Then the angel showed meThis phrase indicates a continuation of the vision given to John, the author of Revelation. The angel serves as a divine messenger, guiding John through the heavenly revelations. Angels frequently appear in biblical texts as intermediaries between God and humans, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the message being conveyed.
a river of the water of life
The imagery of a river of life is reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, where a river flowed out to water the garden (Genesis 2:10). It symbolizes eternal life and the sustenance provided by God. In the prophetic literature, such asEzekiel 47:1-12, a river flowing from the temple is depicted, bringing life wherever it goes. This river represents the spiritual life and renewal that comes from God.
as clear as crystal
The clarity of the water signifies purity and holiness. In biblical symbolism, crystal often represents something that is pure and unblemished. This purity reflects the nature of God and the perfection of the new creation, free from sin and corruption.
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
The source of the river is the throne, indicating that life and sustenance come directly from God and the Lamb, who is Jesus Christ. The throne symbolizes authority and sovereignty, and its mention here underscores the divine rule and the centrality of God and Christ in the new creation. The Lamb is a title for Jesus, emphasizing His role as the sacrificial Savior, as seen inJohn 1:29 andRevelation 5:6. This connection highlights the unity and shared authority of God the Father and Jesus Christ in the divine plan of salvation and eternal life.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The AngelA divine messenger who guides John in his vision, revealing the heavenly realities.
2.
The River of the Water of LifeSymbolizes eternal life and the sustenance provided by God, pure and life-giving.
3.
The Throne of God and of the LambRepresents the authority and sovereignty of God and Jesus Christ, the Lamb, in the New Jerusalem.
Teaching Points
The Source of LifeThe river flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, emphasizing that true life and sustenance come from God alone.
Purity and ClarityThe water is described as "clear as crystal," symbolizing the purity and holiness of God's provision.
Eternal SustenanceJust as physical water sustains life, the water of life represents the eternal sustenance and satisfaction found in a relationship with God.
Unity of God and the LambThe shared throne of God and the Lamb highlights the unity and co-reign of the Father and the Son in the divine plan of salvation.
Invitation to AllThe imagery of the river invites all who are thirsty to come and receive the life that God offers freely through Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Revelation 22:1?
2.How does Revelation 22:1's "river of the water of life" symbolize eternal life?
3.What Old Testament prophecies connect with the imagery in Revelation 22:1?
4.How can believers apply the purity of the "clear as crystal" river today?
5.What does the "throne of God and of the Lamb" signify for Christians?
6.How does Revelation 22:1 encourage hope and perseverance in your spiritual journey?
7.What does the "river of the water of life" symbolize in Revelation 22:1?
8.How does Revelation 22:1 relate to the concept of eternal life?
9.Why is the river described as "clear as crystal" in Revelation 22:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 22?
11.Are there any inconsistencies between Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 1) and visions of divine glory in other scriptural passages, such as Isaiah 6 or Revelation 4?
12.What is the central theme of River of Life?
13.What is the significance of the Water of Life?
14.Ezekiel 47:1–12: Why do no external historical records mention these miraculous changes to the land, casting doubt on a literal fulfillment of this prophecy?What Does Revelation 22:1 Mean
Then the angel showed me- The same messenger who guided John through earlier visions (Revelation 21:9–10) now turns his attention to this final scene, underscoring that every detail comes from God’s own tour guide (cf.Revelation 17:1;Daniel 9:21).
- The verb “showed” points to objective, literal revelation, not an allegory; John is seeing the future reality of the New Jerusalem.
a river of the water of life- This is a literal river, the ultimate fulfillment of Eden’s river (Genesis 2:10) and Ezekiel’s temple stream (Ezekiel 47:1–12).
- Jesus promised, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst” (John 4:14; cf.John 7:37–39;Revelation 7:17). The river embodies that promise in tangible form.
- Life here means unending, God-sustained vitality:
• no drought of joy
• no fear of decay
• no scarcity of fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 46:4).
- Its very existence guarantees that redeemed believers will experience perpetual refreshment—body, soul, and spirit.
as clear as crystal- Nothing obscures God’s provision; purity reigns (Revelation 4:6).
- Transparency speaks of absolute holiness—no hidden defects, no lurking contamination (Ephesians 5:27;1 John 3:2–3).
- Believers will see and enjoy God’s gifts without the slightest distortion or dimness.
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb- One throne, two Persons: perfect unity of the Father and the Son (Revelation 3:21; 5:13;John 10:30).
- Life proceeds directly from sovereignty: the same authority that once judged sin now emanates blessing.
- Continuous flow pictures unending grace; the supply can never run dry (Psalm 65:9;Jeremiah 17:13).
- The river’s course through the city shows that every corner of eternity will be touched by God’s life-giving presence.
summaryRevelation 22:1 presents a literal, crystal-clear river that issues from the shared throne of the Father and the Lamb. It is the consummation of every promise of “living water,” guaranteeing eternal satisfaction, purity, and fellowship for all who belong to Christ.
(1)
And he shewed me a pure river . . .--The adjective "pure" must be omitted, as it is wanting in the best MSS. The river is full of water, and that water is the emblem of life: it is the beautiful symbol of life in its gladness, purity, activity, and fulness. The garden of Eden (
Genesis 2:10) had its river. Even in the wilderness Israel had from the smitten rock the water which gushed out like a river (
Psalm 105:41). Prophets, in their pictures of the ages of blessing, almost invariably introduced the river, or broad stream. Joel saw a fountain out of the house of the Lord (
Joel 3:18). Zechariah spoke of living waters from Jerusalem (
Zechariah 14:8); but Ezekiel had the fullest vision when he beheld the stream which deepened and broadened in its onward progress from under the threshold of the house of God, and carried life in its train: everything lived whither the water came (
Ezekiel 47:9); thus did all prophets speak of the river of God's pleasures (
Psalm 36:8). The teaching of our Lord threw new light on the prophetic imagery; the pure delights of spiritual joy and communion with God were vouchsafed to men by the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life. In the bestowal of that spirit of life did Christ give true satisfaction to the thirsting souls of men. (Comp.
John 4:10-14, Joh_7:37-39.) The source of the river is in the
throne. Ezekiel's river took rise in the temple; but in our vision there is no temple (
Revelation 21:22). We are brought nearer, even to the throne: it is the throne (not "thrones")--one throne of God and the Lamb. (Comp.
Revelation 3:21.) . . .
Verse 1. -
And he showed me a pure river. Omit "pure." "And" connects this part of the vision with what precedes (
Revelation 21:9-27). It would have been better, perhaps, if the twenty-first chapter had included the first five verses of the twenty-second, so as to take in the whole of the description of the heavenly Jerusalem. But there is a break at this point, as is indicated by the repetition of "And he showed me," which points to a new phase or section of the vision. In the previous section (
Revelation 21:9-27) the angel had showed St. John the city and its wails with their gates and foundations; in this section he shows him the river of the water of life, and the tree of life. The latter part of each section is occupied with the evangelist's own observations (
Revelation 21:22-27;
Revelation 22:3-5), for we cannot suppose that the phrase, "these words," in ver. 6, is intended to apply specially to anything in these particular sections.
He is the angel mentioned in ver. 9, and again referred to in vers. 10, 15, 16, 17. Most probably the pronoun "he" in ver. 6 does not refer to the same angel as this one.
River. The source of this stream, its course or channel, and its fertile banks, are mentioned or implied in what follows; but there is no reference to any estuary or mouth: eternity is the ocean in which this river is lost.
Of water of life.Ὕδωρ ζωῆς is perhaps identical in meaning with "living water,"
ὕδωρ ζῶν, but is properly distinguished from it in translation. The two expressions are peculiar to St. John's writings in the New Testament; the genitival form, which is the more Hebraizing, only occurs in this book in
Revelation 7:17;
Revelation 21:6;
Revelation 22:1, 17; whereas the participial and more classical form is confined to the Gospel (
John 4:10;
John 7:38). "Living water," in its simplest literalness, means such water as is pure, flowing, clear, fresh, and wholesome; not stagnant, or turbid, or salt. Hence it is a proper term for the water of a beautiful and fertilizing river. Here, however, the genitival form reminds us of the familiar expression, similarly moulded, "the tree of life," which inclines us to think that" water of life" signifies water possessing life giving powers, water which restores, refreshes, supports life, and is therefore to be compared with "living water" taken in its spiritual sense. Of this whosoever drinketh shall never thirst again; when it has been once received within the soul, it becomes a well of water springing up into everlasting life (
John 4:14).
Clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb;clear, or
transparent. We seldom use the rendering of the Revised Version,
bright, as an epithet of water.
As crystal (see note on Revelation 4:6, the only other place in the New Testament where the word occurs). The source of the river was in the Divine throne, the seat of the Triune God and the crucified Saviour. All eternal life is derived from our heavenly Father by the Holy Spirit for the sake of the Redeemer.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
ThenΚαὶ(Kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[the angel] showedἔδειξέν(edeixen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1166:A prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to show.meμοι(moi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.a riverποταμὸν(potamon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4215:A river, torrent, stream. Probably from a derivative of the alternate of pino; a current, brook or freshet, i.e. Running water.of the waterὕδατος(hydatos)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5204:Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.of life,ζωῆς(zōēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222:Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.as clearλαμπρὸν(lampron)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2986:From the same as lampas; radiant; by analogy, limpid; figuratively, magnificent or sumptuous.asὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.crystal,κρύσταλλον(krystallon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2930:Crystal. From a derivative of kruos; ice, i.e. rock 'crystal'.flowingἐκπορευόμενον(ekporeuomenon)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1607:From ek and poreuomai; to depart, be discharged, proceed, project.fromἐκ(ek)Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.throneθρόνου(thronou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2362:From thrao; a stately seat; by implication, power or a potentate.of GodΘεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.of theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.LambἈρνίου(Arniou)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 721:(originally: a little lamb, but diminutive force was lost), a lamb. Diminutive from aren; a lambkin.
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NT Prophecy: Revelation 22:1 He showed me a river of water (Rev. Re Apocalypse) 
