Prophecy · Chapter 22 of 22

Revelation 22

An angel shows John the river of the water of life flowing from God's throne, and the tree of life whose leaves heal the nations. There is no more curse; God's servants see his face. Jesus promises to come quickly, calling himself the root of David and the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say Come, offering the water of life freely. The Bible closes with a plea: come, Lord Jesus.

What happens in Revelation 22

The angel shows John a pure river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, with the tree of life on either side bearing fruit every month, its leaves healing the nations. The curse is gone; God's servants serve him, see his face, and bear his name, reigning forever in a place needing no sun, for God is their light. The angel affirms these words are faithful and true, and Jesus declares, Behold, I come quickly, blessing those who keep the prophecy.

When John falls to worship the angel, he is told to worship God alone. Jesus announces himself as Alpha and Omega, the root and offspring of David, and the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say Come, inviting the thirsty to take the water of life freely. A solemn warning guards the words of the book. Jesus promises again, Surely I come quickly, and John answers, Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Grace closes the book.

Revelation 22 in context

The final chapter of Revelation, and of the whole Bible, brings the story full circle: the tree of life lost in Eden reappears, the curse is undone, and God dwells with a healed humanity. It closes with Jesus' repeated promise to return soon, the church's answering longing, and an open invitation to come and drink freely.

Scripture ends not with a period but with an appeal.

Main themes of Revelation 22

Revelation 22 (KJV)

1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And 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: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And 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. 6And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11He 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. 12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14Blessed 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. 15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17And 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. 18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that 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 out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Verses to carry from Revelation 22

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”Revelation 22:13

“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”Revelation 22:16

“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.”Revelation 22:17

Reflection

The Bible's last pages hold out water of life to anyone who is thirsty, freely, without price. Whatever has kept you at a distance, the invitation still stands: come. And to those who wait for him, Jesus says three times, I come quickly. Let your heart learn to answer, Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

A prayer from Revelation 22