Studies in the Book of Revelation
Jay Wegter
Revelation Chapter 22 Eternal Life
The River of the Water of Life
Verse 1, The River of Life. This river is unlike any on earth because no hydrological cycle exists in the eternal state. The water of life symbolizes the continual flow of eternal life from God’s throne to heaven’s inhabitants.
In contrasting the streams and rivers in the millennium compared to the river in the eternal state, the millennial streams anticipate, however, the future river, which is the New Jerusalem, which speaks of the power, purity and eternal life, manifest in the heavenly city. This river corresponds to the present believer’s experience of the outflow of the Spirit and eternal life, the throne indicated is that of both God and the Lamb. This confirms that Christ is still on the throne in the eternal state, though the throne has a different character than during His mediatorial rule over the earth.ⁱ (See comments on verse 5).
The Tree of Life
Verse 2, Tree of life, a symbol of both eternal life and continual blessing. The tree bears 12 fruits, one for each month, and is symbolic of the abundant variety in heaven. The English word therapeutic comes from the Greek word translated healing. The leaves somehow enrich heavenly life, making it full and satisfying.
Because of the obedience of Christ, the Last Adam, our federal Head, we are permitted to eat from the Tree of Life—signifying the gift of eternal life. Adam, our first federal head rebelled and was not allowed to eat, but was expelled from Eden’s Garden Paradise. He and his descendants were consigned to death. How marvelous is the grace of Christ by His death to bring His elect into Paradise and grant them to eat of the Tree of Life.ⁱⁱ John Walvoord takes the word, healing here to mean health-giving regarding the leaves of the trees bringing healing to the nations (to the Gentiles redeemed from the nations). The leaves of the tree promote the enjoyment of life in the new Jerusalem and are not for correcting ills, which do not exist.ⁱⁱⁱ
The Throne of God
Verse 3, no more curse, the curse on humanity, and the earth as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience (Gen 3:17-19) will be totally finished. God will never have to judge this sin again since it will never exist in the New Heavens and the New Earth. His servants shall serve Him.
The Blessedness of Fellowship
Verse 4, See his face. No unglorified human could see God’s face and live (Ex 33:20). But the residents of heaven can look on God’s face without harm because they are now holy (Heb 12:14). His Name. They are God’s personal possession (1 Cor 6:19-20; Eph 1:13-14; 1 Pet 2:9), Verse 5, They shall reign. Heaven’s citizens are more than servants—they are coregents. The concept that the reign of Christ must cease at the millennium based on 1 Corinthians 15:24-25, is a misunderstanding. It is the character of Christ’s reign that changes. Christ continues for all eternity as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, even though the scene of His mediatorial and millennial rule over the earth has changed to the New Heavens and the New Earth. There is no contradiction, therefore, in calling these saints servants at the same time recognizing them as those who will reign with Christ.ⁱᵛ
The Certainty of the Blessed Hope
Verse 6, His servants. The members of the seven churches of Asia Minor who received this letter, and then all believers who have read or will read it since. Things must shortly take place. This involves the entire revelation of Jesus Christ, which John has just related.
Verse 7, I'm coming quickly. Jesus’s return is imminent. Blessed is the one who heeds the prophecy of this book. Revelation opens and closes with this promise of blessing to those who read and heed its contents (see 1:3).
Wilbur Smith states the following regarding the consummation of God’s plot: all the glorious purposes of God ordained from the foundation of the world have now been attained. The rebellion of angels and mankind is all and finally subdued, and the King of the Kings assumes His rightful sovereignty—absolute, unchangeable holiness characterizes all within the universal Kingdom of God. The redeemed, made so by the blood of the Lamb are in resurrection and eternal glory. Life is everywhere, and death will never intrude again. The earth and the heavens both are renewed. Light, beauty, holiness, joy, presence of God, worship of God, service to Christ, likeness to Christ, all are now abiding realities. The vocabulary of man, made for life here is incapable of truly adequately depicting what God has prepared for those who love Himᵛ (see Isaiah chapter 25 regarding a heavenly existence without a trace of death and decay). Verse 8, Heard and saw, John is speaking for the first time since chapter one, and confirms the veracity of the revelation with his own eyewitness testimony. Eyewitness testimony being the basis of any reliable witness.
The Command to Proclaim the Prophecy
Verse 10, Do not seal the words. Previous prophecies were sealed up. Note, Daniel 8:26, and 12:4-10. These prophecies in Revelation are to be proclaimed, so they can produce obedience and worship. The time is at hand. This refers to immediacy, which means that the end is next.
Verse 11, Those who reject God’s warnings will fix their eternal destiny in hell, where they will retain their evil and filthy natures for all eternity. Those who respond to the warnings in fleeing to Christ will fix their eternal destiny in glory, and realize perfect righteousness and holiness in heaven.
The Lord’s coming will be so swift that there will be no time for change. As they are spiritually and morally, at the moment, so will the Lord find them. The words are clearly meant as an encouragement to believers. Though those who are evil continued to pursue their way, let them carry on. The Lord’s return is sure and soon. The last word is not with the wicked. The saying may also be a challenge to repent now. John is saying that there will be no opportunity for a last-minute repentance. The Lord will come so quickly that that will not be possible, but now there is time. Let men repent while they can.ᵛⁱ How this text ought to be more often proclaimed in our pulpits! It seems a strange command given, even an enigma to some, because John states, he that is unjust, let him stay unjust, let him be unjust still in effect, he advocates the status quo for both wicked and righteous. By this he does not mean that men should remain unmoved by the prophecies of this book, but rather that if the prophecies are rejected, there’s no other message that will work. If these warnings of the book are not sufficient, there is no more that God has to say. The wicked must continue in their wicked way and be judged by the Lord when he comes, the same rule, however, applies to the righteous, their reaction to the prophecy, of course, will be different, but the exhortation in their case is to continue in righteousness and holiness. It is an eitheror proposition, with no neutrality possible. There is a sense in which, also, the present choices fix character. A time is coming when change will be impossible. Present choices will become permanent in character. What is coming is two kinds of judgment: reward versus retributive judgment.ᵛⁱⁱ
The Blessed Hope and the Assurance of Reward
Verse 12, I am coming quickly. Again, imminence is the issue. Every man will be judged according to his work, only those works which survive God’s testing fire will have eternal value and be worthy of reward.
To this critical message of imminence is added the thought of exact requital. He will give to every man. The returning Christ will bring ‘wages’—the Greek word means, reward, what is due. The verb to give also signifies requital. Every man is involved. There will be no escaping in that day, as we have seen elsewhere in Scripture, judgment according to works, is insisted upon throughout the New Testament.ᵛⁱⁱⁱ
The Majesty of the Eternal Christ
Verse 13, The Alpha and the Omega. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. Now, the identical expression is applied to Himself by the risen Christ with the addition, the First and the Last, all three expressions mean much the same, and they set Christ apart from all created beings. None other than God could share in these titles of the Almighty.ⁱˣ Verse 14, Blessed are those who do His commandments. Blessed are those who wash their robes, symbolizing those who have been forgiven of their sins, who have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb of God. Tree of life.
There is a sense in which the saved are washed once for all. But we so easily defile ourselves day by day as we carry the remnants of a lower nature, and live in the pressures of this world that it is necessary for Christ’s own to be cleansed continually (1 Jn 1:7). We are reminded of the soiled robes of those in the church of Sardis. John brings out the effect of the washing in terms of two pieces of imagery he has already used. First, those who wash in this way, have a right to the tree of life. Second, that they may enter into the gates of the city.ˣ Verse 15, dogs were considered despicable creatures in New Testament times. The term, dogs when applied to people, refers to anyone of low moral character, unfaithful leaders in Isaiah 56:10-12, and homosexual prostitutes in Deuteronomy 23:18 are among those who receive such designation as dogs, also sorcerers here. Verse 16, My angel, the seven churches of Asia were the book’s original recipients. The root and the offspring of David, Christ is the source, the root of David’s life, and line of descendants, which established Christ’s deity. He is also a descendant of David, an offspring of David, which establishes His humanity (Ps 110:1; Mt 22:43-44; Lu 20:44). This phrase gives powerful testimony to Christ as the God-man (2 Tim 2:8). The bright and morning star, this is the brightest star announcing the arrival of the day. When Jesus returns, He will be the brightest star who will shatter the darkness of man’s night and herald the dawn of God’s glorious day (Lu 1:78-79).
‘I Jesus’ is used to indicate that the Lord Jesus Christ has sent His angel to testify to the truth of this book to John and to deliver the book to the churches. Regarding the gravity of the words, ‘I Jesus’ here is a comment from Joseph Siess, the very God of inspiration and of all inspired men reiterates and affirms the highest authority for all that is herein written either then this book is nothing but a base and blasphemous forgery, unworthy of the slightest respect of men, and especially unworthy of a place in the sacred canon, or this book is one of the most directly inspired and authoritative writings ever given In summary, this final book of the Scriptures, which began with the Revelation of Jesus Christ, ends with a prayer, that His grace might be with those who have witnessed the scene through John’s pen. Probably no book in the Bible presents in more stark contrast, the grace of God is seen in the lives and destinies of the saints as compared to the righteous judgment of God on the wicked. In no other book are the issues made more specific. The book of Revelation is the presentation of the Word of God of what the saints will witness and experience in the glorious consummation of the ages with John, we can pray even so come, Lord Jesus.ˣⁱ
Verse 17, Come! this is the Spirit’s and church’s answer to the promise of His coming. Let him. . . This is the unlimited offer of grace and salvation to all who have desire, who all who desire to have their thirsty souls quenched by the water of life. It seems best, accordingly to understand the invitation as issued by the church, and every member of the church to the outsider. This is made specific—to the individual (see John 6:35 and 7:37). And the further invitation to anyone who wills to take the water of life freely, man’s deepest need will be met, though those needs must be felt. This is a gift without charge.ˣⁱⁱ
The Final Testimony of Christ
Verse 18, Jesus offers extended testimony on the authority and finality of the prophecy. He commissioned John to write it, but He was its Author. These are not the first of such warnings. See also Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Jeremiah 26:2; 2 Pet 3:16. These warnings against altering the biblical text represent the close of the New Testament canon. Anyone who tampers with the truth by attempting to falsify, mitigate, alter, or misrepresent it will incur the judgments described in these verses. John does not address the words to copyists, but to every man that hears the words. It seems likely that we should take the exhortation as addressed to the same hearer as in the previous verse. In other words, they are a strong exhortation to heed what is written; the text is not to be modified or evaded. If anyone adds to the book’s teaching, John says, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. If anyone takes away part of the book’s teaching, God will take away his part out of the blessings the book has so glowingly depicted. The same verb is used of the man’s taking away the words of prophecy as if God's taking away his part. There’s a fitness about it all. The punishment fits the crime.ˣⁱⁱⁱ Verse 20, Surely, I am coming quickly. See the chap in light of this future expectation. Now, what is now required of believers is outlined by Peter in 2 Peter 3:11-18. Quickly means the manner, mode, and impact of His coming and not the timing of His coming.
Verse 21, John looks for grace for all God’s people. He closes his book by reminding us that all Christians, not just some, depend on God’s free grace. End Notes:
If not cited in the end notes below, comments are from the MacArthur Study Bible.
i John Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ
ii Jay R. Wegter
iii John Walvoord in Leon Morris, The Revelation of St. John
iv Ibid.
v Wilbur Smith in Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ
vi Leon Morris
vii John Walvoord
viii Ibid.
ix Ibid.
x Ibid.
xi Joseph Seiss in Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ
xii Ibid.
xiii Ibid.