요한계시록 Chapter 22

Translation: ESV

1

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb

Key Message

The source of life is God and the Lamb; eternal life flows ceaselessly from the throne of God.

▸The river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb.

The river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47 and of Jesus' promise in John 7:38 ('rivers of living water will flow from within'). The source of the river is God and the Lamb.

Related Verses

Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east.Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
2

through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Key Message

The tree of life lost in Eden is restored, and its healing power extends to all peoples of the entire world.

▸The tree of life stands on either side of the river and bears fruit every month.

3

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

Key Message

Eden's curse is completely removed and God's people are fully restored — eternally worshiping and serving God.

▸The curse that began in Genesis 3 is completely removed.

4

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Key Message

Seeing God's face directly is the highest blessing of the new creation — the realization of complete and direct communion with God.

▸Seeing the face of God directly is the greatest privilege given in the new creation.

5

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Key Message

Eternal reign and God's eternal illumination — this is the eternal reality given to God's people in the new creation.

▸The declaration of 21:23–25 is repeated and emphasized.

6

And he said to me, 'These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.'

Key Message

God's revelation is trustworthy and true, and will certainly be accomplished — this assurance is the core declaration concluding Revelation.

▸The angel certifies the trustworthiness and truthfulness of the entire revelation.

7

"And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

Key Message

Christ's return comes soon; blessed is the one who keeps watch and is ready by heeding these words.

▸Christ himself declares 'Behold, I am coming soon.

8

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,

Key Message

John is the direct eyewitness who testifies to this revelation, and all worship must be offered to God alone.

▸John identifies himself as the direct witness who heard and saw everything.

9

but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

Key Message

God alone is the sole object of worship; even an angel, as a creature, is a fellow servant worshiping God together.

▸The angel refuses John's worship.

10

And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near."

Key Message

God's revelation is open to all people, and because Christ's return is near this prophecy must be made public now.

▸The angel commands John not to seal up this prophecy.

11

Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy."

Key Message

The imminence of the second coming warns that present moral choices bring eternal consequences — the decision of this moment is critical.

▸In a situation of imminent return, each person's condition is declared to be fixed.

12

"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

Key Message

Christ's return is the day of just recompense, bringing each person a fair reward according to his deeds — a day of both judgment and reward.

▸This is Christ's second 'I am coming soon' declaration.

13

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

Key Message

Jesus Christ is the eternal Lord who governs the beginning and end of history — he possesses a divinity equal to God.

▸Christ declares his eternity and sovereignty in three pairs of expressions: 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 right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

Key Message

Those who are washed clean in the blood of the Lamb have the eternal right to the tree of life and the holy city.

▸The seventh and final beatitude (makarios) of Revelation is declared.

15

Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Key Message

The holiness of the new Jerusalem is absolute; all impurity and falsehood cannot enter that city.

▸This is the list of those who cannot enter the new Jerusalem.

16

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

Key Message

Jesus is the complete Messiah — both root and offspring of David — the morning star who brings the light of the new age.

▸Jesus directly declares his identity: the root of David (the pre-existent Creator) and the offspring of David (the incarnate Messiah), and the bright morning star (the one who brings light).

17

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 desires take the water of life without price.

Key Message

The Spirit and the church together invite every thirsty soul, and the water of life is given freely to all who desire it — this is the essence of the gospel.

▸The Spirit and the Bride (the church) invite together: 'Come.

18

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,

Key Message

God's revelation is complete and any human addition will bring severe judgment — it is essential to guard the authority of the Word.

▸A solemn warning against anyone who adds anything to Revelation.

19

and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Key Message

Anyone who removes anything from God's Word forfeits his share in the eternal life and participation in God's kingdom.

▸A warning against anyone who removes anything from Revelation.

20

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Key Message

'Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!' — this is the final and highest prayer of all the saints throughout all of redemptive history as recorded in the entirety of Scripture.

▸This is the climax and final prayer of Revelation — and of the entire Bible.

21

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Key Message

The last word of Scripture is not judgment but grace — the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

▸This is the final verse of Revelation — and the final verse of the entire Bible.