Lesson 29 Notes

Revelation 22:6-21

Focus Verse
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in
this scroll.” (Revelation 22:7)

Outline
● John and the Angel – Revelation 22:6-11
● Jesus and His Return– Revelation 22:12-21
● Reflections on Revelation

Engage
When we read a book, we long to know how it ends. We certainly prefer a happy ending, or at
least a conclusion that resolves lingering questions. Revelation, the Bible’s final book, offers
us the grand finale we long for. God presents comforting truth for His people alongside the
harsh reality awaiting those who oppose Him. The seeming chaos of world history will not
merely repeat meaningless cycles or fade away. God will conclude humanity’s story with
resolute finality that accomplishes His eternal plan.

Everyone who trusts in Christ awaits a secure future of boundless joy. God’s people can live
with this great promise informing their choices, energizing their wills, and motivating their
actions. Jesus gave His people the book of Revelation to strengthen them until He suddenly
returns in amazing splendor and power. God’s people are to live with eyes and hearts focused
on Jesus and His return.

John and the Angel – Revelation 22:6-11

Revelation opens and closes with words of blessing. Remarkable harmony exists between
Revelation’s first and final verses. Similarly, the first chapters of Genesis and Revelation’s final
chapters reflect the Bible’s unified message. John’s Spirit-inspired message, like the entire Bible,
holds together from beginning to end, inspiring trust in God and His Word.

Jesus Will Return – 22:6-7

The angel who showed John the new Jerusalem now confirms that John’s written testimony carries
God’s authority, saying, “These words are trustworthy and true.” In Greek, this identical pair of words
appears twice in Revelation to describe the Lord Jesus Christ. First, Jesus identified Himself to the
lukewarm Laodicean church as the faithful (trustworthy, reliable) and true (honest) witness.1 Later,

1. Laodicea: Revelation 3:14

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 John called the rider on the white horse “Faithful and True.”2 Jesus’s character and words remain
trustworthy and accurate. Jesus, the living Word, assures the truthfulness of God’s written Word.

The angel leaves no doubt that God authored this prophecy, saying, “The Lord, the God who inspires
the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” John
penned the book, but the trustworthy and true words come from God. All biblical prophecy comes to
us through people, but God’s Holy Spirit is the source of every word.3

Jesus underscores the urgency of the angel’s announcement by saying, “Look, I am coming soon!”
Throughout Revelation, John describes Jesus’s people willingly enduring persecution as they wait
and yearn for Him.4 Jesus answers their cry, proclaiming His imminent return. God’s promise of life
in His presence runs throughout the entire Bible, as God continually extends grace to the sinful and
wayward. Again and again, God’s people grievously rebelled, yet He sent prophets to warn them of
coming judgment and offer salvation as their beacon of hope.

Before Jesus went to the cross, He told His disciples He would prepare a place for them.5 Jesus
rose from the dead, guaranteeing His power to accomplish all He promised.6 Believers from every
generation have staked their lives on Jesus and His trustworthy promises. We can live confidently
today, knowing that the faithful and true Savior will come back, just as He said. Everyone who
loves Jesus will be with Him physically in the renewed world.7 At last, all will be as God designed!
This truth provides sure and solid hope for God’s people. Though not yet seen with human eyes,
the reality of Jesus’s return stands firmer than the ground we walk on.8 Jesus’s first coming is the
central event of human history. His return will bring the great climax of history. “Look,” Jesus said,
“I am coming soon!”

Revelation’s first verses promise blessings to all who read this prophecy aloud or listen and take it
to heart.9 Now, Jesus proclaims, “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written
in this scroll.” In response to Christ's faithfulness, His people appropriately receive this prophecy.
Promised blessing comes to all who continue to affirm and guard the truthfulness of this prophecy.
Jesus strengthens His people with joy, even amid suffering, as they watch for His glorious return.

Worship God Alone – 22:8-9

Overwhelmed by all he saw and heard, John falls at the angel’s feet in worship. Like the response in
Revelation 19:10, the angel’s rebuke comes immediately: “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with
you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” The
angel identifies himself as a fellow servant with prophets such as John and also as a fellow servant
with those who obey this prophecy. All who love God are His servants, operating under His orders.

The angel’s rebuke extends to God’s servants today. God alone is worthy of worship.10 Regardless
of our desire to worship God in purity, our feeble minds often stray. Worship must suit our holy God,
giving Him the love, honor, and glory that He alone deserves. Worship belongs only to the worthy
One to whom the message points.

2. Faithful and True: Revelation 19:11-13

3. God’s words: 2 Peter 1:20-21
4. Yearning and endurance: Revelation 2:25; 3:11; 7:16-17; 11:7-14; 13:8-10; 14:1-13; 16:12-15; 19:11-18; 20:4
5. Promised return: John 14:3
6. Resurrection power: 1 Thessalonians 4:14
7. Reunion with the Lord: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
8. Our hope: Romans 8:24-25
9. Blessing: Revelation 1:3
10. Worship God alone: Exodus 20:1-6; Deuteronomy 5:6-10

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Do Not Seal the Prophecy – 22:10-11
The prophet Daniel received visions of the end times and received instruction to “seal up the
vision, for it concerns the distant future.”11 John received an opposite command: “Do not seal up
the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.” It is critically dangerous to
assume an indefinite amount of time to understand this prophecy or delay repentance to a more
convenient date. Sin’s terrible consequences recorded in this book warn people to confront the truth
immediately and not forget this message.

Unless people repent, their choice in this life will remain forever. The angel warns, “Let the one who
does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right
continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” Ultimately, people live out who they
are inside. Those determined to do wrong will continue down the path they choose. All people await
a settled and final outcome of their lives. Eternal life awaits all people, but for some eternity will
bring greater and greater wickedness and abounding evil.

Only repentance and faith bring lasting transformation. God’s plan to restore the universe begins
with individual lives today. Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come!”12 When
God forgives sin for Jesus’s sake, His grace immediately unfolds life’s new reality. The Holy
Spirit gives redeemed people a desire for holiness and new strength to obey God. Christians fight
indwelling sin until they die or Jesus returns, but seeking holiness becomes their enduring goal.

Jesus and His Return – Revelation 22:12-21

The Testimony of Jesus – 22:12-16
The Confirmation of Jesus’s Return (22:12-13) – A second time, Jesus announces, “Look, I am
coming soon!” Jesus will come again and bring His reward, giving “to each person according to
what they have done.” This promise affirms Jesus’s full deity and echoes Isaiah’s promise: “See, the
Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and
his recompense accompanies him.”13

Christ applies names to Himself that exemplify His ability and commitment to fulfill His every
promise. There is no doubt He will save His people and reward them for deeds done on His behalf.14
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega,15 who knows all things and will reward accordingly. He is “the First
and the Last,” who will make all things right and fulfill every promise. Ultimately, Jesus Himself is
His people’s greatest reward. Jesus is “the Beginning and the End.”16 In this sense, the “End” is the
matchless person of Jesus Himself, who holds time, eternity, and His people in His powerful hands.

In verse 14, Jesus pronounces a blessing on all “who wash their robes.” They “have the right to the
tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” Both the right to eat of the Tree of Life and to
enter the city picture salvation and eternal life. In chapter 7, John saw countless people “from every
nation, tribe, people and language” standing before God and the Lamb, having “washed their robes

11. Seal the words: Daniel 8:26; 12:4, 9-10

12. New creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17
13. Reward in Isaiah: Isaiah 40:10
14. Saved through Christ: Hebrews 7:25
15. Alpha, Omega: Revelation 1:8
16. Beginning and End: 1 Samuel 3:12; Isaiah 46:10; Ecclesiastes 3:11

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 Unmerited Favor to the Undeserving
The Doctrine of Grace
The contrast between the eternal blessings of people redeemed by Jesus and the judgment
awaiting unbelievers resonates throughout Revelation. Are believers more deserving of salvation
than those who cling to their sin? No, all people are born deeply inclined to seek their own way and
rebel against God. Why do believers turn to Christ? How could they deserve the blessings we read
about here? Only by God’s grace. God’s grace is His generous response that gives sinful people
blessings and honor they do not deserve and have not earned.

The blessed people wearing blood-washed robes have been purified by God’s grace, through
Christ’s sacrifice. They love and worship God alone. The salvation of God’s people and their eternal
blessings are possible by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.1

People who fail to respond to God’s grace will be left with only His wrath and just judgement upon
their sin. People who choose not to go God's way receive what they desire. To know God as He
truly is, we must recognize that by nature He is gracious. He longs to redeem people from sin’s
slavery and eternal punishment. However, God’s justice will prevail if His grace is rejected.

No one who understands God’s grace can boast about their salvation. God’s lavish compassion
toward sinners, evidenced by the gift of His Son, ignites humble worship and gratitude, not pride,
in a believer’s heart. Not only are God’s people saved by grace, but God’s amazing grace buoys
and sustains every aspect of their present and future with Him. John wrote in John 1:16, “Out of
his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”
1. Power of God's grace: Romans 5:20-21; Ephesians 2:4-9; 1 John 3:1-3

and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”17 Washed robes represent experiencing God’s grace
through forgiveness of sin. Such powerful cleansing comes only through Jesus and His atoning
death on the cross. God is gathering His people permanently.

People who refuse to wash their robes will not enter God’s eternal city. They are called “dogs,” a
derogatory word in both Israel and the early Church.18 Here, “dogs” refers to people who have chosen
to shut God out of their lives and reject His righteousness. A representative list of sins follows with
examples. Basically, all who fail to repent will be barred from the city.

The Angel’s Testimony Confirmed (22:16) – Jesus verifies that the angel delivered this testimony
for the churches. God designed everything John saw and recorded for the benefit of God’s people.
Seven churches in the province of Asia received John’s letter, but this amazing book stands as
Jesus’s gift to His Church in every time and place.

17. God’s diverse and purified people: Revelation 7:9, 14

18. Dogs: 1 Samuel 17:43; 24:14; 2 Samuel 3:8; 9:8; 16:9; Psalm 22:16, 20; Mark 7:25-30; Philippians 3:2

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In another burst of self-revelation, Jesus proclaims Himself “the Root and the Offspring of David,
and the bright Morning Star.” Isaiah foretold, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from
his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”19 As Jesse’s shoot, Jesus entered the world as David’s physical
descendant, representing his royal lineage. Jesus also came as David’s root, the one who gave David
spiritual life. David called the Messiah, his promised descendant, “my lord.”20 Jesus once asked His
opponents how the Messiah could be both David’s Lord and David’s son.21 Jesus is David's Lord
because He is the creator God. He is David's son because the Messiah was born of David's lineage.

“The bright Morning Star,” another messianic title, reaches even farther back in Israel’s history.
Israel had not yet reached the promised land when God gave this pledge: “A star will come out of
Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”22 This prophecy foretold that a king would arise from Israel to
defeat the enemies of God’s people. The rabbis believed this verse referred to the Messiah.

Isaiah wrote that the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the nations.23 King Jesus wields the
ruler’s scepter and gloriously completes God's promises to His people. The Lord Jesus Christ is the
“light of the world”; whoever follows Him “will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”24
This promise has no end, for Jesus is the “lamp” of the new Jerusalem and the “bright Morning
Star.”25 Only those who live in Jesus’s light now will enjoy His future kingdom when He openly and
visibly rules the world.

The Invitation and Warning – Revelation 22:17-21

A Final Invitation (22:17) – Throughout Revelation, the invitation to repent and turn to God has been
proclaimed and continues, even as we read this today. The Spirit and the bride express yearning
for Jesus and invite the whole world to turn to their beloved. Their cry of “Come!” calls all people
everywhere to repent and place their faith in the Savior. God’s people, those who hear these words,
are told to add their voices to the urgent invitation and say, “Come!” There is only one qualification
to this urgent summons—spiritual thirst. Jesus gives “the free gift of the water of life” to any who
come. The invitation to come to Jesus must continue to be announced by all those who love their
Savior and desire for others to turn to Him.

A Final Warning (22:18-19) – Revelation begins with an offer of blessing. Now, at the conclusion,
all who read this letter receive a strong warning against adding or taking away from the words of
the prophecy. This dire warning pertains to this book, yet the principle applies to all of Scripture.26
The Bible, God’s living Word, speaks to all people. Scripture is authentic and complete, wielding life-
giving authority. This warning preserves the blessing of this book and all of Scripture.

A Closing Promise and Prayer (22:20-21) – Jesus testifies that His return is certain and imminent.
For a third time, Jesus announces that He is coming soon.27 This message does not merely convey
John’s thinking but comes from God Himself.

19. Branch: Isaiah 11:1

20. My Lord: Psalm 110:1
21. David's king and son: Matthew 22:41-46
22. Star of Jacob: Numbers 24:17
23. Root of Jesse: Isaiah 11:10
24. Light of the world: John 8:12
25. Lamp of new Jerusalem: Revelation 21:23
26. Keep the commands: Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32
27. Three announcements: Revelation 22:7, 12, 20

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 John answers Jesus’s triple announcement with an excited shout and prayer of rejoicing: “Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.” The early Church included these deeply joyful words in their liturgy, as a prayer
at the close of the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper. This prayer, a Greek transliteration for the Aramaic
expression maranatha, means “Our Lord, come.”28 This phrase expresses hope and intense longing
for God to establish His kingdom.

Revelation is a letter to God’s people. Just as Paul concluded his letters, John wrote a benediction
asking God to pour grace on His people. The word “grace” appears only in the introduction and close
of Revelation, but the concept underlies the whole book. Grace describes God’s work in this book
and in the world that the Lamb came to seek and to save. God loves us and has freed His children
by Jesus's blood. He has made His people a kingdom and priests to serve God the Father. We long
for the fullness of His grace that is yet to be realized. How God’s children will worship the triune
God when they experience the consummation of His grace in the eternal kingdom! To Him be glory
forever and ever!

Reflections on Revelation
Jesus loves His people! His purposes are always good, drawing His people close even when they
suffer. God intended the book of Revelation to strengthen believers. The glimpses of heaven
and God’s just judgment encourage all God’s people, especially those who must persevere when
persecuted or rejected. The Spirit of God speaks to Jesus’s Church, giving His Word, His comfort, His
strength, and His call to reach out to the lost. The Spirit invites all who are thirsty to come and drink of
the water of life.

Revelation’s visions fearfully depict the just and terrible penalty imposed by a holy God against
those who oppose Him. Human values shift and change, but God and His justice never will.
Revelation offers God’s gracious and merciful warning about a coming day of judgment against sin
and sinners. Those who refuse to accept God’s gracious gift of salvation await His wrath. On that
day, everyone will stand before God without excuse. Only Christ’s blood can sufficiently pay for an
individual’s debt of sin. After Satan and his forces are thrown into the burning lake, unbelievers will
meet the same destiny. Those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will die the
second death, eternally separated from God. His perfect justice will prevail in His world.

Redemption and glorious renewal soar throughout Revelation. The Lamb of God purchased a people
for God with His own blood. God’s people refuse the mark of the beast and stand with the Lamb on
Mount Zion, singing a new song. Like the river of the water of life, new life and restoration joyfully
flow through Revelation because God makes everything new!

Like the whole Bible, Revelation exalts God, the great three-in-one, majestically supreme in holiness,
purity, and power. There is none like Him! Seated on His throne and resplendent in glory, He rules
over heaven and earth. Revelation shines with brilliant sights and sounds of God’s wonder that John
could scarcely describe. The fragrant incense of His people’s prayers rises before God, and praise
rings out continuously in His throne room.

28. Come, Lord: 1 Corinthians 16:22

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Revelation proclaims God’s certain victory. Individuals and nations may pursue power and seem
to succeed, but the slain yet triumphant Lamb assures the victory of God’s people. Jesus—faithful
and true, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—will ride out in victory over all who oppose His
righteousness. Nothing can stop Jesus Christ from reigning with His people on the earth.

The Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, has redeemed His people and will destroy His enemies with the
sharp sword in His mouth. The victorious King, the Alpha and Omega, the bright Morning Star, will
come again to end human history and bring His people to their eternal home. Jesus Christ Himself
stands at the beginning and the end of time to make history His story. He holds the destiny of the
whole world in His hands. Soon, the proclamation will be heard: “The kingdom of the world has
become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”29 Today is
the day to proclaim the saving name of Jesus Christ throughout the earth that people may turn to
Him and be saved! God’s people are to live with eyes and hearts focused on Jesus and His return.

“‘Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him.’”30

Take to Heart
Hold Fast
Revelation concludes with a glorious, resolute finale. Jesus will return. God’s revealed prophecy
must be proclaimed, not sealed away. The Alpha and Omega, the Root of David and bright Morning
Star who rules eternity, guarantees that the testimony within Revelation remains immovably certain.
Those who reject God’s truth face His judgment. But to those who believe in Christ, He says, “I am
coming soon!” The people of God across the ages joyfully and expectantly proclaim, “Amen. Come,
Lord Jesus.”

Apply It
In what specific ways have you taken the book of Revelation to heart? What blessings have you
experienced? Consider the ways the Lord has challenged you to love and speak the truth to the
people in your life, wherever you live. The eternal destiny of all people hinges on their response to
the gospel of Christ. Has your confidence in Jesus and His victory grown? He calls you to allow this
prophecy to renew your mind and heart and give you hope and peace. How has the entirety of God’s
Word and the urgency of Revelation moved you to join the evangelistic cry—“Come!”—delegated to
God’s people? Only faith in Jesus Christ offers the hope of salvation from the promised destruction
that awaits humankind. Who in your life needs to know God’s glorious promise?

John wrote the hope-filled book of Revelation to suffering Christians. Jesus’s powerful love holds
His people secure through suffering and persecution. How have you internalized the hope within this
glorious book? No matter what or who stands against you or how strong sin’s lure seems, eternal
joy lies ahead if you belong to Jesus. Therefore, whatever your situation, wherever you are, standing
with Jesus is always right. Will you ask Him for His promised power to be His witness?

29. Proclamation: Revelation 11:15

30. He is coming: Revelation 1:7

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 Have the images of sin and judgment in this book shocked or frightened you? We often struggle
to process the reality of sin’s penalty. However, God will not and cannot overlook rebellion against
Him. The danger of turning a deaf ear to God and His Word represents peril few people understand.
While believers do not face condemnation, failure to repent brings confusion, conflict, and unneeded
distance from God. How will you seek God’s power to turn from sin and seek the character of Jesus
in its place?

How do you feel dry, empty, or thirsty deep within your spirit? No matter how hard you try, pleasure,
possessions, and people cannot satisfy the eternal thirst within you. Jesus invites you to come and
drink His living water. If you know you are a sinner and an outsider to God’s wonderful city, trust in
Christ as your redeemer from sin. If you know Christ as Savior, seek constant refreshment from His
streams of living water, which can satisfy you now and forever.

As we finish our study of Revelation, what heartfelt praise for God rises within you? Revelation
reveals the joy and necessity of responding to God in worship. The elders, the living creatures,
countless angels, multitudes from every nation on earth, and all of creation sing together: “To him
who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and
ever!”31 Eternity’s praises cannot and will not exhaust the reasons God and His Son deserve our
worship. How will you start singing eternity’s hymns today?

Jesus taught His people to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven.”32 God’s eternal kingdom defies description but will envelop God’s people with resplendent
glory for all eternity. Until He comes, our prayer must be, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

31. Praise and honor: Revelation 5:13

32. Your kingdom come: Matthew 6:10

358 | Lesson 29 All Scripture quotations in this publication are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® NIV ®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.