Revelation 22:1-9

The closing chapter of Revelation reveals the last of the future which God made known to John. In the text before us the glory of the new Jerusalem was shown to him. The one hosting John’s tour of the city is one of the seven angels who earlier poured out the vials of God’s judgment.

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life . . .” (v. 1). Words produce mental images. A river produces an image of flowing water. The flowing water in this instance is not of physical water. The water is spiritual. It is the free water of which Isaiah prophesied (Isa. 55:1) and it is the water which Jesus offered to the woman at the well in Samaria (Jn. 4:13-14).

The picture before us, a river of pure water proceeding from the throne of God, is very similar to that which was shown to Ezekiel (Ezek. 47). The river which Ezekiel saw is different in that it flowed outward from the temple. In both Revelation and in Ezekiel, the river carries life-giving water. The river in John’s vision does not flow from the temple because there is no temple in the new Jerusalem. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22). Ezekiel determined that the water flowed from the right side of the altar of sacrifice. John had an unobstructed view of the water’s source. John saw water issuing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. There is a single source of the water of life. The water is totally dependent upon God and upon the Lamb — dependent both the Father and the Son, both the provider of the sacrifice and the sacrifice. The river of water of life is an everlasting flow from the throne of God in the new Jerusalem.

The tree of life is in the midst of the street of the new Jerusalem and upon the banks of the river. Readers of God’s word are first introduced to the tree of life in Genesis 3:22, we learn that eating of this tree produces eternal life. The tree of life described here (v. 2) provides for life in the new Jerusalem in an abundant manner. The tree produces fruit of twelve different varieties on a monthly cycle. The tree of life provides more than food; its leaves are used for healing. While it is not apparent just what type of healing should occur in the new Jerusalem, it is a certainty that the tree of life shall enhance the quality of life of the nations which shall walk in the light of the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:24).

In verse 3, John is told that there will be no more curse. The ground from which God fashioned man became cursed because of Adam’s disobedience (Gen. 3:17). The curse has served all men as a reminder of our own disobedience. The curse shall be no more because all things are made new (Rev. 21:5). There shall be no more disobedience. The separation of men from God is ended. We are told that His servants shall serve Him and shall see his face (I Cor. 13:12). God promises a blessing upon all who read the words of this prophecy, hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things which are written (Rev 1:3). The full realization of the promised blessing is found in serving Him.

In verse 6 the angel said, “These sayings are faithful and true.” All things recorded in the book of Revelation shall happen and happen in the manner that they are recorded. The angel is the messenger of God who spoke to the holy prophets — the same God who spoke to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the same God who gave David the words of Psalm 22; the same God who told Isaiah that the Messiah would be rejected and would suffer for our iniquities; the same God who told Daniel that the Messiah would be cut off after sixty-nine weeks of years. This is the God who states that the things recorded in Revelation are faithful and true.

There is an urgency to God’s final message to men. “Behold, I come quickly” (v. 7). These same words were directed to the church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3:11), the church which Christ commended for its evangelism. The Lord spoke these words to the church because it is His desire they not lose the crown which is reserved for them. It is His desire that all men be found ready when He comes quickly. The blessing promised in Revelation 1:3 is contingent upon hearing this prophecy and doing that which the Lord has said. God would have all churches receive that which is reserved for the church at Philadelphia. To those who overcome, He has promised to write upon them His name and the name of the new Jerusalem (3:12). The righteous must act while the ears of men are still open and their hearts can receive the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Verse 9 is an instant replay of 19:10 in which John is admonished for misdirecting his worship. The stated purpose of the book of Revelation is for men to hear and correct their ways (continue in their ways in the instance of the church at Philadelphia). What part does John’s falling before the feet of an angel work toward attaining the blessings that God would bestow?

Keeping the words of this prophecy requires one to continue to direct his worship to God, and God alone. The promise of blessing belongs to all who correct their ways and direct their worship to Him alone. John’s worship was misdirected. John bowed to an angel (a created being who described himself as “thy fellow servant.”) Inappropriate worship (all worship not focused solely upon God and the Lamb of God) is cause for one to forfeit crowns which the Lord has for them who love Him.

For centuries, Revelation was an unread book. Men could not relate to images of a one world government and worldwide destruction. The prophecy of this book is not sealed. The blessed are they who do His commandments.

Not all who hear the words of this prophecy shall act upon it as God has directed. God has placed His word before us and instructed us to act upon it and be blessed. Only those who act upon His word, shall be ready because He has said: “Behold, I come quickly.”