Now we will look at the final chapter of Revelation: The River of Life and the Coming of Jesus.
In the Garden of Eden man became like God knowing good and evil, but he was cut off from the tree of life. He became his own God and his source of life was within himself rather than coming from God resulting in futility and emptiness. As a result of this emptiness people fill their lives with things, pleasures and idols. Here in Rev 22 we now find God and the Lamb as the source of life for man, man is no longer cut off from the life of God as Adam and Eve were. Man could eat from the tree of life and live forever because God lives forever.
There is so much life in this one river. The water of life is a symbol of the Spirit flowing into the redeemed people to be their life supply. Instead of water being used for judgment it is used as a source of life. The water saturates the city, filling it with the divine power of God. The water purifies us since it is bright as crystal, having no dimness. It’s a source of nourishment and is similar to the river that was in the Garden of Eden mentioned in Genesis 2:10. In verse 2 we see the tree of life mentioned, the same tree that was in the Garden of Eden. In saying that the tree of life was on both sides of the river indicates that it spreads for all of God’s people to enjoy. The redeemed can have access to this tree now, unlike pre-Christ.
There will be no more Adamic curse on God’s people. The curse is now revoked so that mankind can take hold of the fruit of the tree of life and live forever. The throne of God and of the Lamb is not remote in heaven but on earth in the New Jerusalem, God's dwelling place is with man, heaven has moved to the earth. Instead of painful toil His servants will serve him as they also served him on the former earth. To have His name on their forehead in verse 4 means that they will be His people, loyal to Him. We will reap the benefits of following the prophecies of Revelation.
John uses the phrase 'I John' also at the start of the book, in Revelation 1:9. John once again emphasizes the fact that he heard and saw these things; he did not make them up. The first time that John fell at the angel’s feet to worship him was after the scene of the great multitude singing Hallelujah to God, and blessing on those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb and the angels confirmation that these are the true words of God (Revelation 19:1-10). Again John sees stunning visions of heaven and again the angel confirms that these words are trustworthy and true, Jesus announces that he is coming soon and John is so overwhelmed by these visions that he attempts to worship the angel who brought the visions to him. On both occasions he is rebuked because the angel is a fellow servant and John is told to worship God.
Verse 10 warns John to not keep the prophecies of Revelation a secret. Although some parts of the book may be hard to understand, we are meant to know these words because the time is near. Compare to Daniel 12:4 where he is told to keep the words of the scroll hidden because the time is distant. At the point that the New Heaven, Earth, and Jerusalem are completed, everything is set into eternity. That is why verse 11 says to let everything stay as it is. There is no room for repentance or change now. In verse 12, Jesus once again announces his coming himself. His reward for believers is everlasting life and the rewards that are foretold in Isaiah 40:10 and 62:11-12. This expresses personal responsibility.
The only answer to man's sin is to find forgiveness through the blood, which is through the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. Each person who wants to enter the city must enter through the gate (Jesus) and have eternal life must first wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb. The robes symbolize the conduct of the believers. To wash their robes is to keep their conduct clean through the washing of the blood of the Lamb. When verse 15 says outside, it means outside of the kingdom and the New Jerusalem of God. Both the Spirit and the church are involved in the gospel invitation, the Church speaks and the Spirit makes it effective. This is a final offer of salvation.
Verses 18-19 warn us not to tamper with these words. The words of the book are of God and we have no place in altering them. Jesus once again announces His coming which indicates that the coming is near and we need to heed the warnings. Verse 21 is a final reminder to us that it is only by grace that we are able to have eternal life with Jesus and God.
Chapter 21 discusses the New Heaven, the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem. God has perfected and completed His final kingdom and people. There is no blemish or flaw. The sea no longer exists because it was a place for demons (Revelation 20:13) and is no longer needed. It played a major role in the judgment of the world. Therefore, no sea creature will exist nor will any serpent exist in the New Heaven and Earth. The New Heaven and Earth were first promised in Isaiah 65:17-25. 2 Peter 3:10-12 mentions the destruction of the heaven and the earth and the creation of new ones where righteousness dwells. This current earth is not our permanent dwelling place but it is just something we pass through. We must look forward to the reward we will receive once this life ends.
Revelation is full of symbols. Here, in verse 2, the New Jerusalem signifies the totality of God’s works and the redeemed throughout the ages, who have been restored and transformed. The church is Christ’s bride. Jesus was once God’s tabernacle, a bridge to close the gap between mankind and God so that we may have a relationship with Him. Now, God will be able to reside with them always, as He did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. There will be no presence of Satan so there won’t be a possibility of another fall. Full satisfaction and rest will be found here because Death, and all other demons, have been cast out by life (1 Corinthians 15:5) and sent to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14).
God make all things new. In Revelation 19:11 Jesus is referred to as Faithful and True. Here in verse 5 Gods words are referred to as faithful and true. Isaiah 65:17 lets us know that there will be a new heaven and a new earth and no one will remember the old. Those who go to God will receive His free grace, everlasting life. All believers will be able to participate in the new earth and the new heaven. All those who don’t believe and never repent of their sins will be burned in the lake of fire, to suffer torment and a second death. They won’t be able to experience the same joy that all of the believers will. During the thousand years, the believers will be the bride, which is temporary, meant for the wedding day. They will be the wife once all things new are brought about, which will last eternity.
Verse 10 is in contrast to John being brought to the wilderness to see the great harlot. Here, is lifted up to see the wife of Jesus, the Lamb. Today, we are to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14), but the New Jerusalem will be the light to all the nations. In Revelation 4:3 God’s appearance is compared to that of jasper. Here, the New Jerusalem is compared to jasper so therefore, she bears the appearance of God. The wall in verse 12 is for her protection. She will defend all that is good and of God. The number twelve is the number of God’s completion. The New Jerusalem is eternally complete and perfect. The angels help protect our possessions and all that we consider dear to us while we enjoy the everlasting life. The names of the tribes represent the Old Testament, the law. With the gate facing all four cardinal directions it signifies that the city is open to all believers. With three gates on each side, it indicates that the triune of God guides everyone here. There will be no more need for prophets in Heaven, so the apostles will represent that grace that God has and the grace that the city is built upon.
In Revelation 11:1, John was given a measuring rod to count the saints and believers. He was told only to measure the inner temple, not the outer. Here in verse 15 he is told to measure to show the perfection of the city and what God has made. Gold represents the divine nature of God. Therefore, the city is measured according to God’s divine plan and nature. In saying that the city is square, it is saying that it is perfect in every way. The repetition of 12,000 in the measurements emphasizes completeness. One hundred and forty-four is twelve times twelve, which signifies total completion. The Old Testament times the New Testament. Gold, in verse 17, represents the purity and holiness of the Church. It’s clear like glass so that God’s light can shine through the whole city. It lacks imperfection and flaws.
The New Jerusalem is a city of foundations (Hebrews 11:10). Each of the apostles is represented by a type of stone. The apostles were all once clay but have been transformed into stones, as Peter’s name suggests. He came to Christ as Simon but Christ called him Peter, meaning a stone (John 1:42). The colors of the twelve foundations are as follows: the first stone is green, the second and third are blue, the fourth is green, the fifth and sixth are red, the seventh is yellow, the eighth is bluish green, the ninth is yellow, the tenth is apple-green, and the eleventh and twelfth are purple. I’d like to note that the 12 birthstones and signs of the zodiac have the exact same precious stones, excepted listed in reverse order. Pearls are objects of great price but they are also made through the suffering of the mollusk. The idea is that the only way into the city is through the suffering of Christ on the cross. He was wounded by us and secreted his life around us to make us precious, just as an oyster does when a grain of sand wounds it. The New Jerusalem is built of three kinds of precious materials, signifying that she is built with the Triune God.
Verse 22 lets us know that there is no need for a temple or tabernacle now because God will dwell among His people and walk amongst them (2 Corinthians 6:16). This is the fulfillment of Ephesians 2:22 where it says that we are being built together as a dwelling place of God. The sun and moon will still exist in the new heaven and new earth but they will not be needed in the New Jerusalem. God will shine so much brighter there, with Jesus as the lamp. Nothing unclean will enter the city and only righteousness will surround her. At night, people usually close their gates. Here, however, there are angels who guard the gates so that no evil shall enter. Isaiah 60:11 and Zechariah 14:11 tells us that there will be perfect security.
Chapter 19 describes the praise in Heaven and the war at Armageddon.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah is two Hebrew words combined. Hallelu means praise and jah is a shortened form of Jehovah. Therefore, hallelujah means praise Jehovah. In contrast to the mourning of the world over the destruction of Babylon we now have rejoicing over her destruction by those in heaven. This burst of praise is in response to the answer to the saints’ prayers because God has judged the great city for the way she has treated them. God made Rome rightfully pay for killing and tormenting His people.
The Marriage
Verse 7 mentions the bride of Jesus. Christ’s wife is the church, all believers from all ages. We can see this in the parable of the virgins in Matthew 25. We can take a look at the marriage customs of the Hebrews. First is the betrothal. This is considered more binding than our 'engagement'. The terms of the marriage are accepted in the presence of witnesses and God's blessing pronounced upon the union. From this day groom and bride are legally husband and wife (2 Corinthians 11:2). Next comes the interval between betrothal and the wedding-feast. During this interval the groom pays the dowry to the father of the bride if this has not yet been done (Genesis 34:12). Sometimes the dowry is in the form of service rendered (Genesis 29:20). Then comes the procession at the close of the interval. The bride prepares and adorns herself. The groom, arrayed in his best attire and accompanied by his friends, who sing and bear torches, proceeds to the home of the betrothed. He receives the bride and conveys her, with a returning procession, to his own home or to the home of his parents (Matthew 9:15; Matthew 25:1). When the groom had to come from afar, the feast was at times spread at the home of the bride. Finally there is the wedding-feast, which includes the marriage supper. The usual festivities last seven or more days. The bride is the church and Christ the bridegroom. The church is betrothed to Christ and Christ has paid the dowry for her with his own blood. The interval of separation is the current dispensation during which the bride makes herself ready. At the end of this dispensation the Bridegroom accompanied by his angels comes to receive his bride and the wedding feast begins. It does not last a few weeks but throughout eternity. In Christ the bride was chosen from eternity. Throughout the Old Testament dispensation the wedding was announced. When Christ assumed our flesh and blood; the betrothal took place. The price, the dowry was paid on Calvary and now after an interval, the Bridegroom returns and the wedding supper of the Lamb begins Even now Jesus is preparing a place for his bride who he will come back for and who will be with him forever. The reason why the bride wears white in verse 8 is because of her purity and righteousness. It is just like at a wedding here on earth. The bride wears pure white during her first wedding because she is pure.
The Rider on the White Horse
In verse 11 Christ becomes the fighting General to fight against the Antichrist and his army at Armageddon. He designates himself as 'the faithful and true witness' in the letter to the church in Laodicea. His eyes are flames so that He may carry out judgment on mankind. He wears crowns because of His glory and royal authority. He has a name written which no one knows but Himself because there are certain aspects of Christ that we have not yet experienced and only He knows. He wears a garment dipped in blood in verse 13 because He has tread the winepress of God and he sacrificed himself for mankind.
The armies in Heaven are the overcoming believers. The sharp sword that comes out of his mouth is not an actual sword but it is words of judgment used against the nations. In verse 15, to shepherd is to rule. An iron rod signifies strong power. Therefore, Christ will shepherd with strong power. Christ’s garment signifies righteousness and his thigh represents standing strength. His title is on his robe so all can easily see it.
The Feast of God
In verses 17 and 18 the bodies of all types of people will be offered to the flying creatures. This is from Ezekiel's prophecy about Gog in Ezekiel 39:4, 17. You can also look at David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:46, 'Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel'. Verse 19 is referring to the battle at Armageddon, the valley of Jehoshaphat, near Jerusalem. The Antichrist and the false prophet will be the first cast to Hell with Satan. The rest will suffer the words of God’s judgment.
Now we will delve into Chapter 18: the Fall of Babylon.
In verse 1 the angel has great authority delegated to him by God, just as Satan gave beast great authority. The angel is going to announce the fall of the great city which is the city of the beast. The earth was illuminated by his splendor which comes from the glory of God when the angel was in God's presence in heaven. Just as Moses face shone with the glory of God after he had been in God's presence. The angel is similar in description to that in Ezekiel 43:1-2 in which the land was radiant with God's glory. The glory of the angel is appropriate to the greatness of his announcement and his authority to proclaim the word of God concerning the demise of Babylon. After her destruction she will be deserted, this is enlarged upon by the angel in 18:21-24. She is already inhabited by unclean spirits who provoke men into unclean acts. After man is no longer there the demons move around seeking rest (Luke 11:24).
In verse 3 the angel gives the reasons for her destruction. She seduced the nations, kings and merchants to be unfaithful to God. The kings join in with her in her sins against God; they also share in her power and luxury. The merchants also get rich from her desire for greater and greater luxury. We see this now in the world: the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. What is condemned here is excessive luxury. The merchants will lament the loss of their profitable trade.
Verse 4 is clearly a warning to the saints. There are two meanings here: first to come out meaning to be separate from her in her sins and secondly to flee from her in order to avoid her judgment. Just as Lot fled Sodom before its destruction (Genesis 19:12 .); the Israelites fled Egypt; God's people fled Babylon (Jeremiah 51:45); and the early church fled Jerusalem to avoid persecution before her destruction; so God's people are told to leave Babylon before her destruction comes upon her. This is a personal command of God. This has an echo throughout scripture starting with Abraham who was told to leave his own country (Genesis 12:1). He was looking forward to a better country, a heavenly one, and God has prepared a city for him (Hebrews 11:8-16). This finds its fulfillment with the heavenly Jerusalem later in Revelation. It finds an echo in 2 Corinthians 6:16 in which God's people are called out, that is they are to be a holy people separate from the world and its sin. Note that the word church in the New Testament is ekklesia meaning an Assembly of God's called out ones. This should be read with the warnings to the churches at Pergamum and Thyatira in mind.
In verse 6, we see that Babylon’s sins are piled up to Heaven, just as the tower of Babel was to be built to reach the Heavens. These people have not truly repented so therefore He remembers all of their sins. Double recompense, as seen in verse 6, was required according to Levitical law (Exodus 24:4, 7, 9). Here, it’s double for her double. She is just like the church in Laodicea. In Laodicea, they claimed they were rich and did not need anything. In verse 7, Rome claims to be queen and boast that they will not see sorrow. In verse 8 we are told that the judgment on Babylon will be sudden. In verse 7 she said that she will see no sorrow but on the day of judgment she will be filled with sorrow. She glorified herself but now she will see famine. She sat in luxury but now famine comes to her.
The kings mourn their loss of power and luxury; the merchants and seamen mourn their loss of wealth through trading in the things of the world. Notice the merchants carry out their trade over the land while the seamen carry out their trade by the sea, thus covering the whole world. Jesus warns us that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. They are terrified because their security is gone; they know they are next because they committed adultery with her. They had committed adultery with her and were thus united to her in her fate. Their sorrow is worldly sorrow not godly sorrow which leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10), their sorrow is totally self-centered. The merchants lose out on seven categories of trade:
-ornaments
-clothing
-furniture/decorations
-spices
-food
-transportation
-employment
The fruit they longed for are the things that are previously mentioned.
In contrast to the mourning of the kings, merchants and sea captains those in heaven and God's people in heaven are called to rejoice over her because God has judged her for the way she treated the saints while they were on earth. God has paid them back for what they had done to his believers.
Note the six fold repetition of never indicating the compete destruction of Babylon:
-Babylon never to be found again.
-The music of.... never to be heard in you again
-no workman... will ever be found in you again.
-The sound of the millstone will never be heard in you again
-The light of a lamp will nevershine in you again.
-The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again
The event in verse 21 is based on the scroll upon which Jeremiah had written all the disasters that would come upon Babylon, the staff officer Seraiah was to read it and tie it to a stone and throw it into the Euphrates, and say “So Babylon will sink to rise no more because of the disaster I will bring upon her. And her people will fall” (Jeremiah 51:60-64). This should also remind us that Jesus said:
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have
a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
-Matthew 18:6
She persecuted the saints and got her just retribution. She is not just a persecutor but is responsible for the blood of all those killed on the earth. She is much more than just the apostate church. She represents that lust for power and wealth that causes nations to go to war for. She reigns over the kings of the earth and she is therefore, in her greed, responsible for all wars.
When reading chapters 17 and 18 we need to keep in mind that John is talking about the city of Rome. A harlot, or prostitute, has no husband. God never had a true relationship with the city of Rome. Rome has a sinful relationship with the leaders of the earth so she can make a profit. Rome, at one point, had conquered many nations and geographically extended over a large area of the globe. Rome was very immoral. The emperors were forcing people to bow down to them and worship them. The emperor lived extravagantly as did most of Rome and huge quantities of luxurious items and slaves were imported into Rome, hence the mourning over her doom by the merchants and ship masters who had lost their trade. By then there was great immorality within Rome and this had spread to surrounding provinces, for example, Corinth. The letters to the Corinthians were written to correct many of the problems this involved. We find in Revelation the woman Jezebel is given as an example of this within the church at Thyatira. Rome also persecuted the saints which is mentioned in this chapter; remember that John was on Patmos for his faith. However there is a deeper meaning because John is using the general term Babylon and not specifically Rome so it does not just apply to those times but extends forward in time to cover all future ungodly empires of which the Roman is his current example, but reaching its climax with the empire of the Antichrist.
In considering the identity of the woman the following points need to be considered:
She is described as the prostitute who is to be contrasted with the bride (the church).
Babylon the earthly city is to be contrasted to the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem.
The great city is described figuratively as 'Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified' (11:8).
She sits on many waters which are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
She is to be distinguished from the beast upon whom she sits and who destroys her.
She is the city of power, excessive luxury and great wealth.
She persecuted the saints.
She rules over the kings of the earth.
She is associated with music, trade, farming, marriage, merchants and persecution.
With her the kings of the earth commit adultery and the inhabitants are intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries
In view of the emphasis of the book that only God is to be worshiped she should be viewed as the temptress who tempts men away from God.
In verse 2, the adultery committed is when the leaders and peoples of the world give in to their sinful lusts and desires. The beast that the woman rides on is scarlet, which is a deep red. The Antichrist and Satan will be one in appearance. Since the woman rides the beast, this indicates that Rome has a close relationship with the enemy. The Babylon is not only Rome, but those influenced by her and who followed her laws. Purple and scarlet were expensive cloths and would only be worn by the rich. Gold, precious stones, and pearls are also expensive and only the wealthy would have access to them. Rome was very rich due to its fornication, selfishness, and ungodly relationships. This also signifies that Rome is not built in a solid way like the New Jerusalem. With Rome, it’s all about outward display and ornamentation.
The Golden Cup
Then we see that she holds a golden cup. In verse 2 we found that 'the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries' now we see the gold cup in her hand from which the people drank which was 'filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries'. The woman has the allure of being attractive but her golden cup is full of filth, Jeremiah 51:7. The gold cup looks attractive from the outside and succeeds in enticing men away from God, who thereby become filthy. John is describing the spirit of the world and 'all that glitters'. He sees her as God sees her, as she really is. The world and its allure are described by John in 1 John 2:16 'For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world'. Some also point out that purple and scarlet is the ecclesiastical dress of the Roman Church, which on occasions also involves glittering jewel and of course the gold cup. The ecclesiastical side to the whore is also found in verse 6 where she is drunk with the blood of the saints. In her hand is a golden cup, another symbol of luxury and wealth, from which one would expect a pure and delightful drink. Although Babylon offers the cup to the world, in turn she becomes a golden cup in the hand of God to madden the nations (Jeremiah 51:7). She holds in her hand the cup of her own self-destruction as the consequences of her sins are turned back upon her.
Babylon
In verse 5 we see the title that this woman carries. The name 'Babylon' is the Greek form of the Hebrew Babel, which is derived from the Hebrew balal, 'to confuse', which produced the noun Balbel, which evolved so that the first l was assimilated into the second (Genesis 11:9). The Greeks typically added endings on names, so they changed it to Babylon. Babylon was built on the site of Babel; they wanted to build a city with a tower, Genesis 11:4, the tower represents man’s religion of self-effort. It also represents the union of politics and religion. Babylon means 'the city of confusion'. When the languages of people of Babel were confused all their wickedness was spread around the world so that all her religions and idolatry were also spread around the world. In being called mother it indicates that she has caused others to slip and fall and become ungodly.
The woman is drunk with the blood of the saints because the saints didn’t approve of her fornication. The Romans held “games” at the Coliseum where saints would be tormented and killed, their blood staining the dirt. The saints are martyrs who lived a holy life for God unto death, separated and sanctified. The witnesses are those who are a living testimony of Jesus and faithful until death.
The Beast
The beast that the woman rides is the Antichrist. It was once because Caesar Nero was alive before John wrote this but is dead by the time Revelation is written. His spirit is about to come out of the abyss to reign in the slain and resuscitated body. He will perish and be sent to the lake of fire. If one has wisdom, we can know who the prostitute represents. Here, seven heads represents seven hills on which the woman sits. Rome was a city built on seven hills:
-Esquiline: The Esquiline was the largest of the 7 hills of Rome. Its claim to fame comes from the Roman emperor Nero who built his domus aurea 'golden house' upon it. Before the Empire, the eastern end of the Esquiline was used for dumping refuse and the puticuli (burial pits) of the poor. Carcasses of criminals executed by the Esquiline gate were left to the birds. Burial was forbidden within the city proper, but the burial area of the Esquiline was outside the city walls. For health reasons, Augustus, the first Roman emperor, had the burial pits covered over with soil to create a park called the Horti Maecenatis 'Gardens of Maecenas'.The Colossus, Temple of Claudius, and Baths of Trajan were all located on the Esquiline.
-Palatine: The Palatine hill was the central hill of Rome. It was about 25 acres and the residence of Augustus (and Tiberius, and Domitian), the Temple of Apollo and temples of Victory and the Great Mother are there.
-Aventine: The Aventine Hill became the home of the plebeians. It was separated from the Palatine by the Circus Maximus. On the Aventine were temples to Diana, Ceres, and Libera. The Armilustrium was there, too. It was used to purify arms used in battle at the end of the military season. Another significant place on the Aventine was Asinius Pollio's library.
-Capitoline: The Capitoline Hill has the least amount of area. When the Gauls attacked Rome, the Capitoline did not fall because of the geese who gave warning. The temple of Juno Moneta, possibly named moneta for the warning of the geese, is also on the Capitoline. This is where coins were minted, providing the etymology for the word "money". The assassins of Caesar locked themselves in the Temple of Capitoline Jupiter after the murder. Criminals were dropped from the hill onto the Tarpeian crags below.
-Quirinal: The most northern of the seven hills, the Quirinal hill is where the second king of Rome, Numa, lived.
-Viminal: A small, unimportant hill, with few monuments. Caracalla's temple of Serapis was on it. To the northeast of the Viminal were the thermae Diocletiani, Baths of Diocletian, whose ruins were re-used by churches (now the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Museo Nazionale Romano) after the baths became unusable when the Goths cut the aqueducts in A.D. 537.
-Caelian: This is the most south-eastern hill. During the Republic, the Caelian was densely populated. After a fire in A.D. 27, the Caelian became home to Rome's wealthy.
The seven kings are seven Caesars. Five have “fallen” indicates unnatural death. The first five were Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius. The one who is was Nero and the one not yet to come who will only reign a short time is Galba. Galba only reigned for seven months. Nero will animate the eight king which is the Antichrist.
Verse 12 tells us about ten kings who will rise up in power in the revived Roman Empire before the Great Tribulation. They will be one with the Antichrist in opposing God and persecuting His people. The war mentioned in verse 14 is the war at Armageddon. The ten kings and the Antichrist will leave the city of Rome poor, kill the citizens, and completely annihilate the city. It’s God’s will for this to happen.
