For the analysis of the first five verses of this chapter see the analysis of Revelation 21. The chapter comprises the remainder of the description of the “New Jerusalem” - the blessed abode of the saints Revelation 22:1, and then Revelation 22:6 the conclusion or epilogue of the whole book. It is d... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHOWED ME A PURE RIVER OF WATER OF LIFE - In the New Jerusalem; the happy abode of the redeemed. The phrase “water of life,” means living or running water, like a spring or fountain, as contrasted with a stagnant pool. See the notes on John 4:14. The allusion here is doubtless to the first Ed... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MIDST OF THE STREET OF IT - Prof. Stuart renders this, “between the street thereof and the river”; and says that “the writer conceives of the river as running through the whole city; then of streets parallel to it on either side; and then, on the banks of the river, between the water and the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE CURSE - This is doubtless designed to be in strong contrast with our present abode; and it is affirmed that what now properly comes under the name of a curse, or whatever is part of the curse pronounced on man by the fall, will be there unknown. The earth will be no more c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL SEE HIS FACE - See the notes on Matthew 18:10. They would be constantly in his presence, and be permitted continually to behold his glory. AND HIS NAME SHALL BE IN THEIR FOREHEADS - They shall be designated as his. See the notes on Revelation 3:12; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 13:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE SHALL BE NO NIGHT THERE - notes on Revelation 21:25. AND THEY NEED NO CANDLE - No lamp; no artificial light, as in a world where there is night and darkness. NEITHER LIGHT OF THE SUN; FOR THE LORD GOD, ... - See the notes on Revelation 21:23. AND THEY SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER - That... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID UNTO ME - The angel-interpreter, who had showed John the vision of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:9. As these visions are now at an end, the angel comes to John directly, and assures him that all these things are true - that there has been no deception of the senses in these visions, b... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY - See the notes on Revelation 1:3. The words used here are undoubtedly the words of the Redeemer, although they are apparently repeated by the angel. The meaning is, that they were used by the angel as the words of the Redeemer. See Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. BLESSED... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I JOHN SAW THESE THINGS, AND HEARD THEM - That is, I saw the parts that were disclosed by pictures, visions, and symbols; I heard the parts that were communicated by direct revelation. AND WHEN I HAD HEARD AND SEEN, I FELL DOWN TO WORSHIP BEFORE THE FEET OF THE ANGEL, ... - As he had done on a... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAITH HE UNTO ME, SEE THOU DO IT NOT - See the notes on Revelation 19:10. FOR I AM THY FELLOW-SERVANT - notes on Revelation 19:10. AND OF THY BRETHREN THE PROPHETS - In Revelation 19:10, it is “of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus.” Here the angel says that, in the capacity in whic... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAITH UNTO ME - The angel. SEAL NOT THE SAYINGS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK - That is, seal not the book itself, for it may be regarded altogether as a prophetic book. On the sealing of a book, see the notes on Revelation 5:1 . Isaiah (Isaiah 8:16; Isaiah 30:8) and Daniel (Daniel 8:26; Danie... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS UNJUST, LET HIM BE UNJUST STILL - This must refer to the scenes beyond the judgment, and must be intended to affirm an important truth in regard to the condition of people in the future state. It cannot refer to the condition of human beings on this side the grave, for there is no fixed a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY - See the notes on Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:3. These are undoubtedly the words of the Redeemer; and the meaning is, that the period when the unchanging sentence would be passed on each individual - on the unjust, the filthy, the righteous, and the holy - would not be r... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA ... - See the notes on Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:11. The idea here is, that he will thus show that he is the first and the last - the beginning and the end. He originated the whole plan of salvation, and he will determine its close; he formed the world, and he will wind up it... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS - See the notes on Revelation 1:3; Revelation 22:7. THAT THEY MAY HAVE RIGHT - That they may be entitled to approach the tree of life; that this privilege may be granted to them. It is not a right in the sense that they have merited it, but in the sense that... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WITHOUT ARE DOGS - The wicked, the depraved, the vile: for of such characters the dogs, an unclean animal among the Jews, was regarded as a symbol, Deuteronomy 23:18. On the meaning of the expression, see the notes on Philippians 3:2. The word “without” means that they would not be admitted into... [ Continue Reading ]
I JESUS - Here the Saviour appears expressly as the speaker - ratifying and confirming all that had been communicated by the instrumentality of the angel. HAVE SENT MINE ANGEL - See the notes on Revelation 1:1. TO TESTIFY UNTO YOU - That is, to be a witness for me in communicating these things to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, COME - That is, come to the Saviour; come and partake of the blessings of the gospel; come and be saved. The construction demands this interpretation, as the latter part of the verse shows. The design of this whole verse is, evidently, to show the freeness of the of... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I TESTIFY - The writer does not specify who is meant by the word “I” in this place. The most natural construction is to refer it to the writer himself, and not to the angel, or the Saviour. The meaning is, “I bear this solemn witness, or make this solemn affirmation, in conclusion.” The object i... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF ANY MAN SHALL TAKE AWAY FROM THE WORDS OF THE BOOK OF THIS PROPHECY - If he shall reject the book altogether; if he shall, in transcribing it, designedly strike any part of it out. It is conceivable that, from the remarkable nature of the communications made in this book, and the fact that th... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WHICH TESTIFIETH THESE THINGS - The Lord Jesus; for he it was that had, through the instrumentality of the angel, borne this solemn witness to the truth of these things, and this book was to be regarded as his revelation to mankind. See the notes on Revelation 1:1; Revelation 22:16. He here speak... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN - The usual benediction of the sacred writers. See the notes on Romans 16:20.... [ Continue Reading ]