01.22. CHAPTER 22.
CHAPTER 22.
Revelation 22:1-2. “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear [bright] as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 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.” The earthly and literal type of this river of life we have in Ezekiel 47:1-2; Ezekiel 47:12 : “Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out... unto the utter [outer] gate by the way that looketh eastward; and behold, there ran out waters on the right side... And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed [fail]: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”
See also Psalms 46:4 : “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God;” and Zechariah 14:8 : “And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea; in summer and in winter shall it be.” In the vision of Ezekiel the waters are seen issuing from under the threshold of the sanctuary; the type of Divine and spiritual life in the lowliness of its origin from under the threshold, and the holiness of its character from the temple; ankle deep at first, but widening and deepening as it flows, and carrying with it life, fertility, and verdure in its course. These waters supersede the brazen sea and lavers of the Temple of Solomon, and, passing along the south side of the altar, flow out eastward and onward to Jerusalem, and, passing through the city, divide to the east and west: the type of life in the Spirit, in its holiness and purity, through the incarnation and spotless life and crucifixion of Christ the Lamb on the altar. In Revelation this life in the Spirit, in its transcendent purity and excellency, is represented as proceeding from the throne of God —from Jehovah, the fountain of living waters—in His sovereignty; and from the Lamb, now no longer the Lamb on the altar, but the Lamb on the throne—from a once crucified but a now glorified Christ; and this river flows through the street of the city, beautifully exemplifying those words of Jesus recorded in John 7:37-39 : “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth in Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe in Him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” In John 7:1-53 it is individual; in Revelation 22:1-21 it is collective—for those who compose the bride. “By one Spirit are all baptized into one body… and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). The street of the city is always spoken of in the singular number (Revelation 21:21; Revelation 22:2), as though there were but one; perhaps by this street we are to understand the broad place surrounding the city, between the city and the jasper wall with its twelve gates. This pure river of water of life, clear or bright as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb, first passing onwards through the city, appears to cross this street or broad way, probably on the east in harmony with the vision of Ezekiel, and then passes forth through one of the gates.
“And on either side of the river was, there the tree of life bearing twelve manner of fruits.”
We have here a beautiful emblem of Divine and spiritual life in its heavenly and eternal manifestation. The Father, its fountain head and source; the Son, its repository and channel; and the Spirit, its life-giving stream. From God in His sovereignty, through the Lamb in His atoning sacrifice, and by the Holy Ghost received by the glorified Christ. The tree of life on either side of the river reminds us of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, forfeited by our first parents at the Fall, and guarded by the cherubim with flaming sword. The forfeited right to eat of the tree of life has now been secured by the redemption which is in Christ Jesus (Revelation 2:7, “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 22:14, “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life “). The twelve fruits yielded every month are emblematic of those fruits, excellences, and perfections of the Spirit of God, which will be brought forth and manifested in all their fulness, variety, and suitability by the glorified redeemed throughout all ages. The leaves of the tree being for the healing of the nations clearly shows that this vision of the holy city is connected with Millennial times, for in the new earth there will be no need of healing; “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain” (Revelation 21:4). Compare also Ezekiel 47:12— “the leaf thereof for medicine.” The risen saints, by the grace and teaching of the eternal Spirit, will minister to the spiritual health and blessing of the nations of the Millennial earth.
Revelation 22:3-4. “And there shall be no more curse: but [and] the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants [bought or bond servants] shall serve [religiously serve] Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in [on] their foreheads.”
Christ having been made a curse for them, there remains nothing but pure, unmixed, and eternal blessing, not only sin, but all the consequences of sin, having been removed for ever.
God and the Lamb the temple in which they worship, and the throne of God and of the Lamb established in their midst, they dwell in God, and God in them. This is the hope of God’s calling, which the Spirit of wisdom and revelation alone can make known to the soul, even the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints. Thus constituting the Church the body of Christ, and “the fulness of Him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:15-23). The servants of God, redeemed and purchased by the blood of the Lamb, shall be for ever engaged in His holy and happy service in His immediate presence, where there is fulness of joy; no longer seeing Him by means of a mirror, obscurely, but “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
They see the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ in fulfilment of His request in John 17:24. “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where $ am; that they may behold My glory which Thou gavest me, for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world. This glory will be fully manifested by the Spirit of all truth, “the Spirit of glory and of God;” and, as the result, they will reflect the glory on which they gaze. Thus they will be known everywhere and by all as the children of God, the bride of the Lamb, indwelt, sanctified, and blended into one by the Spirit of the Father and the Son.
Revelation 22:5. “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle [lamp], neither light of the sun; for the Lord [Jehovah] God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” With God is the fountain of life, and they that follow the Lamb shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. In God’s light they see light (Psalms 36:9); and this light is unchanging and eternal, for with Him there is “no variableness, nor shadow of a turning.”
Having God and the Lamb for their eternal portion, possessed and realised through the eternal Spirit, they are independent of external sources of satisfaction and enjoyment; to them God is all in all.
They will not only share with Christ the Millennial kingdom, but in the new heavens and the new earth they will reign with Him as long as eternal ages roll.
Revelation 22:6-7. “And he said unto me, ‘These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord [Jehovah] God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show unto His servants the tilings which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.’”
God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets—Who in these last days spake unto us by His Son, and in the inspired epistles by His Spirit—has given us a further revelation of His mind, by the instrumentality of the angel who was employed to communicate by signs or symbols the contents of the prophecy of this book.
Thus He gives us instruction in further and fuller detail concerning those great and solemn events which will transpire in the interval between the coming of the Lord Jesus to receive His saints and His manifestation in glory with them; also the Millennial period; the passing away of former things; the new heavens and the new earth; and the commencement of the eternal state.
Jehovah God Himself puts the stamp of truth on this most sacred portion of His holy word; and then the Lord Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who keep “the words of the prophecy of this book.” He at the same time reminds us that our one and special hope is His personal return, for He would have us ever watching with girded loins and well trimmed lamps, ready to welcome Him. Meanwhile, the knowledge of the things which are coming to pass on the earth, revealed to us in their ultimate issues, will be found of infinite value in furnishing practical lessons for present guidance whilst watching and waiting for Him. The knowledge of what ritualism will become when fully developed in Babylon the Great is the best preservation from its subtle ensnarements now. The realisation of what the lawlessness of the present age will culminate in, as headed up in “the lawless one” and kingdom of the beast, may well deter us from meddling in political strife (Proverbs 24:21).
Then, again, being forewarned of what “the opposition of science, falsely so called” will lead to, when perfected by the false prophet, will assuredly keep us steadfast and immovable in abiding by the truth of God as contained in the sacred and inspired Scriptures.
Revelation 22:8-9. “And 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 showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, ‘See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.’” An angel was sent to show John the visions which are recorded in this book, and through him, and by him the Lord Jesus spake. This angel was only an instrument employed, and also a fellow servant of those who obey the word of God. He therefore utterly disclaims the worship proffered to him. The Triune God—Father. Son, and Spirit, the one true God—is the only rightful object of religious worship.
Revelation 22:10-12. “And he saith unto me, ‘Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust [unrighteous], 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. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.’” In the time of Daniel prophecy was shut up and sealed until the time of the end, except to such as were taught of God (Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:9-10). But the Book of the Revelation is not a sealed book; it is plain and simple, and the emblems employed are, for the most part, easily intelligible. The night is far spent and the day is at hand. As the coming of the Lord draws nearer and nearer, the light of the coming dawn grows brighter. “Coming events cast their shadows before,” so that we see the day approaching. The three first chapters of the Revelation have been expounded to us by the history of the Church and its present condition; and the character of coming events is clearly foreshadowed by what we see and hear from day to day. When the Lord Jesus shall come, and “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” shall take to Himself those who have the earnest and seal of the Spirit, that moment will be a solemn and decisive period in the experience of thousands, fixing unalterably their future state. Then those who “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” up to that time, “but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11), will be given over to the delusions of Antichrist and the belief of his lie, and to share his judgment. The coming of the Lord will also terminate the time of service here, giving emphasis to the exhortation to “work while it is called to-day;” for when He comes it will not only be to receive His people to Himself, to set them in His presence, but also to place them before His judgment-seat. He will come not only as Bridegroom to receive His bride, but as Lord to take account of His servants. Then, when the secrets of all hearts are made manifest, shall every one receive his own reward, according to his own labour.
Revelation 22:13. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” The Scriptures are the word of God, the testimony of the Father concerning the Son, written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The summing up and the substance of that word is to be found in Christ: all its promises are Yea and Amen in Him; its various types and shadows find their accomplishment and reality in Him—the true and living Word—Who, coming forth from the bosom of the Father, hath declared [told out] God.
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.” The Book of the Revelation opens with a blessing (Revelation 1:3)— “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” This blessing is repeated in Revelation 22:7— “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Again in the verse before us— “Blessed are they that do His commandments.” There is another Greek reading here— “Blessed are they that wash their robes.” The first reading appears more in harmony with the structure of the book, yet both are true, for “God commandeth all men everywhere to repent,” and to “believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ;” and “blessed are they that wash their robes,” but this can only be done by repenting and believing in Jesus. The right to the tree of life in Paradise was forfeited through disobedience at the first, and the flaming sword of the cherubim guarded the way of return; but faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the will of God, gives a title to everlasting life, and admits into association with the redeemed in glory—the church of the firstborn written in heaven.
Revelation 22:15. “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
What a contrast between within the city and without. Within all is bright, all is pure, all is holy, all is true; “without” all is dark, all is unholy, all is false. Faith in God’s testimony of truth admits within; the rejection of God’s truth, and the reception of Satan’s lie, leaves the soul without, in the blackness of darkness forever.
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 [the] morning star.”’ In the epistles to the seven churches in Asia (Revelation 2:1-29, Revelation 3:1-22) the Lord Jesus assumes a distinct title when addressing each particular church, but to each address is added the exhortation, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;” for the instruction given is for the benefit of the whole Church. At the same time it is for individual warning, exhortation, and profit; but in order to this there must be the hearing ear—that is, the spiritual mind and understanding, the capacity to hear the Spirit’s voice (see 1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Human intellect is insufficient, the opinions of men mainly mislead; the Spirit’s voice must be listened to, as well as the words which He has written carefully pondered. The written word is not sufficient without the Spirit’s voice. The titles here assumed by the Lord Jesus in addressing the churches are “the Root and the Offspring of David,” and “the Bright and the Morning Star.” He is David’s Lord, as well as David’s Son (Psalms 110:1). This title expresses His Divine glory, and also His human condescension, as both “the Root and the Offspring of David.” As David’s Lord, universal empire is His; as David’s Son, He claims the throne of Israel and of the world (Psalms 72:1-20). As the Root and the Offspring of David, His manifestation in glory will be universally apparent: He will come with clouds, and every eye shall see Him. Upon a sleeping and benighted world that day will come as a thief in the night; but unto them that fear the name of Jehovah, the godly remnant of Israel in that day, “shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2).
“And what a sunrise will that advent be!” But unto His waiting and expectant Church He will previously have appeared as the Bright and the Morning Star; and, as the morning star cannot be seen after the sun is risen, we are thus instructed and warned not to confound together the coming of the Lord Jesus to receive His saints to Himself with the appearing of the Son of Man when He will be manifested with them. When He arises on the world as the Sun of Righteousness, His raised, changed, and glorified saints will appear with Him in glory.
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.” On the announcement of the title, “I am the Bright and the Morning Star,” the Spirit in the Church responds to Him who makes it, “Come.” Those composing the Church on earth who realise their position and relationship as the bride of the Lamb respond, “Come.” At the same time they are desirous that those believers who have not known their relationship as such should join with them in their invitation—that the slumbering virgins should be awakened to welcome the returning Bridegroom: that the response from the universal Church to their common Lord should be, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Meanwhile, a sense of the nearness of His approach, of the shortness of the time, and of the stupendous issues involved, under the leadings of the Spirit, will prompt every earnest believer to desire that the thirsting should come to the waters of life; and not only that the anxious should be decided, but that whosoever will might be a partaker of eternal life; realising in fellowship with their Lord that the apparent slackness in fulfilling His promise is really in mercy, and that the long-suffering of their Lord is salvation.
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.”
There is no portion of the sacred Scriptures which requires to be handled with more holy caution and godly fear. It is specially needful for him who would expound the Book of Revelation neither to add to or take from the things which are written therein, but in simplicity and godly sincerity seek to commend himself unto God as a workman needing not to be ashamed, but by manifestation of the truth commending himself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
Revelation 22:20. “He that testifieth these things saith, ‘Surely I come quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” The Lord Jesus would ever keep the hope of His return before the eye of His believing people as the one bright object of their expectation and desire. It is by no means a question of time. Astronomy teaches that there are ninety-five millions of miles between the sun and the spectator; but so long as there is nothing between, its full brightness and warmth are experienced, notwithstanding the distance; but any object intervening, whether large or small, will intercept the brightness and diminish the warmth. Even so with the hope of the Lord’s return: so long as it is regarded as the Lord ever presents it—as the next thing to be expected, and the first object of desire—the brightness and the power of the hope are experienced; but anything whatever put between, whether Antichrist or the tribulation, takes off the brightness and nullifies the power.
We notice that in this closing testimony of the Lord Jesus, “Surely I come quickly,” the word of promise is in the present tense, not in the future— “I come,” not “I will come;” and it is ever so. In John 14:3 His words are, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto Myself” (see Greek). He ever puts but the twinkling of an eye between His going away and His coming to receive His saints, as the next object of expectation and desire; although the Lord foresaw the interval, and would have His people prepared for patient waiting. This is intimated in those words of the parable, “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them” (Matthew 25:19). His word to each and all is, “Watch;” “Be as men that wait for their lord.” It is the evil servant that saith in his heart, “My lord delayeth his coming” (Matthew 24:48). And it is the strange woman that puts off the expectation of the return to a future and calculated period, saying, “The goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: he hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed” (Proverbs 7:19-20). The true-hearted disciple, to these last and closing words of the Saviour, “Surely I come quickly,” responds, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Revelation 22:21. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”