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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Revelation 22 Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/expositors/revelation/22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001com.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/revelation/22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcom/revelation/22-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="/commentaries/">Commentary</a> > <a href="../">Ellicott</a> > <a href="../revelation/">Revelation</a></div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../revelation/21.htm" title="Revelation 21">◄</a> Revelation 22 <a href="../genesis/1.htm" title="Genesis 1">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</div><div class="chap"><span class= "bld">XXII.</span><p>THE RESTORED PARADISE (<a href="/context/revelation/22-1.htm" title="And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.">Revelation 22:1-5</a>).—These five verses complete the description of the new heavens and new earth. The features of this last section reflect those of the first and forfeited paradise: the tree of life and the river that flows by the trees are here, and the happy and willing service of God is restored (<a href="/context/revelation/22-3.htm" title="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:">Revelation 22:3-4</a>), and the curse has disappeared.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-1.htm">Revelation 22:1</a></div><div class="verse">And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.</div>(1) <span class= "bld">And he shewed me a pure river . . .</span>—The adjective “pure” must be omitted, as it is wanting in the best MSS. The river is full of water, and that water is the emblem of life: it is the beautiful symbol of life in its gladness, purity, activity, and fulness. The garden of Eden (<a href="/genesis/2-10.htm" title="And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became into four heads.">Genesis 2:10</a>) had its river. Even in the wilderness Israel had from the smitten rock the water which gushed out like a river (<a href="/psalms/105-41.htm" title="He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.">Psalm 105:41</a>). Prophets, in their pictures of the ages of blessing, almost invariably introduced the river, or broad stream. Joel saw a fountain out of the house of the Lord (<a href="/joel/3-18.htm" title="And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.">Joel 3:18</a>). Zechariah spoke of living waters from Jerusalem (<a href="/zechariah/14-8.htm" title="And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.">Zechariah 14:8</a>); but Ezekiel had the fullest vision when he beheld the stream which deepened and broadened in its onward progress from under the threshold of the house of God, and carried life in its train: everything lived whither the water came (<a href="/ezekiel/47-9.htm" title="And it shall come to pass, that every thing that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live where the river comes.">Ezekiel 47:9</a>); thus did all prophets speak of the river of God’s pleasures (<a href="/psalms/36-8.htm" title="They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house; and you shall make them drink of the river of your pleasures.">Psalm 36:8</a>). The teaching of our Lord threw new light on the prophetic imagery; the pure delights of spiritual joy and communion with God were vouchsafed to men by the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life. In the bestowal of that spirit of life did Christ give true satisfaction to the thirsting souls of men. (Comp. <a href="/context/john/4-10.htm" title="Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.">John 4:10-14, Joh_7:37-39</a>.) The source of the river is in the <span class= "ital">throne.</span> Ezekiel’s river took rise in the temple; but in our vision there is no temple (<a href="/revelation/21-22.htm" title="And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.">Revelation 21:22</a>). We are brought nearer, even to the throne: it is the throne (not “thrones”)—one throne of God and the Lamb. (Comp. <a href="/revelation/3-21.htm" title="To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.">Revelation 3:21</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Revelation 22:2</a></div><div class="verse">In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, <i>was there</i> the tree of life, which bare twelve <i>manner of</i> fruits, <i>and</i> yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree <i>were</i> for the healing of the nations.</div>(2) <span class= "bld">In the midst of the street of it . . .</span>—Or rather, <span class= "ital">In the midst of the street of it, and of the river, on one side and on the other </span>(<span class= "ital">was</span>)<span class= "ital"> a tree of life, yielding twelve fruits, according to each month giving its fruit; and the leaves of the tree are for healing of the nations.</span> The hunger as well as the thirst of the spirit is to be satisfied (<a href="/matthew/5-6.htm" title="Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.">Matthew 5:6</a>). The tree of life, as well as the river of life, is to be found in the new and better Eden (<a href="/genesis/2-9.htm" title="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 middle of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.">Genesis 2:9</a>; <a href="/genesis/3-22.htm" title="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:">Genesis 3:22</a>). The vision of Ezekiel is exactly parallel to the present: “On the border of the river there was wood very much, on both sides: every kind of tree; its leaf withers not, and its fruit ceases not; all months does it ripen; its fruit serves for food, and its leaf for healing” (<a href="/context/ezekiel/47-7.htm" title="Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.">Ezekiel 47:7-12</a>). The twelve manner of fruit: The recurrence of the number—twelve—is to be noticed, for here, too, as well as in the foundations and gates of the city, we have variety allied with unity. Diverse and seasonable fruits, and yet one tree of life. Thus does the Almighty wisdom feed His people with food convenient for them (<a href="/proverbs/30-8.htm" title="Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:">Proverbs 30:8</a>), though, in one sense there is but one food for all (<a href="/john/6-31.htm" title="Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.">John 6:31</a>); for true divine wisdom is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her (<a href="/proverbs/3-18.htm" title="She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and happy is every one that retains her.">Proverbs 3:18</a>). That wisdom is not the mere knowledge of things (the tree of the knowledge of good and evil has no place in new Eden); but it is rather the knowledge of life which makes the knowledge of things available to the highest good. (Comp. <a href="/context/1_corinthians/1-22.htm" title="For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:">1Corinthians 1:22-24</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/1-30.htm" title="But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:">1Corinthians 1:30</a>; <a href="/james/3-17.htm" title="But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.">James 3:17</a>; Proverbs 8)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-3.htm">Revelation 22:3</a></div><div class="verse">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:</div>(3) <span class= "bld">And there shall be no more curse</span> . . . Better, <span class= "ital">And every curse, or accursed thing, shall not be any longer.</span> There may be an allusion to <a href="/joshua/7-12.htm" title="Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except you destroy the accursed from among you.">Joshua 7:12</a>; there is certainly a borrowing, of language from Zechariah (<a href="/zechariah/14-11.htm" title="And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.">Zechariah 14:11</a>). All accursed things are removed, and with them passes the curse. The blessing of God’s presence, and the blessing of God’s rule take the place of the ascendancy of evil over the groaning creation (<a href="/romans/8-22.htm" title="For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.">Romans 8:22</a>). “The throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it.” The song of the Psalmist receives new force: “the Lord reigneth: let the earth rejoice; let the multitudes of the isles be glad thereof;” the accursed things, even all things that offend, are gathered out of the kingdom (<a href="/matthew/13-41.htm" title="The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;">Matthew 13:41</a>).<p>(3, 4) <span class= "bld">And his servants shall serve him . . .</span>—We turn from the city to the inhabitants. They are described as serving Him, seeing Him, and resembling Him. They shall serve Him: they shall offer Him the service of the priesthood—the word employed is that used of temple service. The word translated “servants” is the word which the Apostles used when they spoke of <span class= "ital">themselves</span> as <span class= "ital">slaves</span> of Jesus Christ, owned as well as employed by Him (<a href="/philippians/1-1.htm" title="Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:">Philippians 1:1</a>; <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm" title="But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.">2Peter 2:1</a>; <a href="/jude/1-1.htm" title="Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:">Jude 1:1</a>). Their service here was discharged in the midst of discouragements and in difficulty; and they walked by faith, not by sight. Now the servants shall serve without hindrance or opposition, and they shall be encouraged by His immediate presence. “They <span class= "ital">shall see his face;” </span>they shall know even as they are known (<a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm" title="For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.">1Corinthians 13:12</a>); they shall see Him as He is. No wonder, then, that he should add (and observe that the thought is exactly that which occurs in the First Epistle of St. John (<a href="/1_john/3-2.htm" title="Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.">1John 3:2</a>): “His name shall be in (or, <span class= "ital">on</span>) their foreheads.” The <span class= "ital">name</span> stands for what God is in holiness and righteousness, purity and love. The name on the forehead indicates their resemblance to their Master. On earth the servants of God are changed from glory to glory into the same image (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm" title="But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.">2Corinthians 3:18</a>). They aim to be perfect, as their Father in heaven is perfect (<a href="/matthew/5-48.htm" title="Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.">Matthew 5:48</a>); but when they see God as He is they shall be like Him. His name is on their foreheads, for they behold His face: they wake up after His likeness, and they are satisfied (<a href="/psalms/17-15.htm" title="As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness.">Psalm 17:15</a>). There is a divine paradox in the double truth: those who are like God see Him, and those who see Him are like Him (<a href="/matthew/5-8.htm" title="Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.">Matthew 5:8</a>). “There will come a time when the service of God shall be the beholding of Him; and though in these stormy seas, where we are now driven up and down, His Spirit is dimly seen on the face of the waters, and we are left to cast anchors out of the stern and wish for the day, that day will come, when, with the evangelist on the crystal and stable sea, all the creatures of God shall be full of eyes within, and there shall be no more curse, but His servants shall serve Him, and shall see His face” (Ruskin).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-5.htm">Revelation 22:5</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(5) <span class= "bld">And there shall be no night there . . .</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">And night shall not be any more, and </span>(<span class= "ital">they shall not have</span>)<span class= "ital"> need of the light of lamp, and of light of sun, because the Lord God shall give light upon them, and they shall reign unto the ages of ages.</span> There shall be no night. Twice is it said (<a href="/revelation/21-25.htm" title="And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.">Revelation 21:25</a>) that all darkness shall cease; the darkness in which the saints and sorrowing walked shall be dispelled, when God gives them light. No artificial light is needed, since He who is Light is their light. Those who were children of light now dwell in the light of God’s countenance; and they reign who were made kings and priests to God (<a href="/revelation/1-6.htm" title="And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.">Revelation 1:6</a>). With this utterance the visions of the Apocalypse close. The saints of God have been seen in the bitterness and toilfulness of their struggle and pilgrimage towards the Holy City; but from point to point they have made progress. They have gone from strength to strength, unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Zion. The Lord God is their sun and shield. He has given grace; He now gives glory. No good thing has been withheld; light, life, and love are theirs. “O Lord God of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee” (<a href="/context/psalms/84-11.htm" title="For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.">Psalm 84:11-12</a>).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-6.htm">Revelation 22:6</a></div><div class="verse">And he said unto me, These sayings <i>are</i> 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.</div>(6-21) These verses contain the concluding words. It is the Epilogue of the Book; it deals with practical exhortations, warnings, and blessings.<p><span class= "bld">WORDS OF CONFIRMATION AND WARNING.</span><p>(6) <span class= "bld">And he said unto me . . .</span>—It is the angel who speaks. (Comp. Revelation 21 and <a href="/revelation/22-9.htm" title="Then said he to me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.">Revelation 22:9</a> of this chapter.) In <a href="/revelation/22-7.htm" title="Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.">Revelation 22:7</a> we hear the words of Christ Himself. <span class= "ital">These sayings</span> (or, <span class= "ital">words</span>)<span class= "ital"> are faithful and true.</span> The reference is to the whole book. The book contains the Revelation of the faithful and true witness (<a href="/revelation/3-14.htm" title="And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things said the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;">Revelation 3:14</a>), whose words are faithful, trustworthy, and fulfilling the desire of them that fear Him. Nor is there reason to doubt this; for “<span class= "ital">the Lord, the God of the spirits of the Prophets</span>—the God whose spirit moved the holy men of old to speak (<a href="/2_peter/1-21.htm" title="For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.">2Peter 1:21</a>)—<span class= "ital">sent His angel to show to His servants things which must come to pass shortly.”</span> (Comp. Note on <a href="/revelation/1-1.htm" title="The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John:">Revelation 1:1</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-7.htm">Revelation 22:7</a></div><div class="verse">Behold, I come quickly: blessed <i>is</i> he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.</div>(7) <span class= "bld">Behold, I come quickly.</span>—The words of Christ Himself follow (perhaps quoted by the angel), to confirm the declaration of the last verse. These confirming words are an embodiment of the spirit of the whole Apocalypse. <span class= "ital">And behold I am coming quickly!</span> The Apocalypse is the revelation of the coming One; it reveals the dealings of Him who came, who comes, and is to come. (Comp. Note on <a href="/revelation/1-4.htm" title="John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be to you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;">Revelation 1:4</a>.) The blessing given in <a href="/revelation/1-3.htm" title="Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.">Revelation 1:3</a> is in part repeated here, but it is a benediction emphatically on those who keep the words of the book. <span class= "ital">Blessed is he who keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.</span> It is not in reading, or wondering, or talking, but in keeping, that the blessing comes. He that loves Christ will keep His commandments (<a href="/john/14-15.htm" title="If you love me, keep my commandments.">John 14:15</a>), even as Christ loved His Father, and kept His commandments (<a href="/john/15-10.htm" title="If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.">John 15:10</a>). Those who so keep the sayings or words of Christ in this book will stand firm as those who have built upon the rock (<a href="/context/matthew/7-24.htm" title="Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house on a rock:">Matthew 7:24-25</a>). The blessing of Christ to such was victory over death. “If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death” (<a href="/john/8-51.htm" title="Truly, truly, I say to you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.">John 8:51</a>).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-8.htm">Revelation 22:8</a></div><div class="verse">And I John saw these things, and heard <i>them</i>. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.</div>(8) <span class= "bld">And I John saw these things . . .</span>—Or rather, <span class= "ital">And I John am he who hears and sees these things.</span> The words of the angel are confirmed by the words of Christ. Now we have the confirmatory testimony of the seer to the truth of the vision. The declaration reminds us of the opening of the Epistle of St. John: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you” (<a href="/context/1_john/1-1.htm" title="That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;">1John 1:1-3</a>). It is no mere dream or ingenious fancy of his own that he has recorded; it is a veritable revelation.<p><span class= "bld">And when I had heard . . .</span>—Or better, <span class= "ital">When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who was showing me these things.</span> Wonder and awe took possession of the seer, and for the second time he was about to offer unlawful homage to the angel-minister. (Comp. <a href="/revelation/19-10.htm" title="And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See you do it not: I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.">Revelation 19:10</a>.) This twice offered and twice refused worship is full of teaching. To render to all their due is wise and seemly and Christ-like; to offer exaggerated homage to any is to invert God’s order, and to degrade by pretending to exalt man, whose true glory is that he is God’s creation.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-9.htm">Revelation 22:9</a></div><div class="verse">Then saith he unto me, See <i>thou do it</i> not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.</div>(9) <span class= "bld">Then saith he unto me . . .</span>—Better, <span class= "ital">And he saith to me, See</span> (or, <span class= "ital">Take heed</span>)<span class= "ital"> not. I am a fellow servant of thee and of thy brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book; worship God</span> (or, <span class= "ital">to God give worship</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span> This rebuke is similar to that given in Revelation 19. It is a wide affirmation of the truth that all—whether angels, or prophets, or simple faithful followers of Christ—are united in a grand bond of common devotion and common service to the same Lord.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-10.htm">Revelation 22:10</a></div><div class="verse">And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.</div>(10) <span class= "bld">And he saith to me . . .</span>—The angel, in contrast to the injunctions given to Daniel (<a href="/context/daniel/12-9.htm" title="And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.">Daniel 12:9-13</a>), bids the prophet “Seal not the words of the prophecy”: the reason is added, “for the time is near.” “Such is ever the difference between the prophecy of the old, and the prophecy of the new dispensation. The one belonged to a preliminary and prefatory state; the other to a completive and final condition. However long the gospel age may have lasted, or may yet continue, <span class= "ital">it is the last time</span> (<a href="/1_john/2-18.htm" title="Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.">1John 2:18</a>): after it there is none other: then shall the end come” (<a href="/matthew/24-14.htm" title="And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.">Matthew 24:14</a>), (Dean Vaughan).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-11.htm">Revelation 22:11</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(11) <span class= "bld">He that is unjust, let him be unjust . . .</span>—Better, <span class= "ital">Let him that is unjust, do injustice still; and let the foul pollute himself still; and let the righteous do righteousness still; and let the holy sanctify himself still.</span> Two pairs are selected to stand as representatives of the good and of the bad: in these four are included all classes of godly and ungodly: those who sin against society, and those who sin against themselves: those who act honourably, and those who keep themselves pure. But what does the verse mean? Does it mean that the time is so short that it is hardly sufficient to allow of men reforming themselves, so as to be ready for their Lord, and that therefore the lesson is, let those who would be ready for Him remember that <span class= "ital">now</span> is the day of salvation? This is the view adopted by some: it contains a truth, but the meaning of the verse seems more general. Is it not the declaration of the ever terrible truth, that men are building up their destiny by the actions and habits of their lives? “Sow an act—reap a habit: sow a habit—reap a character: sow a character—reap a destiny.” The righteous become righteous: the godly become godly.<p>“Thus, all characters<p>Must shrink or widen, as our wine-skins do,<p>For more or less that we can pass in them:<p>And added years give ever a new key<p>To fixed prediction.”<p>So, slowly, but surely, may the power of being masters of our fate pass out of our hands. It is in this law of our nature that the key to many of the darkest problems of the future may lie; and not without a solemn declaration of this law does the Book of Revelation close.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-12.htm">Revelation 22:12</a></div><div class="verse">And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward <i>is</i> with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.</div>(12) <span class= "bld">And, behold, I come quickly . . .</span>—Rather, <span class= "ital">Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to give back to each one as his work is.</span> To give back to each: here we have the truth declared by St. Paul uttered in words borrowed from Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/40-10.htm" title="Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.">Isaiah 40:10</a>). “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” wrote St. Paul (<a href="/context/galatians/6-7.htm" title="Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.">Galatians 6:7-8</a>): “God gives back to each one his work,” says St. John.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-13.htm">Revelation 22:13</a></div><div class="verse">I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.</div>(13) <span class= "bld">I am Alpha . . .</span>—Here (as in <a href="/revelation/21-6.htm" title="And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.">Revelation 21:6</a>) we should render, <span class= "ital">I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.</span> (See Note as above, and comp. <a href="/john/1-1.htm" title="In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.">John 1:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/44-6.htm" title="Thus said the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.">Isaiah 44:6</a>.) The repetition of these glorious titles is not a mere idle repetition, or designed to give a rhetorical fulness to the peroration of the book: it is closely allied with the preceding thought. The warning has been given that men by continuing in sin (<a href="/revelation/22-11.htm" title="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.">Revelation 22:11</a>) are inviting against themselves the law by which act ripens to habit, and habit makes character, and character forms destiny. The moral laws set going by sin work thus:—Retribution is no dream: it is a terrible fact: it is written large over nature. But the eternal laws of God, though righteously ordered, are not God: the refuge from the eternal laws which we invoke against ourselves by our sin is to be found in the Eternal God: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” For those hunted by the wickedness of their own doings, God himself provides a refuge: underneath all laws are the everlasting arms (<a href="/deuteronomy/33-27.htm" title="The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before you; and shall say, Destroy them.">Deuteronomy 33:27</a>). The next verses set the way of refuge and safety before us.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-14.htm">Revelation 22:14</a></div><div class="verse">Blessed <i>are</i> 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.</div>(14) <span class= "bld">Blessed are they that do his commandments . . .</span>—The reading of two of the best MSS. is, “Blessed are they that wash their robes.” If we adopt, as we probably ought, this reading, the line of thought suggested above is helped forward: there is in Him who is the First and the Last, refuge from the power of sin and law against which such solemn warning has been given. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin: the best who have striven and conquered were victors not by their own might, but by the blood of the Lamb (<a href="/revelation/12-11.htm" title="And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives to the death.">Revelation 12:11</a>). If, however, we follow the Received text, we have a benediction which echoes the blessing promised to obedience in <a href="/revelation/22-7.htm" title="Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.">Revelation 22:7</a>; <a href="/revelation/22-9.htm" title="Then said he to me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.">Revelation 22:9</a> : this echoing of promises from point to point is in harmony with the spirit of the whole epilogue. (Comp. <a href="/revelation/22-7.htm" title="Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.">Revelation 22:7</a>; <a href="/revelation/22-9.htm" title="Then said he to me, See you do it not: for I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.">Revelation 22:9</a>; <a href="/revelation/22-7.htm" title="Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.">Revelation 22:7</a>; <a href="/revelation/22-12.htm" title="And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.">Revelation 22:12</a>.) The special blessing held out to those who wash their robes (or do His commandments) is the right or authority over the tree of life. <span class= "ital">Blessed are they</span> . . . <span class= "ital">that they may have</span> (and continue to have) <span class= "ital">authority over the tree of life, and that they may enter in by the gates into the city.</span> Admission into the city by the gate, which is of one pearl, and the continuous access to the tree of life, are the privileges of the faithful; and these privileges are free to all, for warnings do not forfeit privileges, but rather do they urge us to use them.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-15.htm">Revelation 22:15</a></div><div class="verse">For without <i>are</i> dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.</div>(15) <span class= "bld">For without are dogs and sorcerers . . .</span>—Better, <span class= "ital">Outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolators, and every one loving and doing falsehood.</span> The language is again an echo of earlier words. (See <a href="/revelation/21-8.htm" title="But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.">Revelation 21:8</a>.) The allusion to the dogs outside the city is hardly appreciated by Westerns. In the East, however, “troops of hungry and semi-wild dogs used to wander about the fields and streets of the cities, devouring dead bodies and other offal (<a href="/1_kings/14-11.htm" title="Him that dies of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dies in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the LORD has spoken it.">1Kings 14:11</a>; <a href="/1_kings/16-4.htm" title="Him that dies of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dies of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.">1Kings 16:4</a>; <a href="/1_kings/21-19.htm" title="And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus said the LORD, Have you killed, and also taken possession? And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus said the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your blood, even yours.">1Kings 21:19</a>; <a href="/1_kings/22-38.htm" title="And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armor; according to the word of the LORD which he spoke.">1Kings 22:38</a>; <a href="/2_kings/9-10.htm" title="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.">2Kings 9:10</a>; <a href="/2_kings/9-36.htm" title="Why they came again, and told him. And he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel:">2Kings 9:36</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/15-3.htm" title="And I will appoint over them four kinds, said 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.">Jeremiah 15:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/59-6.htm" title="They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.">Psalm 59:6</a>), and thus became such objects of dislike that fierce and cruel enemies are poetically styled <span class= "ital">dogs</span> in <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm" title="For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.">Psalm 22:16</a>; <a href="/psalms/22-20.htm" title="Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.">Psalm 22:20</a>.” The dog, moreover, was an unclean animal; dogs, therefore, are represented as outside the city, because nothing unclean is allowed to enter. The sins enumerated here are similar to those mentioned in the last chapter (<a href="/revelation/22-8.htm" title="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 showed me these things.">Revelation 22:8</a>); it is the reiteration, therefore, of the warning that those who would enter in must break off their sins by righteousness.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-16.htm">Revelation 22:16</a></div><div class="verse">I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, <i>and</i> the bright and morning star.</div>(16) <span class= "bld">I Jesus have sent mine angel . . .</span>—The warning is followed by the voice of our Lord Himself testifying to the truth of the revelation made, <span class= "ital">I Jesus sent</span> (not “have sent,” as in the English version) <span class= "ital">my angel to testify to you these things to the churches.</span> But it is not merely a message, or the confirmation of a message that we have—we have also stated what Christ is—the root and pledge of hope to all. <span class= "ital">I am the root and offspring of David, and the star, the bright, the morning </span>(<span class= "ital">star</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span> He is David’s Lord and David’s Son, possessing David’s throne (<a href="/context/matthew/22-42.htm" title="Saying, What think you of Christ? whose son is he? They say to him, The son of David.">Matthew 22:42-45</a>; <a href="/luke/1-32.htm" title="He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David:">Luke 1:32</a>); He is the bright star which leads up the dawn of everlasting day (<a href="/malachi/4-2.htm" title="But to you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.">Malachi 4:2</a>; <a href="/2_peter/1-19.htm" title="We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:">2Peter 1:19</a>).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-17.htm">Revelation 22:17</a></div><div class="verse">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.</div>(17) <span class= "bld">And the Spirit and the bride say, Come . . .</span>—The cry of all creation is for its true Lord; the cry of the Spirit in prophecies and in the hearts of God’s people is for the coming Lord—the bride waiting for the bridegroom cries “Come.” The Apocalypse is the book of the coming One; it ends with the cry that the coming One would come (comp. <a href="/revelation/22-20.htm" title="He which testifies these things said, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.">Revelation 22:20</a>); but let those who thirst for His coming come to Him. We may draw near to Him, who is drawing near to us: <span class= "ital">let him that thirsteth, come; let him that will take the water of life freely.</span> (Comp. <a href="/john/7-37.htm" title="In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come to me, and drink.">John 7:37</a>.) “The power of the whole gospel,” says Bengel, “concentrates itself in this, that one should be able to respond to this Come, and repeat it from the heart.”<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-18.htm">Revelation 22:18</a></div><div class="verse">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:</div>(18-19) <span class= "bld">I testify unto every man that heareth.</span>—Omit “For,” and read, <span class= "ital">I testify to every one that hears</span> . . . The “I” is emphatic; it introduces the final warning; the revelation must not be tampered with. <span class= "ital">If any one shall have added to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if any one shall have taken away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his portion from the tree of life, and out of the holy city which are written</span> (or printed) <span class= "ital">in this book.</span> We may compare <a href="/deuteronomy/4-2.htm" title="You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.">Deuteronomy 4:2</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/12-32.htm" title="What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it.">Deuteronomy 12:32</a>. The words are a solemn protest against the spirit which handles rashly or deceitfully the word of God; which adds its own thoughts, or makes its wishes the parent of its interpretations; which dilutes the force of its warnings, or impoverishes the fulness of its promises. The right of continual access to the tree of life was the promise of <a href="/revelation/22-14.htm" title="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.">Revelation 22:14</a>; this right or freedom is forfeited by those who deal falsely or faithlessly by the words of Christ here. In a minor degree, it is true that those who leave this book unstudied and unprayed over, lose much spiritual sustenance and comfort. How much more do they lose who trifle with it, ignore its spiritual teachings, and sin against the laws of that kingdom whose progress it so vividly portrays.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-20.htm">Revelation 22:20</a></div><div class="verse">He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.</div>(20) <span class= "bld">He which testifieth these things . . .</span>—Better, <span class= "ital">He saith, who testifieth these things, Yea, I am coming quickly.</span> We have here the final witness; it is in the words of the faithful and true witness Himself. It is the answer to the repeated cry, “Come;” it is the warning to those who forget Him; it is introduced with the emphatic yea! “Yea, I am coming quickly.” The answer breaks forth in prayer from the prophet’s lips—<span class= "ital">Amen.</span> (We must omit “even so”) <span class= "ital">Come, Lord Jesus.</span> The prophet is the mouthpiece of the Church; his desire is one with the desire of all who love Christ’s appearing.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/revelation/22-21.htm">Revelation 22:21</a></div><div class="verse">The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ <i>be</i> with you all. Amen.</div>(21) <span class= "bld">The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .</span>—There is some variety of reading among the MSS. We ought probably to read, <span class= "ital">The grace of the Lord Jesus</span> <span class= "ital">Christ be with all</span> (or else, following the Sinaitic MS., <span class= "ital">be with the saints</span>)<span class= "ital">. Amen.</span> In any case, it is the grace or free pardon of the Lord Jesus which is the last word left in our ears. It reminds us that whatever be the dangers or difficulties, the afflictions or persecutions which have been pictured in the book, there is strength and love in the Lord; it reminds us that whether we are readers or interpreters of this book, or whether we are trying to carry out its teachings practically in daily life, our power and wisdom must come from Him. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Without Him it had not been written; without Him it cannot be understood; without Him it cannot be obeyed. This grace of Christ our Lord, for mind and heart and life, the writer prays may rest with those who read this Commentary, that they may be led into deeper knowledge of Him who is our life. The writer asks the reader to pray that this grace of Christ may rest in forgiveness and love upon him who has now finished his task of commenting on this book, whose hidden meanings must far transcend our knowledge and our expectations. May He (He alone can) open our eyes to see the shining towers of the Heavenly Jerusalem; may He unseal our ears to hear the heavenly music to which it is being built; may He bind us by His love to that sweet service and citizenship which is perfect freedom, and bring us to that spiritual city which is full of divine enchantments—<p>“For there is nothing in it as it seems<p>Saving the King; though some there be that hold<p>The King a shadow, and the city real;<p>Yet take thou heed of Him, for, so thou pass<p>Beneath this archway, then wilt thou become<p>A thrall to His enchantments, for the King<p>Will bind thee by such vows as is a shame<p>A man should not be bound by, yet the which<p>No man can keep; but so thou dread to swear,<p>Pass not beneath this gateway, but abide<p>Without among the cattle of the field.<p>For, an ye heard a music, like enow<p>They are building still, seeing the city is built<p>To music, therefore never built at all,<p>And therefore built for ever.”<p><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. 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