Revelation

Revelation 22: Take the water of life freely

Begin in prayer

Before we read the last chapter of the Bible, where Jesus says He is coming and calls the thirsty to come, please pause and pray. Ask the Lord to give you a thirst for Jesus.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants;

Deuteronomy 30:19

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Jesus is coming, and that You give the water of life freely to whoever desires it. Turn us from our sin so that we trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

John sees life's river flowing from God's and the Lamb's throne, with the tree of life beside it and no curse remaining. God's servants will see His face, bear His name and reign forever in His light. The angel affirms these words as true, refuses John's worship and tells him to leave the prophecy unsealed. Jesus announces His coming and reward, blessing the obedient while naming those who remain outside. The Spirit and bride call, and every thirsty person is invited to take the water of life freely. A solemn warning guards the prophecy against additions or removals, and John answers Jesus' promise with a prayer for His coming.

As you read Revelation 22, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Jesus is coming, and whoever desires may come and take the water of life freely.

The river flows from the single throne of God and the Lamb, showing that eternal life comes from Their presence and rule. Eden's barred tree of life now stands within reach, and the curse that followed Adam's sin is gone. Its monthly fruit and healing leaves picture God's unfailing provision for the nations, where death and pain have already ended. Seeing God's face completes the nearness promised throughout Scripture, with His servants belonging to Him and reigning without end. Jesus' repeated promise to come calls the churches to keep His words while they wait. His titles name Him as David's source and descendant, the eternal Lord who fulfills the promised royal line. The command to leave the prophecy open makes its words a message to hear and obey. The warnings about remaining outside and altering the prophecy keep their full force beside the water freely offered to anyone thirsty. The book ends with His promise, His people's prayer and the grace they need until He comes.

How does Revelation 22 show us that Jesus is coming, and that whoever desires may come and take the water of life freely?

The Lamb's throne supplies life where the curse is gone.

The crystal-clear river flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, with life's tree bearing fruit monthly (verses 1 and 2). Its leaves heal the nations, picturing lasting provision where the curse is gone (verses 2 and 3). Eden's guarded tree is now accessible, showing how far the Lamb's redemption reaches (Genesis 3 verse 24).

God's servants will see His face and reign forever.

God and the Lamb share one throne, and His servants serve Him with His name on their foreheads (verses 3 and 4). They will see His face, bringing their service into direct fellowship with the One they love. No night remains, and the Lord's light replaces their need for lamps as they reign forever (verse 5).

Jesus comes as Judge and calls His churches to obey.

The words are faithful and true, and Jesus blesses those keeping them while the angel refuses John's worship (verses 6 to 9). The prophecy stays unsealed, with the unjust and filthy remaining so, and the righteous and holy continuing likewise (verses 10 and 11). Jesus brings reward according to works, names Himself the Beginning and End, and blesses those doing His commandments (verses 12 to 14). Outside remain dogs, sorcerers, the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters and all who love and practice falsehood (verse 15). David's Root and Offspring is the Morning Star, whose promised coming gives His waiting churches hope (verse 16).

The thirsty may come freely while God's words remain unchanged.

The Spirit and bride say Come, and everyone thirsty or willing may take the water of life freely (verse 17). If anyone adds to this prophecy, “may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book” (verse 18). If anyone takes words away, “may God take away his part from the tree of life” (verse 19). Jesus promises to come quickly, and John prays for His coming before closing with grace for the saints (verses 20 and 21).

Memorise

He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I thirsty for? Will I come to Jesus and drink?

A “river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb”, flowed through the city. Jesus said, “I come quickly”. And the Spirit and the bride said, “Come!”

This is the end of the whole Bible, and it points to Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb on the throne. He suffered for His people and bore their sin, and His payment is enough. He rose from the dead, and He lives, and He will come again. The water of life is free to the thirsty because it cost Jesus His life on the cross.

So hear the call. Whoever is thirsty, come. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Jesus will forgive the sin of each one who comes, and He gives the water of life without a price. The Bible ends as His people pray, “Yes, come, Lord Jesus”.

Parent's note

Tell your children that life comes from the Lamb, who calls every thirsty sinner to come freely. Keep the exclusions and warnings about changing this prophecy plain, explaining the harder words in a way each child can understand. Growing up in a Christian home cannot save a child. Pray for a new heart for each one, and invite each to repent and trust Jesus.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for Jesus, who is coming, and for the free call to take the water of life, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14

Father, thank You for Jesus, who is coming. Thank You that the water of life is free for the thirsty. Please give each of us a thirst for Him, and bring us to His cross this week. Amen.