Revelation Chapter 22 in The Amplified Bible “The Perfect Life” ”You Are Invited To Be Blessed” ”The Final Invitation”
Introduction
This concludes my chapter by chapter study of the book of Revelation, when I was a kid, my mother would say it’s scary. It is not. We win, if you believe we win! In the words of a dear friend, this "fight is fixed." And it's fixed for the believers in Christ!
Revelation 22 serves as the concluding chapter of the Bible, providing a final glimpse into the glorious future that awaits believers in the New Jerusalem. This chapter presents a vivid picture of the river of life, the tree of life, and the eternal fellowship with God. It reiterates the promise of Christ's return and extends a universal invitation to salvation. The chapter ends with a warning against adding to or taking away from the words of prophecy, underscoring the sacredness of God's Word. Overall, Revelation 22 offers a message of hope, assurance, and a call to faithfulness as believers await the fulfillment of God's ultimate plan. By the way it is a plan in which…..WE WIN!
Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!
Verse 1: The Perfect Life - "Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb,"
Verse 1 describes the Apostle John's vision of a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the New Jerusalem.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: This verse symbolizes the eternal life and blessings that flow from God's presence, emphasizing the fulfillment and satisfaction that believers will experience in eternity. The river symbolizes the continuous and abundant provision of spiritual life and blessings from God to His people in the eternal state.
Verse 2: "in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
This verse depicts the tree of life on either side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding its fruit every month.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: This verse depicts the abundance and diversity of God's provision in the new Jerusalem, highlighting continuous abundance, and the restoration and healing that will be experienced by all nations.
Verse 3-5: “There will no longer exist anything that is cursed [because sin and illness and death are gone]; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve and worship Him [with great awe and joy and loving devotion]; they will [be privileged to] see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign [as kings] forever and ever.”
The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him and see His face.
Relevance: These verses emphasize the intimate relationship that believers will have with God in eternity, highlighting the joy and privilege of serving Him forever.
Verse 6-7: You Are Invited to be Blessed - “Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel [as a representative] to show His bond-servants the things that must soon take place. “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is the one who heeds and takes to heart and remembers the words of the prophecy [that is, the predictions, consolations, and warnings] contained in this book (scroll).””
The angel affirms the truthfulness of the book of Revelation and pronounces a blessing on those who keep its words, you are invited to be blessed! Come be blessed!
Relevance To Today’s Believers: These verses emphasize the importance of heeding the words of Scripture and living in obedience to God's commands, highlighting the blessings that come from faithful obedience.
Verse 8-9: “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets and with those who heed and remember [the truths contained in] the words of this book. Worship God.””
John falls down to worship the angel, but the angel redirects his worship to God alone.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: This passage serves as a warning against idolatry and emphasizes the exclusive worship that is due to God alone.
Verse 10-11: “And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time [of their fulfillment] is near. Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy (vile, impure), still be filthy; and the one who is righteous (just, upright), still be righteous; and the one who is holy, still be holy.””
The angel declares that the time is near, and those who are righteous will remain righteous, while those who are wicked will remain wicked.
Relevance To Today’s Believers:These verses emphasize the urgency of living a life of righteousness and the finality of God's judgment, highlighting the importance of making a decision for Christ in this life.
Verse 12: ““Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness).”
Revelation 22:12 records the words of Jesus, declaring His imminent return and the recompense He brings with Him. He states that He will reward each person according to their deeds, emphasizing the justice and righteousness of His judgment.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: This verse underscores the certainty of Christ's return and the reward that awaits believers based on their faithfulness and obedience to Him.
Verse 13: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End [the Eternal One].””
This is a declaration by Jesus, asserting His eternal nature and sovereignty. He proclaims Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, emphasizing His timeless existence and authority over all creation.
Relevance To Today’s Believers:This verse affirms the eternal nature of Christ and His sovereignty over all things, emphasizing the trustworthiness of His promises.
Verses 14-15: “Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him—the righteous who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs [the godless, the impure, those of low moral character] and the sorcerers [with their intoxicating drugs, and magic arts], and the immoral persons [the perverted, the molesters, and the adulterers], and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying (deception, cheating).”
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: These verses highlight the importance of repentance and the blessings that come from being cleansed by the blood of Christ, contrasting with the fate of the unrepentant.
Verse 16: The Final Invitation - "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star."
Here, Jesus is affirming His identity and purpose. He declares Himself as the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star, emphasizing His royal lineage and His role as the bringer of light and hope. He also affirms that He has sent His angel to testify these things to the churches, highlighting the importance of the message for all believers.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: This verse reaffirms Jesus' identity as the source of eternal life and the fulfillment of God's promises, emphasizing the hope and assurance that believers have in Him.
Verse 17: “The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.”
Here, the Scripture presents a universal invitation from the Spirit and the bride (the church), calling all who hear to come and partake of the water of life freely. It extends the offer of salvation to whoever is thirsty and willing to accept the gift, emphasizing the inclusive and gracious nature of God's invitation to eternal life.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: This verse highlights the invitation of the gospel to all people, emphasizing the free gift of salvation offered to all who repent and believe in Christ.
Verses 18-19: “I testify and warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [its predictions, consolations, and admonitions]: if anyone adds [anything] to them, God will add to him the plagues (afflictions, calamities) which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from or distorts the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away [from that one] his share from the tree of life and from the holy city (new Jerusalem), which are written in this book.”
A severe and precise warning against adding or taking away from the words of the book, with a severe punishment for those who do so.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: These verses emphasize the importance of preserving the integrity of Scripture and the severity of distorting God's Word.
Verse 20: "He who testifies and affirms these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."
This is a declaration of Jesus' promise to return, with the Apostle John responding with a prayerful affirmation. Jesus says, "Yes, I am coming quickly," to which John replies, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." This verse expresses the eager anticipation and longing of believers for the second coming of Christ.
Relevance To Today’s Believers: This verse expresses John's longing for the return of Christ and serves as a reminder to believers to eagerly await His coming.
Verse 21: The grace of the Lord Jesus (the Christ, the Messiah) be with all [the saints—all believers, those set apart for God]. Amen.
Relevance To Today’s Believers:This final verse serves as a benediction, invoking God's grace upon all believers and emphasizing the importance of His grace in our lives.
Summary
Revelation Chapter 22 provides a vision of the eternal blessings that await believers in the new Jerusalem, highlighting the abundance of God's provision, the intimacy of our relationship with Him, and the certainty of Christ's return. For today's believers, this chapter serves as a reminder of the hope and assurance we have in Christ, the urgency of living a life of righteousness, and the importance of remaining faithful to God's Word. It also emphasizes the invitation of the gospel to all people and the exclusivity of worship that is due to God alone. Overall, Revelation Chapter 22 points to the fulfillment of God's promises and the eternal joy and peace that await His people in the new creation. While this signals the end of an age and the beginning of the next age, keep in mind that Christ is the same. According to Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever.” Meaning that those same blessings of health, provision, peace, grace and abundance are available to you now though faith and obedience in and to God’s Word. one more time, it is a plan in which…..WE WIN! Amen & Selah!
If You Have Ears To Hear, Then Hear It!