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Revelation Chapter 22

New Testament Apocalyptic 21 Verses

What is Revelation 22 about?

The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ — letters to seven churches, the Lamb's victory over the dragon, and the glorious new creation. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve [manner of] fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;
4and they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] on their foreheads.
5And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.
7And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.
8And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things.
9And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God.
10And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.
11He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.
12Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
14Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right [to come] to the tree of life, and my enter in by the gates into the city.
15Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.
17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.
18I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:
19and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.
← Revelation 21

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, etc.] Not baptism, which used to be administered in rivers and pools of water; and which engaged to purity of life; and, the power and authority of administering which was from God and Christ; but in this Jerusalem state there will be no use nor need of ordinances; for (<662201>Revelation 22:1-6) belongs to the preceding chapter, and is a continuation of the same account, this being not a new vision, but a part of the former, which the same angel, as in (<662109>Revelation 21:9) proceeds to show to John: nor is the Holy Ghost intended by this river, whose gifts and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE RIVER OF LIFE: THE TREE OF LIFE: THE OTHER BLESSEDNESSES OF THE REDEEMED. JOHN FORBIDDEN TO WORSHIP THE ANGEL. NEARNESS OF CHRIST'S COMING TO FIX MAN'S ETERNAL STATE. TESTIMONY OF JESUS, HIS SPIRIT, AND THE BRIDE, ANY ADDITION TO WHICH, OR SUBTRACTION FROM WHICH, SHALL BE ETERNALLY PUNISHED. CLOSING BENEDICTION. (Rev. 22:1-21) pure--A, B, Vulgate, and HILARY 22, omit. water of life--infinitely superior to the typical waters in the first Paradise (Gen 2:10-14); and even superior to those figurative ones in the millennial Jerusalem (Eze 47:1, Eze 47:12; Zac 14:8), as the matured fruit is superior to the flower.…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life - In the New Jerusalem; the happy abode of the redeemed. The phrase “water of life,” means living or running water, like a spring or fountain, as contrasted with a stagnant pool. See the notes on John 4:14. The allusion here is doubtless to the first Eden, where a river watered the garden (Genesis 2:10, seq.), and as this is a description of Eden recovered, or Paradise regained, it was natural to introduce a river of water also, yet in such a way as to accord with the general description of that future abode of the redeemed. It does not spring up, therefore, from the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“And he showed me a river of the water of life - The ever fresh and fruitful effluence of the Holy Ghost. See Eze 47:1-12; where also the trees are mentioned which "bear fruit every month," that is, perpetually. Proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb - "All that the Father hath," saith the Son of God, "is mine;" even the throne of his glory. Revelation 22:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“22:1-2 This part of John’s vision of the city deals with God’s provision of water and food for his people (cp. Exod 16:4, 22-24; Ezek 47:1-12; John 4:10; 6:32-35). Although God originally made a “garden of delight” (Eden) for Adam and Eve, they disobeyed him and lost it (Gen 2–3). Now Eden is refashioned and united to the celestial city as God’s marvelous gift for his faithful people. 22:1 the water of life: See 7:17; John 4:10-15; cp. Exod 17:1-7; Isa 55:1; Ezek 47:1-10; Zech 14:8.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“A pure: Psa 36:8, Psa 46:4; Isa 41:18, Isa 48:18, Isa 66:12; Eze 47:1-9; Zac 14:8; Joh 7:38, Joh 7:39 water: Rev 7:17, Rev 21:6; Psa 36:9; Jer 2:13, Jer 17:13; Joh 4:10, Joh 4:11, Joh 4:14 clear: Rev 21:11 proceeding: Rev 3:21, Rev 4:5, Rev 5:6, Rev 5:13, Rev 7:10, Rev 7:11, Rev 7:17; Joh 14:16-18, Joh 15:26, Joh 16:7-15; Act 1:4, Act 1:5, Act 2:33 Revelation 22:2”
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