Bible Study Revelation 22
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Revelation 22 · WEB

The River of Life and "Come, Lord Jesus"

Listen — WEB narration 0:00 / 0:00 Narration: World English Bible (David Williams), public domain — AudioTreasure.

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He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him.
4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5There will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.
6He said to me, "These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon."
7"Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
8Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.
9He said to me, "See you don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
10He said to me, "Don't seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still."
12"Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.
13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood."
16"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.
18I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
19If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20He who testifies these things says, "Yes, I come quickly." Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!
21The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.
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Summary

The angel shows John the river of the water of life flowing from God's throne and the tree of life with leaves for the healing of the nations — Eden restored. God's servants will see his face, bear his name, and reign forever. Jesus repeatedly declares "Behold, I come quickly," identifies himself as the Alpha and Omega and the Bright and Morning Star, and the Spirit and the bride invite all who are thirsty to come freely. The Bible ends with a solemn warning against altering its words, a final promise of Christ's return, and a benediction of grace — "Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus."

Themes

  • Eden restored — river and tree of life
  • Seeing God face to face
  • "Behold, I come quickly" — imminent return
  • Universal invitation to come and drink freely
  • Integrity of God's word

Key verses

  • Rev 22:13 — “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
  • Rev 22:17 — “The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!'... He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
  • Rev 22:2 — “On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life... The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
  • Rev 22:20 — “He who testifies these things says, 'Yes, I come quickly.' Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!”

Context & background

John wrote Revelation c. AD 95 from exile on Patmos — a small Aegean island off the western coast of modern Turkey. The closing chapter deliberately mirrors Genesis 1-3: the river, the tree of life, and access to God's presence are restored, but now without the threat of a curse or expulsion. The Bible's grand narrative ends where it began, but greater — God dwelling with redeemed humanity forever. The triple "I come quickly" gives the book and the whole Bible its closing urgency. The warning against adding or removing words echoes Deuteronomy and underlines the finality and sufficiency of Scripture.

Cross-references

  • 2 Peter 3:8-13 — Christ's promised return and the new heavens and new earth
  • Deuteronomy 4:2 — "You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it"
  • Ezekiel 47:1-12 — The river flowing from the temple with trees bearing fruit and healing leaves
  • Genesis 2:9-10 — The river and tree of life in Eden, now restored
  • Isaiah 55:1 — "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters"

Check your reading

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  1. Observe

    What does the tree of life produce, and who benefits from its leaves?

  2. Observe

    What does Jesus warn will happen to anyone who adds to or takes away from the words of this book?

  3. Interpret

    How does the invitation in verse 17 capture the heart of the gospel and the mission of the church?

  4. Interpret

    Why does the Bible end with both a solemn warning against altering its words (vv. 18-19) and a free invitation to come and drink (v. 17) — what does this tell you about God's character?

  5. Apply

    If you truly believed Jesus could return today, what would you start doing — and what would you stop doing?

  6. Apply

    The Spirit and the bride say "Come!" — who in your life still needs to hear that invitation, and how can you extend it this week?

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