The River and Tree of Life
A river runs down the city's street with the tree of life on both banks, its leaves healing the nations. His servants finally see our Father's face. Three times Jesus says he is coming soon; the Spirit and the Bride answer, Come — and anyone thirsty may drink free.
22 1Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of our Father and of Jesus, the Lamb, 2down the middle of its street. On each side of the river grew the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No curse will remain. The throne of our Father and of Jesus, the Lamb, will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5No more night. They need no lamp or sunlight, for our Father gives them light, and they will reign forever and ever.
6Then the angel said to me, "These words are faithful and true. Our Father, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon happen."
7"Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is whoever keeps the words of this book's prophecy."
I Am Coming Soon
8I, John, heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me them. 9But he said, "Don't! I serve with you, your brothers the prophets, and those keeping this book's words. Worship our Father!" 10He told me, "Don't seal the words of this book's prophecy—the time is near. 11Let the wrongdoer keep wronging; the filthy stay filthy; the righteous keep doing right; the holy stay holy."
12"Look, I am coming soon, my reward with me, to repay each one for what they've done.
13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." 14Blessed are those who wash their robes, gaining the right to the tree of life and entry through the city gates. 15Outside are dogs, sorcerers, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol worshipers, and all who love and practice lies. 16"I, Jesus, sent my angel to testify these to you for the churches. I am David's Root and Offspring, the bright Morning Star."
17The Holy Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" Whoever hears, say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, come; whoever wishes, take the water of life freely.
18I testify to everyone who hears this book's words of prophecy: if anyone adds to them, our Father will add to that person the plagues written here. 19If anyone takes away from the words of this prophecy book, our Father will take away their share in the tree of life and holy city described here. a a v19 Later copies read "the book of life" here; the earliest read "the tree of life."
20He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! b b v20 The Bible closes with the Church's longing cry for Jesus to return. Our Father's whole story — from Eden lost to the city restored — finds its final word in the prayer of those who know the Son will come.
21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
