ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 22

Rev. 22:1–2 The river of the water of life and the tree of life recall Eden before the fall into sin (Gen. 2:8–10; 3:22–24; see Rev. 2:7). It also echoes Ezekiel’s vision of a future glorious temple (Ezek. 47:1–12; see Zech. 14:8). Refreshment and life flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb, carried by the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promised (John 4:10–14; 7:38–39; see also Isa. 44:3; Ezek. 36:25–27). Believers have this life-giving water even now (Rev. 7:17; 22:17), but its fullness awaits the new heaven and earth. This ever-flowing river portrays an unending stream of abundant blessings and joy. The healing of the nations occurs through the destruction of death (20:14; see Ezek. 47:12).

Rev. 22:3 anything accursed. Earth was cursed for Adam’s sin (Gen. 3:17). Guilt, strife, struggle for survival, sickness, sorrow, and death resulted. In the new creation, these will not remain (Rev. 21:4). God’s throne will make the entire city a temple (21:22). There his servants will worship him as his priests.

Rev. 22:4 Moses could not see the Lord’s face and live (Ex. 33:20–23; 34:29–35). Yet God’s redeemed people will see his face. His name . . . on their foreheads sealed them as his protected property through history’s turmoil and trials (Rev. 3:11–12; 7:2–8; 14:1).

Rev. 22:5 Since night has been banished (see 21:25), God’s servants will bask in light from God’s radiant glory and truth (see 21:23–24). In union with Jesus their king, believers will worship as priests and reign as kings over the new earth forever and ever (5:10).

Rev. 22:6–21 Epilogue. John reaffirms the truthfulness of the revelation he received. He pronounces blessing on those who keep its words, and promises that Jesus will soon return.

Rev. 22:6–7 These words are trustworthy and true. The truthfulness of God’s word is affirmed seven times in the last two chapters of Revelation (21:5; 22:6; 7; 9; 10; 18; 19). Blessed is the one who keeps the words of . . . this book. See 1:3 and note.

Rev. 22:8–9 Human beings must not worship even the angels who inflict the last plagues (15:1; 21:9). Angels are fellow servants. God alone must be worshiped. Since the Lamb is rightly worshiped (5:8–14), he is God.

Rev. 22:10–15 John must not “seal” his prophecy as Daniel did his (Dan. 12:4, 9). Unlike Daniel’s prophecy, the fulfillment of John’s visions was “near” to his first-century readers. It remains near today.

Rev. 22:11 Let the evildoer still do evil . . . and the righteous still do right. Patterns of behavior, whether controlled by unbelief or by faith, will eventually be irreversible (compare Dan. 12:10).

Rev. 22:12–16 Christ will come to repay each one for what he has done. He will reward each faithful servant and punish each unbeliever. Recompense (“wages,” “reward”) indicates degrees of reward and punishment (see Luke 12:47–48).

Rev. 22:13 the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. See note on 21:6.

Rev. 22:14–15 Blessed. The final of the seven benedictions of Revelation (see chart) is for those who wash their robes in the conscience-cleansing blood of the Lamb (7:14; Heb. 9:14). They have access to the tree of life within God’s city. Outside the gates in eternal torment will be everyone who loves Satanic falsehood, sensuality, and murder (compare Rev. 21:8, 27).

Rev. 22:16–17 As promised in 1:1, Jesus has given his revelation through his angel and through John to his churches for their comfort and warning.

Rev. 22:16 the root and the descendant of David. Jesus is both David’s “son” and his Lord (5:5; Isa. 11:1, 10; Mark 12:35–37). bright morning star. See note on Rev. 2:26–28.

Rev. 22:17 God invites the spiritually thirsty to take the water of life without price. It is freely provided by God’s grace (21:6; Isa. 55:1).

Rev. 22:18–21 I warn is the same verb as testifies in v. 20. No human may add to or take away from God’s words. Doing so brings the plagues described in this book (compare Deut. 4:2; 12:32; also Deut. 18:20–22). When Jesus testifies once more, Surely I am coming soon, his church responds, Come, Lord Jesus! (compare 1 Cor. 16:22).