Rev 22:6-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 22:6-21: 22:6-21 This epilogue to Revelation contains utterances by an angel (22:6 , 8-11 ) and Christ (22:7 , 12-19 ) followed by a concluding plea for Christ’s return (22:20 ) and a closing benediction (22:21 ). The epilogue has a number of direct verbal connections with the introduction to the book (1:1-11 ), 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 Everything that John records in Revelation is trustworthy and true because God , who has all authority (cp. Matt 28:18 ), has sent the messenger. But it does not mean these visions are easy to understand.

Summary for Rev 22:6-21: 22:6-21 ^a This epilogue to Revelation contains utterances by an angel (22:6 ^b, 8-11 ^c) and Christ (22:7 ^d, 12-19 ^e) followed by a concluding plea for Christ’s return (22:20 ^f) and a closing benediction (22:21 ^g). The epilogue has a number of direct verbal connections with the introduction to the book (1:1-11 ^h), 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 ⁱ Everything that John records in Revelation is trustworthy and true because God, who has all authority (cp. Matt 28:18 ^j), has sent the messenger. But it does not mean these visions are easy to understand.
22:7 ^k Blessed: The sixth blessing of Revelation (see 1:3 ^l; 14:13 ^m; 16:15 ⁿ; 19:9 ^o; 20:6 ^p; 22:14 ^q) is for those who obey. Obedience is key to God’s blessing.
Summary for Rev 22:8-9: 22:8-9 ^r The earlier warning against false worship (see 19:10 ^s) is reiterated when John again falls at the feet of the angel. Only God deserves our worship (cp. John the Baptist in relation to Jesus; John 1:6-8 ^t, 26-27 ^u; 3:27-35 ^v).
22:10 ^w Do not seal up: The angel expands John’s initial instruction to “write in a book” (1:11 ^x) and warns against curtailing its communication. Although some things are sealed—God does not reveal everything (cp. 10:4 ^y)—what has been written must be communicated so that people will understand the seriousness of the message and that the time is near (see 1:1 ^z, 3 ^aa; 22:6-7 ^ab; cp. Dan 12:4 ^ac).
22:11 ^ad Vile people who refuse to accept God’s forgiveness will continue to be vile (see 16:9 ^ae), yet John reminds the righteous to maintain their integrity. This verse is a warning to evildoers, and it calls the righteous to recognize the crucial significance of Christ’s return relative to their commitments and their actions.
22:12 ^af Christ is coming soon . . . to repay all people, not just on the basis of their profession of faith, but according to their deeds (see 2:23 ^ag; 11:18 ^ah; 14:13 ^ai; 20:12-13 ^aj; see also Prov 24:12 ^ak; Matt 16:27 ^al; 2 Cor 5:10 ^am). Not every statement of belief is genuine (John 2:23-25 ^an); faith will show itself in actions (Jas 2:14-26 ^ao). We are indeed saved by the grace and power of God in Christ. Our works do not save us, but they do indicate the seriousness of our confession and provide a just basis for our ultimate reward or punishment.
22:14 ^ap Blessed are those: In response to the connection between actions and ultimate results (22:12 ^aq), the seventh blessing of Revelation (see also 1:3 ^ar; 14:13 ^as; 16:15 ^at; 19:9 ^au; 20:6 ^av; 22:7 ^aw) promises acceptance for those who wash their robes—those who have been purified by trusting in Christ and following him faithfully (3:5 ^ax; 6:11 ^ay; 7:9-10 ^az, 14 ^ba; 19:13 ^bb; Eph 5:26 ^bc; Heb 10:22 ^bd).

• enter through the gates of the city: See study note on Rev 21:24-25.
22:15 ^be This verse again lists those who are not admitted to contrast with those admitted in 22:14 ^bf (see 21:8 ^bg, 27 ^bh; 22:11 ^bi). These unrepentant sinners remain outside the city; it is another warning to those who do not repent that they will not be allowed to enter the city of God (22:14 ^bj).

• The reference to sinners as dogs was a familiar Jewish designation for rejected outsiders (see Matt 7:6 ^bk; Phil 3:2 ^bl; also 2 Sam 3:8 ^bm; 2 Kgs 8:13 ^bn); Jews used this term to refer to Gentiles (see Mark 7:26-28 ^bo).
22:16 ^bp I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne: Jesus validates the message of Revelation (cp. John 21:24 ^bq) by swearing that he is simultaneously the source of David (see Rev 5:5 ^br; Isa 11:10 ^bs) and David’s heir (see Ezek 37:23-24 ^bt; Rom 1:3 ^bu).

• The morning star was a name for the Messiah (see Num 24:17 ^bv; 2 Pet 1:19 ^bw; cp. Luke 1:78-79 ^bx).
22:17 ^by Come is a repeated invitation and a confession (see 22:20 ^bz).

• the bride: The Lamb’s wife (see 21:9 ^ca) is the church, the people of God.

• The thirsty can drink freely from God’s provision (see 21:6 ^cb; 22:1 ^cc; Ps 42:1 ^cd; Isa 55:1 ^ce; John 4:10-14 ^cf).
Summary for Rev 22:18-19: 22:18-19 ^cg I solemnly declare: John issues an oath to protect the integrity of the book of Revelation. He declares a curse upon anyone who alters the contents of the book or its message (cp. Deut 4:2 ^ch; 12:32 ^ci). The curse contrasts with the statement of blessing on all who read aloud, listen to, and obey the prophecy (Rev 1:3 ^cj). At the time Revelation was written, scribes would sometimes alter books to suit their own views. Early Christians quickly developed means of authenticating both messages and messengers (see John 21:24 ^ck; 1 Cor 16:21 ^cl; Gal 6:11 ^cm; Col 4:18 ^cn; 2 Thes 3:17 ^co; 1 Jn 4:1-3 ^cp).

• Since the time of the early church, the scope and content of the New Testament has been established as the measure of the Christian proclamation. Yet the church continues to be plagued by those who would attempt to reconstruct the borders of Scripture by adding other works that they believe are of equal status with the Bible or by arguing that certain segments of the Bible are unreliable creations of human effort and perception. The genuine church has rejected and will continue to reject efforts to redefine the boundaries of the canon as human and even demonic attempts to alter the basis of the Christian faith.
22:20 ^cq I am coming soon! See 3:11 ^cr.

• Come, Lord Jesus! Paul uttered the same response (1 Cor 16:22 ^cs; see also Phil 4:5 ^ct).
22:21 ^cu Revelation closes with a benediction similar to those in Paul’s letters (e.g., Rom 15:33 ^cv; 1 Cor 16:23-24 ^cw).

• The fitting final sentence invokes the grace of the Lord Jesus, the foundation of our forgiveness and the basis of our eternal hope.