REVELATION CHAPTER 22

In the previous chapter, John was shown a new order of things. An entirely new heaven and earth were created to replace the first heaven and earth which fled away at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11+).

In addition to the new heaven and new earth, John saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, descending from heaven as a bride for the Lamb (Rev. 21:2, 9+). John’s vision was given in two parts.

The first part provided an overview of the eternal order (Rev. 21:1-8+). In the second part, an angel accompanied John on a more detailed tour of the New Jerusalem, providing additional information and measurements of the city.

Most of the description from chapter 21 centered on the exterior of the City

In chapter 22 John will see the interior of the city

Which is more significant?

John Sees

Revelation 22:1–2 “1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

The water of Life (Zoe) - bright as crystal

The sources of the river - The throne?

The Throne of God & the Lamb

The river of the water of life flowed through the middle of the City - a central feature

The tree of Life grow on each side of the river

The tree produced fruit (different) each month and the text implies the production is continual

The leaves of the tree were for healing

Healing is therapeian: which can also denote “serving, service, care.”

When sin entered in the Garden of Eden and independence from God with it, God saw fit to remove access to the tree of life—the very channel by which He had chosen to dispense eternal life. The result was death.

To summarize: sin brought independence from God which was manifest in being cut off from the tree of life resulting in death. In the eternal state, man will be sinless and have eternal life, but the creation and the creature will always and forever remain dependent upon the Creator as the source of life. The ongoing need to access the tree of life for eternity reflects the continued dependence of the creatures upon the Creator—a reality which God has chosen to manifest via the tree.

The tree is real as described but it’s existence is more than functional …

John Continues to reveal what he sees

Revelation 22:3–5 “3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

All curses are in the past - no more residual, no more corruption

The combined throne of Father and Son (lamb) mentioned again

Who are His servants?

Shall serve latreusousin: “Carrying out religious duties in a spirit of worship.”

We will see God face to face - I Jn 3:2-3

Psalm 17:15 “15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.”

Matthew 5:8 “8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

His name will be written on our foreheads

Revelation 3:12 “12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”

No more night - repeated from Re 21:25

No need of natrual light - repeated from Re 21:23

We will reign forever and ever

Daniel 7:18 “18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’”

Romans 5:17 “17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”

What does John see in summary?

When he sees the inside of the city what is the central image he sees?

What is the Tree of Life?

Genesis 2:9 “9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Why are these two trees in the garden?

In the scripture trees are used as metaphors

Psalm 1:3 “3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

Matthew 7:15–16 “15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”

So who does the Tree of Life represent?

So who does the tree of knowledge represent?

John 5:39–40 “39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”

There’s only 1 type of tree in eternity!

What is the river of water of Life?

There’s a clue in v2 - “the middle”

One of the ancient rivers - the headwaters from the garden was the Gihon discovered by Hezekiah

There’s a spring under the city of Jerusalem that empties into the pool of Siloam

Siloam is the place where the water from the ancient source of water would gush out

From this very place Jesus would make a profound statement

John 7:37–38 “37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart (belly) will flow rivers of living water.’ ””

So what does John see?

Jesus is Coming

Revelation 22:6–9 “6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” 7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.””

John’s Instruction

Revelation 22:10–11 “10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

Jesus Speaks

Revelation 22:12–16 “12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has 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, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.””

The Epilog

Revelation 22:17–21 “17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”