Revelation 22:4

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 22:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] on their foreheads.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] on their foreheads.
Revelation 22:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4and they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] on their foreheads.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they shall see his face, etc.] The face of God, so as he is not to be seen now; they shall see him as he is; not only the angels, who always behold the face of God, but all the saints, risen and changed, being pure in heart, and perfectly holy; they shall see him face to face, they shall have intimate and familiar communion with him; they shall enjoy his favour, and have the freest and largest discoveries of his love; and they shall see the face of the Lamb; they shall behold Christ and his glory both with the eyes of their understanding, and with the eyes of their bodies; and this is a very desirable sight, and will be very glorious and delightful; it will be fully satisfying, and will…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“see his face--revealed in divine glory, in Christ Jesus. They shall see and know Him with intuitive knowledge of Him, even as they are known by Him (Co1 13:9-12), and face to face. Compare Ti1 6:16, with Joh 14:9. God the Father can only be seen in Christ. in--Greek, "on their foreheads." Not only shall they personally and in secret (Rev 3:17) know their sonship, but they shall be known as sons of God to all the citizens of the new Jerusalem, so that the free flow of mutual love among the members of Christ's family will not be checked by suspicion as here.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they shall see his face - See the notes on Matthew 18:10. They would be constantly in his presence, and be permitted continually to behold his glory. And his name shall be in their foreheads - They shall be designated as his. See the notes on Revelation 3:12; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 13:16. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And shall see his face - Which was not granted to Moses. They shall have the nearest access to, and thence the highest resemblance of, him. This is the highest expression in the language of scripture to denote the most perfect happiness of the heavenly state, Jo1 3:2. And his name shall be on their foreheads - Each of them shall be openly acknowledged as God's own property, and his glorious nature most visibly shine forth in them. And they shall reign - But who are the subjects of these kings? The other inhabitants of the new earth. For there must needs be an everlasting difference between those who when on earth excelled in virtue, and those comparatively slothful and unprofitable servants,…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:4 The human fears of death and of seeing God (see Gen 16:13; 32:30; Judg 6:22; Isa 6:5) will be removed. God’s people will bear his name and will see his face with joy (see Matt 5:8; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Jn 3:2-3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“they: Eze 33:18-20, Eze 33:23; Job 33:26; Psa 4:6; Isa 33:17, Isa 35:2, Isa 40:5; Mat 5:8; Joh 12:26, Joh 17:24; Co1 13:12; Heb 12:14; Jo1 3:2, Jo1 3:3 and his: Rev 3:12, Rev 14:1 Revelation 22:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification