Revelation Chapter 22
Revelation 22:1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
- True, living water and the place is now Edenic, restored completely to paradise
- The source of the water is God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ the Lamb
- Today, grace flows from the Throne of God. Then it will be river, because we will have already received grace on earth, and have it there
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.
- Adam and Eve were denied access to the tree of life after the fall
- Now, it is freely accessible to all in Heaven and on Earth
- One tree, twelve types of fruit
- There is a special trait to the tree-the leaves heal all who need healing
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
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 original curse is for the first time, removed
- Two persons of the Trinity are here, God and the Lamb of God, the LORD Jesus Christ
- This makes a unique time in history-curse removed, no way it will return ever again, God with man, on earth, perfect world, no enemy, no sin, no curse
- This was the plan, spoiled by the serpent and man in the Garden
- All is once again "very good", as in the Garden
(John 1:29)
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
(John 1:36)
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Revelation 22:4
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
- Another first, man seeing God-and not dying
- We are marked for life, for ever
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
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.
- God is light, so there was never a need for another source
- We will not need any other light because, as it says in 1 John 1:5, we will already be in perfect fellowship with God
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
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.
- This just validates the entire book
- Interesting phrase here, "The LORD God of the holy prophets", another name for God which is unique here and identifies our God as unique, as no other God, because only the One True God can foretell the future
- In God's eternity, there is no time, so this is already complete to Him; we just have to await it in the future
- This is impossible to understand, but nevertheless true
SHORT'LY, adv.
- Quickly; soon; in a little time.
The armies came shortly in view of each other. Clarendon. - In a few words; briefly; as, to express ideas more shortly in verse than in prose.
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
- When Jesus comes, there will be no delay, right on time, both ad the Rapture and the Second Coming
- To "keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book" means to hold on to them, read them, memorize them, study them, believe them, adopt them as our own
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.
- Having seen the glory of the angel, this would probably be our natural response as well
- He is not falling for any other reason than to worship, as the end of the next verse clearly states
- The falling to his feet is also an acknowledgement of John's own sin, sin nature
- When John earlier fell at the feet of the Angel, it was none other than Jesus Christ Himself, who then accepted that worship as God
(Revelation 1:17-18)
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
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.
- This is a strange passage, indicating that this person is a Jew (of thy brethren the prophets) who is in a glorified body, being used and sent as a messenger angel
- the ones who kept the sayings were Jews, or members of the body of Christ, but being John was a Jew, "thy brethren' indicates a Jewsish believer
- This could also be an actual angel, no need for dogma, as we will see who it is then
And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
- This command goes along with and nearly quotes exactly the blessing given to all who strive to understand this book in chapter one
- The book is to be kept open to all, throughout the ages, to read, understand and be blessed by
(Revelation 1:3)
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
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.
- This is a perfect verse to describe free will, which allows people to make decisions about their lives
- Unjust and filthy, the opposite of righteous and holy, which means we are clean as well
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
- God will be our reward, above all others
- The wicked were judged and given their reward in chapter twenty
THE REWARD SYSTEM OF GOD
(Genesis 15:1)
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
(Revelation 20:11-14)
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
(Psalms 62:12)
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
(Jeremiah 17:10)
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
(Jeremiah 32:19)
Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
(Matthew 16:27)
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
(Romans 2:6)
Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(Romans 14:12)
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
(1 Corinthians 3:8)
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
(2 Corinthians 5:10)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
(Revelation 2:23)
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
(Job 34:11)
For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
(Proverbs 24:12)
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
(2 Samuel 3:39)
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
(2 Samuel 22:21)
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
(Psalms 18:20)
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
(Psalms 54:5)
He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
(Psalms 58:11)
So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
(Psalms 91:8)
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
(Job 21:19)
God layeth up his (the wealthy wicked's) iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
(Matthew 5:12)
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
(Matthew 5:46)
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
(Matthew 6:1)
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 6:2)
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(Matthew 6:4)
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
(Matthew 6:5)
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(Matthew 6:6)
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
(Matthew 6:16)
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
(Matthew 6:18)
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
(Matthew 10:41)
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
(Matthew 10:42)
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
(Matthew 16:27)
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Revelation 22:13
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
- This is God. Period, cover to cover, and the deity of the LORD Jesus Christ again
- Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, who was dead for our sins and is now alive (Revelation 2:8)
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
(Revelation 1:17)
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
(Revelation 2:8)
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Revelation 22:14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
- The book of life......now the tree of life, same people, same reason (Jesus Christ) for being there
- One tree absent is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Revelation 22:15
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
- With very few exceptions, dogs are never spoken of in a good way in Scripture even in the slightest
- God always uses it as a derogatory term for evil people in Scripture
Dogs in Scripture
(Exodus 11:7)But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
(Exodus 22:31)
And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
<9i> (Deuteronomy 23:18)
Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
(Judges 7:5)
So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
(1 Samuel 17:43)
And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
(1 Samuel 24:14)
After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
(2 Samuel 3:8)
Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman?
(2 Samuel 9:8)
And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
(2 Samuel 16:9)
Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
(2 Kings 8:13)
And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The LORD hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria.
(Psalms 22:20)
Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
(Psalms 59:6)
They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
(Psalms 59:14)
And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
(Psalms 68:23)
That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
(Proverbs 26:11)
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
(Proverbs 26:17)
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
(Ecclesiastes 9:4)
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
(Isaiah 66:3)
He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
(2 Peter 2:22)
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
(Exodus 22:31)
And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
(1 Kings 14:11)
Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the LORD hath spoken it.
(1 Kings 16:4)
Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.
(1 Kings 21:19)
And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.
(1 Kings 21:23)
And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.
(1 Kings 21:24)
Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.
(1 Kings 22:38)
And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.
(2 Kings 9:10)
And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door, and fled.
(2 Kings 9:36)
Wherefore they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:
AN EXCEPTION: NEUTRAL
(Job 30:1)But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
________________________________
(Psalms 22:16)
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
(Psalms 68:23)
That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
(Isaiah 56:10)
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
(Isaiah 56:11)
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
(Jeremiah 15:3)
And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.
(Matthew 7:6)
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
(Matthew 15:26)
But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
(Matthew 15:27)
And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
(Mark 7:27)
But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
(Mark 7:28)
And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.
(Luke 16:21)
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
(Philippians 3:2)
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
(Revelation 22:15)
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Revelation 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.
- It is possible that a fleshly messenger was sent with this book to read it, share it, copy it, perpetuate it
- The root means Jesus is the Creator, the origin of David
- The offspring means Jesus Christ is the rightful heir to the throne of David
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.
- This bride is us, the church
- The bride is also the New Jerusalem
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
(Revelation 21:9)
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
(2 Corinthians 11:2)
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
(Revelation 22:18-19)
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
- This same warning was given in the Old Testament as well
- God's Word is so powerful, so unique that God Himself guards, preserves, transmits, translates, illuminates, uses it
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
(Deuteronomy 12:32)
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
(Proverbs 30:6)
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Hebrews 4:12)
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Revelation 22:20
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
- Again, at both the Rapture and Second Coming, Jesus will not hesitate, but it will be sudden
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
(2 Peter 3:10)
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
(Luke 21:35)
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Revelation 22:21
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
- The very last words written in our Bible, with Grace, with Jesus Christ, with Amen
- Nothing to add
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