Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 22:14

"Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right [to come] to the tree of life, and my enter in by the gates into the city." — Revelation 22:14 (ASV)

The seventh and last beatitude in Revelation is evangelistic in emphasis (cf. 21:6; 22:11, 17). Strands of the earlier imagery are blended in it. In 7:14 the washing of the robes indicates willing identification with Jesus in his death. It also carries the thought of martyrdom during the great ordeal for the saints (cf. 6:11). Thus it symbolizes a salvation that involves obedience and discipleship, since it is integrally related to the tree of life (cf. comment on 22:2) and the gates of the city (cf. 21:25).