Bible Commentaries
Revelation 22

Introduction

REVELATION CHAPTER 22

Revelation 22:1,Revelation 22:2 The river and tree of life.

Revelation 22:3-7 The glorious state of the servants of God.

Revelation 22:8,Revelation 22:9 John is forbidden by the angel to worship him,

Revelation 22:10,Revelation 22:11 and commanded to seal up the prophet.

Revelation 22:12,Revelation 22:13 Christ’s coming and eternity.

Revelation 22:14-17 The blessedness of them that do God’s commandments.

Revelation 22:18-20 Nothing must be added to or taken from this prophecy.

Revelation 22:21 The concluding benediction.

Verse 1

And he; the angel, who showed him all before mentioned.

Showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal: no place can be happy without the accommodation of water; those places have the best accommodation of it that are near a river, especially a pure river. To let us know, that in heaven there shall be no want of any thing that can make the saints happy, it is described as having by it, or running through it, a pure river, whose water is clear, and no ordinary water, but such as giveth and preserveth life. What could this signify, but the pure and unmixed joys of heaven?

Proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb; flowing from the saints thee enjoying of God and Jesus Christ.

Verse 2

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life: trees, especially fruit trees, and those laden with fruit, and variety of fruit, and such as, instead of being prejudicial to life, are wholesome, and give life, are very beautiful, especially in or near a city. The city in Ezekiel’s vision, Ezekiel 47:7, is thus described. This expression further shows the infinite pleasure and soul satisfaction the saints shall have in heaven. But we are further told here, that the tree here was the tree of life; a manifest allusion to a tree so called in old Paradise, Genesis 2:9; and who can this agree to, but Christ?

Which bare twelve manner of fruits; in whom all fulness dwelt, the fulness of the Godhead, and who was anointed, and received the Spirit without measure.

And yielded her fruit every month; and is daily distributing of his fulness to his people.

And the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations; and in whom there is nothing useless, but what tends either to the life or healing of his people out of all nations.

Verse 3

And there shall be no more curse; nothing that is devoted to the devil, καταναθεμα, no accursed person, or thing.

But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; the presence of a holy and pure God will prevent and forbid that.

And his servants shall serve him; it is a place in which God alone shall be served by his own servants.

Verse 4

And they shall see his face; it is a phrase by which the happiness of the glorified saints is oft expressed, Matthew 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 3:2; they shall enjoy him immediately.

And his name shall be in their foreheads; there shall be none that have the name of the beast on their foreheads; they shall have God’s name on their foreheads, and be so manifested to be the sons of God.

Verse 5

See Poole on "Revelation 21:23".

Verse 6

All the words of this book, particularly the things of the last vision, are such as proceed from him who is the faithful witness, Revelation 1:5; Revelation 3:14; from him who was called faithful, Revelation 19:11; and which God will show himself true and faithful in bringing to pass: and such things as God hath revealed to his prophets under the Old Testament in part, and now to me his prophet, to show to his people the things that shall come to pass, and shall shortly begin to be accomplished: See Poole on "Revelation 1:1".

Verse 7

I come quickly to the last judgment. He is a happy man that observeth and keepeth in memory, that understandeth, believeth, and liveth up to

the prophecy of this book.

Verse 8

I John saw these things; I saw the vision.

And heard them; I heard the words spoken to me relating to them.

Verse 9

See thou do it not: See Poole on "Revelation 19:10".

For I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets; whose employment is the same with thine, to reveal the will of God;

and of them which keep the sayings of this book; yea, and a brother to all the servants of God. Thou mistakest the object of thine adoration, I am a created being, and can accept no such homage.

Verse 10

And he saith unto me; this he is Christ, as appeareth from Revelation 22:12,Revelation 22:13.

Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book; let these things be open to be promulgated, and published to the whole church.

For the time is at hand; for it will not be long before they shall begin to be fulfilled.

Verse 11

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: it may be the keeping of this book open, and the publication of it, will displease wicked and filthy men; but let them be displeased, the truths of God must not be concealed.

And he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still: it will, on the other side, confirm the servants of God in their faith, patience, and holiness, and all the fruits of righteousness.

Verse 12

I come quickly, to the last judgment, as before, Revelation 22:7.

And my reward is with me; I bring with me a power and authority to recompense every man according to what he hath done, Revelation 20:13; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 25:34,Matthew 25:35, &c.; Romans 2:6.

Verses 13-21

See Poole on "Revelation 1:8". See Poole on "Revelation 21:6".