Revelation 22

Revelation 22, the final chapter of the Book of Revelation, written around AD 70 by the apostle John while exiled on Patmos, to churches in Asia Minor facing persecution, concludes the apocalyptic vision with the promise of the new heaven and new earth, the river of life, and Jesus’ imminent return. It emphasizes the blessedness of obedience, warns against altering the prophecy, and closes with an invitation to come to Christ, reinforcing hope in His return and eternal reign.
Key Sections
The River of Life and Tree of Life (22:1–5): An angel shows John the river of the water of life, flowing from God’s and the Lamb’s throne through the New Jerusalem’s street. The tree of life, on either side, bears twelve fruits monthly, its leaves healing nations. No curse exists; God’s servants worship Him, see His face, bear His name, and reign forever in His light, with no night.
The Imminent Return of Jesus (22:6–11): The angel affirms the words are trustworthy, sent by God to show what must soon happen. Blessed are those keeping the prophecy’s words. John is told not to seal the book, as the time is near. Let evildoers continue, but the righteous keep doing right, as their deeds follow them.
Jesus’ Testimony and Invitation (22:12–17): Jesus declares He comes soon, bringing rewards for deeds. He is the Alpha and Omega, First and Last. Blessed are those washing their robes to access the tree of life and city gates. Outside are dogs, sorcerers, and sinners. The Spirit and Bride say, “Come!” Let the thirsty drink freely from the water of life.
Warning and Closing (22:18–21): John warns against adding to or taking from the prophecy, lest plagues or exclusion from the city occur. Jesus affirms, “Surely I am coming soon.” John responds, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Grace be with all.
Cross-References
River of Life: 
Ezekiel 47:1–12: Water from temple.

John 4:14: Living water.

Psalm 46:4: River gladdens God’s city.
Tree of Life: 
Genesis 2:9: Eden’s tree.

Revelation 2:7: Promised to overcomers.

Proverbs 3:18: Wisdom as tree of life.
No Curse: 
Zechariah 14:11: No destruction.

Romans 8:21: Creation freed.

Genesis 3:17: Curse reversed.
God’s Light: 
Revelation 21:23: No sun needed.

Isaiah 60:19: Lord as light.

John 8:12: Jesus, light of world.
Imminent Return: 
Revelation 1:3: Time is near.

Matthew 24:42–44: Like a thief.

James 5:8: Coming is near.
Alpha and Omega: 
Revelation 1:8: God’s title.

Isaiah 44:6: First and Last.

John 1:1: Word from beginning.
Come, Lord Jesus: 
1 Corinthians 16:22: Maranatha.

Philippians 3:20: Await Savior.

Titus 2:13: Blessed hope.
Theological Meaning
Eternal Restoration: The river and tree of life signify God’s provision, reversing Eden’s curse (vv. 1–3; Romans 5:12–21).

Divine Presence: Seeing God’s face fulfills ultimate intimacy, with believers reigning eternally (v. 4; 1 Corinthians 13:12).

Urgency of Prophecy: Jesus’ imminent return demands readiness and obedience (vv. 7, 12; 2 Peter 3:11–12).

Universal Invitation: Salvation’s offer is open, but only the repentant enter the city (vv. 14–17; John 3:16).

Scripture’s Authority: Altering Revelation invites judgment, affirming its divine origin (vv. 18–19; Deuteronomy 4:2).

Hope in Christ: Jesus’ promise to come soon sustains believers in trials (v. 20; Hebrews 10:37).
Questions and Answers
What is the river of life (v. 1)?
God’s life-giving presence, flowing from His throne, sustaining eternity (v. 1; Ezekiel 47:7–9).

Why the tree of life (v. 2)?
It restores access to eternal life, lost in Eden, healing nations (v. 2; Genesis 3:22–24).

What does “no curse” mean (v. 3)?
Sin’s consequences are removed in God’s restored creation (v. 3; Galatians 3:13).

Why not seal the book (v. 10)?
The time is near, requiring immediate action, unlike Daniel’s sealed prophecy (v. 10; Daniel 12:4).

Who are the “dogs” outside (v. 15)?
Sinners, like sorcerers and idolaters, excluded from the holy city (v. 15; Philippians 3:2).

What’s the warning’s purpose (vv. 18–19)?
To protect Revelation’s integrity, ensuring its truth guides believers (v. 18; Proverbs 30:5–6).

How does this apply today?
Hope in Christ’s return, obey His word, and invite others to salvation (v. 17; Matthew 28:19–20).
Eschatological Interpretations
Dispensational Premillennial View:
Interpretation: Revelation 22 describes the eternal state after the millennium (Rev. 20:1–6), following the Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20:11–15). The New Jerusalem, with the river and tree of life, is a literal city where glorified saints dwell with God and the Lamb post-rapture and tribulation. Jesus’ “I am coming soon” (vv. 12, 20) signals the imminent pretribulational rapture, though the eternal state is future. The warning (vv. 18–19) protects the prophecy’s literal timeline.

Timing: Future, post-millennial, eternal state after Christ’s literal 1,000-year reign.

Key Features: Literal New Jerusalem; imminent rapture; eternal distinctions (saved inside, lost outside).

Support: Emphasis on literal fulfillment (vv. 1–5); “soon” aligns with rapture expectancy (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
Historic Premillennial View:
Interpretation: Similar to Dispensational, Revelation 22 depicts the eternal state after Christ’s second coming and millennial reign (Rev. 20). The New Jerusalem is a literal or glorified reality where believers live with God, free from sin’s curse. “I am coming soon” refers to Christ’s post-tribulational return, with no pretribulational rapture. False teachers (v. 15) face eternal exclusion. The warning ensures fidelity to the prophecy’s hope.

Timing: Future, after a literal millennium following Christ’s return.

Key Features: Literal or symbolic New Jerusalem; single second coming; eternal reward and judgment.

Support: Continuity of Old Testament restoration (Isaiah 65:17; vv. 1–5); Christ’s return as imminent (Matthew 24:29–31).
Amillennial View:
Interpretation: Revelation 22 symbolizes the eternal state, already inaugurated in Christ’s work but fully realized at His return. The New Jerusalem represents the glorified church, with the river and tree symbolizing God’s spiritual provision (Holy Spirit, eternal life). The millennium (Rev. 20) is the current church age, not a future 1,000 years. “I am coming soon” urges readiness for Christ’s single return for judgment and renewal. The warning protects the spiritual truth of God’s redemptive plan.

Timing: Eternal state post-Christ’s second coming; millennium as present church age.

Key Features: Symbolic imagery; present spiritual realities; single eschatological event.

Support: Symbolic language (vv. 1–5; John 7:38–39); “soon” as theological urgency (Hebrews 10:25).
Postmillennial View (Including Preterist):
Interpretation: Revelation 22 envisions the ultimate consummation of God’s kingdom after gospel triumph (Postmillennial) or events largely fulfilled in AD 70’s fall of Jerusalem (Preterist). Postmillennialists see the New Jerusalem as the glorified church after a golden age of Christian influence, with river and tree symbolizing gospel blessings spreading globally. Preterists view it as the new covenant post-AD 70, with “soon” meaning near-term judgment on Jerusalem. The warning (vv. 18–19) ensures adherence to covenant truth.

Timing: Postmillennial: Future, after gospel-driven millennium. Preterist: Mostly AD 70, with eternal state future.

Key Features: Symbolic victory of gospel; partial (Preterist) or full (Postmillennial) present fulfillment.

Support: Gospel’s universal call (v. 17; Matthew 28:18–20); “soon” as AD 70 for Preterists (Revelation 1:1).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written to seven churches in Asia Minor (Rev. 1:4) under Domitian’s persecution (AD 95). John, exiled on Patmos, uses apocalyptic imagery familiar to Jewish and Christian readers, blending Old Testament prophecy (Ezekiel, Isaiah) with visions of hope amid trials.

Cultural Questions: “River” (v. 1) echoes Jewish temple imagery, vital for readers (Psalm 36:8–9). “Tree of life” (v. 2) reverses Eden’s loss, resonant in synagogues (Genesis 2:9). “No curse” (v. 3) fulfills Jewish restoration hopes (Malachi 4:6). “Soon” (v. 7) uses Jewish prophetic urgency, bold in persecution (Habakkuk 2:3). “Dogs” (v. 15) reflects Jewish purity language, vivid in Greco-Roman cities (Deuteronomy 23:18). “Add or take away” (v. 18) mirrors Jewish scripture warnings, critical for churches (Deuteronomy 12:32).

Application: Revelation 22 calls believers to hope in Christ’s return, obey His word, and share salvation’s invitation. It challenges fear, disobedience, and tampering with truth, urging trust in God’s eternal plan in a suffering world (Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 1:3–5).