REVELATION 22: HOME AT LAST

Revelation 22:1

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

“Pure river of water of life”

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Revelation 21:6)

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13)

While the river of life is no doubt literal and beautifully breathtaking, it is to be a living object lesson. Christ and the Father are our source of salvation and the fulfilling of our hearts’ desire. As no life is possible without water, so there can be no spiritual life without God. Thus, the river, while delighting the senses and meeting our physical needs, is an eternal object lesson that all our life and happiness springs from Jesus and the Father.

Revelation 22:2

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

“Was there the tree of life”

And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)

And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22, 24)

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

In man’s original Eden home, God planted the tree of life. Its purpose was to perpetuate immortality. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were denied access to the tree, but the way will once again be opened in the earth made new. First Corinthians 15:52–54 reveals that at the coming of Christ the righteous dead and the righteous living shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and death shall be swallowed up in immortality. Then what is the real purpose for the tree of life? Surely immortality is a gift of God and not dependent on our eating fruit from some tree.

As with the river of life, so the tree of life though being literal, provides lessons. The long looked-for home of the redeemed has seemingly been a long time coming. Truly “hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). The desire of our hearts is to be with our Lord and Savior. The tree of life is there to show us our complete reliance upon God for life and salvation.

The people who populate the new earth “shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity” (Isaiah 33:24). Then in what way is the tree of life for the healing of the nations?

The tree of life, though real, is also a representation of the sustaining care of Christ for His people. As we have lived on this earth of sin and sorrow, the children of God have by faith made Christ and His word our bread, our tree, and our water of life. What has been experienced by faith on this earth becomes a living reality in the earth made new. The power to sustain life is not in the tree and its fruit, but in God and the Lamb, the tree of life symbolizes our full and utter dependence upon God.

Revelation 22:3

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.

There shall no longer exist there anything that is accursed (detestable, foul, offensive, impure, hateful, or horrible.) But the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall worship Him [pay divine honors to Him and do Him holy service]. (Revelation 22:3 AMP)

“No more curse”

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. (Isaiah 24:5–6)

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. (Galatians 3:13)

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. (Genesis 3:17)

All the curses that sin has wrought in our lives and upon the planet will be forever removed and shall not be found in the new earth. Today the sorrows of life are an everyday reality, but in the new earth “the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).

“His servants shall serve Him”

Servant—metaphorically, one who gives himself up to another’s will, those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men; devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests1

Serve—in the New Testament, to render religious service or homage, to worship2

The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. (Psalm 34:22)

Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. (Deuteronomy 13:4)

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)

Only those who have learned to serve God in love during this lifetime will have the joy of serving God in the earth made new. “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). We must learn to know the love of God now, as we are “justified by faith,” and “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). As we love and serve God now, this relationship becomes to us, the evidence of things not seen, the hope of eternity, as “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).

Revelation 22:4

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

“They shall see his face”

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15)

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. (Job 19:25–27)

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

We must by faith see the face of our Redeemer now as we live in this world. As we learn to live by faith, we may know the promise and reality that “now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” (1 John 3:2–3).

The desire for communion with God and the desire to live to please Him in this crooked and perverse generation is evidence in our hearts that God is real and His word is true. Living by faith, “as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27), prepares us to see God in reality. As our hearts are purified by grace, washed and renewed by the Holy Spirit, we can know the promise even now, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). This life of faith and love lived presently testifies of the reality of the things Revelation reveals. Even in this life, “Thine eyes shall see the king in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off” (Isaiah 33:17).

Revelation 22:5

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

 “And they shall reign for ever and ever”

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us. (2 Timothy 2:11–12)

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

God’s servants, often cast down in this life, will have all of eternity to live, to explore, and to develop. The possibilities before the redeemed far exceed the glories of even the influential, rich, and powerful today. For us to live and reign with Christ in the new earth, we must live for Him today, allowing His kingdom to be established in our hearts, as we learn to “Walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. That you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy” (Colossians 1:10–11 AMP).

Revelation 22:6

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

“These sayings are faithful and true”

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24)

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:14–15)

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). (Hebrews 10:23)

The salvation and deliverance of God, which we have experienced by faith, are evidence of His faithfulness. Despite the darkness of this world, we can know that the God who has called us and saved us from our sins and who gives us victory will also be faithful to resurrect us to eternal life and grant an inheritance in the earth made new. Though the glorious future may be hard to see and believe, what we have known of the Lord’s salvation here and now is the confirmation of that which is not yet seen.

Revelation 22:7

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

“Behold, I come quickly”

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4)

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. (2 Peter 3:8–11)

God’s purposes are accomplished with no haste nor delay. However, in our sight, the times of sorrow upon this earth seem long and the coming of the Lord delayed. in addition, our own waywardness may delay the fulfillment of God’s purpose. This was the case with the children of Israel, whom God intended to inhabit the Promised Land shortly after leaving Egypt. It was not God’s intention that they should be delayed forty years because of rebellion.

The time of this planet’s darkness in God’s sight has been but days, for God is patient. The truth of Revelation’s prophecies that have come to pass is evidence of that which is yet to happen. To earth’s startled masses the last scenes in Revelation will be rapid. The coming of the Lord will be a surprise and a shock to most of this world’s inhabitants, even as the flood was to the unbelieving world of Noah’s day.

Revelation 22:8–9

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Worship is one of the central themes of the book of Revelation, and the angel directs the prophet John, and us, to worship God. The angel declares that he and all of God’s messengers—be they men or angels—are simply servants; therefore, we are to follow and obey God alone. The book of Revelation reveals only two classes: those who worship God, and those who worship Satan through false religion. I pray you will choose to give to God your first and highest service. For He alone is worthy to receive “blessing, and glory … thanksgiving, and honour” (Revelation 7:12).

Revelation 22:10

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Unlike the book of Daniel, portions of which God ordered to be sealed up until the time of the end, Revelation is unsealed. At both the beginning and the end of Revelation, a blessing is pronounced upon those who will study and keep the words of this prophecy. As we have learned through our study together, “the prophecy of this book and the period of their fulfillment is near” (Revelation 22:10 AMP). Much has been fulfilled since John put into words the Revelation of Jesus given him by the angel. The prophetic clock is steadily moving toward its finality, and we can be assured the rest will come to pass quickly.

Revelation 22:11

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Just before the coming of the Lord, the eternal destiny of all living will have been determined. The issue of the mark of the beast will clearly develop two classes. The vast majority of the world will serve and worship man-made religion; A small remnant will have “the patience of the saints” and “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). The pronouncement of verse 11 will be final, for it represents the closing of the door of mercy. Each of us is day by day determining our own destiny, whether we shall be among the unjust or the just, the eternally lost or the eternally saved.

Revelation 22:12

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

“My reward is with me”

Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. (Isaiah 3:11)

The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. (Proverbs 11:18)

Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. (Isaiah 40:10)

“To give every man according as his work shall be”

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)

As in the days of Noah, the door of mercy will suddenly close. Then the solemn pronouncement “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still” shall go forth. The choice remains with us today to determine where we shall stand, for soon Christ will come and our reward shall be sure for blessing or for cursing.

Revelation 22:13

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: … And being turned, I saw … one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Revelation 1:11–13)

Jesus opens and closes the book of Revelation, declaring that He is the Alpha and Omega of eternity. This declaration gives us the confidence to believe the prophecy. The same Jesus who is the first and the last has sustained His people through the long centuries as the Revelation has unfolded, and He will end this world’s history just as His Word declares. Of the people of faith it is said, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). Christ will come for His obedient and faithful children, and the redeemed shall inhabit eternity with Him who is “the beginning and the end.”

Revelation 22:14

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

“Do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life”

But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:17)

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. (Proverbs 4:4)

Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. (Proverbs 7:2)

If you love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Disobedience to God’s commands barred Adam and Eve from the tree of life. The restoration of that tree, with the earth renewed in all its Eden beauty, is for those who live in obedience to the will and Word of God. Such a life of willing and loving obedience is made possible by the blood of the Lamb and the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. The salvation gained for us by Christ, and the renewing of the mind and heart, will give the redeemed the right to once again partake of that tree.

Some translations of Revelation 22:14 read, “Blessed are they who have washed their robes.” True enough, not a single soul will find entrance into heaven without having had his or her sins washed away by the blood of the Lamb. However, our robes cannot remain spotless unless with a renewed heart, in love we obey the Word and law of God.

“May enter in through the gates into the city”

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)

• Who shall enter the city? Those who have not defiled their characters by apostasy and sin.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:12, 21)

• Who shall enter the city? Those who overcome.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. …These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9, 14)

• Who shall enter the city? Those clothed with white robes given to them through Christ’s righteousness.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11)

• Who shall enter the city? Those who overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and the consistent witness for truth in their life and teaching.

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17)

• Who shall enter the city? Those who keep God’s commandments.

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:1–5)

• Who shall enter the city? Those with the Father’s name in their foreheads, who are undefiled by the women of false religion, and who follow Jesus in love.

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)

• Who shall enter the city? Those who have consistent endurance to be true to God, obeying His commandments, empowered by the faith of Jesus.

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Revelation 15:2)

• Who shall enter the city? Those who obtained the victory over the beast and his image.

Clearly there are two classes revealed in Revelation: those who shall enter the city, and those who shall never enter therein. Character determines our destiny. “Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. And so a person becomes an enemy of God when he is controlled by his human nature; for he does not obey God’s law, and in fact he cannot obey it. Those who obey their human nature cannot please God” (Romans 8:5–8 TEV).

Revelation 22:15

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

[But] without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity [the lewd, adulterers] and the murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and deals in falsehood (untruth, error, deception, cheating). (Revelation 22:15 AMP)

“Without are dogs”

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (Isaiah 56:10–11)

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. (Philippians 3:2)

The dogs who have no place in the new earth and New Jerusalem are the pastors and religious leaders who were unfaithful. Like watchdogs that failed to give warning, so these religious leaders did not warn the people of danger and the need to be faithful. Instead they led out in compromising God’s Word and neglecting His law. Those who are unfaithful to their calling as ministers and teachers of the people are singled out by God as being undeserving of the eternal home. These leaders, because of their influence, will lead many astray and shall therefore be held to a greater accountability than others. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1 NKJV).

“Without are sorcerers”

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. (Acts 13:6–8)

Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. (Jeremiah 27:9–10)

And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:10–12)

The sorcerers of Scripture are those who used the occult arts to deceive people and lead them away from the true God. Those who are involved in occult arts today, be it through games, entertainment, philosophy, or in actual practice, will not be in the city of God, for by beholding, our minds become changed. The only ones blessed with inhabiting the new earth “are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

“Without are whoremongers”

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:5)

Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. (1 Timothy 1:9–10)

Those involved in sexual perversion and lewdness, which are so common and acceptable today, will not be in the pure city of light, for these persons have made a god of their unbridled passion.

All those who would not receive the truth of the gospel, have loved a lie. And all those who have loved a lie, refusing to receive a love of the truth, turning against God, are outside the city. Why? “He that sinneth against me [God’s Word and wisdom] wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me [God’s law, His love and mercy] love death” (Proverbs 8:36).

“For without”

• Who shall not enter the city? Those who left their first love. (See Revelation 2:4–5.)

• Who shall not enter the city? The false teachers who seduced God’s children, and those who were seduced. (See Revelation 2:20–23.)

• Who shall not enter the city? The false professors. (See Revelation 3:1.)

• Who shall not enter the city? The synagogue of Satan, those who claimed to be Christians or to serve God but were false in their profession. (See Revelation 3:9.)

• Who shall not enter the city? The lukewarm, spiritually proud, and self satisfied, who have become spiritually blind but claim to see. (See Revelation 3:15–17.)

• Who shall not enter the city? All the people of earth, high and low, who reject God. (See Revelation 6:15–16.)

• Who shall not enter the city? Worshippers of the beast and his image. (See Revelation 13:3–4; 14:9–10; 16:2.)

• Who shall not enter the city? The beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies. (See Revelation 19:19.)

• Who shall not enter the city? “Cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and … the unbelieving and faithless, and … the depraved and defiled with abominations, and … murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practicers of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed)” (Revelation 21:8 AMP).

Revelation 22:16

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

“I am the root and the offspring of David”

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)

And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (Romans 15:11–12)

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2)

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:5)

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:16–19)

Christ is represented as a root, indicating He is the source of sustenance, even as the root of a plant provides this function to the vine. Christ as the root was the sustainer of David. And yet, in His humanity, He was also David’s offspring, coming from the lineage of David. Here is the mystery of the incarnation: “God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16). The same Jesus who was one with us and yet our root, our Creator, is the one who has testified to us through the Revelation.

His word is faithful. Because He was one with us, He can pity and help us. As our root, He is able to deliver us and enable us. With such a Savior, we can be among those in the city and can be faithful despite the many problems and trials of life.

“Bright and morning star”

Morning Star—relating to the dawn, i.e. matutinal (as an epithet of Venus, especially brilliant in the early day).3 The planet Venus, when it precedes the sun in rising, and shines in the morning4

This name or title of Christ, given at the end of Revelation, is a promise to us that the long night of earth’s history will soon be over, for the morning star is brightest just before the dawn. As the night of blackness of this life and the final apostasy comes, remember that Christ is the Morning Star. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11).

Revelation 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come”

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:1–3)

The Bible, in the beginning, shows God in search of man after he fell into sin. “And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9). The Bible’s story ever since then has been that of mankind’s hiding from God, and God’s search for man that He might redeem him. Revelation closes with Christ’s appeal to mankind, calling as tenderly and earnestly as at the beginning. The question, my friend, is, Will you hear His voice today and come?

The Bible, in the beginning, reveals the creation of this world and of man, and all things were very good. Revelation closes with a glimpse of the beauty of the original world restored. Each of us has known personally and seen in the world around us the effects and evil of sin. But that reality will one day change to a glorious new reality, when sin and sinners are no more.

What the Bible has revealed of the sinful heart of man, and of God’s heart of infinite love, is the outworking of two spiritual forces: one of Satan and one of God. Revelation reveals the outcome of this controversy. Now it is up to you to settle in your own heart where you will be, inside the city or outside. God’s last words to each of us is an appeal: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. … And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:18–19

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

“Shall add unto these things … and if any man shall take away from the words”

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)

What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32)

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5–6)
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:21–22)


Endnotes

1.  Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).

2.  Ibid.

3.  James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1987).

4.  Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (San Francisco, California: Foundation for American Christian Education, 1967).
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