Revelation 22

He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him.

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.”

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.

He said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.”

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This final chapter of Revelation unveils the fullness of God’s eternal kingdom, portraying the new Jerusalem as the dwelling place of God with His people, free from sin, curse, and darkness, sustained by the river and tree of life. It confirms the certainty of Christ’s return, reaffirms the authority and integrity of the prophecy, and closes with an urgent invitation and a prayer for the Lord’s coming.

Flow.

The vision of the new creation centers on the river and tree of life flowing from God’s throne, symbolizing unbroken communion and life eternal (vv. 1–5).
An angel confirms the reliability of the vision, stresses its imminent fulfillment, and warns John against worshiping him, directing worship to God alone (vv. 6–9).
A solemn charge is given not to seal the prophecy, followed by a call to perseverance and a declaration of Christ’s final judgment according to works (vv. 10–13).
Christ identifies Himself as the fulfillment of Davidic promise and the source of life, extending a free invitation to all who thirst, while warning against altering the book’s words (vv. 14–19).
The chapter concludes with a mutual longing between the Spirit, the bride, and the hearer for Christ’s return, followed by a benediction of grace (vv. 20–21).

Connections. Following chapter 21’s description of the new Jerusalem descending as a bride, this chapter reveals the inner life of that city—its divine source, its eternal worship, and the final destiny of those within and outside its gates. It completes the arc begun in the previous chapter by showing not just the city’s beauty but its moral boundaries and living center in God Himself. The urgency of Christ’s return and the warning against distorting the prophecy prepare for the canonical closure of the New Testament, pointing believers forward in hope until the fulfillment of all things.

What it teaches. The blessed state of the redeemed is one of direct fellowship with God, where they see His face, bear His name, and reign forever in unbroken light and life (WCF 20.4; HC LD 52). The finality of judgment and the assurance of Christ’s return as the Alpha and Omega underscore the immutability of God’s purposes (WCF 3.8). The invitation to “come” and to “take the water of life freely” reflects the gospel offer extended to all who thirst, grounded in Christ’s work, while the warnings against adding or subtracting from Scripture uphold the sufficiency and authority of God’s revealed word (2 Tim. 3:16; cf. CD I.7).

Apply. The promise of Christ’s return shapes a life marked by worship, fidelity to Scripture, and eager longing for His appearing.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.