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| Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. © Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007/2008 |
| In-Depth Study of The Book of Revelation Chapter 22 By Rabbi Esther Boucher |
Verse 1 (Promise)
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Out of the throne from underneath it or actually gushing from its base
proceeds the River of Water of life.
Verse 2 (Promise)
In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree
of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every
month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Here we see a tree of life in the middle of the street. The tree yields
different type of fruit each month in a yearly cycle. Since there will be no
wounds or sickness in eternity the fruit of this tree is for the service and care
of the nations, for their nutrition and well being.
Verse 3 (Promise)
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.
In the new world the awful curse that fell upon man and upon the earth as the
penalty for Adam's sin is no more. The ground will no longer be cursed and
bear thorns and thistles, nor will man be separated from his G-d any more
because of sin.
Verse 4 (Promise)
shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
This is a promise to the overcomer.
Verse 5 (Promise)
There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun,
for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and
ever.
We are assured that the light of the Lord's glory will sufficiently illuminate the
eternal land. We shall reign forever and ever with Jesus.
Verse 6
Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord
God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the
things which must shortly take place.
We are again shown that the events recorded in this book are faithful and
true.
Verse 7
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of
the prophecy of this book.”
Promise here is the promise that those who keep the prophecy of this book
will be blessed. The one who will be blessed is the one who; a.) retains and
b.) obeys the message of this book.
Verse 8 & 9
Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw,
I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me
these things. 9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I
am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of
those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
John affirms to us that he personally saw and heard the things recorded in
this book. We also see the angel refusing to allow himself to be
worshipped. G-d alone is to be worshipped.
Verse 10
And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this
book, for the time is at hand.
The angel's command is in direct contrast to Daniel 12:4 where the prophet
was ordered to seal the book. Since Christ's death and resurrection we
have been in the last times and the spirit of the Antichrist has been growing
in the world. Since the spirit of Antichrist is growing and Christ's second
coming may take place at any time, John is told not to seal up this prophecy.
Verse 11
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be
filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is
holy, let him be holy still.”
This is the decree of eternity.
Verse 12
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give
to every one according to his work.
Christ comes and brings His reward. The excitement of children at the
return of their Daddy from a far off land can at most be only dimly compared
to the Blessed Hope of the church, the second coming of Jesus Christ. To
the believer at Christ's coming at the rapture this means the judgement seat
of Christ when we shall be judged not in respect to salvation, but with
respect to rewards. To those alive at the close of the Tribulation Christ shall
judge them as to their entrance into the Millennial Kingdom.
Verse 13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First
and the Last.”
Again as in 1:8 and 1:17 we hear Jesus make the claim that He is deity as
He claims to be the Alpha and Omega.
Verse 14 (Promise)
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have
the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the
city.
In Eden, Adam and Eve were barred from any access to the tree of life
because of their sin. In the new earth, G-d's people will eat from the tree of
life because their sins have been removed by Christ's death and
resurrection. Those who eat the fruit of this tree will live forever. If Jesus
has forgiven your sins you will have the right to eat from this tree.
Verse 15 (Judgement)
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and
murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
The emphasis in this verse is that nothing evil and no sinner will be in G-d's
presence to corrupt or harm any of the faithful.
Verse 16 (Promise)
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the
churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and
Morning Star.”
Jesus is both David's root and offspring. As to the Creator of all, Jesus
existed long before David. As a human He was one of David's direct
descendants. As the Messiah, He is the bright Morning Star of the light of
salvation to all.
Verse 17
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say,
“Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take
the water of life freely.
Both the Holy Spirit and the bridge, the church, extend the invitation to all the
world to come to Jesus and experience the joys of salvation in Christ.
Verse 18 & 19 (Judgements)
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this
book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues
that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the
words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from
the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are
written in this book.
These words show that G-d is concerned that the Bible message which he
has revealed be preserved and transmitted accurately. He assures us that
His words are true and faithful. Christ warns all against tampering with the
sacred message found in this Book of Revelation. Both adding to and
subtracting from G-d's prophecy are equally forbidden. The L-rd from G-d's
prophecy are equally forbidden. The L-rd not only condemns those who
would tamper with the contents of this book, but He adds specific promises
of judgement. To the one who adds, G-d will add to him the plagues
mentioned in this book which are to be the portion of those who are lost. To
those who subtract, G-d will subtract from them everlasting life which comes
to those who trust in the L-rd. It would seem from the language used that the
sin of doing this is a direct blasphemy of the Holy Ghost, the inspirer of
Scripture, and constitutes an unpardonable sin.
Verse 20
We don't know the day or the hour but Jesus is coming soon and
unexpectedly. This is good news to those who trust Him, but a terrible
message for those who have rejected him and stand in judgement. Soon
means at any moment, and we must be ready for him, always prepared for
his return. Would Jesus' sudden appearance catch you off guard?
Verse 21
Revelation closes human history as Genesis opened it in paradise. But
there is one distinct difference in Revelation, evil is gone forever. Genesis
describes Adam and Eve walking and talking with G-d. Revelation
describes people worshipping G-d face to face. The Book of Revelation
ends with an urgent request Come Lord Jesus. In a world of problems,
persecution, evil and immorality, Christ calls us to endure in our faith.
Revelation is a book of hope. It shows that no matter what happens on
earth, G-d is in control. It promises that evil will not last forever. And it
depicts the wonderful reward that is waiting.
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Out of the throne from underneath it or actually gushing from its base
proceeds the River of Water of life.
Verse 2 (Promise)
In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree
of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every
month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Here we see a tree of life in the middle of the street. The tree yields
different type of fruit each month in a yearly cycle. Since there will be no
wounds or sickness in eternity the fruit of this tree is for the service and care
of the nations, for their nutrition and well being.
Verse 3 (Promise)
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.
In the new world the awful curse that fell upon man and upon the earth as the
penalty for Adam's sin is no more. The ground will no longer be cursed and
bear thorns and thistles, nor will man be separated from his G-d any more
because of sin.
Verse 4 (Promise)
shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
This is a promise to the overcomer.
Verse 5 (Promise)
There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun,
for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and
ever.
We are assured that the light of the Lord's glory will sufficiently illuminate the
eternal land. We shall reign forever and ever with Jesus.
Verse 6
Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord
God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the
things which must shortly take place.
We are again shown that the events recorded in this book are faithful and
true.
Verse 7
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of
the prophecy of this book.”
Promise here is the promise that those who keep the prophecy of this book
will be blessed. The one who will be blessed is the one who; a.) retains and
b.) obeys the message of this book.
Verse 8 & 9
Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw,
I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me
these things. 9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I
am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of
those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
John affirms to us that he personally saw and heard the things recorded in
this book. We also see the angel refusing to allow himself to be
worshipped. G-d alone is to be worshipped.
Verse 10
And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this
book, for the time is at hand.
The angel's command is in direct contrast to Daniel 12:4 where the prophet
was ordered to seal the book. Since Christ's death and resurrection we
have been in the last times and the spirit of the Antichrist has been growing
in the world. Since the spirit of Antichrist is growing and Christ's second
coming may take place at any time, John is told not to seal up this prophecy.
Verse 11
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be
filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is
holy, let him be holy still.”
This is the decree of eternity.
Verse 12
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give
to every one according to his work.
Christ comes and brings His reward. The excitement of children at the
return of their Daddy from a far off land can at most be only dimly compared
to the Blessed Hope of the church, the second coming of Jesus Christ. To
the believer at Christ's coming at the rapture this means the judgement seat
of Christ when we shall be judged not in respect to salvation, but with
respect to rewards. To those alive at the close of the Tribulation Christ shall
judge them as to their entrance into the Millennial Kingdom.
Verse 13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First
and the Last.”
Again as in 1:8 and 1:17 we hear Jesus make the claim that He is deity as
He claims to be the Alpha and Omega.
Verse 14 (Promise)
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have
the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the
city.
In Eden, Adam and Eve were barred from any access to the tree of life
because of their sin. In the new earth, G-d's people will eat from the tree of
life because their sins have been removed by Christ's death and
resurrection. Those who eat the fruit of this tree will live forever. If Jesus
has forgiven your sins you will have the right to eat from this tree.
Verse 15 (Judgement)
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and
murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
The emphasis in this verse is that nothing evil and no sinner will be in G-d's
presence to corrupt or harm any of the faithful.
Verse 16 (Promise)
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the
churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and
Morning Star.”
Jesus is both David's root and offspring. As to the Creator of all, Jesus
existed long before David. As a human He was one of David's direct
descendants. As the Messiah, He is the bright Morning Star of the light of
salvation to all.
Verse 17
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say,
“Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take
the water of life freely.
Both the Holy Spirit and the bridge, the church, extend the invitation to all the
world to come to Jesus and experience the joys of salvation in Christ.
Verse 18 & 19 (Judgements)
For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this
book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues
that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the
words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from
the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are
written in this book.
These words show that G-d is concerned that the Bible message which he
has revealed be preserved and transmitted accurately. He assures us that
His words are true and faithful. Christ warns all against tampering with the
sacred message found in this Book of Revelation. Both adding to and
subtracting from G-d's prophecy are equally forbidden. The L-rd from G-d's
prophecy are equally forbidden. The L-rd not only condemns those who
would tamper with the contents of this book, but He adds specific promises
of judgement. To the one who adds, G-d will add to him the plagues
mentioned in this book which are to be the portion of those who are lost. To
those who subtract, G-d will subtract from them everlasting life which comes
to those who trust in the L-rd. It would seem from the language used that the
sin of doing this is a direct blasphemy of the Holy Ghost, the inspirer of
Scripture, and constitutes an unpardonable sin.
Verse 20
We don't know the day or the hour but Jesus is coming soon and
unexpectedly. This is good news to those who trust Him, but a terrible
message for those who have rejected him and stand in judgement. Soon
means at any moment, and we must be ready for him, always prepared for
his return. Would Jesus' sudden appearance catch you off guard?
Verse 21
Revelation closes human history as Genesis opened it in paradise. But
there is one distinct difference in Revelation, evil is gone forever. Genesis
describes Adam and Eve walking and talking with G-d. Revelation
describes people worshipping G-d face to face. The Book of Revelation
ends with an urgent request Come Lord Jesus. In a world of problems,
persecution, evil and immorality, Christ calls us to endure in our faith.
Revelation is a book of hope. It shows that no matter what happens on
earth, G-d is in control. It promises that evil will not last forever. And it
depicts the wonderful reward that is waiting.