Rev 22:12-15 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 12. And behold, I come quickly . . These are undoubtedly the words of the Redeemer; and the meaning is, that the period when the unchanging sentence would be passed on each individual--on the unjust, the filthy, the righteous, and the holy--would not be remote. The design of this seems to be to impress on the mind the solemnity of the truth that the condition hereafter will soon be fixed, and to lead men to prepare for it. In reference to each individual, the period is near when it is to be determined whether he will be holy or sinful to all eternity. What thought could there be more adapted to impress on the mind the importance of giving immediate attention to the concerns of the soul? And my reward is with me . I bring it with me to give to every man: either life or death; heaven or hell; the crown or the curse. He will be prepared immediately to execute the sentence. Compare . To give every man according as his work shall be . ; ; . (c) "come quickly" (d) "according"

Revelation of John 22:12-15

Verse 12. And behold, I come quickly. Rev 1:1,3. These are undoubtedly the words of the Redeemer; and the meaning is, that the period when the unchanging sentence would be passed on each individual--on the unjust, the filthy, the righteous, and the holy--would not be remote. The design of this seems to be to impress on the mind the solemnity of the truth that the condition hereafter will soon be fixed, and to lead men to prepare for it. In reference to each individual, the period is near when it is to be determined whether he will be holy or sinful to all eternity. What thought could there be more adapted to impress on the mind the importance of giving immediate attention to the concerns of the soul?

And my reward is with me. I bring it with me to give to every man: either life or death; heaven or hell; the crown or the curse. He will be prepared immediately to execute the sentence. Compare Mt 25:31-46.

To give every man according as his work shall be. Mt 16:27; Rom 2:6; 2Cor 5:10.

(c) "come quickly" Zeph 1:14 (d) "according" Rev 20:12 Verse 13. I am Alpha and Omega, etc. Rev 1:8,11. The idea here is, that he will thus show that he is the first and the and last --the beginning and the end. He originated the whole plan of salvation, he will determine its close; he formed the world, and he will wind up its affairs. In the beginning, the continuance, and the end, he will be recognised as the same being presiding over and controlling all.

(e) "Alpha and Omega" Isa 44:6 Verse 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments. Rev 1:3; Rev 22:7.

That they may have right. That they may be entitled to approach the tree of life; that this privilege may be granted to them. It is not a right in the sense that they have merited it, but in the sense that the privilege is conferred on them as one of the rewards of God, and that, in virtue of the Divine arrangements, they will be entitled to this honour. So the word here used--εξουσια--means in Jn 1:12, rendered power. The reason why this right or privilege is conferred is not implied in the use of the word. In this case it is by grace, and all the right which they have to the tree of life is founded on the fact that God has been pleased graciously to confer it on them.

To the tree of life. Rev 22:2. They would not be forbidden to approach that tree as Adam was, but would be permitted always to partake of it, and would live for ever.

And may enter in through the gates into the city. The New Jerusalem, Rev 21:2. They would have free access there; they would be permitted to abide there for ever.

(f) "Blessed" Lk 12:37 Verse 15. For without are dogs. The wicked, the depraved, the vile: for of such characters the dogs, an unclean animal among the Jews, was regarded as a symbol, De 23:18. On the meaning of the expression, Php 3:2. The word "without" means that they would not be admitted into the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:8, 27.

And sorcerers, etc. All these characters are specified in Rev 21:8, as excluded from heaven. Rev 21:8. The only change is, that those who "love and make a lie" are added to the list; that is, who delight in lies, or that which is false.

(g) "without" Rev 21:8,27 (h) "dogs" Php 3:2 (i) "the root" Rev 5:5