Revelation 22:6 begins the epilogue of the book of Revelation, which uses similar language to the prologue in chapter 1, namely, that God sent his angel to John so that his servants would know the things that are going to happen before the Lord Jesus appears. There is spiritual warfare ahead, but in faith we should expect it and learn to long for Christ’s appearing.
In verse 6, the angel said to John, “These words are trustworthy and true.” This could refer to the whole book (see verse 9) or to the immediate context, the wonder of seeing God in the new paradise. The promise of seeing God and dwelling there with him is so astonishing and glorious that the angel is probably emphasizing, “Yes, as incredible as it is, this is certainly true.”
It is a wondrous thing to possess God’s promises. We can’t dishonor God more than to distrust him when he has made his will clear. The Lord of hosts has assured us in Christ Jesus that we have an incorruptible inheritance waiting when the life of faith is over. We must take God at his word and remember his directive: “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.” Do not just know about him; listen to him, respond to him, look to him.
It is no coincidence that in Chapter 19, the glorious Christ on the horse has the name “Faithful and True,” and that in Chapter 3 he began the letter to the church in Laodicea by calling himself the “faithful and true witness.” The church needed to listen to him; they had become prosperous and self-sufficient in their own eyes. How gracious the Lord is to rebuke his people by reminding them that they are destitute of any good without him.
The great sin of man is failure to listen to the Word of God. A sure sign of self-sufficiency is neglect of God’s Word. If you don’t read your Bible daily, it is time to begin. Don’t read it just as an offering, but to receive instruction, to see God’s glory, and grow in your admiration of Christ. If a great man sent us a personal letter with promises and instructions, we would be careful to read it, but who is greater than God, who gives us words of eternal life?
In verse 7, the angel quotes the Lord Jesus: “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Obviously, not all are blessed. Not everyone is poor in spirit; yet Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” If you are poor in spirit, you know what it is to be a sinner deserving nothing yet receiving plenteous grace from the gracious Christ. That is blessedness indeed and a prerequisite to all the blessedness to come.
Here in Revelation 22, blessed refers to those who listen to Christ’s words and keep them. That would include following Christ though hardship and death was threatened, keeping free from idols, longing for Christ’s return, and practicing repentance when you stumble from this way.
In the Bible, this way of faith is called walking with God. This means habitual communion with Christ and a sense of his favor, that he is reconciled to you and loves you. The first necessary condition is believing that the whole work of meriting salvation has been accomplished by Christ for you. The second is that the Holy Spirit dwells in you. He comforts you in countless ways, and strengthens your faith to endure, so you know the joy of Christ even in hardship.
The vital nature of the word of God is emphasized in verses 10-11, when the angel tells John: “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.” Do not seal the words because the Lord will be glorified by the deliverance of many sinners through the words. Now is the time to hear Christ, to hear of the visions of paradise and of dwelling with God in peace—now, while today is still today. Tomorrow may be too late.
Verse 11 speaks of the time when there will be no change of nature in men. Those who are unclean will remain unclean and those who are holy will remain holy. Many will be ashamed on that last day; let it not be us. Let us learn to love the truth and obey the truth, to believe the Lord Jesus and look for his appearing.
