Revelation 22: A Glimpse of Eternity

Revelation 22 wraps up the Book of Revelation, and it also continues the incredible vision of hope and restoration that our Heavenly Father has given us. Chapters 21 and 22 together give us a picture of the future that’s breathtaking and deeply comforting for us, as God’s people. In both these chapters, the Apostle John shares the prophecy that he received of a world made new, where all the brokenness of our current reality is replaced with God’s perfect presence. While Chapter 21 sets the stage for this renewed creation, Chapter 22 goes even further. It focuses on the eternal joy, peace, and closeness with God that will define life for believers. These chapters provide us with a powerful glimpse of the life our hearts long for today. It’s a life where we are lavished in perfection, and we can truly give our magnificent Heavenly Father the love and worship that He deserves. 

Revelation 22:1-2 (NLT) reads: “1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.”

In these verses, the Apostle John describes the vision he is shown by an angel. First, he sees a river, which is called the “river of life.” This river is as clear as crystal, which speaks to our Heavenly Father’s purity and transparency. This passage tells us that the river is flowing directly from the throne that belongs to Him and the Lamb–our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As those familiar with scripture, ‘living water’ is not a new concept. In John 4:13-14 (NLT), Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well: “13 Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” The “fresh, bubbling spring” inside us is the ongoing, renewing life that comes from knowing Christ and experiencing his love.

In Revelation, this river of life flows through the new Jerusalem. It brings healing and restoration to all who partake in it. On either side of the river, the tree of life grows, bearing fresh fruit each month, with its leaves used as a healing balm for the nations. But here’s something we must understand, this healing is not about physical restoration. Revelation 21:4 (NLT) tells us that God will “wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” In our current world, we are bombarded with toxic information and hatred coming at us daily, and many of us are emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. Yet, in the new Jerusalem, there will be no more sickness, pain, or tears. Instead, there will be ongoing spiritual renewal and wholeness found in the presence of God. This is simply glorious!

The vision presented in this chapter shows the endless healing power of the sacrifice of our blessed Lord and Savior. Not only does he offer healing for individuals but for all nations, as everyone is brought into God’s redemptive plan. The river and tree reveal the eternal life and peace that come from God’s presence, and it will be available to all His children. This is the never-ending hope that we find in God’s life-giving, life-saving grace.

The End of the Curse

In Genesis 3, the record of Adam’s downfall is revealed. The first man’s wife, Eve, was deceived by the serpent, satan. She ate the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and then gave it to her husband, Adam, who ate as well. The consequences of this action were catastrophic for humanity. The first couple bowed to satan, because they chose to believe his word over the Word and commandment that God–the One True Living God–had given them. They exercised free-will choice and consciously chose to abandon the exceedingly abundant reality of our Heavenly Father’s provision, protection, and grace. As a result, they lost their holiness; the Holy Spirit no longer dwelled in their body temples, and they were separated from God for the first time in their lives. The depth of their despair is beyond our full comprehension. This marked their fall from grace and entrance into the realm of darkness and sin, which is controlled by the devil. 

The core of humanity’s battle with sin is revealed in Romans 5:12 (NLT), which states: “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” This verse tells us that satan was able to land a curse upon humanity because of Adam’s and Eve’s decision in the Garden of Eden. Because they chose sin over holiness, their solitary act of disobedience influenced all of us. Every aspect of humanity has been impacted by the curse of sin and death that has been handed down through the ages.

The extraordinary blessing is that God didn’t leave us in this broken state. Through His infinite mercy and grace, He broke the power of sin and death over our lives and redeemed us from this curse through the sacrifice and resurrection of our powerful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our Redeemer was the perfect sacrifice, and he took the penalty of sin upon himself. He made salvation and freedom from the curse of sin and death available to us all.Through his resurrection, believers are offered the gift of eternal life, restoring the relationship with God that Adam and Eve lost in the Garden of Eden.

Revelation 22:3 (NLT) declares that “there will be no more curse.” This promise marks the final victory over the consequences of sin that were introduced in Genesis 3. The curse, which brought suffering, death, and separation from God, will be forever reversed. God’s redemptive plan, fulfilled in Christ, brings about the restoration of all things. In the New Heaven and New Earth, God’s people will experience peace and joy, free from the effects of sin and brokenness.

The Promise of God’s Presence and Christ’s Return

In Revelation 22:4 (NLT), we get one of the most beautiful promises in Scripture: “And they will see his face.” For generations, God’s people have longed for this intimate connection, and here it is fulfilled. The psalmist shares a similar longing in Psalm 17:15 (NLT), saying, “Because I am righteous, I will see You. When I awake, I will see You face to face and be satisfied.” This longing will be fully realized in the New Jerusalem, where believers will live in perfect relationship with their Creator, basking in His glorious presence forever.

Revelation 22:5-7 (NLT) states: “5 And there will be no night there–no need for lamps or sun–for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”

There will be no darkness in God’s eternal kingdom. Our beloved Lord and Savior will shine brightly, and we, his people will reign with him forever. This passage ends with a powerful reminder from Jesus, saying, “Look, I am coming soon!“. It’s a promise of His return and the eternal glory awaiting those who faithfully heed God’s Word. He reminds us that his return is near, and we can trust that his promises are true. 

The Alpha and the Omega

Christ’s eternal status as the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end—is reaffirmed in Revelation 22:12–13. His declaration is a reminder that he is the source of all creation and history.  He is the subject of God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation—the One who perfectly followed God’s Will and has made salvation, the cornerstone of God’s plan, available to all who will accept it. It is the gift of eternal life that makes Revelation 22 possible for every believer. It’s our greatest hope, and it is a reality that will one day be fully realized, as we see our beloved Redeemer face to face. ■

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

“Revelation 22: A Glimpse of Eternity“, written for victoryinjesuschrist.life. Copyright© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.