Revelation Study

Revelation Study — Chapter 22

The Glorious City -- continued

Revelation 22:1 "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."

This chapter is actually just a continuation of the description of the holy city, New Jerusalem, the church of the living God. The water of life is there. We have three other verses concerning this thirst-quenching water. We might say that we are introduced to the benefits of this water in the 23rd Psalm. "He leadeth me beside the still waters." Still waters in that passage indicate the peace and tranquility we have as children of God. Jesus speaks of the further benefits of His water in John 4:14: "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." We read of it again in Revelation 21:6: "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." And the grand invitation for all to partake of it in Revelation 22:17: "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." The bridegroom (Christ) had already extended his invitation. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus had said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Vs 2 "In 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."

Mankind had been cut off from the tree of life ever since the days of Adam but now there was and is access to it. The healing of the nations is there in the holy city, New Jerusalem.

Vss 3-5 "And 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: 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."

These verses just reiterate the blessings that are in store for all those who obey the gospel of Christ.

Vs 6 "And 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."

These are now concluding thoughts or reminders of that which shall shortly come to pass or must shortly be done.

Vs 7 "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."

Twice more he reminds them that these things are imminent and once more he will proclaim this same beatitude in vs 14.

Vss 8-9 "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 these things. 9 Then 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."

Once more John is overcome with the majesty of the scenes that have come before him and he is restrained from worshiping the angel. We must not worship anything or anybody except God through Jesus Christ.

Vss 10-13 "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 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. 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."

Here he reverts to the primary theme of the prophecy, the destruction of Jerusalem. Everybody will be rewarded in the state that he is in. I am deity, you can depend on it.

Vs 14 "Blessed 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."

Who can enter the city, the church, the body of Christ? Only those who do His commandments. John had said a long time ago, "to them that received Him, to them He gave the right to become the sons of God."

Vs 15 "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."

Certain ones will not be allowed to come in. It must be kept pure.

Vss 16-21 "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. 17 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. 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. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

These last verses are more or less, self explanatory. His angel has brought the testimony. The invitation is extended. Let us be careful. Even though we may have entered in through the gates into the city we must live a life of penitence because there is the possibility of having our names removed from the book of life, the eternal church directory. And then the final benediction.