Revelation 22

Lamb of God

The Lamb — the sacrificial offering whose blood redeems

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. Revelation 22:1

The Lamb, Revelation's favorite title for the slain and risen Christ, shares the throne with God the Father. The water of life in the celestial city flows from the place where Christ reigns.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Revelation 5:6 — The Lamb as it had been slain stands in the midst of the throne.
• the same title in John 1:29 — John the Baptist: 'Behold the Lamb of God.'
• the same title in Revelation 21:22-23 — The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple and light of the holy city.

Living Water

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. Revelation 22:1

The river of the water of life, flowing from the throne of the Lamb, pictures the eternal life that comes only through Christ. Jesus called Himself the source of living water that springs up into everlasting life.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by John 4:14 — Jesus promises water springing up into everlasting life.
• alludes to Ezekiel 47:1-12 — Ezekiel's river flowing from the temple, with healing trees on its banks.
• the same title in Revelation 21:6 — 'I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.'

Tree of Life

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. Revelation 22:2

The tree of life, guarded after the Fall, stands open again beside the river from the Lamb's throne. In Latter-day Saint teaching the tree represents the love of God made manifest in the gift of His Son, whose Atonement heals the nations.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Genesis 3:22-24 — The way to the tree of life was guarded by cherubim after the Fall; here it is restored.
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 11:21-25 — The angel shows Nephi the Lamb of God when explaining the tree as the love of God.
• alludes to Ezekiel 47:12 — Trees whose fruit comes every month and whose leaf is for medicine.

Lamb of God

The Lamb — the sacrificial offering whose blood redeems

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: Revelation 22:3

Because of the Lamb, the curse brought by the Fall is removed, and the redeemed live in the presence of God and the Lamb, serving Him forever.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Genesis 3:17 — The curse on the ground after the Fall is now ended.

Take His Name

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Revelation 22:4

The faithful see the Lord face to face and carry His name on their foreheads, showing that they fully belong to Him. It fulfills the covenant to take His name upon us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Revelation 3:12 — Christ promises to write upon the overcomer His new name.
• alludes to Revelation 14:1 — The 144,000 stand with the Lamb having His Father's name in their foreheads.
• fulfils Matthew 5:8 — The pure in heart shall see God.
• alludes to Mosiah 5:8 — King Benjamin's people take upon them the name of Christ by covenant.

Light of the World

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. Revelation 22:5

The city needs no sun because God gives it light, and the previous chapter says plainly that 'the Lamb is the light thereof.' It echoes Christ as the Light of the World.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Revelation 21:23 — The glory of God lightens the city, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
• alludes to Isaiah 60:19-20 — The LORD shall be an everlasting light; the sun shall no more go down.
• the same title in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world.'

Jesus

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. Revelation 22:6

Verse 16 has Jesus say, 'I Jesus have sent mine angel,' so the Lord God who sends the angel is Christ, the God of the prophets (Jehovah). The words 'faithful and true' are also a title He carries in Revelation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Revelation 22:16 — Jesus identifies Himself as the one who sent the angel.
• the same event in Revelation 1:1 — The revelation of Jesus Christ, sent and signified by His angel to John.
• the same title in Revelation 19:11 — The rider on the white horse is called Faithful and True.

Second Coming

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Revelation 22:7

Christ speaks directly and promises to come soon. His Second Coming is the hope that closes the whole Bible.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Revelation 22:20 — 'Surely I come quickly,' spoken by Jesus.
• the same event in Revelation 3:11 — 'Behold, I come quickly' to the church in Philadelphia.
• alludes to Revelation 1:3 — Blessed are they that hear and keep the words of this prophecy.

Judgment

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12

Jesus promises to return bringing His reward, judging each person according to what they have done. He is the Judge of all at His coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 40:10 — The Lord GOD will come; His reward is with Him and His work before Him.
• alludes to Isaiah 62:11 — Thy salvation cometh; behold, His reward is with Him.
• the same event in Matthew 16:27 — The Son of man shall come and reward every man according to his works.

Second Coming

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:12

For the second time in the chapter Christ repeats His promise to come quickly.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Revelation 22:7 — The same promise, 'Behold, I come quickly.'

Alpha and Omega

Alpha and Omega — the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the beginning and the end

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:13

Christ names Himself the first and last letters of the alphabet: He was there before all things and will finish all things. Jehovah uses the same words in Isaiah, and Jesus Christ uses this title of Himself in the Doctrine and Covenants.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Revelation 1:8 — 'I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.'
• the same title in Revelation 1:17-18 — 'I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead.'
• alludes to Isaiah 44:6 — The LORD: 'I am the first, and I am the last.'
• the same title in D&C 19:1 — 'I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord.'

Tree of Life

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Revelation 22:14

Those who keep Christ's commandments are given access to the tree of life, which stands for eternal life through Him, and they enter the holy city.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Revelation 2:7 — To him that overcometh Christ gives to eat of the tree of life.
• alludes to Genesis 3:24 — The way of the tree of life was once kept by cherubim and a flaming sword.
• alludes to Alma 32:41-42 — Alma's seed grows into a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

Jesus

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua/Jeshua, 'Jehovah saves'

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16

Jesus names Himself as the author of the whole revelation. The angel was only His messenger.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Revelation 1:1-2 — The revelation of Jesus Christ, sent by His angel to John.
• the same title in Matthew 1:21 — Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Root and Offspring of David

Root and Offspring of David — both David's source (as God) and his descendant (as man)

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16

Christ is both the root David grew from, because as Jehovah He was David's God, and the offspring who came from David's line. It is the answer to Jesus' own question about how David's son could be David's Lord.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Revelation 5:5 — The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David.
• alludes to Isaiah 11:1 — A rod out of the stem of Jesse and a Branch out of his roots.
• fulfils Isaiah 11:10 — In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, to it shall the Gentiles seek.
• interprets Matthew 22:42-45 — Jesus asks how David's son can also be David's Lord.

Bright and Morning Star

Morning Star — the star that heralds the dawn after the night

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16

The morning star shines brightest just before dawn. Christ is the promise that the long night is ending and the everlasting day is about to break.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Numbers 24:17 — Balaam: 'there shall come a Star out of Jacob.'
• the same title in 2 Peter 1:19 — Until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.
• the same title in Revelation 2:28 — Christ promises the overcomer, 'I will give him the morning star.'

Bridegroom

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

The bride is the Church, the Lamb's wife (Revelation 21:9), and Christ is the Bridegroom. The Holy Ghost and the Church together invite everyone to come to Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Revelation 19:7-9 — The marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.
• the same title in Revelation 21:9 — The bride, the Lamb's wife.
• alludes to Matthew 25:1-13 — The virgins go forth to meet the bridegroom.

Living Water

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

The Bible ends with an open invitation: anyone who is thirsty may come and drink the water of life without cost. It echoes Jesus' own call to come unto Him and drink.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 7:37 — 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.'
• alludes to Isaiah 55:1 — Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters... without money.
• the same title in Revelation 21:6 — The fountain of the water of life given freely to the thirsty.

Jesus

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: Revelation 22:18–19

Verse 20 names the speaker as 'He which testifieth these things,' the Lord who comes quickly, so this solemn warning not to add to or take from the book is Christ's own testimony.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Revelation 22:20 — The one who testifies these things is the Lord who says 'Surely I come quickly.'
• alludes to Deuteronomy 4:2 — Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it.

Second Coming

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Christ's last words in the Bible promise that He will come quickly, and John answers for all believers: 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus.' The scriptures end in longing for His return.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Revelation 22:7 — 'Behold, I come quickly.'
• alludes to 1 Corinthians 16:22 — Maranatha, 'O Lord, come.'
• the same event in Acts 1:11 — This same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go.

Jesus

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua/Jeshua, 'Jehovah saves'

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

John calls on Jesus by name and title as Lord, praying for His coming.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Philippians 2:11 — Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Grace

Christ — Greek for 'the Anointed One,' equivalent to Messiah

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelation 22:21

The Bible's final words bless every reader with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, His enabling and saving power given through His Atonement.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it