Revelation

22.1-21

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." - Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:17–20).
"I Jesus" (v16), appearing only here in Scripture, establishes the final invitation. Only the Eternal God can declare the seemingly paradoxical statement that summarizes the biblical teaching of His two natures: "I am the root and the descendant of David" (v16). Only by being both God and man can Jesus be both David's ancestor and his descendant. The urgency and the blessings of this revelation are emphasized in the thrice-repeated declaration of God "I am coming quickly" (vv7,12,20). Even as an epilogue, herein is a final appeal to the sinner and a command to the redeemed - prepare (you) the way for the soon-coming Christ. The words of the book of Revelation are to be understood and preached. This, too, is the command: "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near" (v10).

CHAPTER 22

The River and the Tree of Life

1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, bright as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
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.
3 And there will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His slaves will serve Him;
4 and they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
5 And there will no longer be any night, and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them, and they will reign forever and ever.
6 And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His slaves the things which must soon take place.
7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
8 I, John, am the one who was hearing and seeing these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers the prophets and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”

The Final Message: Come

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 one who does unrighteousness, still do unrighteousness; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still do righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his work.
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 authority to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.
15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
16 “I, Jesus, sent My angel to bear witness to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 And 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 wishes receive the water of life without cost.
18 I bear witness 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.
19 And 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 from the holy city, which are written in this book.
20 He who bears witness to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.