Revelation 22:6

6. These sayings are true--thrice repeated (Re 19:9; 21:5). For we are slow to believe that God is as good as He is. The news seems to us, habituated as we are to the misery of this fallen world, too good to be true [Nangle]. They are no dreams of a visionary, but the realities of God's sure word. holy--so Andreas. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, "(the Lord God of the) spirits (of the prophets)." The Lord God who with His Spirit inspired their spirits so as to be able to prophesy. There is but one Spirit, but individual prophets, according to the measure given them (1Co 12:4-11), had their own spirits [Bengel] (1Pe 1:11; 2Pe 1:21). be done--Greek, "come to pass."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER XXII. 6--20

THIS portion of the book of Revelation is properly the epilogue, or conclusion. The main purposes of the vision are accomplished; the enemies of the church are quelled; the church is triumphant; the affairs of the world are wound up; the redeemed are received to their blissful, eternal abode; the wicked are cut off; the earth is purified, and the affairs of the universe are fixed on their permanent foundation. A few miscellaneous matters, therefore, dose the book.

(1.) A solemn affirmation on the part of him who had made these revelations, that they are true, and that they will be speedily accomplished, and that he will be blessed or happy who shall keep the sayings of the book, Rev 22:6,7.

(2.) The effect of all these things on John himself, leading him, as in a former case, Rev 19:10 to a disposition to worship him who had been the medium in making to him such extraordinary communications, Rev 22:8,9.

(3.) A command not to seal up what had been revealed, since the time was near. These things would soon have their fulfilment, and it was proper that the prophecies should be unsealed, or open, both that the events might be compared with the predictions, and that a persecuted church might be able to see what would be the result of all these things, and to find consolation in the assurance of the final triumph of the Son of God, Rev 22:10.

(4.) The fixed and unchangeable state of the righteous and the wicked, Rev 22:11-13.

(5.) The blessedness of those who keep the commandments of God, and who enter into the New Jerusalem, Rev 22:14,15.

(6.) Jesus, the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star, proclaims himself to be the Author of all these revelations by the instrumentality of an angel, Rev 22:16.

(7.) The universal invitation of the gospel--the language of Jesus himself--giving utterance to his strong desire for the salvation of men, Rev 22:17.

(8.) A solemn command not to change anything that had been revealed in this book, either by adding to it or by taking from it, Rev 22:18,19.

(9.) The assurance that he who had made these revelations would come quickly, and the joyous assent of John to this, and prayer that his advent might soon occur, Rev 22:20.

(10.) The benediction, Rev 22:21.

Verse 6. And he said unto me. The angel-interpreter, who had showed John the vision of the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:9-10. As these visions axe now at an end, the angel comes to John directly, and assures him that all these things are true--that there has been no deception of the senses in these visions, but that they were really Divine disclosures of what would soon and certainly occur.

These sayings are faithful and true. These communications; all that has been disclosed to you by symbols, or in direct language. Rev 21:5.

And the Lord God of the holy prophets. The same God who inspired the ancient prophets.

Sent his angel. Rev 1:1.

To show unto his servants. To all his servants, that is, to all his people, by the instrumentality of John. The revelation was made to him, and he was to record it for the good of the whole church.

The things which must shortly be done. The beginning of which must soon occur--though the series of events extended into distant ages, and even into eternity. Rev 1:1-3.

(a) "sent his angel" Rev 1:1

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Verse 6 These sayings are faithful and true - See the preceding chapter, Rev 21:5. From this verse to the end of the chapter is reckoned the epilogue of this book. 1. The angel affirms the truth of all that had been spoken, Rev 22:6-11. 2. Jesus Christ confirms what has been affirmed, and pledges himself for the fulfillment of all the prophecies contained in it, Rev 22:12-17. 3. John cautions his readers against adding or diminishing, and concludes with the apostolical blessing, Rev 22:18-21. The things which must shortly be done - There are many sayings in this book which, if taken literally, would intimate that the prophecies delivered in the whole of the Apocalypse were to be fulfilled in a short time after their delivery to John; and this is a strong support for the scheme of Wetstein, and those who maintain that the prophecies of this book all referred to those times in which the apostle lived, and to the disturbances which then took place, not only among the Jews, but in the Roman empire. What they all mean, and when and how they are to be fulfilled, God in heaven alone knows.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God. They are things that must shortly be done; Christ will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's interpreter. He refused to accept religious worship from John, and reproved him for offering it. This presents another testimony against idolatrous worship of saints and angels. God calls every one to witness to the declarations here made. This book, thus kept open, will have effect upon men; the filthy and unjust will be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those who are upright with God. Never let us think that a dead or disobedient faith will save us, for the First and the Last has declared that those alone are blessed who do his commandments. It is a book that shuts out form heaven all wicked and unrighteous persons, particularly those who love and make lies, therefore cannot itself be a lie. There is no middle place or condition. Jesus, who is the Spirit of prophecy, has given his churches this morning-light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of the perfect day approaching. All is confirmed by an open and general invitation to mankind, to come and partake freely of the promises and of the privileges of the gospel. The Spirit, by the sacred word, and by convictions and influence in the sinner's conscience, says, Come to Christ for salvation; and the bride, or the whole church, on earth and in heaven, says, Come and share our happiness. Lest any should hesitate, it is added, Let whosoever will, or, is willing, come and take of the water of life freely. May every one who hears or reads these words, desire at once to accept the gracious invitation. All are condemned who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it, or taking from it.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain