But here, there is no temple, except the Lord God and the Lamb (21:22), and
there is no more sea (21:1), so this river has eternal significance. Psa 46:4-5
Because God & the Lamb are mentioned separately-
-- some say this must be prior to the consummation of all things (note at 21:3), and thus applies to the Millenium. [JBS]
-- Others say that this shows only that Christ remains eternally King of kings, even after all is turned over to the Father. The Eternal State is in view. [JFWalvord]
God is eternally Triune. Where, then, is the Holy Spirit in this passage?
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.
ie., They will be permanently identified as His own.
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.
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.
Compare 1:1. The following verses provide a summary to the book.
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.
these things- John is affirming that he received the entire message of this book.
to worship- His reaction, though misdirected, indicates that he was powerfully moved.
Are we?
22:9 Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not:
for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, {cp. 19:10}
and of them which keep the sayings {ie., the words} of this book: worship God.
22:10 And he saith unto me,
Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
seal not- Cf. Daniel's book, sealed "until the time of the end" (Dan 12:4,9).
Cf. the view of some teachers that Revelation is too obscure to understand.
Christ sent this message to reveal (not obscure) the things which must shortly come to pass.
His message bearers (prophets, v.9) must not hide, neglect, or scoff at His Word. Rev 1:1,19; 2Pet 3:3,4
the time is at hand-
The Church is nearing the end of the periods of her history described in ch. 2 & 3.
The things which shall be after "these things" (1:19) may be nearer than we think. Rom 13:11-14
22:11 He that is unjust {unrighteous}, let him be unjust {let him do unrighteousness} still:
and he which is filthy, let him be filthy {let him be made filthy} still:
and he that is righteous, let him be righteous {let him do righteousness} still:
and he that is holy, let him be holy {let him be made holy} still.
still- yet more. The sense is: 'Let him be made yet more... '
-- This verse implies not only permanence of condition and "fixity of destiny" [JBS], but a deepening of the condition. An individual (or society) is moved along by the momentum of its chosen direction. While evil men wax worse and worse, the children of God grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
There is nothing hidden from "Him with whom we have to do". Heb 4:13
22:14 Blessed [are] they that do his commandments {some MSS: that wash their robes},
that they may have right {ie., authority} to the tree of life,
and may enter in through the gates into the city.
blessed- This is the last of the 7 beatitudes in Revelation.
-- But the former reading includes this meaning (cp. Joh 6:29) and also fits the context of rewards (v.12) and the contrast with the unrighteous (v.15).
22:15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers,
and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
without {GK= exo} are...- The people mentioned here are not sitting just outside the city gates.
Rather, they are excluded, banished completely, from the eternal kingdom.
22:16 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.
I, Jesus- This is the only such occurrence in scripture, and
is emphatic of the authority behind the message.
The revelation "which God gave unto Him" is now complete (1:1).
in the churches- The message was sent to the local churches (1:4 and ch. 2-3).
the root & offspring of David- In Him the promises to Israel are begun & completed.
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.
Here is a final invitation to those who are "outside" (v.15).
22:18 For I testify {or, it is I who testify} unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things,
--eg., by supplementing God's Word with the words which man's wisdom teaches. [JBSmith] Deut 4:2; 12:32; Prov 30:6
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
--eg., by editing out of God's Word that which man's wisdom deems foolish.
God shall take away his part out of the book {some MSS: from the tree} of life,
and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.
Those who are excluded from these things are consigned to the Lake of Fire (20:15).