Revelation
Chapter 22
Overview
This final chapter brings John’s vision to its quiet, radiant conclusion. An angel shows him the river and tree of life in God’s city, where everything once cursed has been healed. The scene then shifts from vision to urgent conversation: the message is trustworthy, Jesus is coming soon, and readers must decide how they will live. The ending opens like a beginning: water is offered freely, the invitation goes out to everyone, and the book closes with a warning, a promise, and a prayer.
1Then the angel showed me a river whose water gives life. It shone like crystal and flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2It ran down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life stood on both sides of the river. It produced twelve crops of fruit, yielding fruit every month, and its leaves brought healing to the nations.
3Nothing cursed will remain there. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and God’s servants will worship and serve him.
4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5Night will no longer exist. They will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will shine on them. They will reign forever and ever.
6The angel told me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who guides the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”
7Jesus says, “Look, I am coming soon! God’s favor rests on the person who obeys the prophetic words of this book.”
8I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I had heard and seen them, I fell at the feet of the angel who was showing them to me, intending to worship him.
9But the angel told me, “Do not do that! I am a servant just as you are, as your fellow believers the prophets are, and as everyone who obeys the words of this book is. Worship God.”
10The angel also told me, “Do not seal up and hide the prophetic words of this book, because the appointed time is near.
11Let the person who does wrong continue doing wrong, and let the morally filthy person continue in filth. Let the person who does what is right continue doing right, and let the person devoted to God continue to be devoted to him.”
12Jesus says, “Look, I am coming soon! I bring repayment with me, and I will give each person what their actions deserve.
13I am the Alpha and the Omega—the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
14How fortunate are those who wash their robes clean! They will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city through its gates.
15Outside are the ‘dogs’—people who live in moral filth—along with those who practice magic, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol worshipers, and everyone who loves lies and lives by them.
16I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the congregations. I am the root and the descendant of David, Israel’s ancient king. I am the bright morning star.”
17The Spirit and the bride—God’s people—say, “Come!” Let everyone who hears this say, “Come!” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Whoever wants it may freely receive the water that gives life.
18A solemn warning follows: “I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the punishing disasters described in this book.
19If anyone takes words away from this prophetic book, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
20The one who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Let it be so! Come, Lord Jesus!
21May the Lord Jesus’ generous favor be with everyone.