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Revelation Chapter Twenty-two

Revelation 22

The connection of the holy city with the earth, though not on it, is everywhere seen. The river of God refreshed the city, and the tree of life, whose fruits ever ripe were food for the celestial inhabitants of it, bore in its wings healing for the nations. Only the glorified ever ate the fruit of constant growth; but what was manifested and displayed without, as the leaves of a tree, was blessing to those on earth. We see grace characterising the assembly in glory. The nation and kingdom that will not serve the earthly Jerusalem shall utterly perish-it preserves its earthly royal character; the assembly its own: the leaves of the tree it feeds on are for healing. There is no more curse. The throne of God and the Lamb is in it. This is the source of blessing, not of curse; and His servants serve Him; often they cannot as they would here. Note too again here, how God and the Lamb are spoken of as one, as constantly in John's writings. His servants shall have the fullest privilege of His constant presence, shall see His face, and their belonging to Him as His own be evident to all. There is no night there, nor need of light, for the Lord God gives it; and, as to their state, they reign not for the thousand years, as they do over the earth, but for ever and ever.

This closes the description of the heavenly city and the whole prophetic volume. What follows consists of warning, or the final expression of the thoughts of and relationship with, Christ of the assembly.

The angel declares the truth of these things, and that the Lord God of the prophets-not as the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, nor as directly teaching the assembly as dwelling in it by the Spirit--the Lord God of the prophets has sent His angel to inform His servants of these events. "Behold," says Christ, speaking as of old, in the prophetic spirit, rising up to His own personal testimony, "Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." The assembly is viewed, not as the subject of prophecy, but as " the things that are," time not being counted, specially time to come. Those that keep it are those concerned in the book, who are warned that Christ will soon be there. No doubt we all can profit by it, but we are not in the scenes it speaks of. John, impressed with the dignity of the messenger, fell down and would have worshiped him. But the saints of the assembly even if made prophets of, were not to return into the uncertainty of ancient days. The angel was a simple angel, John's fellow-servant, and fellow-servant of his brethren the prophets: he was to worship God. Nor were the sayings to be sealed, as with Daniel: the time was at hand. When it closed its testimony, men would remain in the same state for judgment or blessing. And Christ would quickly come, and every man receive as his work was. Verse 7 was a warning, in form of blessing, to those in the circumstances referred to, to keep the sayings of the book, but this verse 12 is the record of Christ's coming to the general judgment of the quick.

Finally, Christ announces Himself, having taken up the word in Person in verse 12, as Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end-God before and after all; and filling duration. I suppose we are to take as the true reading: " Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." The redeemed, cleansed ones, can enter there and feed on the tree of life; for I suppose it is the fruit here. Without are the unclean and violent, and those who love Satanic falsehood and idolatry, sin against purity, against their neighbor, against God, and follow Satan.

This closes the summing up. The Lord Jesus now reveals Himself in His own Person, speaking to John and the saints, and declares who He is, in what character He appears to say it to them. "I am the root and offspring of David"-the origin and heir of the temporal promises of Israel; but much more than that-He is the bright and morning Star. It is what He is before He appears, in both respects; only the former regards Israel born of the seed of David according to the flesh. But the Lord has taken another character. He has not yet arisen as the Sun of Righteousness on this benighted globe; but, to faith, the dawn is there, and the assembly sees Him in the now far-spent night as the Morning Star, knows Him, while watching according to His own word, in His bright heavenly character-a character which does not wake a sleeping world, but is the delight and love of those who watch. When the sun arises, He will not be thus known: the earth will never so know Him, bright as the day may be. When Christ is in this place, the Spirit dwells in the assembly below, and the assembly has its own relationship. It is the bride of Christ, and her desire is toward Him.

Thus " the Spirit and the bride say, Come." It is not a warning from one coming as a judge and a rewarder, but the revelation of Himself which awakens the desire of the bride according to the relationship in which grace has set her. Nor is it a mere sentiment or wish: the Spirit who dwells in the assembly leads and suggests her thought. But the Spirit turns also and the heart of him who enjoys the relationship, to others. "Let him that heareth "-let him who hears the voice of the Spirit in the assembly join in the cry, and say, Come. It is one common hope, it should be our common desire; and the sense of what is coming on the earth and the sense of failure in things that are, ought only though it be in truth an inferior motive, to urge the cry in all. But while still here, the saint has another place also. Not only do his desires go after God upwards and the heavenly Bride groom, but he reflects God's known character, by having His nature and Spirit as manifested also in Christ's love and in possession of the living water, though not of the Bridegroom. He turns round and invites others "Let him that is athirst come," and proclaims it forth then to the world, "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." Thus the whole place of the heavenly saint, conscious of the assembly's place, is brought out in this verse, from his desire of Christ's coming, to his call to whosoever will to come.

The integrity of the book is preserved by a solemn warning of the danger of [1] and the holy city. Christ then cheers the saint's heart, by assuring that He would quickly come; and the heart of the true saint responds with unfeigned and earnest desire, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." And then, with the salutation of grace, the book closes leaving the promise and the desire as the last words of Jesus on the heart.

Let the reader note here that, in the beginning and end of the book, before and after the prophetic statements, we have in a beautiful way the conscious position of the saints. The first, at the opening of the whole book, gives the individual conscious blessing through what Christ has done; the latter, the whole position of the assembly thus distinguishing clearly the saints under the gospel from those whose circumstances are prophetically made known to them in this book. "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests to God and his Father." As soon as Christ is named (and it is so in both cases), it awakens in the saints the consciousness of Christ's love and their own place in relationship with Him. They are already washed from their sins in His own blood, and made kings and priests to God and His Father-have their place and state fixed, before any of the prophetic part is developed, and in the coming kingdom will enjoy that place, not of being blessed under Christ, but of being associated with Him. Here they have their place simply in the kingdom and priesthood; it is individual title resulting from His first coming. They are loved, washed in His, own blood, and associated with Him in the kingdom.

At the end of the book, Christ is revealed as, the Morning Star, a place forming no part of the prophecy, but that in which the assembly, who has waited for Him, is associated with Him for herself, and the kingdom. (Compare the promise to the overcomers in Thyatira.) [2] This draws out in active love (not as before, simply being loved and what we are made)--love first directed towards Christ in the assembly's known relation to Himself, then to the saints who hear, then to the thirsty, then to all the world. The desire of the assembly, as the bride with whom the Spirit is, is directed to Christ's second coming for herself-to the possessing the Morning Star; then the Spirit turns to the saints, calling on them to say to Jesus, Come-to join in this desire. But we have the Spirit though not the Bridegroom; hence whoever is athirst is called on to come and drink, and thus the gospel proclaimed abroad, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." It is love acting in the saint all round from Christ to sinners in the world.

Footnotes

[1] The true reading here is "tree," not "book,"; but the book of life is not life, nor our being written there final, though 'prime facie' register, unless indeed written there before the foundation of the world: but, even so, it is not the same thing the possession of life.

[2] Compare the place of the bright cloud in Luke 9. There it is the Father's, voice.

── John Darby《Synopsis of Revelation》

Revelation 22

Chapter Contents

A description of the heavenly state, under the figures of the water and the tree of life, and of the throne of God and the Lamb. (1-5) The truth and certain fulfilling of all the prophetic visions, The Holy Spirit, and the bride, the church, invite, and say, Come. (6-19) The closing blessing. (20,21)

Commentary on Revelation 22:1-5

(Read Revelation 22:1-5)

All streams of earthly comfort are muddy; but these are clear, and refreshing. They give life, and preserve life, to those who drink of them, and thus they will flow for evermore. These point to the quickening and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to sinners through Christ. The Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, applies this salvation to our souls by his new-creating love and power. The trees of life are fed by the pure waters of the river that comes from the throne of God. The presence of God in heaven, is the health and happiness of the saints. This tree was an emblem of Christ, and of all the blessings of his salvation; and the leaves for the healing of the nations, mean that his favour and presence supply all good to the inhabitants of that blessed world. The devil has no power there; he cannot draw the saints from serving God, nor can he disturb them in the service of God. God and the Lamb are here spoken of as one. Service there shall be not only freedom, but honour and dominion. There will be no night; no affliction or dejection, no pause in service or enjoyment: no diversions or pleasures or man's inventing will there be wanted. How different all this from gross and merely human views of heavenly happiness, even those which refer to pleasures of the mind!

Commentary on Revelation 22:6-19

(Read Revelation 22:6-19)

The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God. They are things that must shortly be done; Christ will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's interpreter. He refused to accept religious worship from John, and reproved him for offering it. This presents another testimony against idolatrous worship of saints and angels. God calls every one to witness to the declarations here made. This book, thus kept open, will have effect upon men; the filthy and unjust will be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those who are upright with God. Never let us think that a dead or disobedient faith will save us, for the First and the Last has declared that those alone are blessed who do his commandments. It is a book that shuts out form heaven all wicked and unrighteous persons, particularly those who love and make lies, therefore cannot itself be a lie. There is no middle place or condition. Jesus, who is the Spirit of prophecy, has given his churches this morning-light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of the perfect day approaching. All is confirmed by an open and general invitation to mankind, to come and partake freely of the promises and of the privileges of the gospel. The Spirit, by the sacred word, and by convictions and influence in the sinner's conscience, says, Come to Christ for salvation; and the bride, or the whole church, on earth and in heaven, says, Come and share our happiness. Lest any should hesitate, it is added, Let whosoever will, or, is willing, come and take of the water of life freely. May every one who hears or reads these words, desire at once to accept the gracious invitation. All are condemned who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it, or taking from it.

Commentary on Revelation 22:20,21

(Read Revelation 22:20,21)

After discovering these things to his people on earth, Christ seems to take leave of them, and return to heaven; but he assures them it shall not be long before he comes again. And while we are busy in the duties of our different stations of life; whatever labours may try us, whatever difficulties may surround us, whatever sorrows may press us down, let us with pleasure hear our Lord proclaiming, Behold, I come quickly; I come to put an end to the labour and suffering of my servants. I come, and my reward of grace is with me, to recompense, with royal bounty, every work of faith and labour of love. I come to receive my faithful, persevering people to myself, to dwell for ever in that blissful world. Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus. A blessing closes the whole. By the grace of Christ we must be kept in joyful expectation of his glory, fitted for it, and preserved to it; and his glorious appearance will be joyful to those who partake of his grace and favour here. Let all add, Amen. Let us earnestly thirst after greater measures of the gracious influences of the blessed Jesus in our souls, and his gracious presence with us, till glory has made perfect his grace toward us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Revelation》

Revelation 22

Verse 1

[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.

And he showed me a river of the water of life — The ever fresh and fruitful effluence of the Holy Ghost. See Ezekiel 47:1-12; where also the trees are mentioned which "bear fruit every month," that is, perpetually.

Proceeding out of the throne of God, and of the Lamb — "All that the Father hath," saith the Son of God, "is mine;" even the throne of his glory.

Verse 2

[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.

In the midst of the street — Here is the paradise of God, mentioned, Revelation 2:7.

Is the tree of life — Not one tree only, but many.

Every month — That is, in inexpressible abundance. The variety, likewise, as well as the abundance of the fruits of the Spirit, may be intimated thereby.

And the leaves are for the healing of the nations — For the continuing their health, not the restoring it; for no sickness is there.

Verse 3

[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:

And there shall be no more curse — But pure life and blessing; every effect of the displeasure of God for sin being now totally removed.

But the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it — That is, the glorious presence and reign of God.

And his servants — The highest honour in the universe.

Shalt worship him — The noblest employment.

Verse 4

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

And shall see his face — Which was not granted to Moses. They shall have the nearest access to, and thence the highest resemblance of, him. This is the highest expression in the language of scripture to denote the most perfect happiness of the heavenly state, 1 John 3:2.

And his name shall be on their foreheads — Each of them shall be openly acknowledged as God's own property, and his glorious nature most visibly shine forth in them.

And they shall reign — But who are the subjects of these kings? The other inhabitants of the new earth. For there must needs be an everlasting difference between those who when on earth excelled in virtue, and those comparatively slothful and unprofitable servants, who were just saved as by fire. The kingdom of God is taken by force; but the prize is worth all the labour. Whatever of high, lovely, or excellent is in all the monarchies of the earth is all together not a grain of dust, compared to the glory of the children of God. God "is not ashamed to be called their God, for whom he hath prepared this city." But who shall come up into his holy place? "They who keep his commandments," verse 14. Revelation 22:14

Verse 5

[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 — What encouragement is this to the patience and faithfulness of the saints, that, whatever their sufferings are, they will work out for them "an eternal weight of glory!" Thus ends the doctrine of this Revelation, in the everlasting happiness of all the faithful. The mysterious ways of Providence are cleared up, and all things issue in an eternal Sabbath, an everlasting state of perfect peace and happiness, reserved for all who endure to the end.

Verse 6

[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.

And he said to me — Here begins the conclusion of the book, exactly agreeing with the introduction, (particularly verses 6, 7, 10, Revelation 22:6,7,10 with chap. i. 1, 3,) Revelation 1:1,3 and giving light to the whole book, as this book does to the whole scripture.

These sayings are faithful and true — All the things which you have heard and seen shall be faithfully accomplished in their order, and are infallibly true.

The Lord, the God of the holy prophets — Who inspired and authorised them of old. Hath now sent me his angel, to show his servants - By thee.

The things which must be done shortly — Which will begin to be performed immediately.

Verse 7

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

Behold, I come quickly — Saith our Lord himself, to accomplish these things.

Happy is he that keepeth — Without adding or diminishing, verses 18, 19, Revelation 22:18,19 the words of this book.

Verse 8

[8] 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.

I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel — The very same words which occur, Revelation 19:10. The reproof of the angel, likewise, See thou do it not|, for I am thy fellowservant, is expressed in the very same terms as before. May it not be the very same incident which is here related again? Is not this far more probable, than that the apostle would commit a fault again, of which he had been so solemnly warned before?

Verse 9

[9] 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.

See thou do it not|-The expression in the original is short and elliptical, as is usual in showing vehement aversion.

Verse 10

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

And he saith to me — After a little pause.

Seal not the sayings of this book — Conceal them not, like the things that are sealed up.

The time is nigh — Wherein they shall begin to take place.

Verse 11

[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.

He that is unrighteous — As if he had said, The final judgment is at hand; after which the condition of all mankind will admit of no change for ever.

Unrighteous — Unjustified.

Filthy — Unsanctified, unholy.

Verse 12

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

I — Jesus Christ.

Come quickly — To judge the world.

And my reward is with me — The rewards which I assign both to the righteous and the wicked are given at my coming.

To give to every man according as his work — His whole inward and outward behaviour shall be.

Verse 13

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

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last — Who exist from everlasting to everlasting. How clear, incontestable a proof, does our Lord here give of his divine glory!

Verse 14

[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.

Happy are they that do his commandments — His, who saith, I come - He speaks of himself.

That they may have right — Through his gracious covenant.

To the tree of life — To all the blessings signified by it. When Adam broke his commandment, he was driven from the tree of life. They who keep his commandments" shall eat thereof.

Verse 15

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

Without are dogs — The sentence in the original is abrupt, as expressing abhorrence. The gates are ever open; but not for dogs; fierce and rapacious men.

Verse 16

[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 Jesus have sent my angel to testify these things — Primarily.

To you — The seven angels of the churches; then to those churches - and afterwards to all other churches in succeeding ages.

I — as God.

Am the root — And source of David's family and kingdom; as man, an descended from his loins. "I am the star out of Jacob," Numbers 24:17; like the bright morning star, who put an end to the night of ignorance, sin, and sorrow, and usher in an eternal day of light, purity, and joy.

Verse 17

[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.

The Spirit and the bride — The Spirit of adoption in the bride, in the heart of every true believer.

Say — With earnest desire and expectation.

Come — And accomplish all the words of this prophecy.

And let him that thirsteth, come — Here they also who are farther off are invited.

And whosoever will, let him take the water of life — He may partake of my spiritual and unspeakable blessings, as freely as he makes use of the most common refreshments; as freely as he drinks of the running stream.

Verses 18-19

[18] 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: [19] 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.

I testify to every one, … — From the fulness of his heart, the apostle utters this testimony, this weighty admonition, not only to the churches of Asia, but to all who should ever hear this book. He that adds, all the plagues shall be added to him; he that takes from it, all the blessings shall be taken from him; and, doubtless, this guilt is incurred by all those who lay hinderances in the way of the faithful, which prevent them from hearing their Lord's "I come," and answering, "Come, Lord Jesus." This may likewise be considered as an awful sanction, given to the whole New Testament; in like manner as Moses guarded the law, Deuteronomy 4:2, and Deuteronomy 12:32; and as God himself did, Malachi 4:4, in closing the canon of the Old Testament.

Verse 20

[20] He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

He that testifieth these things — Even all that is contained in this book.

Saith — For the encouragement of the church in all her afflictions.

Yea — Answering the call of the Spirit and the bride.

I come quickly — To destroy all her enemies, and establish her in a state of perfect and everlasting happiness. The apostle expresses his earnest desire and hope of this, by answering, Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Verse 21

[21] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The grace — The free love.

Of the Lord Jesus — And all its fruits.

Be with all — Who thus long for his appearing!

── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Revelation》

Chapter 22. The River of the Water of Life

Add Anything
Take Away Any Word

I. The Water of Life and the Tree of Life

1. As Clear as Crystal
2. Yield Fruit Every Month
3. Perfect Bliss

II. Blessed Is He Who Keeps the Prophecy

1. The Witness of the Angel
2. Trustworthy and True
3. Things to Come True

III. The Last Testimony of Jesus

1. Coming Soon
2. Reward and Punishment
3. The Beginning and the End

── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》

 
Chapter Twenty-two General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To consider the eternal destiny of the redeemed, in terms depicting
 provision from God
 
2) To note that things revealed in this book were soon to take place
 
3) To heed the promises and warnings given as the book concludes
 
SUMMARY
 
In the previous chapter John described the glory of the New Jerusalem
as the eternal destiny of the redeemed was revealed. In the first six
verses of this chapter, John's vision of the glorious future for the 
people of God is completed with a brief description of the river of
life, the tree of life, and the throne of God and of the Lamb. With
the river of life proceeding from the throne, and the tree of life
bearing fruit every month along with its healing leaves, the picture is
one of provision from God. Eternal fellowship with God, stressed in
the previous chapter (cf. 21:3-4,7), is emphasized again with the
promise of seeing His face and having His name on one's forehead. With
no more curse (cf. Gen 3:17-19), the redeemed shall serve God and the
Lamb on the throne. There is no night nor need for the sun, for the
Lord God gives them light (cf. 21:23). The redeemed will also reign
forever and ever (1-5).
 
The remainder of this chapter contains the grand conclusion of this
wonderful book. The angel who showed John the holy city stressed that
the events described in this book were soon to take place, such that 
John is not to seal the book (cf. 22:6,10; contrast this with Dan
8:26). Jesus Himself states three times that He is coming quickly (cf.
22:7,12,20), which I take to refer to His coming in judgment as
described throughout this book (cf. 3:10-11). With a reminder of the
blessedness of those who do His commandments, Jesus, who is the Alpha 
and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, the 
Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star, declares that
He sent His angel to testify of these things to the churches. The
Spirit and the bride join in with an invitation to let those who thirst
come to drink of the water of life freely. The book ends with a
fearful warning not to add to or take away from the book, a final
promise of the Lord's coming, and a two-fold prayer calling for the 
Lord Jesus to come, and for His grace to be with all the brethren 
(6-22).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. THE RIVER, THE TREE, AND THE THRONE (1-5)
 
 A. THE RIVER OF LIFE (1)
 1. John sees a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal
 2. It proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb
 
  B. THE TREE OF LIFE (2)
 1. On either side of the river was the tree of life
 2. The tree bore twelve fruits, yielding fruit every month
 3. The leaves were for the healing of the nations
 
 C. THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB (3-5)
  1. There shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the
 Lamb shall be in it
 2. His servants shall serve Him
 a. They shall see His face
 b. His name shall be on their foreheads
 3. There shall be no night there
 a. They need no lamp nor light of the sun
 b. For the Lord God gives them light
 4. They shall reign forever and ever
 
II. THE GRAND CONCLUSION (6-21)
 
 A. THE TIME IS NEAR, DO NOT SEAL THE BOOK (6-11)
 1. John is told by the angel that these words are faithful and
 true
 a. The Lord God has sent His angel to show His servants the
 things which must shortly take place
 b. The Lamb proclaims: "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed
  is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
 2. John attempts to worship the angel
 a. He falls down at the feet of the angel who showed him these
 things
 b. The angel forbids him
 1) The angel is his fellow servant, and of his brethren the
 prophets and of those who keep the words of this book
 2) John is to worship God
 3. John is told not to seal the words of the prophecy of this
 book
 a. For the time is at hand
 b. Let he who is unjust be unjust still, the filthy be filthy
 still
 c. Let he who is righteous be righteous still, the holy be 
 holy still
 
 B. THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS (12-17)
 1. His first declaration:
 a. "Behold, I am coming quickly"
 b. "My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to
 his work"
 c. "I am the Alpha and the Omega"
 d. "The Beginning and the End, the First and the Last"
 2. The promise:
 a. Blessed are those who do His commandments (or wash their
 robes)
 1) That they may have the right to the tree of life
 2) That they may enter through the gates into the city
 b. Those outside the city
 1) Are dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, and
 idolaters
 2) Whoever loves and practices a lie
 3. His second declaration:
 a. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these
  things in the churches"
 b. "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and
 Morning Star."
 4. The invitation:
 a. The Spirit and the bride say "Come!"
 b. Let him who hears say "Come!"
 -- Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely
 
 C. A WORD OF WARNING (18-19)
 1. Do not add to the words of this book, or God will add to him
 the plagues that are written in it
 2. Do not take away from the words of this book, or God will take
 away his part from:
 a. The Book (or Tree) of Life
 b. The holy city
 c. The things written in this book
 
 D. CLOSING PROMISE, FINAL PRAYERS (20-21)
 1. The promise of Him who testifies to these things: "Surely I
 am coming quickly."
 2. John's two prayers:
 a. Concerning his Lord: "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
 b. Concerning his brethren: "The grace of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ be with you all. Amen."
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - The river, the tree, and the throne (1-5)
 - The grand conclusion (6-21)
 
2) What does John see proceeding from the throne of God and of the
 Lamb? (1)
 - A pure river of water of life, clear as crystal
 
3) What is on either side of the river? (2)
 - The tree of life
 
4) How many fruits did the tree bear and when? What were the leaves
 for? (2)
 - Twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit every month
 - The healing of the nations
 
5) What no longer existed? What was in the city instead? (3)
 - There shall be no more curse
 - The throne of God and of the Lamb
 
6) What is said concerning the servants of God and of the Lamb? (3-5)
 - His servants shall serve Him
 - They shall see His face
 - His name shall be on their foreheads
 - They shall reign forever and ever
 
7) What is said of night and the light of the sun? (5)
 - There shall be no night there
 - They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives
 them light
 
8) What is John told about the things which he has seen? (6)
 - "These words are faithful and true"
 - The Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His
 servants the things which must shortly take place
 
9) What promise and assurance is given in verse 7?
 - "Behold, I am coming quickly!"
 - "Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
 
10) What did John try to do when he heard and saw these things? (8)
 - Fall down and worship before the feet of the angel who showed them
 to him
 
11) What did the angel tell John? (9)
 - "See that you do not do that."
 - "I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and
 of those who keep the words of this book."
 - "Worship God."
 
12) What is John told regarding the prophecy of this book? Why? (10)
 - Not to seal the words of the prophecy of this book
 - For the time is at hand
 
13) What is said of the unjust and filthy? The righteous and holy? (11)
 - Let them be unjust and filthy still
 - Let them be righteous and holy still
 
14) What promise and assurance is given in verse 12?
 - "Behold, I am coming quickly"
 - "My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work"
 
15) How does Jesus describe Himself? (13)
 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the
 First and the Last."
 
16) What blessedness is promised to those who do His commandments (some
 manuscripts say "wash their robes")? (14)
 - They will have the right to the tree of life 
 - They will enter the through the gates into the city
 
17) What is outside the city? (15)
 - Dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers and idolaters
 - Whoever loves and practices a lie
 
18) Why had Jesus sent His angel? (16)
 - To testify these things in the churches
 
19) How does Jesus describe Himself? (16)
 - "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning
 Star."
 
20) Who extends the invitation to "Come!"? Who else is to extend this
 invitation? (17)
 - The Spirit and the bride
 - Him who hears
 
21) To whom is this invitation extended? What is offered? (17)
 - To him who thirsts
 - To take the water of life freely
 
22) What warning is given to those who hears the words of the prophecy
 of this book? (18-19)
 - If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues
 written in the book
 - If anyone takes away from the words of this book, God will take
 away his part from the Book (or Tree) of Life, the holy city, and
 the things written in this book
 
23) What promise is given by Him who testifies of these things? (20)
 - "Surely I am coming quickly."
 
24) What two prayers does John express as he closes the book? (20-21)
 - "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
 - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

－－《Executable Outlines》

The river of the water of life

Add anything

Take away any word

I. The water of life and the tree of life

1. As clear as crystal

2. Yield fruit every month

3. Perfect bliss

II.Blessed is he who keeps the prophecy

1. The witness of the angel

2. Trustworthy and true

3. Things to come true

III. The last testimony of Jesus

1. Coming soon

2. Reward and punishment

3. The beginning and the end

── Chih-Hsin Chang《an Outline of The New Testament》

The Throne of Life—Perfection at Last

I. The Proclamation from the Throne—‘All things new’ (21.5)

II. The Perfection of the Transformation—‘a new heaven and a new earth’ (21.1; 2 Pet. 3.13)

1. Perfect Provision—the tree of life (22.2)

2. Perfect Blessing—‘no more curse’ (22.3)

3. Perfect Government—‘the throne of God and the Lamb’ (22.3)

4. Perfect Service—‘His servants shall serve Him’ (22.3)

5. Perfect Vision—‘they shall see His face’ (22.4)

6. Perfect Reflection—‘His name—in their foreheads’ (22.4)

7. Perfect Illumination—‘no night there’ (22.5)

── Archibald Naismith《Outlines for Sermons》

God’s Last Messages to Men

God’s Revelation is complete and perfect (22.18~19)

I. The Last Proclamation—‘I am Alpha and Omega’ (22.13)

II. The Last Promise—‘I come quickly’ (three times) (22.7, 12, 20)

III. The Last Prayer—‘Even so come, Lord Jesus’ (22.20)

IV. The Last Prediction—‘I Jesus—the bright and morning Star’ (22.16)

V. The Last Provision—‘the water of life freely’ (22.17)

── Archibald Naismith《Outlines for Sermons》