Revelation 22:1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Here again we have God and the Lamb uniting in giving that «water of life» which flows down to us by God's grace through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Revelation 22:2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
The fruit of this «tree of life « is for all those who have partaken of the water of life; and the tree provides medicine as well as food: « the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.»
Revelation 22:3-5. 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: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their forehead. And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for ever and ever.
This is the climax of the saints' blessedness: « they shall reign for ever and ever.» Thus are they to be like their Lord, for « he shall reign for ever and ever.» As they shared his reproach, they shall also share his glory.
Revelation 22:6-9. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the saying of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these thing, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
It was a pardonable mistake that John made, but it was a mistake, for even the highest angel in heaven must not be accorded the worship that is due to God alone.
Revelation 22:10-11. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, Let him be holy still.
If your character is not what it ought to be, you must not delay your appeal to him who alone can change it, «for the time is at hand» when your character and state will be fixed for ever. As when there is a sharp frost the water in the brooks is soon congealed, so are there influences at work which are consolidating character; beware lest Christ's coming or the summons through death should find you unprepared, and so cause you to remain for ever just as you now are.
Revelation 22:12. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
There will be no change possible when Christ comes as the Judge of all mankind. If you are filthy then, you will be filthy for ever; if you are holy then, you will be holy for ever. The delusion of universal salvation must be banished from the minds of all who believe the Word of God.
Revelation 22:13-17. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. This «Come» seems to sound both ways,-from heaven to earth, and from earth to heaven. Christ saith to us, «Come,» and we cry to him, «Come.» Oh, that sinners would be obedient to the divine « Come,» and «take the water of life freely;» for then would the second coming of Christ be full of joy to them, and not a matter of dread.
Revelation 22:18-19. For I testify unto every man that heard the word of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plague that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in the book.
God's revelation is perfect; to add to it or to take from it would equally mar it, and the terrible threatenings here given concerning those who do either the one or the other ought to prevent so great a crime against high heaven. Yet, alas! many have dared and still dare to commit it.
Revelation 22:20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus.
All those centuries ago, Jesus said, «I am coming quickly;» how much nearer his coming must be, and how earnestly we too should cry, «Even so, come, Lord Jesus.»
Revelation 22:21. The grace of our lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The Old Testament ended with a curse, the New Testament ends with benediction. Oh, that we might all have a share of it.
This exposition consisted of readings from Revelation 21:22-27; and Revelation 22:1