221 Then he showed me a river of the water of life , clear as crystal , coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb , 2 in the middle of its street . On either side of the river was the tree of life , bearing twelve kinds of fruit , yielding its fruit every e month ; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations . 3 There will no longer be any curse ; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face , and His name will be on their foreheads . 5 And there will no longer be any night ; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun , because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever .
6 And he said to me, " These words are faithful and true "; and the Lord , the God of the spirits of the prophets , sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place . 7 "And behold , I am coming quickly . Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book ." 8 I, John , am the one who heard and saw these things . And when I heard and saw , I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things . 9 But he said to me, "Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book . Worship God ." 10 And he said to me, " Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book , for the time is near . 11 " Let the one who does wrong , still do wrong ; and the one who is filthy , still be filthy ; and let the one who is righteous , still practice righteousness ; and the one who is holy , still keep himself holy ." 12 "Behold , I am coming quickly , and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done e . 13 "I am 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 may enter by the gates into the city . 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters , and everyone who loves and practices lying .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 22:1-15
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.