# Overview Revelation Chapter 22, the final chapter of the #Bible, presents a striking vision of the new #Jerusalem and the eternal state of #God's redeemed people. The chapter begins with the revelation of the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of #God and of the #Lamb, symbolizing the purity and abundance of eternal life. On either side of the river stands the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding its fruit every month, with leaves for the healing of the nations. This imagery hearkens back to the #GardenofEden, portraying a restored #Eden where the curse of sin is no more, and God's people serve Him, see His face, and bear His name on their foreheads. The passage emphasizes the eternal reign of #God and the #Lamb, underscoring the fulfillment of His promises and the ultimate restoration of creation. The chapter concludes with a series of affirmations and exhortations. [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], the Alpha and the Omega, declares His imminent return, urging believers to remain faithful and heed the words of the prophecy. The call to righteousness is clear, contrasting those who practice evil with those who wash their robes and enter the city by the gates. The Spirit and the Bride invite all who hear to come and take the water of life freely, emphasizing the open invitation of the #Gospel. The chapter ends with a solemn warning against adding to or taking away from the prophecy, affirming the integrity of God's Word. The final words express a longing for Christ's return, encapsulated in the prayer, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" and the benediction of #grace to all believers, sealing Revelation as a book of hope and assurance for the faithful. ## Theological Insights Revelation 22 serves as the grand finale of the biblical narrative, encapsulating the culmination of God's redemptive plan for #creation. The chapter opens with a vivid portrayal of the **new Jerusalem**, highlighting the river of the water of life and the tree of life, which echo the paradisiacal imagery of [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2]], restoring what was lost in the #GardenofEden. This imagery signifies the restoration of perfect communion between God and humanity, an overarching theme throughout the #Bible. The presence of the **tree of life** and the river flowing from the throne of #God and the #Lamb emphasizes the perpetual provision and sustenance found in God alone. This eternal life and healing for the nations underscore the reconciliation and peace that characterize the new creation, fulfilling the promises seen throughout prophetic scriptures such as [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 47]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 35]]. In Revelation 22, the repeated invitation to drink from the water of life freely (verses 17) embodies the #Gospel message of grace and the universal call to salvation. This invitation reflects the inclusive nature of God's redemptive purpose, echoing Jesus' own invitation in [[John/John Chapter 7|John 7:37-38]]. The chapter also emphasizes **faithfulness** and the urgency of Christ’s return. The repeated assertion of Christ's imminent return ("I am coming soon") calls believers to live in readiness and expectation, aligning with teachings found in [[1 Thessalonians/1 Thessalonians Chapter 5]] and [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 24]]. This eschatological hope is meant to inspire holiness and perseverance among the saints, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their faith. Moreover, the solemn warnings against adding to or taking away from the words of this prophecy (verses 18-19) reinforce the sanctity and authority of Scripture, a theme echoed in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 4]] and [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 30]]. This underscores the importance of adhering to the revealed Word of God, acknowledging its completeness and sufficiency. Finally, the chapter closes with a benediction of grace, reinforcing the centrality of God's grace in the life of believers. The longing for the Lord's return, expressed through the words "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus," encapsulates the hope and anticipation that drive the Christian life, rooted in the promises of God and the reality of the coming new creation. ## Thematic Connections ### Restoration and Renewal Revelation 22 presents the theme of ultimate restoration and renewal, echoing the promises found throughout the #OldTestament. The imagery of the #river of the water of life and the tree of life recalls the paradise of [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2|Eden]], suggesting a return to the perfect state before the fall of man. This theme is further connected to the promises in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 65|Isaiah 65:17]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 66|Isaiah 66:22]], where God promises a new heaven and a new earth. ### The Presence of God The chapter emphasizes the presence of #God with His people, a recurring theme from the tabernacle in the wilderness ([[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 25|Exodus 25:8]]) to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers ([[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 6|1 Corinthians 6:19]]). Revelation 22:4 states that "they will see his face," signifying an intimate relationship with God, reminiscent of the promises in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 33|Exodus 33:11]] when God spoke to #Moses face to face. ### The Fulfillment of Prophecy Revelation 22 reinforces the theme of the fulfillment of #prophecy. The repeated assertion that "these words are trustworthy and true" (22:6) connects to the assurance of prophetic fulfillment seen in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 12|Daniel 12:4]] and the promise of Christ's return in [[John/John Chapter 14|John 14:3]]. This chapter underscores the reliability of God's promises and the certainty of future events foretold by the prophets. ### The Call to Righteousness and Readiness The exhortation to remain righteous and holy (22:11) highlights the theme of readiness for the Lord’s return, echoing Christ’s teachings in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 24|Matthew 24:44]] and [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 25|Matthew 25:13]]. The call to "wash their robes" (22:14) ties to the sanctification process seen in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 10|Hebrews 10:22]], emphasizing the necessity of purity for those who are to enter the New Jerusalem. ### The Final Invitation and Warning Revelation 22 concludes with a universal invitation to partake of the "water of life" (22:17), which reflects the gracious offer of salvation found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 55|Isaiah 55:1]] and [[John/John Chapter 7|John 7:37-38]]. The warning against adding or taking away from the prophecy (22:18-19) parallels the warnings given in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 4|Deuteronomy 4:2]] and [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 30|Proverbs 30:6]], emphasizing the sanctity and finality of God’s Word. This theme of invitation and warning serves to affirm the urgency and importance of responding to God's call. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The River of Life In Revelation 22, the vision of the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb fulfills the prophecy found in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 47|Ezekiel 47:1-12]], where a life-giving river flows from the temple. This imagery also echoes the promise in [[Zechariah/Zechariah Chapter 14|Zechariah 14:8]], symbolizing the abundance and eternal life found in the presence of God. The river signifies the ultimate restoration and healing of creation, fulfilling the promise of a new and everlasting covenant with God's people. ### The Tree of Life The presence of the tree of life in the New Jerusalem, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and providing healing for the nations, fulfills the promise of restoration found in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 3|Genesis 3:22-24]], where humanity was barred from the tree of life following the Fall. Revelation 22 signifies the full restoration of access to eternal life through [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], fulfilling the redemptive plan initiated in Genesis. This access is a restoration of what was lost, indicating the completion of God's redemptive work in #Christ. ### The Eternal Reign of God and the Lamb Revelation 22:3-5 describes the throne of God and of the Lamb, where His servants will worship Him and reign forever and ever. This fulfills the prophecy of an eternal kingdom found in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 7|Daniel 7:13-14]], where the Son of Man is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom that all peoples and nations will serve. The chapter affirms Jesus' eternal reign and the realization of God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, culminating the prophetic vision of God's everlasting dominion. ### The Immediacy of Christ’s Return Revelation 22 emphasizes the soon return of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], fulfilling the prophetic promises of His coming found in earlier scriptures such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40|Isaiah 40:10]] and [[Malachi/Malachi Chapter 3|Malachi 3:1]], where the Lord is prophesied to come suddenly to His temple. The repeated declaration, "I am coming soon," underscores the fulfillment of the eschatological hope found throughout the New Testament, assuring believers of the imminent completion of God's redemptive plan through the return of Christ. ### The Blessing and Curse The blessings for those who wash their robes and the warnings against altering the prophetic words echo the covenantal blessings and curses found in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 28|Deuteronomy 28]], affirming the consistency of God's covenantal promises. The call to remain faithful to the word aligns with the prophetic tradition of obedience and faithfulness, ensuring participation in the eternal life and kingdom that God has promised through His prophets and ultimately fulfilled in #Christ. ## Verses - **Revelation 22:1** - "Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb." - See also [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 2]] for the river in Eden and [[John/John Chapter 4]] for the living water. - **Revelation 22:2** - "It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations." - See [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 3]] for the tree of life. - **Revelation 22:3** - "No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him." - Reference to the removal of the curse found in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 3]]. - **Revelation 22:4** - "And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads." - See [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 33]] for Moses' request to see God's glory. - **Revelation 22:5** - "And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever." - See [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 60]] for light without sun or moon. - **Revelation 22:6** - "Then the angel said to me, 'Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.'" - **Revelation 22:7** - "'Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.'" - **Revelation 22:8** - "I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me." - **Revelation 22:9** - "But he said, 'No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!'" - See [[Acts/Acts Chapter 10]] for an angel refusing worship. - **Revelation 22:10** - "Then he instructed me, 'Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near.'" - **Revelation 22:11** - "Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy." - **Revelation 22:12** - "'Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.'" - **Revelation 22:13** - "'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.'" - See [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 1]] for similar titles. - **Revelation 22:14** - "Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life." - **Revelation 22:15** - "Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie." - **Revelation 22:16** - "'I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.'" - **Revelation 22:17** - "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' Let anyone who hears this say, 'Come.' Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life." - **Revelation 22:18** - "And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book." - **Revelation 22:19** - "And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book." - **Revelation 22:20** - "He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!' Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" - **Revelation 22:21** - "May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people."