(Chap. 22:6-21)
Chap. 22:6—In these last verses, we have not only the closing exhortations of the book of Revelation, but also a fitting conclusion to the whole Word of God.
Three Announcements of the Lord’s Coming
Prior to this, angels and elders have communicated with John about future events, but now they pale into the background and the Lord Himself speaks. This is a fitting finale to what has been unfolded in the book. He announces His coming—“Behold, I come quickly”—three times, in three different ways (vss. 7, 12, 20). Each presentation of His coming has an application to the believer as well as the unbeliever.
Chap. 22:7-11—The first announcement of the Lord’s coming is intended to deliver us from settling down in this world while we wait for Him to come. If we “keep” in mind the judgments that are about to fall on the world, it will have the practical effect on our lives of delivering us from worldliness. As a result, the course of our lives will be altered, knowing that judgment is coming on everything that we see. If taken rightly, our energies will not be wasted in building up what is “reserved unto fire” but used to further the cause of Christ in this world (2 Peter 3:77But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7)).
In awe of what John sees, he tries to worship at the feet of the angel but is rebuked for it (vss. 8-9). They were but instruments in John’s education in the prophetic subjects of this book; they were not to be made more than what they were. In contrast to Old Testament prophecies, which were sealed up unto the time of the end (Dan. 12:44But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4)), these things are not sealed because the Lord’s return and the ensuing judgments are about to fall on this world. The Lord, therefore, says, “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book for the time is at hand” (vs. 10). Then things will be in a fixed state. All will either be blessed of God or under the judgment of God (vs. 11).
Chap. 22:12-15—The second announcement of the Lord’s coming is in connection with the fact that He is bringing His reward with Him (vs. 12). This is an allusion to the judgment seat of Christ, which involves the judgment of both the believers and unbelievers. The lost will be judged at Christ’s Appearing and kingdom (2 Tim. 4:11I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1)), but believers will have their rewards on display in that day. This is another incentive to live for Christ. Again, a fixed condition will result, those who “wash their robes” in the blood of the Lamb will be blessed, and those who have not will be damned forever.
Chap. 22:16-21—The third and final announcement of the Lord’s coming is calculated to stir bridal affections in our hearts and to arouse a concern for the lost that they may be saved. The Lord presents Himself in two ways:
In a way that refers back to the Old Testament prophecies—“the root and the offspring of David” (vs. 16).
In a way that is distinctly New Testament in character—“the bright and morning star” (vs. 16).
This stirs the affections of the bride to call upon the Lord to “come” (vs. 17). The “Spirit and the bride” say this together, indicating that the Spirit of God has produced this holy desire in the saints, and they are seen as one with the mind of the Spirit. A second call is given to the rest of heaven to join in the call for the Lord to “come” and bring these things to pass. To be in communion with the mind of the Spirit is not only to have a keen desire for the Lord to come, but also to have a healthy interest in the salvation of the lost. Hence, a third call to “come” is given by the Spirit and the bride to those who are still strangers to the grace of God that they would take of “the water of life” and be saved.
A warning is then given to any who would tamper with “the words of this prophecy.” All who read it must be on guard of letting the unholy mind of man intrude into the divine revelation (vss. 18-19).
The Lord’s Final Word
Chap. 22:20-21—The Lord speaks one final time. “Surely, I come quickly.” This again stirs the bride to say with even more intensity, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” We see in this the proper posture in waiting for the Lord to come. The bride does not call for the events of this prophecy to come to pass; she calls for her Lord to come. In the meantime, the Lord promises to give us the needed “grace” to continue in the path of faith until that moment comes.