Study notes
The final scenes of the new heaven and earth show a new community and home for God's people, created and given by God. These scenes uplift persecuted Christians. John shares his main vision (Revelation 21:1–8) and expands on it in two parts:
In Revelation 21:9–27, he describes the new Jerusalem as a place of holy perfection;
in Revelation 22:1–5, he portrays the new Jerusalem as the ultimate garden of Eden, which Adam and Eve could have experienced if they had not sinned.
In the vision, nothing separated God and the Lamb from God’s people anymore. There was no need for a temple because the entire city was holy.
The purpose of the city’s gates wasn’t to protect the city against attacks. The gates welcomed the kings and nations who came to worship God and the Lamb.
The river John saw was like the river Ezekiel had seen. Ezekiel’s vision was recorded in Ezekiel 47:1–12. The river was the water of life. That is another name for living water. God had offered this water in Revelation 21:6. He would give it for free to anyone who asked for it.
The tree of life grew on both sides of the river. This showed that the city was also a new Garden of Eden. All nations could always eat from the tree of life’s fruit. Eating it brought healing.
The curse was no more. This was the curse talked about in Genesis chapter 3. It was the way that all of creation suffered after human beings sinned. In the new creation, human beings served God and were rulers together with him.
See Revelation 7:17; John 4:10–15; compare with Exodus 17:1–7; Isaiah 55:1; Ezekiel 47:1–10; Zechariah 14:8.
This part of John's vision of the city shows how God provides water and food for his people (compare Exodus 16:4, 22–24; Ezekiel 47:1–12; John 4:10; 6:32–35). God first created a "garden of delight" (Eden) for Adam and Eve, but they disobeyed him and lost it (Genesis 2–3). Now, Eden is remade and joined with the heavenly city as God's wonderful gift for his faithful people.
After humans sinned, they lost access to the tree of life (see Genesis 3:22–24), but now it is freely available. The tree stands on each side of the river (compare Ezekiel 47:12), showing there is no wrong side of the river in heaven. The tree produces fresh fruit every month, demonstrating God's constant provision.
No longer … any curse: Since the first sin (Genesis 3:14–19), humanity has faced a curse due to their rebellion against God (see 1 Corinthians 16:22). Now, rebellion, sin, and the curse are gone forever.
His servants will worship him: Revelation shows examples of true worship (see Revelation 4–5; 7:9–17).
The fear of death and seeing God will disappear (see Genesis 16:13; 32:30; Judges 6:22; Isaiah 6:5). God's people will carry his name and joyfully see his face (see Matthew 5:8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2–3).
They will rule with God forever (see Revelation 20:4; see also 5:10) in his bright light that removes night and the need for lamps (see Isaiah 60:19–20).
Everything John records in Revelation is trustworthy and true because God, who has all authority (compare Matthew 28:18), sent the messenger. However, these visions are not easy to understand.
This epilogue to Revelation includes words from an angel (Revelation 22:6, 8–11) and Christ (22:7, 12–19). It ends with a plea for Christ’s return (Revelation 22:20) and a final blessing (22:21). The epilogue connects directly with the book's introduction (Revelation 1:1–11). It highlights key themes such as:
encouraging faithful perseverance,
warning those who do evil things,
affirming the truth of the prophetic message, and
restating the nearness of Christ’s return.
An angel made it clear that the visions John had seen were from God. This filled John with so much wonder that he tried to worship the angel. But the angel reminded John that only God was to be worshipped.
He also told John to share the words of the prophecy he had been given. Three times John recorded Jesus’ promises about his return. Jesus also invited everyone to wash their robes. This was a way of talking about people no longer living in their old ways. Instead they were to follow Jesus’ example for living.
When people trust in Jesus, they can eat freely from the tree of life. The Holy Spirit and the church invite everyone to come to Jesus. Then people can drink freely of the water of life.
John urged the believers to pay attention to the prophecy he had written down. Hearing it and turning to God would bring blessing. John said Amen to Jesus’ promise to come back to earth. John closed his letter to the churches in Asia with a blessing about Jesus’ grace.
The warning against false worship (see Revelation 19:10) is repeated when John falls at the angel's feet again. Only God deserves our worship (compare John the Baptist's relationship to Jesus; John 1:6–8, 26–27; 3:27–35).
Do not seal up: The angel expands John's initial instruction to Write on a scroll (Revelation 1:11) and warns against limiting its communication. Although some things are sealed, God does not reveal everything (compare Revelation 10:4). What has been written must be shared so people understand the message's seriousness and that the time is near (see Revelation 1:1, 3; 22:6–7; compare Daniel 12:4).
People who refuse to accept God's forgiveness will remain wicked (see Revelation 16:9). John reminds good people to keep their integrity. This verse warns wrongdoers and urges the righteous to understand the importance of Christ's return for their commitments and actions.
Christ is coming soon to repay everyone, not just based on their faith, but according to their actions (see Revelation 2:23; 11:18; 14:13; 20:12–13; see also Proverbs 24:12; Matthew 16:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Not every statement of belief is sincere (John 2:23–25); true faith shows through actions (James 2:14–26). We are saved by God's grace and power in Christ. Our actions do not save us, but they show the seriousness of our confession and provide a fair basis for our final reward or punishment.
Blessed are those: In response to the link between actions and final outcomes (Revelation 22:12), the seventh blessing of Revelation (see also 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7) promises acceptance for those who wash their robes. These are people purified by trusting in Christ and following him faithfully (Revelation 3:5; 6:11; 7:9–10, 14; 19:13; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:22).
enter the city by its gates: See study note on Revelation 21:24–25.
This verse lists those not allowed to enter, contrasting with those admitted in Revelation 22:14 (see 21:8, 27; 22:11). Unrepentant sinners stay outside the city. It warns that those who do not repent cannot enter the city of God (Revelation 22:14).
The term dogs for sinners was a common Jewish label for outsiders (see Matthew 7:6; Philippians 3:2; also 2 Samuel 3:8; 2 Kings 8:13); Jews used this term for Gentiles (see Mark 7:26–28).
I am the Root and the Offspring of David: Jesus confirms the message of Revelation (compare John 21:24). He is the Root of David (see Revelation 5:5; Isaiah 11:10) and a descendant of David (see Ezekiel 37:23–24; Romans 1:3).
The morning star was a title for the Messiah (see Numbers 24:17; 2 Peter 1:19; compare Luke 1:78–79).
Come is a repeated invitation and a confession (see Revelation 22:20).
the bride: The Lamb’s wife (see Revelation 21:9), represents the church, the people of God.
The thirsty can drink freely from God's provision (see Revelation 21:6; 22:1; Psalm 42:1; Isaiah 55:1; John 4:10–14).
I testify: John swears to protect the integrity of the Book of Revelation. He curses anyone who changes the book's content or message (compare Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). This curse contrasts with the blessing for those who read aloud, listen to, and follow the prophecy (Revelation 1:3). When Revelation was written, scribes sometimes changed books to fit their views. Early Christians quickly developed ways to verify messages and messengers (see John 21:24; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; 1 John 4:1–3).
Since the early church, the New Testament's scope and content have defined Christian teachings. However, some still try to change Scripture by adding works they consider equal to the Bible or by claiming parts of the Bible are unreliable. The true church has rejected and will continue to reject these attempts to change the canon, viewing them as human or even demonic efforts to alter the foundation of the Christian faith.
I am coming soon: See Revelation 3:11.
Come, Lord Jesus!: Paul expressed the same wish (1 Corinthians 16:22; see also Philippians 4:5).
Revelation ends with a blessing similar to those in Paul's letters (for example, Romans 15:33; 1 Corinthians 16:23–24).
The final sentence fittingly calls upon the grace of the Lord Jesus, which is the foundation of our forgiveness and the basis of our eternal hope.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources