‏ Revelation of John 22

* A description of the heavenly state, under the figures of the

water and the tree of life, and of the throne of God and the

Lamb. (1-5) The truth and certain fulfilling of all the

prophetic visions, The Holy Spirit, and the bride, the church,

invite, and say, Come. (6-19) The closing blessing. (20,21)

1-5 All streams of earthly comfort are muddy; but these are

clear, and refreshing. They give life, and preserve life, to

those who drink of them, and thus they will flow for evermore.

These point to the quickening and sanctifying influences of the

Holy Spirit, as given to sinners through Christ. The Holy

Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, applies this

salvation to our souls by his new-creating love and power. The

trees of life are fed by the pure waters of the river that comes

from the throne of God. The presence of God in heaven, is the

health and happiness of the saints. This tree was an emblem of

Christ, and of all the blessings of his salvation; and the

leaves for the healing of the nations, mean that his favour and

presence supply all good to the inhabitants of that blessed

world. The devil has no power there; he cannot draw the saints

from serving God, nor can he disturb them in the service of God.

God and the Lamb are here spoken of as one. Service there shall

be not only freedom, but honour and dominion. There will be no

night; no affliction or dejection, no pause in service or

enjoyment: no diversions or pleasures or man's inventing will

there be wanted. How different all this from gross and merely

human views of heavenly happiness, even those which refer to

pleasures of the mind! 6-19 The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the

contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is

the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy

angels showed them to holy men of God. They are things that must

shortly be done; Christ will come quickly, and put all things

out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been

the apostle's interpreter. He refused to accept religious

worship from John, and reproved him for offering it. This

presents another testimony against idolatrous worship of saints

and angels. God calls every one to witness to the declarations

here made. This book, thus kept open, will have effect upon men;

the filthy and unjust will be more so, but it will confirm,

strengthen, and further sanctify those who are upright with God.

Never let us think that a dead or disobedient faith will save

us, for the First and the Last has declared that those alone are

blessed who do his commandments. It is a book that shuts out

form heaven all wicked and unrighteous persons, particularly

those who love and make lies, therefore cannot itself be a lie.

There is no middle place or condition. Jesus, who is the Spirit

of prophecy, has given his churches this morning-light of

prophecy, to assure them of the light of the perfect day

approaching. All is confirmed by an open and general invitation

to mankind, to come and partake freely of the promises and of

the privileges of the gospel. The Spirit, by the sacred word,

and by convictions and influence in the sinner's conscience,

says, Come to Christ for salvation; and the bride, or the whole

church, on earth and in heaven, says, Come and share our

happiness. Lest any should hesitate, it is added, Let whosoever

will, or, is willing, come and take of the water of life freely.

May every one who hears or reads these words, desire at once to

accept the gracious invitation. All are condemned who should

dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to

it, or taking from it. 20,21 After discovering these things to his people on earth,

Christ seems to take leave of them, and return to heaven; but he

assures them it shall not be long before he comes again. And

while we are busy in the duties of our different stations of

life; whatever labours may try us, whatever difficulties may

surround us, whatever sorrows may press us down, let us with

pleasure hear our Lord proclaiming, Behold, I come quickly; I

come to put an end to the labour and suffering of my servants. I

come, and my reward of grace is with me, to recompense, with

royal bounty, every work of faith and labour of love. I come to

receive my faithful, persevering people to myself, to dwell for

ever in that blissful world. Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus. A

blessing closes the whole. By the grace of Christ we must be

kept in joyful expectation of his glory, fitted for it, and

preserved to it; and his glorious appearance will be joyful to

those who partake of his grace and favour here. Let all add,

Amen. Let us earnestly thirst after greater measures of the

gracious influences of the blessed Jesus in our souls, and his

gracious presence with us, till glory has made perfect his grace

toward us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the

Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall

be, world without end. Amen.