestly thirst after greater measures of the gracious influences of the blessed Jesus in our souls, and his gracious presence with us, till glory has made perfect his grace toward us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δεικνύω (deiknýō): to show (literally or figuratively)
μοί (moí): to me
ποταμός (potamós): a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e. running water
ὕδωρ (hýdōr): water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively
ζωή (zōḗ): life (literally or figuratively)
λαμπρός (lamprós): radiant; by analogy, limpid; figuratively, magnificent or sumptuous (in appearance)
ὡς (hōs): which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
κρύσταλλος (krýstallos): ice, i.e. (by analogy) rock "crystal"
ἐκπορεύομαι (ekporeúomai): to depart, be discharged, proceed, project
Cross References
Revelation 22Prophetic vision of river of life flowing out of the temple, highly amplified in New Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The original Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, now restored and accessible to all.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
John's previous attempt to worship the angel, met with the exact same prohibition and command.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Beatitude promising that the pure in heart shall see God, fulfilled in the beatific vision.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Seeing God face to face, rather than darkly through a glass.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The immediate context of the city having no need of sun or moon because God illuminates it.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophecy of Jerusalem where there shall be no more utter destruction or curse.
Supported by JFB
The opening of the book parallel: God sending His angel to show His servants what must quickly occur.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Daniel was commanded to seal his prophecy, whereas John is told not to seal this book.
Supported by JFB
Solemn repetition of the divine title Alpha and Omega, first and last.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel list of those excluded from the holy city and consigned to the lake of fire.
Supported by JFB
Messianic prophecy of the root of Jesse standing as a banner for the peoples.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Balaam's prophecy of a star rising out of Jacob, corresponding to Christ as the morning star.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The grand Gospel invitation to the thirsty to come, buy, and drink water without money.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Strict Mosaic prohibition against adding to or taking away from the commandments of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place of the Most High.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Christ's declaration 'Behold, I come quickly' and command to hold fast what they have.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus' invitation on the last day of the feast for the thirsty to come to Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Command not to diminish or add to the word of God, reinforcing the book's finality.
Supported by Matthew Henry