Revelation Chapter 22

The angel has shown John the exterior of the New Jerusalem in chapter 21. Now the angel shows him several features inside the city.

Verse 1

The river of life flows from God’s throne and brings life to all the land. This is a reminder that all life came from God and is sustained by Him (Ezekiel 47:1-12).

Verse 2

In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life – The tree of life has a trunk on each side of the river that meets and becomes one over the river.

Which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month – Isaiah 66:22,23 describes the redeemed coming to worship before God every Sabbath and at each new moon. The monthly gatherings apparently will coincide with the bearing of new fruit on the tree of life. (SOP 1)

The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations – “The term “nations” refers to the Gentiles. All through the Bible we see a distinction made between Jew and Gentile. This description is a reminder that all national and linguistic barriers will be removed in heaven, and we all will be united into one family.

The description in these verses is an assurance that God has provided all necessary provisions for our eternal life and happiness. There on the banks of the river of life, under the tree of life, we will dwell in perfect happiness and harmony.

Verse 3

There shall be no more curse – This is another assurance that sin will never again rise (Nahum 1:9). Sin brought banishment from Eden and the Tree of Life. With the curse removed, the redeemed will return to the restored Eden with full access to the Tree of Life.

The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it – All we have ever known in this world is the rule of Satan. This is a reminder that God will rule in the restored earth, with no more curse and no enemy to mar the perfect happiness of the redeemed.

His servants shall serve Him – The word used here for “serve” refers to normal, natural, spontaneous service. It will be spontaneous and joyful to serve God in the new earth.

They shall see His face – The redeemed will have a privilege that no human beings have had since Adam sinned, that of seeing God face to face.

His name shall be on their foreheads – This is a symbol of ownership by God, and is a reminder that we will be like Him (1 John 3:1,2).

Verse 5

This verse repeats the thought in Rev. 21:23-25.

They shall reign forever and ever – Our tour of the New Jerusalem ends with this incredible statement. In the rest of Revelation, it is repeatedly stated that God is the One who lives and reigns forever and ever (Rev. 4:9,10, 10:6, 11:15, 15:7). This is an assurance that God is going to share His throne with us for all eternity! What more could He do to demonstrate His amazing love to redeemed sinners?

(SOP 2,3)

Conclusion to the Book (the Invitation) (Verses 6 – 21)

Verse 6

Compare with Rev. 21:5. It’s as though God is saying to us, “These things really are true!”

Verse 7

These prophecies of heaven have not been given to satisfy our curiosity about the future, but to admonish us to steadfastness and unswerving loyalty as we await Christ’s soon coming. Hang on! Soon we will be there, and see and experience all these things for ourselves.

Verses 8,9

John is so overwhelmed by this revelation that he repeats the experience described in Rev. 19:10. This time the angel identifies himself as a fellow prophet.

Verse 10

In contrast to the book of Daniel, Revelation was never sealed. The events described in Revelation were already beginning to take place as John wrote them down.

And now Jesus Himself speaks in verses 11-20.

Verse 11

This is Jesus’ solemn pronouncement, made at the close of His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. Those who are unjust have never had their sins forgiven, and those who are filthy have not been sanctified. In contrast, those who are righteous are forgiven of their sins, and those who are holy are sanctified.

This pronouncement marks the close of human probation (Daniel 12:1). Every decision has been made, and no one will then switch sides in the battle between good and evil.

Verses 12,13

As soon as the final decision has been made, Jesus will come to the earth with His reward.

Verse 14

Here Jesus pronounces the blessing of eternal life upon the obedient.

Note: Some translations read “wash their robes” in place of “do His commandments.” Although these two readings mean essentially the same thing (1 Peter 1:22), “do His commandments” states the thought more clearly.

Verse 15

In contrast with the obedient saints are the wicked outside the city. The word “dogs” is another term for “heathen,” a vile, shameless person (Matthew 7:6, 15:26).

Verse 16

Jesus confirms that the messages given by the angel are from Him.

I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star – See Rev. 2:28, 5:5, compare with Isaiah 11:1. This is a confirmation that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of all the prophecies.

Verse 17

Here is the final invitation in the Bible. God’s Spirit and the New Jerusalem both invite us to “come” and freely receive eternal life. Jesus also has another bride, the church, who will extend this same invitation to the world.

Verses 18,19

As Jesus concludes this revelation of Himself, He pronounces a curse upon those who add to or take away from this book. It is a serious thing to tamper with the Word of God. Those who would be saved must live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Verses 20,21

Jesus finishes by again confirming that He is coming quickly. John adds his own assent and pronounces a final blessing upon the readers of the book.

THE END

Spirit of Prophecy Quotations

1 “Out of the throne came a pure river of water, and on either side of the river was the tree of life. On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree, and a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure, transparent gold. At first I thought I saw two trees. I looked again, and saw that they were united at the top in one tree. So it was the tree of life on either side of the river of life. Its branches bowed to the place where we stood, and the fruit was glorious; it looked like gold mixed with silver.” -- Early Writings, page 17.

2 “Language is altogether to feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and exclaim, “Oh, what love! What wondrous love!” The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or the matchless depths of a Saviour’s love.” -- Early Writings, page 289.

3 “A fear of making the future inheritance seem too material has led many to spiritualize away the very truths which lead us to look upon it as our home. Christ assured His disciples that He went to prepare mansions for them in the Father's house. Those who accept the teachings of God's word will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly abode. And yet, "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9. Human language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory of the Paradise of God.

“In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called "a country." Hebrews 11:14-16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.

" Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying: . . . for the former things are passed away." "The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 33:24.

“There is the New Jerusalem, the metropolis of the glorified new earth, "a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." "Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." "The nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it." Saith the Lord: "I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people." "The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." Isaiah 62:3; Revelation 21:11, 24; Isaiah 65:19; Revelation 21:3.

“In the City of God "there shall be no night." None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall ever be far from its close. "And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light." Revelation 22:5. The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully dazzling, yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide. The glory of God and the Lamb floods the Holy City with unfading light. The redeemed walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day.

"I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." Revelation 21:22. The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son. "Now we see through a glass, darkly." 1 Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in His presence and behold the glory of His countenance.

“There the redeemed shall know, even as also they are known. The loves and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, the sacred ties that bind together "the whole family in heaven and earth" (Ephesians 3:15)--these help to constitute the happiness of the redeemed.

“There, immortal minds will contemplate with never-failing delight the wonders of creative power, the mysteries of redeeming love. There will be no cruel, deceiving foe to tempt to forgetfulness of God. Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The acquirement of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. There the grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body.

“All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God's redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar--worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. With unutterable delight the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through ages upon ages in contemplation of God's handiwork. With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of creation--suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator's name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed.

“And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise.

“"And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Revelation 5:13.

“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.” – The Great Controversy, pages 674-678.