Revelation Chapter 22

"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Rev 22:1)

Water is, of course, essential to life and this life-giving water of life is described as coming directly from the throne. A "picture" of this can be seen in the rock in the wilderness of Mt. Sinai that provided water for the Israelites. Below are two images of an actual rock near Mt Sinai that could well be this rock.

This is an incredible, five to six-story high rock perched upon a hill that is about 200 feet high. There is evidence of erosion by water coming from the bottom of this rock - how could that have happened naturally?

"Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel." (Exo 17:6)

This rock is split through the middle and displays the pattern of water erosion and evidence that numerous streams came forth in several directions. Read more here.

Further in the description, we will see a river. What is the course of the river? It seems that it starts at the throne (which must be in the city) and has to flow somewhere.

"I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water." (Isa 41:18)

"And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads." (Gen 2:10)

1. Pison (verse 11)
2. Gihon (verse 13)
3. Hiddikel (verse 14)
4. Euphrates (verse 14)

"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Rev 22:2)

It sounds like the tree is on both sides of the river.

When in the month do you suppose the tree yields its fruit?

"And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD." (Isa 66:23)

What does "for the healing of the nations mean?" Healing is from the Greek word "therapeia" which sounds like therapy.

"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:" (Gen 3:22)

"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:" (Rev 22:3)

The curse is God separating Himself from man. God also, in a very real sense, serves man.

"Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them." (Luke 12:37)

"And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." (Rev 22:4)

Could "name" here mean character? Whose name is in their foreheads? - The Fathers.

"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." (Rev 14:1)

"And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Rev 22:5)

"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." (Rev 4:8)

"Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them." (Rev 7:15)

As we noted in chapter 21, there will still be a sun and moon but their light will not be needed to dispel darkness.

"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Rev 21:23)

"And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." (Rev 22:6-7)

This sounds much like:

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:" (Rev 1:1)

1. "things which must shortly come to pass" (Rev 1:1)
2. "things which must shortly be done" (Rev 22:6)
3. "I come quickly" (Rev 22:7)
4. "the time is at hand" (Rev 22:10)

Quickly, shortly? That can mean "without delay" as in:

"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison." (Matt 5:25)

"Quickly" or "whiles thou art in the way with him." Do not leave it until latter.

"And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." (Rev 22:8-9)

The angel rejectd John's move to worship him saying "See thou do it not" and identified himself as a fellowservant of John - both are servants of God. Also, he referred to John's brethren as the prophets implying that John also had that role which he most certainly did. He also is a fellowservant of those "which keep the saying of the prophecy of this book." Reader, if you are one who keeps the saying of the book of Revelation then you are a fellowservant with angels of the God of heaven.

"And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand." (Rev 22:10)

Is Revelation a sealed book? John was told not to seal it. Then it should be understandable and we have made an attempt in this series to do just that. No doubt, there is much more that could be understood and said. These pages will be updated as furhter understanding comes.