Get the free app for more features and content.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

The River of Life

1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

6And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

7“See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Epilogue and Benediction

8I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; 9but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”

10And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

12“See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”

And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”

And let everyone who is thirsty come.

Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; 19if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

20The one who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Click here to learn more.

Featured Resources

We Studied the Tree of Life in the Bible (Here’s What We Found)

We Studied the Tree of Life in the Bible (Here’...

In the opening pages of the Bible, God gives humanity a gift that they quickl...

BibleProject

Introduction to Revelation

Introduction to Revelation

Dr. Tommy Givens introduces Revelation by explaining the genre of apocalyptic...

Fuller Studio

7 Tips for Understanding Revelation

7 Tips for Understanding Revelation

The Book of Revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. Over the centu...

Zondervan

The Book of Revelation: 20:1-22:21: The Millennial Kingdom and the New Jerusalem

The Book of Revelation: 20:1-22:21: The Millenn...

Harold W. Attridge, Sterling Professor of Divinity and David L. Bartlett, J....

Yale Divinity School

[CSAP 527] The Book of Revelation - Walt Russell

[CSAP 527] The Book of Revelation - Walt Russell

Hermeneutics and Bible Study Methods (CSAP 527), Dr. Walt Russell The Book...

Biola University

A New Heaven and a New Earth — Phil Ryken

A New Heaven and a New Earth — Phil Ryken

Philip Ryken describes his personal experiences, including memories of longin...

The Gospel Coalition

The New Humanity • The New Kind of Existence We're Invited To (Spiritual Beings Series Episode 7)

The New Humanity • The New Kind of Existence We...

In the opening pages of the Bible, God appoints humans to rule the world on h...

BibleProject

Beyond Revelation: On Imagery

Beyond Revelation: On Imagery

Dr. Tommy Givens delves into the dramatic imagery and numbers in Revelation—h...

Fuller Studio

The Royal Priesthood

The Royal Priesthood

After Jesus’ disciples receive the Holy Spirit, they become God’s temple and ...

BibleProject

Why Water Matters in the Bible

Why Water Matters in the Bible

In the beginning of the Bible, God transforms a desolate wilderness into a ga...

BibleProject

Explore Revelation 22