22 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of our Father and of Jesus, the Lamb, 2 down the middle of the city's street. On either side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of our Father and of Jesus, the Lamb, will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will need no lamp or light of the sun, for the Sovereign Father will give them light; and they will reign forever and ever.
6 Then the angel said to me, "These words are faithful and true. The Sovereign Father, the Father of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place."
7 "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
I Am Coming Soon
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing me these things. 9 But he said to me, "Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship our Father!" 10 Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to do right; and let the holy continue to be holy."
12 "Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what he has done.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star."
17 The Holy Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who desires take the water of life freely.
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, our Father will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, our Father will take away that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! a a 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.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.