Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 22:6

"And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass." — Revelation 22:6 (ASV)

ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER 22:6–20

This portion of the book of Revelation is properly the epilogue, or conclusion. The main purposes of the vision are accomplished; the enemies of the church are quelled; the church is triumphant; the affairs of the world are wound up; the redeemed are received to their blissful, eternal abode; the wicked are cut off; the earth is purified, and the affairs of the universe are fixed on their permanent foundation. A few miscellaneous matters, therefore, close the book.

1. A solemn affirmation on the part of him who has made these revelations, that they are true, and that they will be speedily accomplished, and that he will be blessed or happy who keeps the sayings of the book (Revelation 22:6–7).

2. The effect of all these things on John himself, leading him, as in a former case (Revelation 19:10), to a disposition to worship him who had been the medium in making to him such extraordinary communications (Revelation 22:8–9).

3. A command not to seal up what had been revealed, since the time was near. These things would soon have their fulfillment, and it was proper that the prophecies should be unsealed, or open, both that the events might be compared with the predictions, and that a persecuted church might be able to see what would be the result of all these things, and to find consolation in the assurance of the final triumph of the Son of God (Revelation 22:10).

4. The fixed and unchangeable state of the righteous and the wicked (Revelation 22:11–13).

5. The blessedness of those who keep the commandments of God, and who enter into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:14–15).

6. Jesus, the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star, proclaims himself to be the Author of all these revelations by the instrumentality of an angel (Revelation 22:16).

7. The universal invitation of the gospel—the language of Jesus himself—giving utterance to his strong desire for the salvation of men (Revelation 22:17).

8. A solemn command not to change anything that had been revealed in this book, either by adding to it or by taking from it (Revelation 22:18–19).

9. The assurance that he who had made these revelations would come quickly, and the joyous assent of John to this, and prayer that his advent might soon occur (Revelation 22:20).

10. The benediction (Revelation 22:21).

And he said to me. This was the angel-interpreter who had shown John the vision of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9–10).

As these visions are now at an end, the angel came to John directly and assured him that all these things are true. He affirmed that there has been no deception of the senses in these visions, but that they were really Divine disclosures of what would soon and certainly occur.

These sayings are faithful and true. These are the communications; all that has been disclosed to you by symbols, or in direct language. (See the comments on Revelation 21:5).

And the Lord God of the holy prophets. This is the same God who inspired the ancient prophets.

Sent his angel. (See the comments on Revelation 1:1).

To show to his servants. This means to all His servants, that is, to all His people, through the instrumentality of John. The revelation was made to him, and he was to record it for the good of the whole church.

The things which must shortly be done. The beginning of these things must soon occur—though the series of events extended into distant ages, and even into eternity. (See the comments on Revelation 1:1-3).