Bible Commentaries
Revelation 22

Introduction

Blessed Are Those That Keep His Commandments Revelation Twenty-two

Heaven is a place of nothing but the good, pure, powerful and positive. "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." ( Rev_21:27 ) The destiny of the redeemed is beyond our ability to conceive. It will be a glorious time for the children of God as they enjoy the river of life, the tree of life, and the throne of God.

The emphasis is that those that do the commandments of the Lord as blessed forever. It was stated that Jesus was coming quickly in judgment on that ungodly, pagan nation. The visions that John saw were true because they were inspired from heaven.

The Spirit of God and the bride join together to extend the invitation of the Lord. "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." ( Rev_22:17 ) Near the beginning of the Bible ( Deu_12:32 ), in the center of the Bible ( Pro_30:6 ) and now at the close we find the warning not to add to or take away from this book. ( Rev_22:18-19 ) The book of Revelation ends with a prayer calling for the Lord Jesus to come, and for His grace to be with all the brethren. ( Rev_22:20-21 )

Verses 1-5

The heavenly state is described Rev_22:1-5 : The heavenly state involved perfection. It included a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal. The rivers ran out of the Garden of Eden, in the paradise of God. ( Gen_2:9 ) In Eze_47:1-23 the river came from the house of God and wherever it went it brought life. In Joh_7:37-39 the river was a picture of the work of the Holy Spirit. Now we observe the river of life proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

The heavenly state also included the tree of life. The tree produced twelve fruits, yielding fruit every month. Those that eat of this fruit enjoy eternal life. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. The leaves of the tree do not provide physical health because those in heaven do not have a flesh and blood body. They do not provide spiritual healing for the blood of Christ has provided pardon for sin. The leaves are for the preserving of the people of God in this state. That was the purpose of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. Had Adam continued in a state of innocence he could have lived forever. ( Gen_3:22 )

The curse that was brought to man by sin is now removed. ( Gen_3:9-19 ) "There shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it." Those that occupy this wonderful place will be servants of God. They will both see the face of God and serve Him. None of the occupants of this place have the mark of the beast, but the Father's name shall be on their foreheads.

Verses 6-13

The confirmation that the visions are true Rev_22:6-13 : John is told by the angel that the book must not be sealed because "these words are faithful and true." "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." It was too late for Rome. It was too late for preaching and for repentance. "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." ( Rev_22:11 ) Now the faithful will be blessed and the wicked will be separated from God and punished forever.

At the close of the book John made the same mistake again. He fell down at the feet of the angel to worship. The first time John did this he was warned and rebuked for it. Now he repeats the same mistake. This shows the proneness even of good men to fall into sin again and again. The actions of John and the reactions of heaven should forever prevent the worshipping of angels!

Verses 14-16

The blessedness of obedience Rev_22:14-16 : Observe the great promise of God: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." ( Rev_22:14 ) This is another way of saying "blessed are they that wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb."

Those that are not allowed to enter are described in Rev_22:15 . (1) For without are dogs -- this likely refers to sodomites. ( Deu_23:18 ), (2) and sorcerers -- the practice of witchcraft, (3) and whoremongers -- prostitutes or fornicators, (4) and murderers -- one guilty of homicide, (5) and idolaters -- those guilty of image worship, and (6) whosoever loveth and maketh a lie -- God hates falsehood.

Several terms are used to identify the Lamb of God He is, (1) Alpha and Omega, (2) the beginning and the end, (3) the first and the last, (4) the root and the offspring of David, and (5) the bright and morning star. All of this is a testimony of the deity, eternity, and perfection of Christ.

Verses 17-21

The invitation of the Spirit and the bride Rev_22:17-21 : The invitation was, "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." ( Rev_22:17 ) Christ is inviting those that thirst after Him, after His grace and His righteousness to come. They come to Him by obedient faith.

The final words of the book contain a warning, a promise and a prayer. The warning was, “do not add to the words of this book, or God will add to you the plagues that are written in it. Do not take away from the words of this book, or God will take away your part out of the book of life...”

The promise was that the Lord was coming quickly. "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly..." ( Rev_22:20 ) The Lord was to quickly come in judgment against the Roman Empire.

The prayer was two fold: (1) there was a prayer concerning the Lord. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (2) There was a prayer concerning the brethren. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." There could be no better way to end this book and to end the New Testament!