B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

Revelation 22:20-21

Surely. come quickly.

These are the words of the Lord, and mean that the chain of future events revealed shall begin its fulfillment in. short time. John adds the prayer, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." It expresses his complete resignation to the will of the Lord. Verse 21 is the benediction of the aged apostle upon the churches. The last words of the book of inspiration are. blessing.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

1. God does not permit the worship of any created being or thing in heaven or earth. He in person, or as manifest in Christ, is the only object in the universe before whom man should bow in adoration. God is. jealous God.

2. Idolatry is. grievous sin. Old Israel was rejected from Jerusalem and sent into captivity for idolatry. Those who claim to be of Israel and are idolaters will be rejected from the New Jerusalem.

3. He who puts his trust in princes, in this world, in gold, in personal beauty, in priests, in dead saints, in Virgin, or angels; in any object save the Father, and God in Christ, is an idolater.

4. Those who obey Him, wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb, shall have. right to the tree of life, and to pass through the gates into the city.

5. The wicked, the idolatrous, the deceivers, those who love not the truth, shall be excluded forever.

6. The invitation is now cordial, earnest, and universal. The Spirit, the Church, all who have heard and obeyed it, sound aloud the invitation, to all. The Lord himself bids every thirsty soul, every poor and weary sinner, every one who will, to come and partake of the waters of life freely. If there are those who cannot enter in through the gates into the city it is because they would not come.

7. Reader, will you, so sweetly invited, come, that you may have an eternal home and life in the heavenly city? "In the New Jerusalem, on either side of the river stands the tree of life bearing twelve manner of fruits, or, rather, fruit twelve times. year, every month. The river and the tree are symbols of the life bestowed by the grace of God. The river flows from the throne of God and the Lamb; from the fountain whence life and immortality come. The tree yields its fruit at all times, so that the supply never fails. Everything about the tree is healthful. Even the leaves are for the healing of the nations. There is. book,. river, and. tree of life. Christ is the life, and all refer in some way to Christ. Trees and rivers presented the most attractive features of an oriental city, and are beautiful emblems of the full supplies of grace, life and bliss that shall pervade the heavenly city.-- Vision of the Ages.

8. He who takes it upon himself to amend God's word, to add to it or to take away, cannot enter the city. He who adores God will reverence his spoken word.

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B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

Revelation 22:20-21

Old Testament

New Testament