Rev 22:1-6 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 22:1-2: 22:1-2 This part of John’s vision of the city deals with God’s provision of water and food for his people (cp. Exod 16:4 , 22-24 ; Ezek 47:1-12 ; John 4:10 ; 6:32-35 ). Although God originally made a “garden of delight” (Eden) for Adam and Eve, they disobeyed him and lost it (Gen 2–3 ). Now Eden is refashioned and united to the celestial city as God’s marvelous gift for his faithful people. 22:1 the water of life: See 7:17 ; John 4:10-15 ; cp. Exod 17:1-7 ; Isa 55:1 ; Ezek 47:1-10 ; Zech 14:8 .

Summary for Rev 22:1-2: 22:1-2 ^a This part of John’s vision of the city deals with God’s provision of water and food for his people (cp. Exod 16:4 ^b, 22-24 ^c; Ezek 47:1-12 ^d; John 4:10 ^e; 6:32-35 ^f). Although God originally made a “garden of delight” (Eden) for Adam and Eve, they disobeyed him and lost it (Gen 2–3 ^g). Now Eden is refashioned and united to the celestial city as God’s marvelous gift for his faithful people. 22:1 ^h the water of life: See 7:17 ⁱ; John 4:10-15 ^j; cp. Exod 17:1-7 ^k; Isa 55:1 ^l; Ezek 47:1-10 ^m; Zech 14:8 ⁿ.
22:2 ^o Although humans were denied access to the tree of life after they sinned (see Gen 3:22-24 ^p), it is now freely available. The tree on each side of the river (cp. Ezek 47:12 ^q) shows that there is no wrong side of the river in heaven. The tree produces a fresh crop of fruit each month, demonstrating God’s constant provision.
22:3 ^r No longer ... a curse: Ever since the first sin (Gen 3:14-19 ^s), humanity has been cursed because of their rebellion against God (see 1 Cor 16:22 ^t). Now rebellion, sin, and the curse are gone forever.

• his servants will worship him: Revelation gives glimpses of authentic worship (see Rev 4–5 ^u; 7:9-17 ^v).
22:4 ^w The human fears of death and of seeing God (see Gen 16:13 ^x; 32:30 ^y; Judg 6:22 ^z; Isa 6:5 ^aa) will be removed. God’s people will bear his name and will see his face with joy (see Matt 5:8 ^ab; 2 Cor 3:18 ^ac; 1 Jn 3:2-3 ^ad).
22:5 ^ae They will reign with God forever (see 20:4 ^af; see also 5:10 ^ag) in his radiant light that banishes night and the need for lamps (see Isa 60:19-20 ^ah).
Summary for Rev 22:6-21: 22:6-21 ^ai This epilogue to Revelation contains utterances by an angel (22:6 ^aj, 8-11 ^ak) and Christ (22:7 ^al, 12-19 ^am) followed by a concluding plea for Christ’s return (22:20 ^an) and a closing benediction (22:21 ^ao). The epilogue has a number of direct verbal connections with the introduction to the book (1:1-11 ^ap), and it sums up important themes such as encouraging faithful perseverance, warning evildoers, affirming the authenticity of the prophetic message, and restating the nearness of Christ’s return. 22:6 ^aq Everything that John records in Revelation is trustworthy and true because God, who has all authority (cp. Matt 28:18 ^ar), has sent the messenger. But it does not mean these visions are easy to understand.