Revelation 22

There is further shewed unto the apostle the river of life on the bank whereof the tree o life was planted 3 some other properties of the inhabitants of the new Jerusalem are described 6 after which the conclusion is made with a testification of the truth ad certainty of these visions and prophesies 8 John falleth down again before the angel of his feet and reproved for it the second time 10 after which he received a charge that he shall not seal the words of the book though some will abuse them to their sorer punishments 13 Christ declareth that he is the alpha and omega and pronounceth them blessed that keep his commandments and them cursed that commit abominations 16 and testifieth that he sent his angels of reveal these things unto his church 17 the pride of Christ longeth for his coming 18 after which this revelation is shut up with a threatening against those that should add anything unto and take away ought from these things 20 Christ testifieth that he will come quickly and John closeth all with an apostolic salutation.

1. And shewed me a pure river of life clear as Chrystal [that which is related here of this river and of the tree of life in the next verse is by way of comparison taken from paradise Genesis 2:10 and from new Jerusalem Ezekiel 47:1 etc and by this river of life this water is understood everlasting bliss which by reason operation of the holy ghost and the vision of the Gods face by the elect in the life to come shall be and always in abundance fresh and pure so here also John 4:14 and 7.38 and before chapter 2.7] proceeding out of the throne of God and of the lamb ]that is out of glorious vision of the face of God and of Jesus Christ see Psalms 16:11 1 Corinthians 13:12 1Thessalonians 4.17 1John 3.2.]

2. In the midst of the street [or plain market as chapter 21.21] of it and on the one and other side of the river was the tree [Gr. the wood] of life [not that were many trees seen for Christ alone is this tree of life but that her roots downwards and her branches upwards spread themselves all along that whole river as appeareth before chapter 2.7 whereof see also there the further explanation] bringing forth twelve fruits yielding her fruits from month to month [that is the quickening virtue of Christ spirits which is vigorous and efficacious throughout the whole year that is forever and ever to preserve always the spiritual life and this blessed threshing of the twelve tribes of the Israel of God without any weakening or enfeebling] and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the gentiles [namely that were saved as was said before chapter 21.24,26 this last clause is also taken out of Ezekiel 47:12 not that there shall be any infirmities anymore in this life everlasting but that the healing of all infirmities which was wrought here by the merits and the spirits of Christ shall be there by the same power forever kept and preserve inviolate not only for Israelites but also for all believing nations.]

3. And there shall be no more curse [or banning] against any man [that is nothing worthy of a curse chapter 21.17 no unclean things or that worketh uncleanness and this seemeth also to be taken out of Zach chapter 14.11 where this is also foretold of the times of the new testament which notwithstanding should be fully accomplished until Christ should have purged his threshing floor and cast all his chaff into the fire Matthew 3:12 an 13.40 etc.] and the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it [that is the glory of God and of Jesus Christ as true God and men shall fill it see chapter 3 verse 21,23] and his servants [namely both angels and blessed men see chapter 7.15] shall serve him [that is stand around about his throne ready to praise and magnify him and to obey his commandments.]

4. And shall see his face [that is his majesty and glory to be partakers thereof as is said of angels Matthew 18:10 and all the blessed ones in heaven Matthew 5:8 1John 3.2] and his name shall be on their foreheads [namely as belonging and appertaining unto him and making open possession thereof as the high priest also in the old testament did wear a plate of gold on his forehead whereupon was written the holiness of the Lord see hereof further exposition chapter 3.12 and 14.1.]

5. And there shall be no night there and they shall need no candle neither light of the sun for the Lord God lighten them [see chapter 21.23,25] and they shall reign as kings [for though all believers are also kings and priests here Revelations 1.6 yet they shall reign only as kings then when all their enemies and death itself are put under their feet and when God shall be all in them see Romans 16:20 and 1Corinthians 15.28] forever and ever [Heb. in eternities of eternities.]

6. And he said unto me those words [namely the words of the whole revelation as is declared hereafter verse 18.19] are faithful and true [whereby the divinity of them is testified see also before chapter 19.9 in this verse beginneth the conclusion or last part of this revelation] and the Lord the God of holy prophets sent his angels [that is me who am his angel] to shew unto his servants things that must quickly be done[see hereof the annotate on chapter 1.1 the God of the holy prophets that is that revealed prophecies unto the prophets and that sent them unto his people 2Peter 1.20 etc. by which God of the prophets is here meant the person of Christ to shew things which must shortly be done which is expressly ascribed unto Christ chapter 1.1 and below verse 16.]

7. Behold I come quickly [namely to reward every man according to his works as is expressed verse 12 and these words are the words of Christ which confirm that which was said in the former verse see also 1Thessalonians 5.2] blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy in this book [that is that given diligently heed thereunto and abstaineth from things that are forbidden therein namely from having fellowship with the dragon and the beasts and his adherents and followeth after the things are therein commanded see also chapter 1.3.]

8. And I John am he that saw and heard these things [thus doth John also confirm his gospel in the close of it John 19:35 and 21.24 and this is also next unto others a fit proof that the evangelist John is the author of the prophesy [and when I had heard and seen them I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed these things [see hereof that which was noted chapter 19.10.]

9. An he said unto me see thou do it not for I am the fellow servant and of thy brethren the prophet and of them that keep the word of the book worship God.

10. And he said unto me seal not the prophecies of this book for the time is at hand [that is shut them not up keep them not secret but reveal them before all otherwise then is commanded before chapter 10.4 as also Daniel 8:26 and 12.4 the reason is because the things that were revealed there might be kept secret for a while without prejudice to the church of God till the accomplishment should tell us the exposition thereof but not so here because the accomplishment of some thing should begin forthwith as that which was taught chapter 2 and 3 and because the church of Christ ought to be straightway informed and warned of all those troubles that should come upon them that they might be better in time arm themselves against them and that the members thereof might take heed of having fellowship and communion with anti-Christ when they should perceive his rising the mystery whereof began to work already at that very time 2 Thessalonians 2:7.]

11. he that doth wrong let him do wrong still [hereby an objection is prevented which might be made upon the former verse namely that some would abuse his Revelations if it were made known to everyone to carnal security or to provocation against the church of Christ whereupon this answer followeth as Ezekiel 2:3 and Daniel 12:10 by which phrase no permission of being evil is signified but a sorer judgment of God against such is threatened as Christ also said unto Judas John 13:27 that thou dost quickly see 2 Corinthians 2:15] and he that is righteous let him be justified still [that is he that is righteous let him be more and more shew his righteousness by the fruits of it as is declared James 2:18 and 24 for the word justified is here opposed in doing wrong as the word being holy to the word being filthy.]

12. And behold I come quickly [from this place and so onto the middle of this 20 verse Christ himself beginneth to speak unto the words of the apostle as all circumstance and the 16 verse plainly imports and he doth clearly before by the angel] and my reward is with me to recompense unto every man as his works shall be [namely whether it be good or evil as before was often promised and threatened see 2 Corinthians 5:10 whereby is signified not any merit but gracious rewarding of good works and just punishments and recompense of evil works see Romans 6.23Ephesians 2.8 etc. compare Psalms 62.13 Jeremiah 17:10 and 32.19 Matthew 16:27 Romans 2:6 and 14.12 1Corinthians 3.8 2 Corinthians 5:10 Galatians 6:5 Revelations 2.23.]

13. I am the alpha and the omega the beginning and the end the first and the last [thus Christ speaketh of himself as the only and eternal God with the holy ghost to signify his stability and omnipotence in the executing of his promises and threatening see hereof chapter 1.8 and 21.6 also Isaiah 41:4 and 44.6 and 48.12.]

14. Blessed are they that do his commandments that their power may be in the trees of life [that is right lot portion that they may enjoy the fruits of the tree o life whereof see verse 2] and that they may enter in though through the gates in the city [namely of the new and heavenly Jerusalem which was described before.]

15. But without [namely without the heavenly Jerusalem in the lake of fire into which by Gods just judgments they are cast forever see chapter 19.15 and 21.8] shall be dogs [that is raging enemies and barkers against Christ and the gospel of Christ as calleth upon them Matthew 7:6 or those that having once made profession of the truth turn again to their own vomit as Peter also called such king of persons dogs 2Peter 2.22] and sorcerers [or prisoners for the Greek word signifieth both] and whoremongers and murderers and idolaters and everyone that loveth and maketh a lie [namely whether it be against the third or against the ninth commandment whereby are meant all perjured persons unfaithful ones double dealing men and deceivers of their neighbor.]

16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches [namely unto the angels or shepherds and overseers of seven churches and by you unto your churches and consequently to all others pastors and churches in the world see chapter 1.11 and 2.1 &c.] I am the root and the generation of David [see before chapter 5.5 Isaiah 11:10 Romans 15:10 an Christ is so called in respect of his human nature which descended from David Matthew 1:1 Romans 1:3] the bright morning star [namely which exceedeth all other stars in light of the world and by his knowledge enlighteneth all men to salvation see John 1:9 and 8.12 yea also in respect of the heavenly Jerusalem where there shall be neither sun nor moon but the night of the age being past Christ with the father and the holy ghost will be the perfect light of all the elect as the morning star is in the morning see above chapter 2.28 and chapter 21.23 2Peter 1.19.]

17. And the spirit and the bride say come [that is the spirit stirreth hearts of all believers such motions and prayers with groans and unutterable as Paul speaketh Romans 8:23,26 and the bride that is the whole church of Christ yea even they that in soul triumph in heaven wish and long for this last coming to be united and glorified with Christ both in soul and body see 21.28 Revelations 6.10,11] and let him that heareth it [namely with a believing heart] say come and let him that is athirst [that is that earnestly and with a sense and feeling of his own infirmity longeth after this [come and let him that will namely by the grace of the holy ghost who worketh in us both to will and to do Philippians 2:13 that is everyone that hath a desire to it]take the water of life [that is be partakers of the heavenly grace comfort according to grace laid down before chapter 21.6] for naught [that is freely only by virtue of Christ merit and intercession see Isaiah 55:1 Romans 3:24,25 Ephesians 2:8.]

18. For I testify to every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book if any man ad unto these things God shall add unto him the plagues that are written unto this book .

19. And if any man take away from the book of this prophesy God shall take away his part out of the book of life [namely which he may imagine to have for that none of those that are truly written in the book of life are blotted out appeareth before chapter 13.8 and 21.27] and out of the holy city [namely of he heavenly Jerusalem as before verse 14]and from the things which are written in this book[this is the last feeling of the divinity of this book joined with a threatening of Christ against those that shall add anything unto or take anything away from this book this is not only a sealing of this book but also a close of the whole scripture forasmuch as John was and wrote the last of the apostles as also the like close is seen in this gospel John 20 verse 30,31 &21.24 and Moses before him had laid down in his book such like prohibition of not adding or taking away ought namely by any human authority Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12.32.]

20. He which testifieth these things saith ye I come quickly [namely Jesus Christ saith so as appeareth out of verse 16 and from the words themselves which belong not to the angel but to Christ] Amen yea come Lord Jesus [these are words of John who being now come to the words of extreme age doth also testify to his longing for the coming of Christ and for the redemption and glorification of all believers.]

21. And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with ye all [this conclusion agreeth with the conclusion of almost all the epistle of the apostle because this prophesy was in manner and form of epistle directed to the churches to signify the sureness and certainty of al that was written and treated before according as in the former verse and the word Amen is made use of to the same end.