Revelation 22 Explained

📖  UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

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Start with God

Who is the Holy Spirit?

🌍  THE END TIMES

End Times Timeline

The Great Tribulation

The Antichrist

The Mark of the Beast (666)

Armageddon

The Second Coming of Jesus

Revelation Explained

✝️  THE RAPTURE

What Is the Rapture?

Who Will Be Taken?

When Will the Rapture Happen?

Can You Miss the Rapture?

What Happens After the Rapture?

📖  Revelation 22:1-5

1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and 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 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

In this passage, John describes the glory of the New Jerusalem in the eternal state. He sees the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, as well as the tree of life, symbolizing eternal life and the complete restoration of what was lost because of sin.

God's presence will then be perfect and everlasting. There will be no more curse, because the consequences of sin will have been completely removed. God's servants will see His face and live in direct fellowship with Him.

The light of God will replace every other source of light, and those who belong to Him will reign with Him forever. This scene represents the final fulfillment of God's promises: a fully restored creation where death, sin, and suffering will no longer exist.

📖  Revelation 22:6-12

6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

In this passage, John receives confirmation that the words revealed in Revelation are faithful and true. God sent His angel to show His servants the events that must still take place. The prophetic message is therefore not a human invention, but a revelation from God.

Jesus declares: “I come quickly.” This promise reminds us that His return is certain and that those who follow Him must remain faithful to the prophetic words of this book. Those who keep this message with faith are called blessed.

When John attempts to worship the angel who revealed these things, the angel immediately refuses and reminds him that only God is worthy of worship. Even a heavenly messenger must not receive the worship that belongs only to the Creator.

The prophecy is not to be sealed because the time of its fulfillment is near. Jesus also declares that He will come with His reward to give to each person according to their works. This passage therefore emphasizes the certainty of Jesus' Return, the importance of faithfulness, and God's righteous judgment toward every person.

📖  Revelation 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

In this verse, John records the Bible’s final invitation. The Holy Spirit and the Church invite everyone who hears this message to come to Jesus Christ. All who are spiritually thirsty are invited to receive salvation and everlasting life freely, without cost.

This invitation is available today, during the age of grace. God freely offers salvation to everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ. After the Rapture of the Church, salvation will still be possible during the Tribulation, but it will come at a great cost, as many who remain faithful to Jesus Christ will face severe persecution and even give their lives for their faith.

This verse closes the Bible with a universal invitation to receive Jesus Christ. As long as the age of grace continues, anyone who is willing may come to Him and receive the forgiveness of sins and the free gift of everlasting life.

📖  Revelation 22:20-21

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

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

In these final verses of the Bible, Jesus confirms once again the certainty of His Return by declaring: 

“Surely I come quickly.” This promise concludes the prophetic message of Revelation and reminds us that the fulfillment of God's plan is certain.

John’s response — “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” — expresses the expectation and hope of those who belong to Jesus. It shows the desire to see His reign fully established and all the promises announced in Scripture fulfilled.

The conclusion of Revelation reminds us that everything rests on the grace of the Lord Jesus. After revealing the final judgment, God's victory over evil, the eternal Kingdom, and the new creation, the Bible ends with a call to live with hope and expectation for the coming of Jesus.