Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Revelations Ch.22 / 22 Ch.s
RE: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.