Apocalipse 22
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Apocalipse 22:1-5
22:1 "Then he showed me a river of the water of life" There should be no chapter division here. The concept of a river flowing from the presence of God is an allusion to the OT (cf. Ps. 46:4; Ezek. 47:1-12; Joel 3:18; Zech. 14:8, possibly Eden). Water is a common metaphor referring to God abundantly supplying the spiritual needs of His people (cf. Isa. 12:3; 44:3; 49:10; Jer. 2:13; 17:13; John 4:10-15; Rev. 7:17; 21:6). Only John uses the term life (zoē) to refer to resurrection life. Special Topic: Eden ▣ "clear as crystal" This speaks of the purity of God's heavenly city (cf. Rev. 4:6). ▣ "coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb" There is only one throne (cf. Rev. 21:22). This is anthropomorphic language from ancient eastern royal court imagery. God is an eternal spirit; He does not sit on a physical throne. It is a metaphor of His sovereign rule. 22:2 "On either side of the river was the tree of life" This same tree is alluded to in Rev. 2:7. This whole vision is from Ezek. 47:1-12 (here, Rev. 22:12). There are many references in Jewish apocalyptic literature to the tree of life found in Gen. 2:9; 3:22 (cf. Enoch 25:2ff; IV Esdras 7:53; 8:52; II Enoch 8:3). That which Adam forfeited from God (fellowship, knowledge, eternal life), God now freely gives to redeemed mankind (cf. Phil. 2:6). ▣ "bearing twelve kinds of fruit" See Special Topic: The Number Twelve. ▣ "and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" This is highly unusual because there should be nothing left to cure! However, this may simply be a quote from Ezek. 47:12; possibly the recurrent theological theme is that God wants all ("the nations") to be saved (cf. Isa. 2:3-4; 45:22-25; 60:3; 66:18-19; Zech. 2:11; 8:20-23). Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan 22:3 "There shall no longer be any curse" This is an allusion to Gen. 3:17 and Zech. 14:11. The new age has come and the curse of the OT (cf. Eph. 2:15-16; Col. 2:14) has been removed by Christ's death (cf. Rom. 8:18,25; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 2:13,16). In Revelation the crystal sea of Rev. 4:6 symbolizes God's transcendent holiness. Fallen mankind could not approach God, but now the sea is removed (cf. Rev. 21:1). It is possible that the term represents the Hebrew charam, meaning destroyed or totally destroyed (cf. Zech. 14:11). If this is the OT allusion, then this verse refers to the security of the new Jerusalem and would be similar to the promises of 1 Peter 1:4-5. ▣ Notice the unusual grammatical features of this phrase. There is one throne, but two on it (i.e., God and the Lamb). However, the servants serve "Him" (SINGULAR). This involves the mystery of monotheism and incarnation. One God, but also a divine Messiah (and a personal Holy Spirit). Special Topic: Monotheism Special Topic: The Trinity Special Topic: The Personhood of the Spirit 22:4 "they will see His face" In the OT to see God meant death. Moses was not allowed to see God's face (cf. Exod. 33:20). Seeing God or dwelling with God are rewards to those who are pure (cf. Ps. 11:7; 16:11; 17:15; 140:13; Matt. 5:8). The original intimacy intended in Eden has been fully restored (cf. Ps. 42:1-2)! ▣ "and His name will be on their foreheads" As Satan marked his followers (cf. Rev. 13:1-17; 14:9; 20:4), God marked His (cf. Rev. 3:12; 7:3; 14:1). It was a symbol of ownership and security. See note at Rev. 7:2. 22:5 "there shall no longer be any night" (cf. Rev. 21:23-25; Isa. 60:19-20; Zech. 14:7) ▣ "and they will reign forever and ever" Who rules with Christ during the millennial kingdom? Rev. 20:4-5 suggests only Christians who lived during the end-time persecution, but Rev. 2:26 and 5:10 imply that all saints will rule with Christ on the earth. There is no clear differentiation in the Bible between the eternal reign (cf. Dan. 2:44; 7:14,18; Isa. 9:7; Luke 1:33; 2 Pet. 1:11; Rev. 11:15) and the millennial reign. It is hermeneutically inappropriate to derive a major doctrine from an apocalyptic passage. This verse implies an eternal reign. The imagery of God's people experiencing an evil invader, who is totally destroyed by God, is taken from Ezekiel 37-39. John never intended this to be interpreted literally! It is an abuse of authorial intent to turn apocalyptic imagery into historical literalness! Our love for the Bible and our curiosity about the future have caused the modern western church to interpret prophecy and apocalyptic literature in strange and strained ways! Special Topic: Reigning in the Kingdom of God
Apocalipse 22:6
22:6 "he said to me" This refers to the angels who had the seven bowls of judgment (cf. Rev. 21:9; 22:1,8,9,10). ▣ "these words are faithful and true" This phrase is used to describe Jesus (cf. Rev. 1:5; 3:7,14; 19:11) Jesus' followers (cf. Rev. 17:14) God's word (cf. Rev. 19:9; 21:5; 22:6) Often God is described as "righteous and true" (cf. Rev. 15:3; 16:7; 19:2). The Hebrew behind this phrase implies total trustworthiness. ▣ "The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets" This is possibly: an allusion to Rev. 19:10 a reference to the inspiration of the OT (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20-21) a reference to the inspiration of the NT (cf. 2 Pet. 3:15-16) a reference to the gospel preachers of John's day a reference to John's book (visions) The original Greek texts did not have capitalization. Often the translators or interpreters must decide whether "spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit. This text refers to the human spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 14:32; Heb. 12:9). ▣ "sent His angel" This is an allusion to Rev. 1:1. These closing verses are very similar in their motifs to chapter 1. The traditional personal letter format used in Revelation 1 is used again in Revelation 22. ▣ "the things which must soon take place" There is a series of allusions to the imminence of the Lord's coming (cf. Rev. 1:1,3; 3:11; Rev. 22:6 [twice], Rev. 22:7, 10, 12, and 20). The two-thousand-year delay thus far is somewhat difficult for believers to understand (the delay is revealed in 2 Thessalonians), but it must be seen that every generation of Christians has the hope of the coming of the Lord in their day. There is a real tension in the NT between the any-moment return of the Lord and some things that must occur first. Believers are to remain faithful and active! Here is a brief quote on this subject from my commentary on Matthew. "There is theological paradoxical tension between the any moment return (cf. Matt. 24:27,44) and the fact that some events in history must occur the Kingdom as future and the Kingdom as present. The NT states that some events will occur before the Second Coming. the Gospel preached to the whole world (cf. Matt. 24:14: Mark 13:10) the great apostasy (cf. Matt. 24:10-13,21; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1ff; 2 Thess. 2:3) the revelation of the "man of sin" (cf. Dan. 7:23-26; 9:24-27; 2 Thess. 2:3) removal of the one who restrains (cf. 2 Thess. 2:6-7) Jewish revival (cf. Zech. 12:10; Rom.11)" Those who believe that there is significant parallelism among the seven literary units of the book also assert that each one of them represents the period between the first and second comings of Christ from different perspectives (e.g., William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors). If this is true then the texts that refer to the imminent coming of Christ (cf. Rev. 1:3; 3:11; 22:7,10,12,20) refer to the initiation of these prophecies after the death and resurrection of Christ. The eschatological ball is rolling!
Apocalipse 22:7
22:7 "I am coming quickly" Apparently the angel is quoting Jesus (cf. Rev. 22:12-15). This is stated specifically by Jesus in Rev. 22:16. Exactly who speaks in Rev. 22:17 and Rev. 22:18-19 is uncertain, but Jesus speaks again in Rev. 22:20 and John in Rev. 22:21. Special Topic: Soon Return ▣ "Blessed is he who" This is another of the seven blessings for believers found throughout the book (cf. Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14). ▣ "prophecy" This book is a prophecy and must be interpreted in the light of prophetic literature (cf. Rev. 22:9-10,18-19; 1:3; 10:11). This book is not historical narrative! Prophecy always has a conditional element. New Testament eschatological passages reflect OT prophetic insight that viewed the end-time through contemporary occurrences and faith responses. Many scholars believe the apocalyptic genre grew out of Jewish propheticism. Special Topic: Prophecy (OT) Special Topic: Prophecy (NT)
Apocalipse 22:8-9
22:8 This is a highly unusual verse. This is the exact problem that John had in Rev. 19:10. Apparently he must have thought that this angel was deity. 22:9 "those who heed the words of this book" Christianity involves an initial decision of repentance, faith, and continuing repentance, faith, obedience, and perseverance! Revelation, written to persecuted Christians, emphasizes perseverance. The temptation for our culture today is not physical persecution, but "dry rot," apathy, practical atheism, materialism, shallow Christianity with all benefits and no responsibility!
Apocalipse 22:10-11
22:10 "'Do not seal up" This is exactly opposite of Isa. 8:16; Dan. 8:26 and 12:4,9. The time of prophetic fulfillment has arrived. God's warnings to unbelievers and encouragement to believers is now! The decisive decision is demanded now! The Kingdom is present. Special Topic: Seal ▣ "The time is near" See Special Topic: Soon Return
Apocalipse 22:12-13
22:11 This is an allusion to Dan. 12:10. 22:12 "to render to every man according to what he has done" This is a recurring theme throughout the Bible (cf. Job 34:11,25; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Pro. 12:14; 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Ezek. 33:20; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim.4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12). God will reward those who love Him and live for Him in the midst of this fallen world system (cf. 2:23; 20:12-13). Lives reveal the spiritual reality and vitality of inner faith (cf. Matthew 7). Humans are stewards of the gift of life and will give an account to God! This is not to imply a "works-righteousness." Mankind is redeemed through the grace of God by means of Christ's death and resurrection and the Spirit's wooing! However, the evidence that one has met God is a changed and changing life of Christlikeness! One's priorities and allocation of resources reveal the heart! 22:13 This verse is an allusion to the OT titles for YHWH found in Rev. 1:8 and 21:6, but here it refers to Christ. The transfer of these OT titles to Jesus was one way NT authors affirmed His deity. Verse 13 has three such OT titles or phrases which originally described the eternal God (cf. Isa. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12), but now are used for Jesus (cf. Rev. 1:17; 2:8).
Apocalipse 22:14-15
22:14 "Blessed" This is the last of the seven blessings for believers found in Revelation (cf. Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7,14). ▣ "those who wash their robes" This is a metaphor for trusting in the atonement of Christ (cf. Rev. 7:14). Believers are accepted because He was accepted (cf. Eph. 1:6). Believers live because He died. Believers have resurrection life because He lives! There is a Greek manuscript variant in this phrase. "wash their robes" is in MSS א (fourth century) and A (fifth century), as well as the Vulgate. The UBS 4 gives it an "A" rating, meaning "certain." "keep the commandments" is in 046, an uncial MS from the tenth century, minuscule MSS (1 and 94) from the twelfth century, and the Peshitta (Syrian) version. ▣ "they may have the right to the tree of life; and may enter by the gates into the city" These are two metaphors for eternal salvation through Christ. One goes back to Gen. 2:9; 3:22 (cf. Rev. 2:7; 22:2,14,19) and the other to Rev. 21:2,9-22:5. 22:15 "Outside are" This is very difficult to interpret unless it is a metaphor for the lake of fire (cf. Rev. 21:8). ▣ "the dogs" This is another strange allusion because there should be no evil people left at this point in the book. In Deut. 23:18 this term refers to male prostitutes of the Canaanite fertility cult. In other parts of the Old and New Testaments it refers to wicked people (cf. Ps. 22:16,20; Matt. 7:6; and Phil. 3:2). Let me quote Robert H. Mounce at this point from his commentary on Revelation in the New International Series: "The verse does not intend to teach that in the eternal state all manner of wicked men will be living just outside the heavenly city. It simply describes the future with the imagery of the present. The contrast is between the blessedness of the faithful and the fate of the wicked" (p. 394).
Apocalipse 22:16
22:16 "'I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches" Notice that the term "you" is PLURAL and the allusion to the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 is made very specific. The book begins and concludes with the genre of letter, while the visions in between are a combination of prophecy (the end viewed through the lens of the present) and apocalyptic (imaginative imagery). ▣ "My angel" Often the sender is God the Father (cf. Rev. 22:6, "His angel"). Here the sender is Jesus ("My angel"). The phrase is also found in Rev. 1:1, but the PRONOUN ANTECEDENT is ambiguous. ▣ "the churches" See Special Topic: Church (Ekklesia). ▣ "I am the root and the descendant of David" There are many allusions to the Davidic line of the Messiah in the OT (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12-16 and Isa. 11:1,10) and in the NT (cf. Matt. 1:1; 9:17; 15:22; 21:9; Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8 Rev. 5:5). Jesus is the fulfillment of all OT prophecies. Special Topic: Jesus the Nazarene Special Topic: OT Titles for the Special Coming One ▣ "the bright and morning star" This is a Messianic title (cf. Numbers 24:17 or Matt. 2:2 or 2 Pet. 1:19). This may be a play on Isa. 14:12 where a similar phrase referred to Satan. In Revelation evil often is a parody of the Triune God.
Apocalipse 22:17
22:17 "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come'" Although there are different interpretations of this passage it seems from the context that this must be a gospel invitation to everyone who senses a need and will respond to God's offer in Christ. This has continued to be the focus of the book of the Revelation, not only to encourage the saved but to convict and encourage the lost to respond to God's free offer in His Son. The repeated use of "come" (all refer to the lost and not to Christ's second coming); the recurrent use of "the one who"; and the tremendous good news that it is without cost (cf. Isaiah 55) should be an encouragement to everyone and anyone to respond! This seems to me to be a flashback to those who were living in John's day (and every day). This may explain the unusual elements (the presence of the lost after Judgment Day) in Revelation 19-22. There are several flashbacks to John's own day, which may be explained by parallelism among the seven literary units of Revelation. He wrote with his "beloved children" in Ephesus in mind (cf. 1, 2, and 3 John). Special Topic: The Trinity
Apocalipse 22:18-19
22:18-19 These verses are obviously related to the first hearers of the message as well as all future readers/hearers of this book. It is a common literary practice of the OT to put severe warnings addressed to those who might be tempted to tamper with God's word (cf. Deut. 4:2; 12:32). This was not meant to be taken literally, but it is a very strong Oriental overstatement of the seriousness of altering God's message. This does not refer to believing interpreters or scribes who pray earnestly and seek God's will, but according to Ireneaus in his Contra-Heresies, 30:12, it referred to false teachers who add, change, or delete the words of Scripture, which is the thrust of this passage. Remember that we cannot proof-text one verse to establish a doctrine which goes against other clear teachings of Scripture. ▣ "if. . .if" These are both THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES which denote potential action.
Apocalipse 22:20
22:20 "I am coming quickly" The immediacy of the end, of God's coming in judgment are characteristics of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature. This same theme is seen in Matt. 13:34-36; 24:43; 25:1-13; Luke 12:29; 1 Thess. 5:2,4; 2 Pet. 3:10. In light of a 2000 year delay this must be understood in an existential, not temporal fashion. He is coming! Live ready. Special Topic: Soon Return ▣ "Come, Lord Jesus" "Come" is Aramaic, Maranatha (cf. 1 Cor. 16:22). It is possible to interpret this in several ways: if maranatha, then it is "Our Lord has come" marana tha, then it is "Our Lord, Come!" Number 1 fits this context best. We learn from the Didache 10:6 that this was the liturgical closing to the Lord's Supper service in John's day. Special Topic: Maranatha Special Topic: Christ Jesus As Lord
Apocalipse 22:21
22:21 Notice that "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" being with His people, is the concluding truth presented to an age of persecuted Christians and is the hope of every generation of Christians!