New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Revelation 22
1
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life. It was as clear as crystal. It flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 4:14
Revelation 21:6
Zechariah 14:8
Revelation 22:17
Jeremiah 17:13
Jeremiah 2:13
Isaiah 41:18
Revelation 3:21
References God
Revelation 7:17
Psalm 46:4
2
It flowed down the middle of the city's main street. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit. Its fruit was ripe every month. The leaves of the tree bring healing to the nations.
Reference
3
There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. God's servants will serve him.
Reference
Curse
Matthew 25:41
Parallel theme
Matthew 25:21
John 12:26
John 14:3
Zechariah 14:11
Psalm 17:15
Psalm 16:11
Isaiah 12:6
John 17:24
References God
Ezekiel 37:27
5
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun. The Lord God will give them light. They will rule for ever and ever.
Reference
Kingdom
Revelation 20:4
Daniel 7:18
Daniel 7:27
Romans 5:17
Revelation 11:15
Matthew 25:34
2 Timothy 2:12
Light
Psalm 36:9
Parallel theme
Revelation 3:21
References God
Psalm 84:11
6
The angel said to me, "You can trust these words. They are true. The Lord is the God of the spirits of the prophets. He sent his angel to show those who serve him the things that must soon take place."
Reference
Faith
Revelation 21:5
Holy
Revelation 18:20
2 Peter 1:21
Romans 1:2
Luke 1:70
Parallel theme
Hebrews 12:9
Prophecy
Acts 3:18
Revelation 22:7
References God
Revelation 1:1
Truth
Revelation 19:9
7
"Look! I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of the prophecy in this book."
Reference
Blessing
Revelation 16:15
Parallel theme
Revelation 3:11
Revelation 22:20
Revelation 22:12
Prophecy
Revelation 1:3
8
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. After I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel. He is the one who had been showing me these things.
Reference
9
But he said to me, "Don't do that! I serve God, just as you do. I am God's servant, just like the other prophets and all who obey the words of this book. Worship God!"
Reference
Prophecy
Revelation 19:10
References God
1 John 5:20
Worship
Revelation 14:7
Revelation 4:10
Exodus 34:14
10
Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy in this book. These things are about to happen.
Reference
Parallel theme
Daniel 8:26
1 Peter 4:7
Revelation 10:4
Matthew 10:27
Romans 13:12
Ezekiel 12:23
Daniel 12:9
Daniel 12:4
Prophecy
Revelation 1:3
11
Let those who do wrong keep on doing wrong. Let those who are evil continue to be evil. Let those who do what is right keep on doing what is right. And let those who are holy continue to be holy."
Reference
Parallel theme
Daniel 12:10
2 Timothy 3:13
Ezekiel 3:27
Matthew 15:14
Jude 1:24
Matthew 25:10
Righteousness
Proverbs 4:18
Job 17:9
Matthew 5:6
Proverbs 14:32
12
"Look! I am coming soon! I bring my rewards with me. I will reward each person for what he has done.
Reference
13
I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the First and the Last. I am the Beginning and the End.
Reference
14
"Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will have the right to come to the tree of life. They will be allowed to go through the gates into the city.
Reference
Blessing
Revelation 22:7
Parallel theme
Revelation 21:27
1 John 3:3
Revelation 2:7
Revelation 22:2
John 10:7
John 10:9
Word
1 John 5:3
1 Corinthians 7:19
John 14:15
15
"Outside the city are the dogs and those who practice witchcraft. Outside are also those who commit sexual sins and murder. Those who worship statues of gods, and everyone who loves and does what is false, are outside too.
Reference
16
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this witness for the churches. I am the Root and the Son of David. I am the bright Morning Star."
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 11:1
2 Peter 1:19
Revelation 1:4
Revelation 22:6
Zechariah 6:12
Matthew 2:2
References David
Revelation 5:5
Matthew 22:42
References Jesus
Revelation 22:20
Revelation 1:1
17
The Holy Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Let those who hear say, "Come!" Anyone who is thirsty should come. Anyone who wants to take the free gift of the water of life should do so.
Reference
18
I am warning everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If you add anything to them, God will add to you the plagues told about in this book.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 12:32
Leviticus 26:18
Leviticus 26:28
Matthew 15:13
1 Thessalonians 4:6
Prophecy
Revelation 22:7
References God
Revelation 15:1
Word
Deuteronomy 4:2
Proverbs 30:6
Revelation 1:3
19
If you take any words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from you your share in the tree of life. He will also take away your place in the Holy City. This book tells about these things.
Reference
Holy
Revelation 21:2
Parallel theme
Revelation 22:2
Psalm 69:28
Revelation 13:8
Revelation 2:11
Revelation 3:21
References God
Revelation 3:12
Word
Deuteronomy 4:2
Luke 11:52
Revelation 1:3
20
He who gives witness to these things says, "Yes. I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 22:7
Hebrews 9:28
Revelation 22:12
Revelation 22:10
Revelation 22:18
References Jesus
1 Corinthians 16:22
Revelation 1:2
John 21:25
References Lord
2 Timothy 4:8
Isaiah 25:9
Chapter Summary
Revelation 22 concludes the Bible with the river of life, the tree of life, God's eternal presence, Christ's promised return, and a final invitation to receive the water of life, completing the biblical story by showing humanity restored from the curse of sin and invited to live forever with God in the holy city.
John's final vision continues directly from the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21.
He sees a pure river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb.
The river represents life flowing directly from God's presence.
The tree of life grows beside the river.
It produces fruit throughout the year, and its leaves bring healing to the nations.
The tree of life deliberately recalls the Garden of Eden.
Humanity was once separated from the tree of life because of sin.
Now, in the renewed creation, access to the tree is restored.
The curse is completely removed.
God's servants serve Him and see His face.
His name is written on their foreheads, demonstrating their permanent belonging to Him.
There is no night because God Himself provides the light.
His people reign forever.
The vision then moves toward its conclusion.
The angel assures John that the words of the prophecy are faithful and true.
Jesus repeatedly declares that He is coming quickly.
This promise is not simply information about the future.
It is a call for God's people to remain faithful and prepared.
John again falls down before the angel in worship.
The angel immediately corrects him and tells him to worship God instead.
This reinforces one of Revelation's important lessons: even the most glorious heavenly servants remain servants and must never receive the worship that belongs to God.
John is also told not to seal the words of the prophecy because the time is near.
The message is intended to be heard, understood, and acted upon.
Jesus then declares that He will come with His reward.
Every person will ultimately face accountability before Him.
Christ identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
These titles emphasize His authority over the entire story of creation and redemption.
The chapter again contrasts those who belong to God's holy city with those who remain committed to sinful rebellion.
Those who belong to God receive access to the tree of life and the holy city.
Those who persist in corruption remain outside.
The chapter then gives one of the most beautiful invitations in Scripture.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
Those who are thirsty are invited to come and receive the water of life freely.
The Bible therefore ends not merely with judgment but with an open invitation to receive God's gift of eternal life.
John then gives a solemn warning against changing the prophetic message.
Anyone who deliberately adds to or removes from the words of Revelation is warned about the consequences of doing so.
The final words of Jesus again promise:
“Surely I come quickly.”
John responds with the longing of the early church:
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
The entire Bible then ends with a blessing of grace.
The final message is therefore one of hope, restoration, invitation, and expectation.
The story that began with creation and humanity's fall ends with God's creation renewed, the curse removed, the tree of life restored, God's people living in His presence, and Christ promising to return.
Revelation 22 brings the Bible's story to its ultimate conclusion, showing the restored tree of life, the river of living water, the removal of every curse, God's people seeing His face and reigning forever, and Christ's promised return, while extending a final invitation to everyone who is spiritually thirsty to receive the water of life freely and encouraging believers to remain faithful while eagerly awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ.
John's final vision continues directly from the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21.
He sees a pure river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb.
The river represents life flowing directly from God's presence.
The tree of life grows beside the river.
It produces fruit throughout the year, and its leaves bring healing to the nations.
The tree of life deliberately recalls the Garden of Eden.
Humanity was once separated from the tree of life because of sin.
Now, in the renewed creation, access to the tree is restored.
The curse is completely removed.
God's servants serve Him and see His face.
His name is written on their foreheads, demonstrating their permanent belonging to Him.
There is no night because God Himself provides the light.
His people reign forever.
The vision then moves toward its conclusion.
The angel assures John that the words of the prophecy are faithful and true.
Jesus repeatedly declares that He is coming quickly.
This promise is not simply information about the future.
It is a call for God's people to remain faithful and prepared.
John again falls down before the angel in worship.
The angel immediately corrects him and tells him to worship God instead.
This reinforces one of Revelation's important lessons: even the most glorious heavenly servants remain servants and must never receive the worship that belongs to God.
John is also told not to seal the words of the prophecy because the time is near.
The message is intended to be heard, understood, and acted upon.
Jesus then declares that He will come with His reward.
Every person will ultimately face accountability before Him.
Christ identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
These titles emphasize His authority over the entire story of creation and redemption.
The chapter again contrasts those who belong to God's holy city with those who remain committed to sinful rebellion.
Those who belong to God receive access to the tree of life and the holy city.
Those who persist in corruption remain outside.
The chapter then gives one of the most beautiful invitations in Scripture.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
Those who are thirsty are invited to come and receive the water of life freely.
The Bible therefore ends not merely with judgment but with an open invitation to receive God's gift of eternal life.
John then gives a solemn warning against changing the prophetic message.
Anyone who deliberately adds to or removes from the words of Revelation is warned about the consequences of doing so.
The final words of Jesus again promise:
“Surely I come quickly.”
John responds with the longing of the early church:
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
The entire Bible then ends with a blessing of grace.
The final message is therefore one of hope, restoration, invitation, and expectation.
The story that began with creation and humanity's fall ends with God's creation renewed, the curse removed, the tree of life restored, God's people living in His presence, and Christ promising to return.
Revelation 22 brings the Bible's story to its ultimate conclusion, showing the restored tree of life, the river of living water, the removal of every curse, God's people seeing His face and reigning forever, and Christ's promised return, while extending a final invitation to everyone who is spiritually thirsty to receive the water of life freely and encouraging believers to remain faithful while eagerly awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ.