Bible Glide

Revelation 22

Revelation 22 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Revelation 22 closes the Bible's final vision with life, worship, and a sure promise: Jesus is coming soon. The chapter invites readers to picture God dwelling with His people, to hear the call to remain faithful, and to respond with hope, thirst, and reverence.

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What happens in Revelation 22?

John sees the river of life flowing from God's throne through the city, with the tree of life on both sides and healing for the nations. The curse is gone, God's servants worship Him, and His light fills the city forever. An angel confirms that these words are true and urges John not to worship angels but God alone. Jesus announces His coming, promises reward, and invites the thirsty to come and drink. The chapter ends with a warning not to alter the prophecy and with a prayer for the Lord Jesus to come, along with a blessing of grace.

This is the final chapter of Revelation and the close of the Bible's last book. It completes the vision of the new heaven and new earth begun in the previous chapter, then ends with Jesus' promises, a final invitation, and a warning about the words of the prophecy.

Themes to notice

  • Life with GodThe river, tree, and city show restored life flowing from God's presence and lasting healing for His people.
  • Jesus is comingThe repeated promise of Christ's near return gives the chapter urgency, hope, and a call to readiness.
  • Worship and faithfulnessThe passage calls believers to worship God alone, keep the prophecy, and avoid adding to or taking from it.

Questions for Revelation 22

  • What do the river of life and tree of life show about God's final gift to His people?
  • How does the repeated promise that Jesus is coming soon shape the way you read this chapter?
  • Why does the chapter warn against adding to or taking away from the words of prophecy?

Read the full text of Revelation 22 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Revelation 22

The River of Life

1Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb2down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be within the city, and His servants will worship Him.4They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.5There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

Jesus Is Coming

6Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place.”

7“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”

8And I am John, who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.9But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”10Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near.11Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”

12“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.15But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

Nothing May Be Added or Removed

18I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.19And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

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