The River Of Life (Revelation 22)

Let’s now look at the joyful conclusion of all things, pictured in a pure river of water of life, and the tree of life, access to which will be regained. We also read the last written words of Jesus, “Surely I am coming quickly.” All this is recorded in Revelation 22.

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 is reminiscent of the inspired words written by several ancient prophets (Isaiah 35; Ezekiel 47; Zechariah 14). The water of life is pictured in the rivers springing from the garden, the water from the rock which Moses struck, prophecies of streams in the desert, and the living water that Jesus promised (John 7:38).

Revelation 22:2 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.

Access to the tree of life is restored.

Revelation 22:3 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:

The curse which began at Eden will be over (Zechariah 14:11).

Revelation 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

This is the diametric opposite of the mark of the beast, the name of God, which will be in their foreheads, in their thoughts.

Revelation 22:5 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.

Whereas before we knew that the light was on the city. Here it is on them.

Revelation 22:6 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.

When we read the word “shortly” we must understand that God counts time differently to us.

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

How quickly? It will come quicker than expected. Why do we keep the sayings? While many may be tempted to avoid Revelation because of its mystery and frequent misuse in wild speculation, keeping these words in observation and memory is a blessing. It symbolically reveals the victory of Jesus and His saints over all evil.

Revelation 22:8 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 these things.

John was once before rebuked for doing this (Revelation 19:10) where he previously specifically worshipped the angel. Here he seems to be worshipping God in front of the angel’s feet, but still it is too close to idolatry for comfort.

Revelation 22:9 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.

If we have ever had any doubts about bowing down before the saints of history, this angel teaches us a valuable lesson.

Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

However long the gospel age may continue, it is the end. Whereas the words of Daniel were sealed until the end (Daniel 12:4, 9), these words are for the end. The time is at hand for this sequence of prophetic events to be fulfilled. Though they are a continuity of evils existing in ancient empires, they will culminate in heaven’s victory.

Revelation 22:11 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.

For those of us that are concerned about immorality in the world and heresy and apostasy within the church, these words are exactly what we need. Let it be! Let people choose and so be it.

Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Though salvation is a free gift, we show our faith by our works and the size of our reward depends on what we do (Isaiah 40:10; 62:11).

Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.