1UndG2532 er zeigteG1166 mirG3427 einen lauteren StromG4215 des lebendigenG2222 WassersG5204, klarG2986 wieG5613 ein KristallG2930; der gingG1607 vonG1537 dem StuhlG2362 GottesG2316 undG2532 des LammesG721. 2MittenG3319 aufG1519 ihrer GasseG4113 undG2532 auf beiden Seiten des Stromes stund HolzG3586 des LebensG2222, das trug zwölferlei FrüchteG2590 und brachteG4160 seineG846 FrüchteG2590 alle Monden; und die BlätterG5444 des Holzes dieneten zuG1722 derG1520 GesundheitG2322 der HeidenG1484. 3UndG2532 wird keinG3756 Verbannetes mehr seinG2071; undG2532 derG1722 StuhlG2362 GottesG2316 undG2532 desG846 LammesG721 wird darinnen seinG2071; undG2532 seineG846 KnechteG1401 werden ihmG846 dienenG3000 4undG2532 sehenG3700 seinG846 AngesichtG4383; undG2532 seinG846 NameG3686 wird anG1909 ihrenG846 StirnenG3359 sein. 5UndG2532 wirdG2532 keineG3756 NachtG3571 daG1563 seinG2071, undG2532 nichtG3756 bedürfenG5532 einer Leuchte oder desG846 LichtsG5457 der SonneG2246; dennG3754 GOttG2316 der HErrG2962 wird sie erleuchtenG5461, undG2532 sie werdenG2192 regierenG936 von EwigkeitG165 zuG1519 EwigkeitG165. 6UndG2532 erG3778 sprachG2036 zu mirG3427: Diese WorteG3056 sind gewißG4103 undG2532 wahrhaftigG228. UndG2532 GOttG2316, der HErrG2962 der heiligenG40 ProphetenG4396, hatG649 seinen EngelG32 gesandt, zu zeigenG1166 seinen KnechtenG1401, wasG3739 bald geschehenG1096 mußG1163. 7SieheG2400, ich kommeG2064 baldG5035! SeligG3107 ist, der da hältG5083 die WorteG3056 der WeissagungG4394 in diesemG5127 BuchG975. 8UndG2532 ichG1473 bin JohannesG2491, der solchesG5023 gesehenG991 undG2532 gehöret hatG191. UndG2532 daG3753 ichG191 es gehöret undG2532 gesehen, fielG4098 ich nieder, anzubetenG4352 zuG991 denG3588 FüßenG4228 des EngelsG32, der mirG3427 solchesG5023 zeigete. 9UndG2532 er sprichtG3004 zu mirG3427: SieheG3708 zu, tu es nichtG3361; dennG1063 ich binG1510 deinG4675 MitknechtG4889 undG2532 deinerG4675 BrüderG80, der ProphetenG4396, undG2532 derer, die da haltenG5083 die WorteG3056 diesesG5127 BuchsG975; beteG4352 GOttG2316 an! 10UndG2532 er sprichtG3004 zu mirG3427: versiegleG4972 nichtG3361 die WorteG3056 der WeissagungG4394 in diesemG5127 BuchG975; dennG3754 die ZeitG2540 istG2076 naheG1451. 11WerG91 böse istG4510, der sei immerhin böse; undG2532 werG91 unrein istG4510, der sei immerhin unrein. Aber wer frommG1342 istG2532, der sei immerhin frommG1344; undG2532 wer heiligG40 istG37, der sei immerhin heilig. 12UndG2532 sieheG2400, ich kommeG2064 baldG5035 undG2532 meinG3450 LohnG3408 mitG3326 mirG1700, zu gebenG591 einem jeglichenG1538, wieG5613 seineG846 WerkeG2041 seinG2071 werden. 13IchG1473 binG1510 das A undG2532 das O, der AnfangG746 undG2532 das EndeG5056, der ErsteG4413 undG2532 der LetzteG2078. 14SeligG3107 sindG2071, die seineG846 GeboteG1785 halten, auf daßG2443 ihre MachtG4160 sei anG1909 dem HolzG3586 desG846 LebensG2222, undG2532 zu den TorenG4440 eingehenG1525 inG1519 die StadtG4172. 15DennG2532 draußenG1854 sind die HundeG2965 undG1161 die ZaubererG5333 undG2532 die HurerG4205 undG2532 die TotschlägerG5406 undG2532 die AbgöttischenG1496 undG2532 alleG3956, die liebhabenG5368 undG2532 tunG4160 die LügeG5579. 16IchG1473, JEsusG2424, habe gesandtG3992 meinenG3450 EngelG32, solchesG5023 euchG5213 zu zeugenG3140 anG1909 die GemeindenG1577. IchG1473 binG1510 die WurzelG4491 desG2532 GeschlechtsG1085 DavidsG1138, ein hellerG2986 MorgensternG3720. 17UndG2532 der GeistG4151 undG2532 die BrautG3565 sprechenG3004: KommG2064! UndG2532 wer es höretG191, der sprecheG2036: KommG2064! UndG2532 wen dürstetG1372, der kommeG2064; undG2532 wer da willG2309, der nehmeG2983 das WasserG5204 des LebensG2222 umsonstG1432. 18Ich bezeugeG4828 aberG1063 allenG3956, dieG5023 daG1909 hörenG191 die WorteG3056 der WeissagungG4394 inG1722 diesemG5127 BuchG975: SoG1437 jemandG5100 dazusetzt, so wirdG4314 GOttG2316 zusetzenG2007 aufG2007 ihnG846 die PlagenG4127, die in diesemG5129 BuchG975 geschriebenG1125 stehen. 19UndG2532 soG1437 jemandG5100 davontutG851 vonG575 den WortenG3056 desG846 BuchsG975 dieserG5026 WeissagungG4394, so wird GOttG2316 abtun sein TeilG3313 vom BuchG976 des LebensG2222 undG2532 vonG575 der heiligenG40 StadtG4172 undG2532 vonG1537 dem, was inG1722 diesemG5129 BuchG976 geschriebenG1125 stehet. 20Es sprichtG3004, der solchesG5023 zeugetG3140: JaG3483, ich kommeG2064 baldG5035. AmenG281. JaG3483 kommG2064, HErrG2962 JEsuG2424! 21Die GnadeG5485 unsersG2257 HErrnG2962 JEsuG2424 ChristiG5547 sei mitG3326 euchG5216 allenG3956! AmenG281.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 The heavenly state which was before described as a city, and called the new Jerusalem, is here described as a paradise, alluding to the earthly paradise which was lost by the sin of the first Adam; here is another paradise restored by the second Adam. A paradise in a city, or a whole city in a paradise! In the first paradise there were only two persons to behold the beauty and taste the pleasures of it; but in this second paradise whole cities and nations shall find abundant delight and satisfaction. And here observe,
I. The river of paradise. The earthly paradise was well watered: no place can be pleasant or fruitful that is not so. This river is described, 1. By its fountain-head -
the throne of God and the Lamb. All our springs of grace, comfort, and glory, are in God; and all our streams from him are through the mediation of the Lamb. 2. By its quality -
pure and clear as crystal. All the streams of earthly comfort are muddy; but these are clear, salutary, and refreshing, giving life, and preserving life, to those who drink of them.
II. The tree of life, in this paradise. Such a tree there was in the earthly paradise,
Gen 2:9. This far excels it. And now, as to this tree, observe, 1. The situation of it -
in the midst of the street, and on either side the river; or, as might have been better rendered,
in the midst between the terrace-walk and the river. This tree of life is fed by the pure waters of the river that comes from the throne of God. The presence and perfections of God furnish out all the glory and blessedness of heaven. 2. The fruitfulness of this tree. (1.) It brings forth many sorts of fruit -
twelve sorts, suited to the refined taste of all the saints. (2.) It brings forth fruit at all times -
yields its fruit every month. This tree is never empty, never barren; there is always fruit upon it. In heaven there is not only a variety of pure and satisfying pleasures, but a continuance of them, and always fresh. (3.) The fruit is not only pleasant, but wholesome. The presence of God in heaven is the health and happiness of the saints; there they find in him a remedy for all their former maladies, and are preserved by him in the most healthful and vigorous state.
III. The perfect freedom of this paradise from every thing that is evil (
Revel 22:3):
There shall be no more curse; no
accursed one -
katanathema , no serpent there, as there was in the earthly paradise. Here is the great excellency of this paradise. The devil has nothing to do there; he cannot draw the saints from serving God to be subject to himself, as he did our first parents, nor can he so much as disturb them in the service of God.
IV. The supreme felicity of this paradisiacal state. 1. There the saints shall see the face of God; there they shall enjoy the beatific vision. 2. God will own them, as having his seal and name on their foreheads. 3.
They shall reign with him for ever; their service shall be not only freedom but honour and dominion. 4. All this shall be with perfect knowledge and joy. They shall be full of wisdom and comfort, continually walking in the light of the Lord; and this not for a time,
but for ever and ever. 6 We have here a solemn ratification of the contents of this book, and particularly of this last vision (though some think it may not only refer to the whole book, but to the whole New Testament, yea, to the whole Bible, completing and confirming the canon of scripture); and here, 1. This is confirmed by the name and nature of that God who gave out these discoveries: he is
the Lord God, faithful and true, and so are all his sayings. 2. By the messengers he chose, to reveal these things to the world; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God; and God would not employ his saints and angels in deceiving the world. 3. They will soon be confirmed by their accomplishment: they are things that must shortly be done; Christ will make haste,
he will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt; and then those will prove the wise and happy men who have believed and kept his words. 4. By the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's guide and interpreter in these visions; this integrity was such that he not only refused to accept religious adoration from John, but once and again reproved him for it. He who was so tender of the honour of God, and so displeased with what was a wrong to God, would never come in his name to lead the people of God into mere dreams and delusions; and it is a still further confirmation of the sincerity of this apostle that he confesses his own sin and folly, into which he had now again relapsed, and he leaves this his failing on perpetual record: this shows he was a faithful and an impartial writer. 5. By the order given to leave the book of the prophecy open, to be perused by all, that they might labour to understand it, that they might make their objections against it, and compare the prophecy with the events. God here deals freely and openly with all; he does not speak in secret, but calls every one to witness to the declarations here made,
Revel 22:10. 6. By the effect this book, thus kept open, will have upon men; those that are filthy and unjust will take occasion thence to be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those that are upright with God; it will be a savour of life to some and of death to others, and so will appear to be from God,
Revel 22:12. 7. It will be Christ's rule of judgment at the great day; he will dispense rewards and punishments to men according as their works agree or disagree with the word of God; and therefore that word itself must needs be faithful and true. 8. It is the word of him who is the author, finisher, and rewarder of the faith and holiness of his people,
Revel 22:13,
Revel 22:14. He is
the first and the last, and the same from first to last, and so is his word too; and he will by this word give to his people, who conform themselves to it,
a right to the tree of life, and an entrance into heaven; and this will be a full confirmation of the truth and authority of his word, since it contains the title and evidence of that confirmed state of holiness and happiness that remains for his people in heaven. 9. It is a book that condemns and excludes from heaven all wicked, unrighteous persons, and particularly
those that love and make lies (
Revel 22:15), and therefore can never be itself a lie. 10. It is confirmed by
the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy. And this Jesus, as God, is
the root of David, though, as man, his offspring - a person in whom all uncreated and created excellencies meet, too great and too good to deceive his churches and the world. He is the fountain of all light, the
bright and the morning star, and as such has given to his churches this morning light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of that perfect day which is approaching. 11. It is confirmed by an open and general invitation to all to come and partake of the promises and privileges of the gospel, those streams of the water of life; these are tendered to all who feel in their souls a thirst which nothing in this world can quench. 12. It is confirmed by the joint testimony of the Spirit of God, and that gracious Spirit that is in all the true members of the church of God;
the Spirit and the bride join in testifying the truth and excellency of the gospel. 13. It is confirmed by a most solemn sanction, condemning and cursing all who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it or taking from it,
Revel 22:18,
Revel 22:19. He that adds to the word of God draws down upon himself
all the plagues written in this book; and he who takes any thing away from it cuts himself off from all the promises and privileges of it. This sanction is like a flaming sword, to guard the canon of the scripture from profane hands. Such a fence as this God set about the law (
Deut 4:2), and the whole Old Testament (
Mal 4:4), and now in the most solemn manner about the whole Bible, assuring us that it is a book of the most sacred nature, divine authority, and of the last importance, and therefore the peculiar care of the great God.
20 We have now come to the conclusion of the whole, and that in three things: -
I. Christ's farewell to his church. He seems now, after he has been discovering these things to his people on earth, to take leave of them, and return to heaven; but he parts with them in great kindness, and assures them it shall not be long before he comes again to them:
Behold, I come quickly. As when he ascended into heaven, after his resurrection, he parted with a promise of his gracious presence, so here he parts with a promise of a speedy return. If any say, Where is the promise of his coming, when so many ages have passed since this was written? let them know he is not slack to his people, but long-suffering to his enemies: his coming will be sooner than they are aware, sooner than they are prepared, sooner than they desire; and to his people it will be seasonable. The vision is for an appointed time, and will not tarry.
He will come quickly; let this word be always sounding in our ear, and let us give all diligence that we may be found of him in peace,
without spot and blameless. II. The church's hearty echo to Christ's promise, 1. Declaring her firm belief of it:
Amen, so it is, so it shall be. 2. Expressing her earnest desire of it:
Even so, come, Lord Jesus; make hast, my beloved, and be thou like a roe, or like a young hart on the mountain of spices. Thus beats the pulse of the church, thus breathes that gracious Spirit which actuates and informs the mystical body of Christ; and we should never be satisfied till we find such a spirit breathing in us, and causing us to
look for the blessed hope, and glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This is the language of the church of the first-born, and we should join with them, often putting ourselves in mind of his promise. What comes from heaven in a promise should be sent back to heaven in a prayer,
Come, Lord Jesus, put an end to this state of sin, sorrow, and temptation; gather thy people out of this present evil world, and take them up to heaven, that state of perfect purity, peace, and joy, and so finish thy great design, and fulfil all that word in which thou hast caused thy people to hope.
III. The apostolical benediction, which closes the whole:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen. Here observe, 1. The Bible ends with a clear proof of the Godhead of Christ, since the Spirit of God teaches the apostle to bless his people in the name of Christ, and to beg from Christ a blessing for them, which is a proper act of adoration. 2. Nothing should be more desired by us than that the grace of Christ may be with us in this world, to prepare us for the glory of Christ in the other world. It is by his grace that we must be kept in a joyful expectation of his glory, fitted for it, and preserved to it; and his glorious appearance will be welcome and joyful to those that are partakers of his grace and favour here; and therefore to this most comprehensive prayer we should all add our hearty
Amen, most earnestly thirsting after greater measures of the gracious influences of the blessed Jesus in our souls, and his gracious presence with us, till glory has perfected all his grace towards us, for he is a sun and a shield,
he gives grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from those that walk uprightly.