Chapter 22:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Revelation 22
Concise Complete
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)
Verses 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!
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Chapter 22:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jude Genesis
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
