Come Now, Lord (Rev. 22:6-21)
Hear
We did it folks!
We have finally reached the end of our study of the book of Revelation. What a journey it has been!
Let’s take a minute to recap a bit, since I know it’s been a long time between chapter one and chapter twenty-two.
John, who is exiled on the isle of Patmos because of his commitment to Christ, receives a revelation from Jesus about what He wants the seven churches in Asia Minor to know. These seven churches have been through all kinds of persecution at the hands of Domitian and those who say they are Jews, but they are not. They are a synagogue of Satan (Rev. 3:9). To these churches, Jesus writes some very encouraging and, at times, difficult things in order to focus them on what really matters. The overwhelming message in this book is that our God is sovereign! Despite what the government might say or do; despite what those who oppose the Way of Christ might say or do, despite what our own hearts and minds tell us, God is sovereign and He has everything under control.
One of the most difficult pieces of instruction given in this revelation is for the churches to remain faithful despite suffering. Also, that they must repent of their culturally influenced religious practices and trust wholeheartedly in the Lamb of God. For those who reject the Way of Christ in pursuit of the fleeting pleasures of this life, they will spend an eternity separated from God. But for those who are willing to follow Christ, they will know joy without end.
If we are willing to suffer for Christ in this life, we will enjoy an eternity where suffering does not exist. However, if we are not willing to suffer for Christ in this life, we will not escape suffering in the next.
Certainty & Urgency (Rev. 22:6-7)
Revelation 22:6–7 NKJV
6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
The entire book of Revelation is bookended with an assertion found in chapter one and a confirmation found here in chapter twenty-two. We can and must trust what we read here and be ready to respond in faithful obedience because ‘These words are faithful and true.’ J. Vernon McGee says that this means we shouldn’t play around with what has been revealed to us. And, that we must not spiritualize or reduce this revelation to meaningless symbolism.[i] The reason that this Revelation is called faithful and true is because the Author of these words is Faithful and True. He is Jesus (Rev. 1:5; 3:7, 14; 19:9, 11; 21:5). And listen, if you’re not going to believe Jesus then you can’t trust anybody or anything else. He is the Truth, Way, and Life.
The central theme of this 22nd chapter is certainty and urgency. What we discover in the pages of this Revelation is that these “things must shortly take place.” That phrase, “shortly take place” is also found in Revelation 1:1. It is a Greek phrase which the NKJV translates as “speedily” in Luke 18:8 referring to the judgment of God.
Luke 18:8 NKJV
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
In Romans 16:20 it speaks to the defeat of Satan in the near future.
Romans 16:20 NKJV
20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
In Revelation 1:3 we find the word “near” which is very similar.
Revelation 1:3 NKJV
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
There are other passages of the Bible which highlight the theme of God’s imminence. For example, Hebrews 1:2 tells of the “last days”. James 5:9 warns the reader that the “Judge stands at the door”. 1 John 2:18 speaks of the “last hour”. Alan Johnson says that the word imminent describes an event that is possible at any time and yet, at no time is it ever impossible.[ii] There should always be an urgency of expectation concerning the return of Christ.
And Jesus sets His seal of approval on this by alerting us to His imminent return.
Revelation 22:6–7 NKJV
7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
3 Don’ts (Rev. 22:8-11)
Throughout the Bible we are told that we can trust the testimony of more than one witness. Moses, Jesus, Paul and the writer of Hebrews all confirm this (Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Matt. 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Cor. 13:1; Heb. 10:28). Here, in Revelation 22, we have the testimony of Jesus Himself, the angel He sent to reveal these things to John and now, in verse eight, John corroborates this revelation, bringing the total number of witnesses to three.
2 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV
1 “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”
Let’s read verses 8-11.
Revelation 22:8–11 NKJV
8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
If you read these verses carefully, you might notice that there are three don’ts mentioned. The first two don’ts are directed at John and the third don’t is for the entire listening audience.
Don’t Worship
The first don’t is found in Rev. 22:8-9 and resembles an earlier admonition from Rev. 19:10. In both places John was told, don’t worship anything or anyone besides the Almighty God.
This is the second time that John has misapplied his worship. The first time was in Rev. 19:10 after hallelujahs broke out in response to the announcement of the marriage super of the Lamb. Here, in Rev. 22:8-9, John does it again. Both times the messengers stop John and insists that he not do that, but rather that he should worship the One True God.
Leon Morris says that it is to our great benefit that we give the utmost attention to the this encounter.
...it is salutary to reflect that even one who has seen all the visions of this book may go astray. We are warned to be alert lest we fall into temptation. [iii]
And Daniel Akin plainly states, in the simplest of terms,
From this we are once again shown that to take a good thing (like an angel) and turn it into a god thing is to make it into a bad thing (an idol). [iv]
The clear directive given to John, forbidding the worship of even a heavenly messenger, unequivocally underscores the principle that worship is due to God alone. To offer worship to any other entity, no matter how elevated or seemingly divine, is the highest sin. This profound truth extends directly to us. Think about this, if it is improper to worship one who stands as a direct emissary from the very throne room of heaven, then it is inherently wrong to offer our worship to anything or anyone other than the Lord God Almighty. This prohibition is not merely a suggestion; it is a fundamental tenet, a divine imperative.
So then, we are faced with uncomfortable questions: Why do we so readily offer our worship to the momentary idols of money and the elusive pursuit of worldly success? Why do we surrender our reverence to the fleeting pleasures of sex and the ever-shifting landscape of sexuality? What compels us to dedicate our devotion to the ephemeral allure of influence and the hollow prestige of status? Why do we so often find ourselves prostrating before the altars of politics and the transient power of political figures? Why do we elevate celebrities to a position of adoration, or allow our affections for love and family to usurp the rightful place of God in our hearts? These are but fleeting shadows, temporal distractions that will inevitably vanish with the glorious return of our Lord and Savior. Do not succumb to these delusions! Do not offer your precious worship to that which is destined to perish! Instead, let your entire being, your every thought, word, and deed, be an act of worship directed solely and exclusively to God alone! He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the only one worthy of our complete and undivided devotion.
Don’t Seal
Secondly, in Rev. 22:10, John is told don’t seal the prophecy. The prophet Daniel, by contrast, was instructed to seal up his prophecy.
Daniel 12:4 NKJV
4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
And even in Rev. 10:4, John was commanded to seal up what he heard.
Revelation 10:4 NKJV
4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
Why the change? Why is John now told to uncover the revelation? I’m not exactly sure, but I’m convinced that this has something to do with timing. Unlike with Daniel, the immediacy of Christ’s return forces the unveiling of the prophecy.
Daniel Akin, in his commentary on verse 10, encourages all of us to take seriously the return of Jesus.
Exalting Jesus in Revelation Invitation 3: Proclaim the Truth of God (Revelation 22:10–11)
Christ could return at any moment. Eternity is drawing closer. For all of us, it is only a heartbeat away. We dare not silence the Word of God by disobedience, indifference, laziness, or neglect. We must preach it and teach it continually and faithfully. A time is coming when the opportunity to respond to the gospel and the Word of God will be no more. [v]
And folks, this is why the grace of God is so invaluable.
Titus 2:11–14 NKJV
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
This is how Eugene Peterson puts it in the Message Translation of the Bible.
The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language Chapter 2
God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
Don’t Change
This brings us to the third and final don’t in verse eleven. Don’t change (11). Now, you won’t find those exact words. It’s not explicitly stated this way, but it is implied.
Revelation 22:11 NKJV
11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
J. Vernon McGee says, this is perhaps the most frightful condition of the lost revealed in the entire book of Revelation, even more frightening than the Great White Throne judgment. [vi] But, what are we to take from this verse? How do we understand its meaning? Is the angel implying that God no longer desires repentance from the lost? Or that He wants the ungodly to perish in their rebellion? I do not think that is the case at all.
Here is what says through the prophet Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 18:23 NKJV
23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?
Ezekiel 33:11 NKJV
11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
The entire book of Revelation is a call to live a righteous life. Remember, this Revelation was first written to the seven churches in Asia Minor and five out of seven of those churches were called to repent of their godless behavior. The other two were told to remain faithful even as their lives were being snuffed out by their many oppressors. So, no! I do not think the Lord has given up on sinners here.
I think that Warren Wiersbe and Chuck Swindoll are helpful in how we interpret this verse.
Wiersbe states that, “
“Jesus Christ’s coming will occur so quickly that men will not have time to change their characters”. [vii]
Matthew 24:42–44 NKJV
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Chuck Swindoll paraphrases verse eleven in this way.
“You wrongdoers, go ahead and keep doing wrong. Just see what happens. And all unclean sinners, keep rolling around in the mud. Just ignore God’s offer of cleansing. You’ve seen what’s in store for you. As for you righteous and holy saints, keep practicing righteousness, keep being holy - and you’ll get your reward in due time”. [viii]
2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
If you don’t take the Lord seriously you’ll live to regret your decision. But if you will heed His instruction your life will be preserved for all eternity!
Come Now, Lord (Rev. 22:12-17)
Two more times our Lord alerts us to His impending return, “I am coming quickly” (Rev. 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20). Not only is Jesus quickly returning, He is also bringing party favors.
Revelation 22:12–17 NKJV
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The promise of Jesus’ return inspires a collective cry from the Spirit of God and the Bride of the Lamb. “Come Lord!” And those who have ears to hear join them and shout, “Come, Jesus come!”
Notice that the ones calling for the Lord’s return are those who have keep His commandments (14). Remember, those who have rejected His rule preferred suicide to surrender (Rev. 6:16).
Revelation 6:16 NKJV
16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
The NIV renders the phrase “those who do His commandments” as, “...those who wash their robes” (Rev. 22:14), pointing us back to Rev. 7:13-14 where John is quizzed by one of the elders seated around the throne of God.
Revelation 7:13–14 NKJV
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Washing with blood is a reference to the OT purification rituals. Animals were slaughtered in sacrifice and their blood was sprinkled on the tabernacle and other utensils used in worship. The book of Leviticus covers this extensively.
Robert Mounce, points out that the verbs washed and made are in the aorist tense indicating that this washing in the blood and being made white is a once-for-all action that took place sometime in the past. [ix] These saints are living out what had been promised to them long ago. Mounce goes on to say that,
The idea of making robes white by washing them in blood is a striking paradox. It is the sacrifice of the Lamb upon the cross that supplies white garments for the saints. Their act of washing robes is not meritorious work but a way of portraying faith. [x]
1 John 1:7 NKJV
7 ...the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Do you believe that?
Remember church, faithfulness ALWAYS has a reward! And we see that promise fulfilled in this section.
Jesus says, “I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me” (12). In verses 14 and 15 we can see what that reward is, both for the faithful and the rebellious.
For the redeemed, the reward is enjoying the tree of life and entering the Holy City.
Revelation 22:14 NKJV
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
For those who have refused the grace of Jesus, they are excluded from the Holy City and denied access to the lifegiving elements of the Kingdom of God.
Revelation 22:15 NKJV
15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
The promise of being rewarded for being faithful is all throughout the Bible. Listen to Ps. 62:12.
Psalm 62:12 NKJV
12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
The prophet Jeremiah records these words from the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:10 NKJV
10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Jesus Himself said in Matthew’s gospel,
Matthew 16:27 NKJV
27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Paul told the church in Corinth that this was the motivation for his faithfulness to Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:9–10 NKJV
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
If you have built your lives on the Rock of Jesus Christ, the Lord will reward you for your faithfulness.
Don’t let the world fool you into believing that your commitment to Christ is time wasted. Don’t let the hardships of life convince you that faithfulness to Jesus is pointless. You may have walked away from a promotion to pursue the promises of God. You may have been cut off from family and friends for standing on the sure foundation of Jesus. You may never be able to show your face in your village or community ever again, but know this Christian, The Lord is coming back for you! And where He is, you’ll find a home there as well!
But what about those who haven’t yet accepted the free gift of God’s grace? Is there any hope for them? Absolutely! The Spirit and Bride say, “Come!” Those who have ears to hear say, “Come!” And anybody who wants to live the abundant life that Jesus died to secure for them are invited to come as well. 17 ...let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
The invitation to drink in the life that God offers has been extended for a long time. You cannot eat from the tree of life unless you have first been satisfied with the water of life. Are you here today and you are not a Christian? Then, I want you to pay close attention to these final words and the invitation God has extended to you.
Isa. 55:1, NIV
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
John 7:37 NKJV
37 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
John 4:14 NKJV
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Today is your day of salvation my friends! This very moment is your chance to know life as only God can provide if you will just come to Jesus.
Warning (Rev. 22:18-21)
The book of Revelation ends with a strong warning.
Revelation 22:18–21 NKJV
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
My friends, I want to be sure that you understand the seriousness and freedom that is involved with this message and your decision to follow Christ. Should you choose to surrender your whole life to Jesus today, the only prerequisite for you is yielding faith.
Romans 10:9–10 NKJV
9 ...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
That is it. We will not add anything to the offer. All that is required of you is that you come. Come and admit your need to be saved and Jesus will take care of the rest.
However, neither will we take anything away from what He has said. We will not reduce the message of the Gospel to fit into your lifestyle or to make you comfortable. You will either receive it as it is or you will reject it entirely. The choice is yours.
RESPOND
One more thought as we close out our time together. I think Mike is rubbing off on me. This final quote is from one of his favorite, old, dead preachers - Charles Spurgeon.
To my mind, the solemnity of this invitation lies partly in the fact that it is placed at the very end of the Bible and placed there because it is the sum and substance—the aim and objective of the whole Bible. It is like the point of the arrow and all the rest of the Bible is like the shaft and the feathers on either side of it. We may say of the Scriptures what John said of his Gospel, “These are written”—all these books that are gathered together into one library called the Bible—“These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. And that believing you might have life through His name.” So far as you are concerned, this blessed Book has missed its purpose unless you have been led by it to come to Christ!
It is all in vain that you have a Bible, or read your Bible, unless you really “take the water of life” of which it speaks. It is worse than vain, for if it is not a savor of life unto life to you, it shall be a savor of death unto death! Therefore, it seems to me that this is a very solemn invitation because all the books of the Bible do, in effect, cry to sinners, “Come to Jesus.” [xi]
The Spirit, the Church, and everyone who has surrendered to the love and grace of Jesus Christ say, come! My friend, come and drink freely from the well that never runs dry.
Tre Clark
July 20, 2025
Works Cited
[i] McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee. Vol. 5: 1 Corinthians–Revelation, p. 1077
[ii] Akin, Daniel L. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Revelation, p. 5.
[iii] Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, InterVarsity Press, 1987, pp. 246–247.
[iv] Akin, Daniel L. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Revelation, p. 351.
[v] Akin, Daniel L. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Revelation, p. 352.
[vi] McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee. Vol. 5: 1 Corinthians–Revelation, p. 1078.
[vii] Wiersbe, Warren. The Warren Wiersbe Commentary: The Complete New Testament. Vol. 1, p. 1083.
[viii] Swindoll, Charles R. Living Insights: Revelation, p. 322.
[ix] Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation, p. 165.
[x] Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation, p. 165.
[xi] Spurgeon, Charles H. “Oft-Repeated Invitation.”
