Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 21:6

"And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." — Revelation 21:6 (ASV)

Using the same word that declared the judgment of the world finished, God proclaims that he has completed his new creation: “It is done” (cf. 16:17). The names of God, “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” emphasize his absolute control over the world as well as his creator-ship of everything (cf. comment on 1:8).

To those who thirst for him, God offers the “water of life” without cost (cf.

7:17; 22:1, 17; Romans 3:24). Here salvation is beautifully depicted by the image of drinking at the spring of life. Twice in chs. 21–22, God invites those who sense their need and are drawn toward him to come. John knows that the visions of God’s glory among his people, proclaimed as the Word of God, will create a thirst to participate in the reality of this glory. Nothing is required except to come and drink.

Those who respond to this invitation and remain loyal to Christ as overcomers (see comments on 2:7, 11, et al.) will inherit all the new things of the city of God. They will be God’s children, and he will be their Father. This is the essence of salvation—unending, intimate relationship with God himself (cf. Jn 17:3). For John this is really what the heavenly city is all about.

Before John shows us the city, however, he must first confront us with a choice. This choice must be made because there are two cities: the city of God and the city of Babylon, each with its inhabitants and its destiny. Those who drink from salvation’s springs supplied by God himself are true followers of Christ. The “cowardly” are those who fear persecution arising from faith in Christ. Not having steadfast endurance, they are devoid of faith (Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:40; cf. Matthew 13:20–21). Thus they are linked by John to the “unbelieving” and “vile.” They are called “murderers” because they are guilty of the death of the saints (17:6; 18:24). The “sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars” are those associated with idolatrous practices (cf. 9:21; 18:23; 21:27; 22:15). By their own choice, Babylon is their eternal home.