Revelation 22

Revelation 22:1-5

In this chapter we have, 1. A further description of the heavenly state of the church, ver. 1-6. 2. A confirmation of this and all the other visions of this book, ver. 6-20. 3. The question, ver. 20, 21.

1. AND he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2. In the midst of the street of it, and of either side the river, was there the tree of life which bear twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3. And there shall be no more curle: 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. 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.

The angelic guide here further leads the apostle to view some other emblematical glories of this celestial city.

1. A river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God, and of the Lamb, the figure of those eternal confidations, and that vital influence immediately derived from communion with the fountain of eternal bliss.

2. The tree of life, the emblem of Jesus the Lord of life and glory, here spread its branches on both sides the river, or several in a row were planted on the river’s bank, yielding perpetual fruit, new every month, and the very leaves are for the healing of the nations; intimating the rich provision of unceasing delights that is here made for the faithful, and their perfect preservation in soul and body from all decay or infirmity.

The church also there turns; the eternal destiny and impetus, which is the future are secured, and before the throne of God and of the Lamb they shall pay their unceasing admittance, enjoy the destitute vision of the God of glory, and bear his might image on them visible as if his name was engraved on their foreheads.

4. No night is there, nor need they the sun or a candle, where the Lord God is their everlasting light, and they reign with him for ever and ever. O still abode: my foals, aspire after it, and eager prefs for an entrance into this everlasting kingdom of thy God and Saviour.

5. And he laid unto me, These things are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which most shortly be done. 7. Behold, I come quickly: blessed be that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 8. And 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 their things. 9. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I set thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he that 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. 12. And behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter it through the gates into the city. 15. For without are dogs, and forcerers, and whorenongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lye. 16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the most and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athrift, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18. For 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: 19. And 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.

Revelation 22:6-19

We have here,

1. A solemn ratification given by the angel of the certainty of these events. These sayings are faithful and true, and he was sent expressly down the Lord Jesus to reveal to John the things that would begin shortly to be accomplished, and continue fulfilling until the end of time.

2. The Lord Jesus himself speaks. Behold, I come quickly; prepare to meet me; the whole period of time is comparatively short and momentary: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book, faithfully adheres to the gospel word, and continually adjects the fulfilment of the promises.

3. Overcome with what he heard and saw, and scarce himself through rapture, he fell before the angel, and is ready to adage him, but again is replaced and prevented; God is the only worthy object of adoration; angels are but our fellow-servants.

4. The Lord again addresses him, and bids him not feel up the prophecies of this book, but deliver them to the church, the time for their fulfilment now approaching, and when they are accomplished, men’s everlasting state will be fixed unchangeably. He that in the great day is found filthy and unjust, must remain so for ever under the wrath of God; and he that is found righteous in the Lord, and made holy by his Spirit, shall be eternally blessed.

5. He repeats his assurance for the comfort of his people. Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his works shall be, whether good or bad. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, unchangeable in love to my people, eternally the same in faithfulness, grace, and power, to protect and preserve them for ever. And it will shortly appear how blessed are they that do his commandments, and approve their fidelity to God, that they may have right, through the promise, to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city, partaking of all the inconceivable blessedness prepared for the faithful: whilst those who shall be

found disobedience, unholy, and profane, which is much more than that of the world. For women are men, and for women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women, and women,

6. The Lord Jesus confirms to him what the angel had told him. I Jesus, your Lord and Master, have sent me angel to testify unto you these things in, or concerning, the children, and their future state and condition. I am the root and offspring of David; as God, his root; as much, his offspring; and the bright and morning star, leading my people in paths of everlasting peace.

7. The spirit and the bride say, Come, welcoming the Saviour, and waiting the fulfilment of his promise. And let him that heareth, even every faithful God take up the word and say, Come. And let him that is atheist for spiritual blessings, come: and whoever will, let him take of the water of life freely; and out of these wells of salvation the Scriptures draw the living dreams of grace and consolation. For I testify unto every man that beareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, now the canon of revelation is complete, by new pretended visions, or wilful perversion of their meaning, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and 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. An awful sanction, which guards the sacred records, and binds the heaviest vengeance upon

those who die, by best adulterations, to add thereto, or to diminish therefrom.

10. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

v. 20, 21. The Lord Jesus closes his Revelation, 1. With a solemn confirmation of the whole. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly, certainly, and speedily, for the comfort and salvation of my people.

2. The apostle, in the name of all the faithful, professes his confidence in the promise, Amen! Lord, I believe, fulfil it in due season. Even so be it, come, Lord Jesus, and bring our complete and final salvation!

3. He concludes with his benediction. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! May you experience the riches of his sovereign favour and love, be strengthened by his Spirit mightily in the inner man, faithfully to stand in every evil day, comfortably and confidently persevering in the truth; may you, when all your conflicts end, enter into that eternal state of rest and blessedness which is here revealed. Amen! Such are my prayers for thee, reader; may we now, without ceasing, be found uniting our supplications before a throne of grace; and together may we meet around a throne of glory, and spend a happy eternity in the praises of our adored Jesus! Amen!

F I N I S.