Bible Commentaries
Revelation 22

Bell's Commentary on the BibleBell's Commentary

Verses 1-21

  1. INTRO:
    1. We’re still on a whirlwind tour of the New City Jer.
      1. Our Tour guide à (21:9)
      2. Last chapter we were outside the city looking in…”Let’s step inside!”
      3. Stepping inside we find a beautiful garden! (From a beautiful garden to a beautiful garden!)
  2. THE INSIDE! (1-5)
  3. The River (1)
    1. Ez.47 speaks of one coming from the throne of God (prob. Mill.)
    2. Ps.23:2b “He leads me beside still waters!”
  4. The Tree (2)
    1. “The Tree of life” - In Genesis An angel prevented Adam from coming near it - Here free access is granted!
    2. It is not implied that there is any disease in the New Jer. - But the tree is put forth to show the perpetual health & life of the inhabitants!
  5. The Lord (3-5)
    1. vs.3 - “No more Curse” - Started in Gen.3.
      1. The O.T. ended w/a curse also! (Mal. 4:6 “And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”)
    2. vs.4 - “They shall see His face!” - It doesn’t get better than this folks!
      1. Here I believe John learned from His master, “you save the best wine for last!”
      2. We won’t just hear Him, but SEE Him!
      3. I can describe a favorite camping spot to you, but if I take you there & let you see it….big difference!
      4. He’ll still have the “marks” in His body, but I don’t picture them grotesque. {Father w/bee in car; caught & let go - A sign of love!}
      5. Oh, to stare in His face! {I love to stare in Kelly’s face}
  6. THE WORD! (6-21)
    1. If you weren’t going to speak for a couple thousand years what would be your final words?
  7. Its Accuracy! (6)
    1. “These Words are Faithful & True” - “In the original, autographed manuscripts, every jot & tittle, every word, every letter, was God-Breathed!
    2. His words are accurate & the truth it contains have been transmitted. Recorded, arranged, & preserved exactly as God had in mind.
  8. Its Authority! (7-9)
    1. vs.7 - Jesus breaks in here & speaks for Himself about His precious Word
      1. “Keeps” - guards, to watch over, to preserve intact!
    2. vs.8 - John’s knees buckle hearing this!
    3. vs.9 - The Angel shows the importance of the words of the book, & leads John right back to it!
  9. Its Accessibility! (10)
    1. Daniel was told to seal one of his visions(12:4-9)
    2. He’s told not to “Veil the Unveiling!”
    3. We are told we CAN understand the things of this book(1:3).
      1. Only 1 verse in 10:4 was held back from us!
  10. Its Accountability! (11-17)
    1. vs.11 - (?) Were these words used to stir men to a realization of their conduct in continuing to reject the warnings of God?
      1. These words speak of permanency of character - “Hot or Cold”!
    2. Some note this verse is sandwiched between the 2 “Coming quickly” passages meaning, “when He comes you’ll be as you are!” No time to change your character!
      1. Decision determines character & character determines Destiny!
    3. Is it worth it to live a godly life? Yes! Jesus is returning, & He has His rewards w/Him!
      1. Heaven is more than a Destination; it is a Motivation!
      2. Read - #12 (Ill unl)
    4. Is it worth it to live an ungodly life? No! Jesus is returning, & He’ll have His reward for you!
      1. “Our hearts, like muffled drums, keep beating funeral marches to the graves.”
    5. vs.14,15 - Contrast: those that “do” the word…enter the city! Those who reject His word are excluded from the City!
      1. “Dogs” - Sorry dog lovers. Symbol of scrawny scavengers & were unclean.
    6. vs.16 - Picture the Root & the Fruit of the tree (& David is the trunk)
      1. Jesus gave David life(Diety); David gave Him life(humanity)!
    7. Not only a star, but the Bright & Morning star! The one that shouts “IT’S DAY!”
    8. vs.17 - “Come”(3 x’s) - This 1st rang out in Gen.7:1 when God told Noah "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”
      1. A call to come out of the place of wrath, & into the place of protection!
    9. You’ll either hear: “Come” or “Depart”! {Q: Which word will you hear when your name is called?}
    10. “Thirst” - Severe water shortage in the Middle-East & Africa rt. Now (holding a “World Water Forum” in Morocco)
    11. The rich man in hell wanted just a single drop to ease his torment of thirst!
      1. When he was alive on earth he could have had eternal access to the River of Life!
    12. “Freely” - Let’s look at His terms: He wants no Payments…no Preparation! (Wow!)
      1. “Nothing in my hands I bring!…only to the cross I cling!”
  11. Its Altering! (18,19)
    1. Speaking to the copyist? Or the hearer?
    2. I think of the “Jesus Seminar” people(judging which of Jesus words written are valid…Look out!)
    3. Is this limited to Rev.? (also found in Deut.4:2; 12:32 & Prov.30:6 “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”)
      1. We might do this in our interpreting…(handle the bible w/care)!
      2. We might do this by…not doing the things therein!
  12. Its Amens! (20,21)
    1. vs.20 - “Quickly” - When it happens there will be no delay…Swift!!!
      1. 3 times in this chapter! (7,12,20)
    2. vs.21 - “Amen” - Amen bookends! (1:6,7)
    3. “Grace” - Isn’t it fitting His last word to us is GRACE!
      1. Quote - Amazing Grace!
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Verses 1-21

  1. INTRO:
    1. We’re still on a whirlwind tour of the New City Jer.
      1. Our Tour guide à (21:9)
      2. Last chapter we were outside the city looking in…”Let’s step inside!”
      3. Stepping inside we find a beautiful garden! (From a beautiful garden to a beautiful garden!)
  2. THE INSIDE! (1-5)
  3. The River (1)
    1. Ez.47 speaks of one coming from the throne of God (prob. Mill.)
    2. Ps.23:2b “He leads me beside still waters!”
  4. The Tree (2)
    1. “The Tree of life” - In Genesis An angel prevented Adam from coming near it - Here free access is granted!
    2. It is not implied that there is any disease in the New Jer. - But the tree is put forth to show the perpetual health & life of the inhabitants!
  5. The Lord (3-5)
    1. vs.3 - “No more Curse” - Started in Gen.3.
      1. The O.T. ended w/a curse also! (Mal. 4:6 “And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”)
    2. vs.4 - “They shall see His face!” - It doesn’t get better than this folks!
      1. Here I believe John learned from His master, “you save the best wine for last!”
      2. We won’t just hear Him, but SEE Him!
      3. I can describe a favorite camping spot to you, but if I take you there & let you see it….big difference!
      4. He’ll still have the “marks” in His body, but I don’t picture them grotesque. {Father w/bee in car; caught & let go - A sign of love!}
      5. Oh, to stare in His face! {I love to stare in Kelly’s face}
  6. THE WORD! (6-21)
    1. If you weren’t going to speak for a couple thousand years what would be your final words?
  7. Its Accuracy! (6)
    1. “These Words are Faithful & True” - “In the original, autographed manuscripts, every jot & tittle, every word, every letter, was God-Breathed!
    2. His words are accurate & the truth it contains have been transmitted. Recorded, arranged, & preserved exactly as God had in mind.
  8. Its Authority! (7-9)
    1. vs.7 - Jesus breaks in here & speaks for Himself about His precious Word
      1. “Keeps” - guards, to watch over, to preserve intact!
    2. vs.8 - John’s knees buckle hearing this!
    3. vs.9 - The Angel shows the importance of the words of the book, & leads John right back to it!
  9. Its Accessibility! (10)
    1. Daniel was told to seal one of his visions(12:4-9)
    2. He’s told not to “Veil the Unveiling!”
    3. We are told we CAN understand the things of this book(1:3).
      1. Only 1 verse in 10:4 was held back from us!
  10. Its Accountability! (11-17)
    1. vs.11 - (?) Were these words used to stir men to a realization of their conduct in continuing to reject the warnings of God?
      1. These words speak of permanency of character - “Hot or Cold”!
    2. Some note this verse is sandwiched between the 2 “Coming quickly” passages meaning, “when He comes you’ll be as you are!” No time to change your character!
      1. Decision determines character & character determines Destiny!
    3. Is it worth it to live a godly life? Yes! Jesus is returning, & He has His rewards w/Him!
      1. Heaven is more than a Destination; it is a Motivation!
      2. Read - #12 (Ill unl)
    4. Is it worth it to live an ungodly life? No! Jesus is returning, & He’ll have His reward for you!
      1. “Our hearts, like muffled drums, keep beating funeral marches to the graves.”
    5. vs.14,15 - Contrast: those that “do” the word…enter the city! Those who reject His word are excluded from the City!
      1. “Dogs” - Sorry dog lovers. Symbol of scrawny scavengers & were unclean.
    6. vs.16 - Picture the Root & the Fruit of the tree (& David is the trunk)
      1. Jesus gave David life(Diety); David gave Him life(humanity)!
    7. Not only a star, but the Bright & Morning star! The one that shouts “IT’S DAY!”
    8. vs.17 - “Come”(3 x’s) - This 1st rang out in Gen.7:1 when God told Noah "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”
      1. A call to come out of the place of wrath, & into the place of protection!
    9. You’ll either hear: “Come” or “Depart”! {Q: Which word will you hear when your name is called?}
    10. “Thirst” - Severe water shortage in the Middle-East & Africa rt. Now (holding a “World Water Forum” in Morocco)
    11. The rich man in hell wanted just a single drop to ease his torment of thirst!
      1. When he was alive on earth he could have had eternal access to the River of Life!
    12. “Freely” - Let’s look at His terms: He wants no Payments…no Preparation! (Wow!)
      1. “Nothing in my hands I bring!…only to the cross I cling!”
  11. Its Altering! (18,19)
    1. Speaking to the copyist? Or the hearer?
    2. I think of the “Jesus Seminar” people(judging which of Jesus words written are valid…Look out!)
    3. Is this limited to Rev.? (also found in Deut.4:2; 12:32 & Prov.30:6 “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”)
      1. We might do this in our interpreting…(handle the bible w/care)!
      2. We might do this by…not doing the things therein!
  12. Its Amens! (20,21)
    1. vs.20 - “Quickly” - When it happens there will be no delay…Swift!!!
      1. 3 times in this chapter! (7,12,20)
    2. vs.21 - “Amen” - Amen bookends! (1:6,7)
    3. “Grace” - Isn’t it fitting His last word to us is GRACE!
      1. Quote - Amazing Grace!
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Copyright Statement
These files are the property of Brian Bell.
Text Courtesy of Calvary Chapel of Murrieta. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Bell, Brian. "Commentary on Revelation 22". "Bell's Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cbb/revelation-22.html. 2017.

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