Revelation – Chapter 22

New Testament21 Verses

Chapter Summary

Revelation 22 opens with the words: "And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb." The chapter centers on David and John. Across its 21 verses, two threads run through the text: holiness and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2In the midst of the street thereof, and on both sides of the river, was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruits every month: the leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations.

3And there shall be no curse any more: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. And his servants shall serve him.

4And they shall see his face: and his name shall be on their foreheads.

5And night shall be no more. And they shall not need the light of the lamp, nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall enlighten then. And they shall reign for ever and ever.

6And he said to me: These words are most faithful and true. And the Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to shew his servant the things which must be done shortly.

7And: Behold I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.

8And I, John, who have heard and seen these things. And, after I had heard and seen, I fell down to adore before the feet of the angel who shewed me the things.

9And he said to me: See thou do it not. For I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets and of them that keep the words of the prophecy of this book. Adore God.

10And he saith to me: Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book. For the time is at hand.

11He that hurteth, let him hurt still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is just, let him be justified still: and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still.

12Behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to render to every, man according to his works.

13I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14Blessed are they that wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb: that they may have a right to the tree of life and may enter in by the gates into the city.

15Without are dogs and sorcerers and unchaste and murderers and servers of idols and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.

16I, Jesus, have sent my angel, to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the root and stock of David, the bright and morning star.

17And the spirit and the bride say: Come. And he that heareth, let him say: Come. And he that thirsteth, let him come. And he that will, let him take the water of life, freely.

18For I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book.

19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from these things that are written in this book.

20He that giveth testimony of these things, saith: Surely, I come quickly: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Important Verses in Revelation 22

And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Revelation 22:1

And he said to me: These words are most faithful and true. And the Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to shew his servant the things which must be done shortly.

Revelation 22:6

And he said to me: See thou do it not. For I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets and of them that keep the words of the prophecy of this book. Adore God.

Revelation 22:9

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Revelation 22:21

Historical Context

Revelation belongs to the New Testament and was composed for persecuted churches, lifted to see Christ's final victory. Chapter 22 of 22 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a apocalyptic vision revealing God's ultimate victory over evil with 21 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David and John appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb." The chapter ends with: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. " Read against its original backdrop, Written to seven churches of Asia suffering under Rome's demand for emperor worship, Revelation unveils history's hidden meaning through visions of heavenly liturgy: the Lamb who was slain stands victorious, and every… Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Revelation around About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

Who Wrote It

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle

When It Was Written

About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense involves visions, symbols, and oracles addressed to communities under persecution or trial. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb." The passage repeatedly touches on holiness before God.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 74). Here, Revelation reveals the Church's ultimate destiny (CIC 1042-1050). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize holiness before God as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

People in This Chapter

David1 mentionJohn1 mention

Reflection for Today

Revelation Chapter 22 concludes Scripture with the vision of the river of life and the tree of life, restoring what was lost in Eden. The Catechism teaches that salvation history comes full circle—from the garden of Genesis to the garden-city of Revelation (CIC 1044-1045). The tree of life, whose leaves are "for the healing of the nations," represents Christ and the Eucharist, which nourish us for eternal life.

The repeated promise "I am coming soon" expresses the Church's eager expectation of Christ's return. The Catechism teaches that the Church lives in hopeful anticipation of the Parousia, when Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead (CIC 1040). The response "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Maranatha) is one of the earliest Christian prayers.

The warning against adding to or taking from "the words of the prophecy of this book" has been understood by Catholic tradition as applying to all of Scripture. The Catechism teaches that public revelation ended with the death of the last apostle, and the Church's role is to guard and interpret this deposit of faith (CIC 66-67). This chapter invites us to join the Spirit and the Bride in crying "Come!" and to drink freely from the water of life that Christ offers.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Revelation Chapter 22 about?

Revelation 22 contains 21 verses. It opens with "And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb." and closes with "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. ". The book as a whole is apocalyptic prophecy and epistle.

What is a key verse in Revelation 22?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Revelation Chapter 22?

This chapter mentions David, John.

Who wrote Revelation and when?

John, exiled on the island of Patmos; tradition identifies him with the Apostle. About AD 95, under the persecution of Emperor Domitian.

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