Year of the Bible
Revelation 22
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Commentary on the Book of Revelation, Chapter 22:
Descriptions of the new Jerusalem continue to draw forth images from Eden and the prophets as we hear of a river and trees and that provide healing and life (Genesis 2:10-14, Proverbs 3:18; Psalm 46:4, Zechariah 14:8; Ezekiel 47:8-9, 12; Revelation 2:7). Those who have remained faithful will see God face to face and receive Jesus’ name (3:12). This re-creation of the material world reminds us God’s covenant is with all creation (Genesis 9:13, 15; Romans 8:22-23). Jesus repeats who He is, using images from the opening chapters (1:8, 2:28, 3:7). He reiterates the rewards for those who remain faithful in the battles to come. The value of the words of Revelation are reinforced as we receive a reminder that the words are trustworthy and true, a warning against changing them, and a seventh blessing for keeping them. A final invitation to the glories of the new earth that await those who remain faithful is given when the Spirit and Bride say, “Come.” The whole book has exhorted us to respond to that invitation without delay, for Jesus, the fulfillment of Jewish prophecies who offers the water of life, is coming soon. Amen.
The Book of Revelation, Chapter 22:
River of the Water of Life
1 Then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of lifer with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There shall no more be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall worship him; 4 they shall see his face, and his name shall be on their foreheads. 5 And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place. 7 And behold, I am coming soon.”
Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
Epilogue and Benediction
8 I John am he who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last,
the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and every one who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let him who hears say, “Come.” And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price.
18 I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus
be with all the saints.
Amen
*Daily Lectio Divina Question:
Re-read verses 16-21 as the Spirit and the Bride beg Jesus to come and Jesus says that He's coming soon but asks that the Church keeps testifying about Him who is to come. How does the Lord want you, in your own uniquely personal way, to keep testifying to others of Him? Ask the Lord to reveal this to you. Then ask him to give you the grace to live his testimony in joy.
Biblical Commentary provided by the Catholic Biblical School of Michigan. Join a Catholic Biblical School of Michigan class this September at Holy Family in Grand Blanc, or online.
Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2006).
Permission to use the RSV-2CE given for Bishop's Year of the Bible by Ignatius Press. Many thanks to Ignatius for this.
If you're looking for a good Catholic edition of the Bible, look no further.
1 Me mostró el río de agua de la vida,
claro como un cristal, procedente del
trono de Dios y del Cordero.
2 En medio de su plaza, y en una y
otra orilla del río, está el árbol de la vida,
que produce frutos doce veces: cada
mes da fruto; y las hojas del árbol sirven
para sanar a las naciones. 3 Ya no habrá
nada maldito. En ella estará el trono de
Dios y del Cordero, y sus siervos le darán
culto, 4 verán su rostro y llevarán su
nombre grabado en la frente. 5 Ya no habrá
noche: no tienen necesidad de luz
de lámparas ni de la luz del sol, porque
el Señor Dios alumbrará sobre ellos y
reinarán por los siglos de los siglos.
6 Y me dijo:
–Estas palabras son fidedignas y
veraces. El Señor, Dios de los espíritus
de los profetas, ha enviado su ángel
para manifestar a sus siervos las cosas
que van a suceder pronto. 7 Mira, vendré
enseguida. Bienaventurado el que
guarde las palabras de la profecía de
este libro.
8 Yo, Juan, soy quien ha oído y visto
estas cosas. Al oírlas y verlas, me postré
en adoración a los pies del ángel que
me las había mostrado. 9 Pero él me dijo:
–¡No, no lo hagas! Yo soy compañero
de servicio tuyo y de tus hermanos
los profetas y de los que guardan las palabras
de este libro. Adora a Dios.
10 También me dijo:
–No selles las palabras de la profecía
de este libro, porque el tiempo está cerca.
11 El injusto, que cometa aún injusticias;
el sucio, que se manche aún más; el
justo, que siga practicando la justicia; y
el santo, que se santifique todavía más.
12 Mira, vendré pronto con mi recompensa,
para dar a cada uno según haya
sido su conducta. 13 Yo soy el Alfa y la
Omega, el primero y el último, el principio
y el fin. 14 Bienaventurados los que
lavan sus vestiduras para tener derecho
al árbol de la vida y entrar por las puertas
de la ciudad. 15 Fuera los perros, los
hechiceros, los impuros, los homicidas,
los idólatras y todo el que ama y practica
la mentira.
16 Yo, Jesús, he enviado mi ángel para
daros testimonio de estas cosas que se
refieren a las iglesias. Yo soy la raíz y el
linaje de David, la estrella radiante de la
mañana.
17 El Espíritu y la esposa dicen:
«¡Ven!»
Y el que oiga, que diga: «¡Ven!»
Y el que tenga sed, que venga; el que
quiera que tome gratis el agua de la vida.
18 Yo doy testimonio a todo el que
oiga las palabras proféticas de este libro.
Si alguien añade algo a ellas, Dios enviará
sobre él las plagas descritas en este
libro. 19 Y si alguien quita alguna de las
palabras de este libro profético, Dios le
quitará su parte en el árbol de la vida y
en la ciudad santa que se han descrito
en este libro.
20 El que da testimonio de estas cosas
dice: «Sí, voy enseguida».
Amén. ¡Ven, Señor Jesús!
21 La gracia del Señor Jesús esté con
todos.
Pregunta de Lectio Divina del día de hoy
Vuelve a leer los versículos 16-21 cuando el Espíritu y la Esposa le ruegan a Jesús que venga y Jesús dice que vendrá pronto pero pide que la Iglesia siga dando testimonio de Aquel que ha de venir. ¿Cómo quiere el Señor que tú, a tu manera personal, sigas dando testimonio de Él a los demás? Pide al Señor que te lo revele. Luego pídele que te dé la gracia de vivir su testimonio con alegría.
La Biblia de Navarra
Permiso para usar esta versión de la primera edición de la Biblia de Navarra
para el Año de la Biblia del Obispo
dado por Ediciones Universidad de Navarra, S.A. (EUNSA).