Revelation 22 NIV
Eden Restored
22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
In this chapter, the angel shows John a river flowing and the source of this river is the throne of God and the Lamb. The river flows down the middle of the great street of the Holy City (the city was described in the last chapter). This river is the water of life, clear as crystal, transparent, the purest there is, always flowing with no chance of impurity, and on each side of the river stood the “tree of life”.
The “water of life” signifies water possessing life giving powers. Water which restores, refreshes, supports life and in a spiritual sense is compared to Jesus and the “living water” in John 4:13-14, and 7:37-39.
The “trees of life” bear 12 manner of fruits for every month, and its leaves will bring forth healing to the nations, (Twelve is the biblical number for completeness). It is unclear just how many “trees of life” there are, scripture here only mentions that they are on both sides of the river, see Ezekiel 47, also vv. 14 and 19 in this chapter, where it is singular.
The leaves that bring forth healing does not meant that there are diseases or sicknesses that need healing from, because there are no diseases or sicknesses in Heaven, but means the health giving leaves are water the never ending health and life and general well being of the inhabitants are sustained. (Just like Adam in the garden, the trees were to sustain his health and life.)
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
In v.6, the angel says to John: “these words are trustworthy and true”, referring to the teaching of the prophets of old, who were inspired by God to write them down.
In v.7, we get a quote from Jesus, himself saying: “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is then who keeps the words of the prophesy written in this scroll”. Jesus gives the blessing of eternal life to whomever listens to and keeps to His teachings and commandments.
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
Again, in amazement, John fall down to worship at the feet of the angel, and the Angel has to correct him, saying that he [the angel] is merely a fellow servant, like himself, but to worship God only – not His servants.
10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
Epilogue: Invitation and Warning
Here it sounds as though God is heartless and doesn’t care about the unsaved, and would rather see them destroyed. Not so! Here is an example of sowing and reaping. God wants this to be a sign to the ungodly that we will be judged, that it’s not too late for repentance, time is short, change your ways or be condemned.
Epilogue: Invitation and Warning
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Jesus give His last warning to the ungodly, to clean up, to repent and change or be left our of the Kingdom of God. Jesus then warns the people, who hear the words of this prophesy, not to alter or change or add to any of the words of this prophesy. (Remember, Jesus is the Word of God, and to change His words is blasphemy against God. See John 1)
Footnotes:
a Revelation 22:16 The Greek is plural.
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