REVELATION OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE - Chapter 22 - Verse 6

ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER XXII. 6—20

THIS portion of the book of Revelation is properly the epilogue, or conclusion. The main purposes of the vision are accomplished; the enemies of the church are quelled; the church is triumphant; the affairs of the world are wound up; the redeemed are received to their blissful, eternal abode; the wicked are cut off; the earth is purified, and the affairs of the universe are fixed on their permanent foundation. A few miscellaneous matters, therefore, dose the book.

(1.) A solemn affirmation on the part of him who had made these revelations, that they are true, and that they will be speedily accomplished, and that he will be blessed or happy who shall keep the sayings of the book, Re 22:6,7.

(2.) The effect of all these things on John himself, leading him, as in a former case, Re 19:10 to a disposition to worship him who had been the medium in making to him such extraordinary communications, Re 22:8,9.

(3.) A command not to seal up what had been revealed, since the time was near. These things would soon have their fulfilment, and it was proper that the prophecies should be unsealed, or open, both that the events might be compared with the predictions, and that a persecuted church might be able to see what would be the result of all these things, and to find consolation in the assurance of the final triumph of the Son of God, Re 22:10.

(4.) The fixed and unchangeable state of the righteous and the wicked, Re 22:11-13.

(5.) The blessedness of those who keep the commandments of God, and who enter into the New Jerusalem, Re 22:14,15.

(6.) Jesus, the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star, proclaims himself to be the Author of all these revelations by the instrumentality of an angel, Re 22:16.

(7.) The universal invitation of the gospel—the language of Jesus himself—giving utterance to his strong desire for the salvation of men, Re 22:17.

(8.) A solemn command not to change anything that had been revealed in this book, either by adding to it or by taking from it, Re 22:18,19.

(9.) The assurance that he who had made these revelations would come quickly, and the joyous assent of John to this, and prayer that his advent might soon occur, Re 22:20.

(10.) The benediction, Re 22:21.

Verse 6. And he said unto me. The angel-interpreter, who had showed John the vision of the New Jerusalem, Re 21:9-10. As these visions axe now at an end, the angel comes to John directly, and assures him that all these things are true—that there has been no deception of the senses in these visions, but that they were really Divine disclosures of what would soon and certainly occur.

These sayings are faithful and true. These communications; all that has been disclosed to you by symbols, or in direct language. See Barnes on "Re 21:5".

And the Lord God of the holy prophets. The same God who inspired the ancient prophets.

Sent his angel. See Barnes on "Re 1:1".

To show unto his servants. To all his servants, that is, to all his people, by the instrumentality of John. The revelation was made to him, and he was to record it for the good of the whole church.

The things which must shortly be done. The beginning of which must soon occur—though the series of events extended into distant ages, and even into eternity. See Barnes on "Re 1:1-3".

{a} "sent his angel" Re 1:1