12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. This is in contrast with Jesus, who receives the worship of angels (Hebrews 1:6) and of men (Matthew 8:2, 14:33, John 9:38). If we really know and understood who Jesus is, we will not have any trouble being ready for His return. God here deals freely and openly with all; he does not speak in secret, but calls every one to witness to the declarations here made, v. 10. If the statement I am coming quickly were not enough, Jesus puts emphasis on both sides surely before and amen after. 3. iv. a. Paul also used this phrase as a final word in some of his letters (1 Corinthians 16:23, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:18). a. I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel: As before in Revelation 19:10, John was overwhelmed and bowed before an angel in worship. A pure river of water of life: Through the Old Testament, prophets used the picture of a river as a powerful expression of richness, provision, and peace (Isaiah 48:18, Zechariah 14:8, Ezekiel 47:1-9). i. There is no barrier between you and Jesus except your stubborn will. c. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely: This is an open invitation to receive salvation from Jesus. II. His message is always be ready! Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. b. The perfect freedom of this paradise from every thing that is evil (v. 3): There shall be no more curse; no accursed onekatanathema, no serpent there, as there was in the earthly paradise. The fruitfulness of this tree. To testify to you these things in the churches: The Book of Revelation is written to the churches. The best answer is that we can eat, but will not have to. c. The things which must shortly take place I am coming quickly! The hour of judgment is impending. (Walvoord). All this shall be with perfect knowledge and joy. a. i. Why does it say that all dogs will be outside? The term Alpha and Omega is Applied to God in 1:8; 21:6; and here alone to Christ, crowning proof in this book of Christs deity. (Robertson), ii. a. i. What a solemn warning this is to critics who have tampered with this book and other portions of Scripture in arrogant self-confidence that they are equipped intellectually and spiritually to determine what is true and what is not true in the Word of God. (Walvoord). They shall see His face: By which I understand two things: first, that they shall literally and physically, with their risen bodies, actually look into the face of Jesus; and secondly, that spiritually their mental faculties shall be enlarged, so that they shall he enabled to look into the very heart, and soul, and character of Christ, so as to understand him, his work, his love, his all in all, as they never understood him before. (Spurgeon). Pauline Epistles So how do you know if God has worked in your heart? i. Revelation 22:18-19. a. b. 4. The main intent of prophecy is to lead us to trust and obey God, and apply His truth to the way we live. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The Old Testament In most red-letter editions, these words are in black, indicating that the translators believe that these were not the words of Jesus. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. And he said to me, Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. A confirmation of this and all the other visions of this book, ver 6-19. The city is further described by the river that ran by it, or through it, called a river of water of life, said to . b. It is the hopelessness of the final state of the wicked which is here pictured. If we decline an invitation, we have only ourselves to blame. The title the First and the Last is also irrefutable proof that Jesus is Yahweh, the LORD: I, the LORD, am the first; and with the last I am He. Supernatural visions and revelations do not mean that someone is correct in their doctrine, teaching, or practice. It is confirmed by the joint testimony of the Spirit of God, and that gracious Spirit that is in all the true members of the church of God; the Spirit and the bride join in testifying the truth and excellency of the gospel. This is a better river with better trees. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Minor Prophets The word quickly in the ancient Greek isnt exactly the same as our word for quickly. The word quickly might with accuracy be rendered suddenly. (Morgan). Poole wrote that this idea of this river was To let us know, that in heaven there shall be no want of any thing that can make the saints happy., b. In heaven there is not only a variety of pure and satisfying pleasures, but a continuance of them, and always fresh. 6. As when he ascended into heaven, after his resurrection, he parted with a promise of his gracious presence, so here he parts with a promise of a speedy return. d. His name shall be on their foreheads: Heaven will be a place where Gods people will forever be identified with their God, and there will never be any doubt that they belong to Him. In that day there will be nothing that obscures our vision of Jesus: iv. There shall be no night. He that adds to the word of God draws down upon himself all the plagues written in this book; and he who takes any thing away from it cuts himself off from all the promises and privileges of it. The supreme felicity of this paradisiacal state. It is by his grace that we must be kept in a joyful expectation of his glory, fitted for it, and preserved to it; and his glorious appearance will be welcome and joyful to those that are partakers of his grace and favour here; and therefore to this most comprehensive prayer we should all add our hearty Amen, most earnestly thirsting after greater measures of the gracious influences of the blessed Jesus in our souls, and his gracious presence with us, till glory has perfected all his grace towards us, for he is a sun and a shield, he gives grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from those that walk uprightly. a. It shows that Jesus is both the Creator of King David and His descendent. Johannine Writings Even so, come, Lord Jesus! There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point Since the fall, man and creation have lived with the effect of the curse described in Genesis 3:16-19: sorrow and pain in childbirth for women, friction between the sexes, the necessity of hard and often futile work for mans sustenance, and most of all death. The presence and perfections of God furnish out all the glory and blessedness of heaven. The shining light which comes from the river shows the glory of the heavenly life. Rather than meaning healing, it should be understood as health-giving, as the word in its root meaning has the idea of serving or ministering. (Walvoord), d. Street river tree fruit leaves: Are these pictures of heaven literal or symbolic? This is how John Walvoord sees it: The visual picture presented is that the river of life flows down through the middle of the city, and the tree is large enough to span the river, so that the river is in the midst of the street, and the tree is on both sides of the river., iii. If we really know and understood who Jesus is, we will not have any trouble being ready for His return. i. e. Let him take the water of life freely: When you desire, when you come, then you must take. c. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last: As an added incentive for us to do and be what is right, being ready for Jesus return, He reminds us just who He is. There is no barrier between you and Jesus except your stubborn will. (3.) If the whole creation groans and travails together in pain for the manifestation of the sons of God, how much more those sons of God themselves! (Seiss), iii. And the leaves of the tree are for the . Historical Books Then come. For I testify Here the Lord Jesus adds a solemn admonition, not only to the churches of Asia, but to all who should ever hear or read this book. Johannine Writings Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (2.) Then he said to me, See that you do not do that. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.. In whatsoever points you or any of us may fail, may we never come short of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Spurgeon). John 3:16, Jesus faith love), Select a Beginning Point Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. There is no gospel worth thinking of, much less worth proclaiming in Jehovahs name, if Jesus be forgotten. (Spurgeon). 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. No, but it does show that living faith will have works with it (James 2:20, Titus 3:8). i. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, Do not seal the words of this prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand, He who is unjust, let him be unjust still he who is righteous, let him be righteous still, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, Blessed are those who do His commandments, But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers, I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you, To testify to you these things in the churches, Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely, If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). He is the Lord God faithful and true. 10. 6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. i. Such a fence as this God set about the law (Deut 4 2), and the whole Old Testament (Mal 4 4), and now in the most solemn manner about the whole Bible, assuring us that it is a book of the most sacred nature, divine authority, and of the last importance, and therefore the peculiar care of the great God. In whatsoever points you or any of us may fail, may we never come short of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Spurgeon). (Revelation 22:6-7) The angel and Jesus add words of verification, Then he said to me, These words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. 7. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. No, what is meant here is Not literal dogs, but the morally impure Dogs in the Oriental cities are scavengers and excite unspeakable contempt (Matthew 7:6; Philippians 3:2). (Robertson). If anyone adds if anyone takes away: This means that there is a high price to pay for tampering with the Book of Revelation specifically, and the Scriptures in general. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed We are not rushing towards a distant brink of the consummation of all things; we are running parallel along the edge of that brink, and have been since the time of the apostles. The impulse and intention may be devout and good; but it is a great mistake. (Seiss). 8. And behold, I am coming quickly: We can never miss the note of urgency and warning in all what Jesus tells us about His coming. And they shall reign forever and ever. It is of any height and any size. i. The water comes from the throne of God and the lamb. 3. 8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. Jesus spoke to this same idea in Matthew 22:41-46. d. Bright and Morning Star: This is another Messianic title from the Old Testament (Numbers 24:17) and the New Testament (Revelation 2:28). The Bibles Tab is found in the Tools feature on Bible pages: Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. By the effect this book, thus kept open, will have upon men; those that are filthy and unjust will take occasion thence to be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those that are upright with God; it will be a savour of life to some and of death to others, and so will appear to be from God, v. 12. No created being should ever be worshipped. There, on the throne of the Almighty, mercy reigns. We may request cookies to be set on your device. b. If any say, "Where is the promise of his coming, when so many ages have passed since this was written?" An invitation is both an opportunity and a responsibility. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life. Why does it seem that it has been so long? From that throne no fiery bolt can ever again be hurled against the believer, for it is the throne of the Lamb as well as the throne of God. (Spurgeon). (Revelation 22:1) A river flowing from the throne of God. i. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers: What about those outside? Either, then, this Book is nothing but a base and blasphemous forgery, unworthy of the slightest respect of men, and specially unworthy of a place in the Sacred Canon; or it is one of the most directly inspired and authoritative writings ever given. (Seiss). 2. It is a perfect consummation: Throne in their midst Perfect Administration, Servants shall serve Perfect Subordination, Shall see His face Perfect Transformation, Then he said to me, These words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. ii. There is no other source. It is the chief blessing of heaven, the cream of heaven, the heaven of heaven, that the saints shall there see Jesus. (Spurgeon), v. To look into the face of Christ signifies to be well acquainted with his person, his office, his character, his work. Amen. This book is not a private affair, knowable only by an elite it is for all believers. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Whoever desires can come, but they cant come unless God works in their heart to desire Him. i. By the order given to leave the book of the prophecy open, to be perused by all, that they might labour to understand it, that they might make their objections against it, and compare the prophecy with the events. i. God wants to keep all generations expectant, watching, and ready for His return. 26 The meaning of this whole verse is: "The words of the Christian prophets do not speak their own minds, but God's." iv. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Or is it an invitation to those with a spiritual thirst to come to Jesus? 5. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Have you heard? Email / username or password was incorrect! Enduring Word Bible Commentary Revelation Chapter 22 Revelation 22 - Come, Lord Jesus A. It is confirmed by a most solemn sanction, condemning and cursing all who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it or taking from it, v. 18, 19. See that you do not do that: It is striking that even someone who had received all these visions may go astray. The earthly paradise was well watered: no place can be pleasant or fruitful that is not so. As one has said, the babe in Christ admitted to heaven discovers more of Christ in a single hour than is known by all the divines of the assemblies of the church on earth. (Spurgeon). The light is not artificial, even from the sun God Himself is the light. e. Let him take the water of life freely: When you desire, when you come, then you must take. We will see Jesus clearly because idols are done away with. If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book: This is another section at the end of the Book of Revelation where it is difficult to tell exactly who spoke. ii. It is the quality of a mans life which provides the ultimate indication of what he really believes. (Mounce). This is a good example of how a copyists error can cloud a text in rather minor ways, without affecting the essential meaning of the passage. Its also worth noting that this is the first reference to the church since the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. c. The Root and offspring of David: This is a precious Messianic title (Isaiah 11:1). All our springs of grace, comfort, and glory, are in God; and all our streams from him are through the mediation of the Lamb. As John reminds us of the suddenness of these events, Jesus Himself breaks in with a reminder to all that He is coming quickly. John is assured that it is in fact faithful and true. Thus the very God of all inspiration, and of all inspired men, reiterates and affirms the highest authority for all that is herein written. The New Testament 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. II. Revelation 1:8, 17; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 21:6). God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. There is no gospel worth thinking of, much less worth proclaiming in Jehovahs name, if Jesus be forgotten. (Spurgeon). But there may be good reason to believe Jesus gave this warning. It brings forth many sorts of fruit twelve sorts, suited to the refined taste of all the saints. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. In the first paradise there were only two persons to behold the beauty and taste the pleasures of it; but in this second paradise whole cities and nations shall find abundant delight and satisfaction. Preach orthodoxy, or any form of doxy; if you have left out Christ, there is no manna from heaven, no water from the rock, no refuge from the storm, no healing for the sick, no life for the dead. ii. Amen: The book (and the Bible) ends with a word of grace, and grace for all. He who testifies to these things says, Surely I am coming quickly. Amen. a. Preach orthodoxy, or any form of doxy; if you have left out Christ, there is no manna from heaven, no water from the rock, no refuge from the storm, no healing for the sick, no life for the dead. in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry. of 5. 3. iii. As the Bible opens with the story of Paradise Lost, so it here closes with the story of Paradise Regained. (Erdman) We see the return of Paradise in the ideas of a river, a tree of life, revocation of the curse, intimacy restored, and reigning resumed. f. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely: It is fitting that this great invitation closes the Book of Revelation and the Bible. i. ii. This will be the greatest glory of heaven: to know God, to know Jesus, more intimately and wonderfully than we ever could on earth. Nothing should be more desired by us than that the grace of Christ may be with us in this world, to prepare us for the glory of Christ in the other world. In His resurrection body, Jesus enjoyed food (Luke 24:41-43, John 21:12-14). Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. ii. You cant bring anything to save or justify or commend yourself before God, but you can take the salvation He offers. You cant bring anything to save or justify or commend yourself before God, but you can take the salvation He offers. It is the word of him who is the author, finisher, and rewarder of the faith and holiness of his people, v. 13, 14. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. i. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. e. There shall be no more night there: Heaven will be a place where the darkness of this age will be forever gone. 1. ii. b. It simply describes the future with the imagery of the present. (Mounce), i. Fittingly, the last words of the New Testament speak of grace, because grace describes Gods dealing with man on the basis of the New Covenant. f. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely: It is fitting that this great invitation closes the Book of Revelation and the Bible. We do not suppose that a man is shooting at a target if he does not look that way; nor can we imagine that a mans ambition is fixed on heaven if he has no heavenward thoughts or aspirations. (Spurgeon). Luke-Acts a. There is no word here about a second chance hereafter. (Robertson), ii. Can you say, Now, Lord, I desire to be saved, give me a new heart; I desire to give up my sins; I desire to be a Christian; I desire to believe and desire to obey. Revelation Commentary : Chapter Twenty-Two New Earth, New Jerusalem CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO - EPILOGUE Revelation 22:1-2 (1) And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, (2) coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, (3) in the middle of its street. i. (Revelation 22:8-9) John is corrected for worshipping an angel a second time. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! And let him who thirsts come. This book is not a private affair, knowable only by an elite it is for all believers. Rather, And night shall not be any more, and (they shall not have) need of the light of lamp, and of light of sun, because the Lord God shall give light upon them, and they shall reign unto the ages of ages. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. The invitation to come is an urgent command, for the day will arrive when it is too late to come. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? The tree of life: The Bible begins with a tree of life (Genesis 3:22-24) which man was not allowed to eat from after the sin at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Then he said to me: In these last few verses of the Book of Revelation, we hear parting words from a variety of persons. b. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Christianity and those who practice and claim it as a source of their being and faith can at times lose . All rights reserved. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. In the same way, the angel reminded John that only God is to be worshipped, and that they were both players on the same team along with all who keep the words of this book. 22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. No, what is meant here is Not literal dogs, but the morally impure Dogs in the Oriental cities are scavengers and excite unspeakable contempt (Matthew 7:6; Philippians 3:2). (Robertson), I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. (22-27) Commentary on Revelation 21:1-8 (Read Revelation 21:1-8) The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. Go through a little checklist. I. Christ's farewell to his church. i. And let him that is athirst come. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations, the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. He seems now, after he has been discovering these things to his people on earth, to take leave of them, and return to heaven; but he parts with them in great kindness, and assures them it shall not be long before he comes again to them: Behold, I come quickly. It may be that you cant describe another dimension like heaven without using symbols, but they are symbols connected to their reality. The previous chapter of Ezekiel (chapter 46) discusses a " " who represents Christ. General Epistles They conceive these verses the seal of all canonical Scripture, and that God here denounces a curse to those who shall pretend any new revelations of his will as also against all those who shall deny, corrupt, or deprave any part of them. (Poole). The water represents the eternal life that we have in Christ. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. Like the golden table of showbread which ever stood in the ancient Tabernacle and Temple for the priests to eat, so the Tree of Life stands in all the golden streets of the New Jerusalem, with its monthly fruit for the immortal king-priests of heaven. (Seiss). 1. Come! However, this is a picture of the pure blessedness of service rather than arduous, curse-stained toil. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Some people wonder if we will eat in heaven. It is really this simple: do you desire Jesus and His salvation? By the messengers he chose, to reveal these things to the world; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God; and God would not employ his saints and angels in deceiving the world. Little sinners, big sinners, black sinners, fair sinners, sinners double dyed, old sinners, aggravated sinners, sinners who have committed every crime in the whole catalogue, whosoever. (Spurgeon).
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