Revelation Chapter 22 — The River of Life and the Final Promise
The final chapter of the Bible describes the restoration of the world through the river of life and concludes with the promise of Jesus' return.
1He showed me a*TR adds “pure” river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2in 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.
3There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him.
4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5There 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.
6He 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.”
7“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
8Now 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.
9He 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.”
10He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11He 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.”
12“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14Blessed are those who do his commandments,†NU reads “wash their robes” instead of “do his commandments”. that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16I, 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.”
17The 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.
18I 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.
19If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree‡TR reads “Book” instead of “tree” of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
21The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Revelation 22:1
“He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,”
It depicts the source of eternal life flowing directly from God's presence to His people.
Revelation 22:13
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
This verse emphasizes the eternal and comprehensive nature of Christ's authority over history.
Revelation 22:17
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come.”
This is a final, universal invitation for all people to receive spiritual life and grace.
Chapter Summary
Revelation 22 provides a vivid depiction of the new heaven and new earth, specifically focusing on the river of the water of life and the tree of life. The tree yields fruit every month, and its leaves are described as being for the healing of the nations. In this final state, there is no more curse, and the servants of God see His face directly. The chapter then shifts to a series of final exhortations and testimonies given to John. He is instructed not to seal the prophecy because the time is near. Jesus identifies Himself as the Alpha and the Omega and the Morning Star, affirming His imminent return to reward each person according to their work. The Spirit and the bride invite all who are thirsty to come and drink the water of life freely. The book concludes with a stern warning against adding to or taking away from its words, ending with a prayer for the grace of the Lord Jesus to be with all the saints.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tree of life represents the restoration of humanity's access to eternal life that was lost in the Garden of Eden. It produces fruit monthly and has leaves that are specifically for the healing of the nations.
This refers to the removal of the curse placed on the earth following the fall of man in Genesis. In the new creation described here, the relationship between God and humanity is fully restored without the barrier of sin or death.
Unlike earlier visions in the Bible where prophets were sometimes told to seal messages for a distant future, John is told that the time is at hand. This emphasizes the urgency and immediate relevance of the message for the readers.
The chapter concludes with a serious warning against altering the text of the prophecy. Those who add to or take away from the words of the book are warned of losing their part in the tree of life and the holy city.
Study Note
The description of the river and tree of life echoes imagery from the Garden of Eden in Genesis, forming a literary bookend to the entire biblical narrative.
Related Chapters
Genesis Chapter 2
This chapter contains the original description of the tree of life before the fall.
Ezekiel Chapter 47
Ezekiel's vision of the river flowing from the temple mirrors the river of life in Revelation.
John Chapter 4
This chapter explores Jesus' teaching on the 'living water' that provides eternal life.
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