Revelation Chapter 22

From The Open Bible Project

22:1 He showed me a[46] river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

• (1) Here is absolved and finished the description of the celestial Church (as I showed before) See Geneva by the effects in (Revelation 22:5), and then this book is concluded in the rest of the chapter. The effects proceeding from God, who dwells in the Church, are these: the everlasting grace of God, in this verse, the eternal life of the godly, as in (Revelation 2:7) the eternal fruits which the godly bring forth to God, themselves and others, (Revelation 22:2), freedom and immunity from all evil, God himself taking pleasure in his servants, and they likewise in their God, (Revelation 22:3). The beholding and sight of God, and sealing of the faithful from all eternity, (Revelation 22:4) the light of God and an everlasting kingdom and glory, (Revelation 22:5).

22:2 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.

• access to the tree of life (Genesis 2:8) is being restored. Healing is still necessary and nations are being healed continuously by the leaves of the tree.

22:3 There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him.

• the curse of Genesis 3:17 is removed

22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

• ancient slaves were often marked with their masters' names or mark. Here, believers are marked as belonging to God; in like manner Nero demanded the same from his subjects. See Revelation 13:17.

22:5 There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

22:6 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."

• (2) This whole book is concluded and made up by a confirmation, and a salutation. The confirmation has three parts: the words of the angel (Revelation 22:15), the words of Christ, (Revelation 22:16,17) and the supplication made by John from divine authority, (Revelation 22:18-20). By the speech of the angel this prophecy is confirmed to (Revelation 22:7,8), and then he speaks of the use of this book in the verses following. The prophecy is first confirmed by the angel from the nature of it, that it is faithful and true: Secondly, from the nature of the efficient cause, both principal, which is God, and instrumental, which is the angel in this verse. Thirdly, from the promises of God concerning his coming to effect all these things, and concerning our salvation; (Revelation 22:7). Fourthly, from the testification of John himself; (Revelation 22:8). The rest of the speech of the angel rending to the same end, John interrupted or broke off by his unadvised act of worshipping him, in the same verse, which the angel forbidding, teaches him that adoration must be given not to him, but only to God, as for himself, that he is of such nature and office, as he may not be adored: which thing also was in like manner done; (Revelation 19:10).

22:7 "Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

22:8 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.

22:9 He said to me, "See you don't do it! 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."

22:10 He said to me, "Don't seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

• (3) The angel returns to his former speech: in which he teaches to use of this book both towards ourselves, in this and the next verse: and in respect of God for declaration of his truth, there to the fifteenth verse (Revelation 22:11-15). (4) That is, propound this prophecy openly to all and conceal no part of it. The contrary to that which is commanded in (Isaiah 8:16; Daniel 8:26).

22:11 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."

• (5) An objection anticipated, but there will be some that will use this occasion for evil, and will wrest this scripture to their own destruction, as Peter says. What then? says the angel, the mysteries of God must not be concealed, which it has pleased him to communicate to us. Let them be harmful to others, let such be more and more vile in themselves, whom this scripture does not please: yet others will be further conformed to righteousness by this, and true holiness. The care and reformation of these may not be neglected, because of the voluntary and malicious offence of others.

22:12 "Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.

• (6) The second part belonging to the use of this book, as I said See Geneva. Also (says God by the angel) though there should be no use of this book to men: yet it shall be of this use to me, that it is a witness of my truth to my glory, who will come shortly, to give and execute just judgment, in this verse; who have taught that all these things have their being in me, (Revelation 22:13), and have pronounced blessedness to my servants in the Church, (Revelation 22:14) and reprobation to the ungodly (Revelation 22:15).

22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

22:14 Blessed are those who [47] do his commandments, [See Revelation Footnotes 47] that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

• (7) The blessedness of the godly set down by their title and interest there: and their fruit in the same.

22:15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

22:16 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."

• (8) The second passage of confirmation (as I said) is the speech of Christ ratifying the vocation of John, and the authority of his calling and testimony, both from the condition of his own person being God and man, in whom all the promises of God are Yea and Amen; (2 Corinthians 1:20) and also from the testimony of other people, by the acclamation of the Holy Spirit, who here is an honourable assistant of the marriage of the Church as the spouse: and of each of the godly as members; and finally from the thing present, that of their own knowledge and accord, they are called forth to the participation of the good things of God; (Genesis 22:17).

22:17 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.

22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

• (9) The supplication of John (which is the third part of the confirmation) joined with a curse of abhorrence, to preserve the truth of this book entire and uncorrupted in two verses.

22:19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

22:20 He who testifies these things says, "Yes, I come quickly." Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

• (10) A divine confirmation or sealing of the supplication first from Christ affirming the same and denouncing his coming against all those that will put their sacrilegious hands here: then from John himself, who by a most holy prayer calls Christ to take vengeance on them.

22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.

• (11) The apostolic salutation, which is the other part of the conclusion, as I said See Geneva and is the end of almost every epistle; which we wish to the Church, and to all the holy and elect members of it, in Christ Jesus our Lord, until his coming to judgment "Come Lord Jesus" and do it. Amen, again Amen.