It is not surprising that the last chapter of the Book of Revelation contains quotations that conclude themes started earlier in the Book.

Verses 1/3

Verses 1 and 3 contain references to Zechariah 14 v 8 ("water of life ... proceeding out of") and 11 ("and there shall be no more curse") respectively. References to Zechariah 12 - 14 were identified in chapter 16, covering the fall of Jerusalem, Christ's manifestation to Israel and the defeat of the nations that invade the land.  Revelation 22 contains references to the period after that turmoil when Jesus Christ, the king, reigns in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14 v 17).

Just as the physical temple structure that Ezekiel saw is symbolic of the bride of Christ (see the notes on chapter 21), so the waters and the trees he saw in Ezekiel 47 v 12 are real things that will exist in the kingdom which will represent  God's work of salvation.

The living water in Zechariah 14 v 8, which is also described in Ezekiel 47 v 1 - 12 and Joel 3 v 18, will be a physical reminder in the kingdom of  the spiritual living waters that proceed from the Lord Jesus Christ (John 4 v 10). John 7 v 38, 39 identifies this water which comes from Christ as "holy" or sancifying spirit, which was the means by which the ekklesia was born (e.g. Acts 1 v 8). Also, the living water is the means by which God's house is cleansed from the effects of sin and death (in Leviticus 14 v 52, the house is cleansed of leprosy by living water (AV running water)). The living water seen in Revelation 22 v 1 can be considered to represent the process of  cleansing the saints who make up the New Jerusalem.

The trees which Ezekiel saw in 47 v 12 were for healing, and symbolise the tree of life which those that believe in Christ have access to. Eternal life heals the effects of sin and the curse, and it is Christ who provides the means of  healing (Isaiah 53 v 5, Malachi 4 v 2). The trees in the kingdom will be a reminder of his work of healing the saints who rule with him at that time, and the healing of the nations who are governed by him (22 v 2).

Verses 4/5

The reference to seeing God's face  (v 4) contains similar ideas to 1 John 3 v 2 and the mention of "names in foreheads" (v 4) points back to Revelation 14 v 1. It can be contrasted with the followers of the beast in Revelation 13 v 16.

It will be seen that verse 12 makes reference to Isaiah 62 v 11 ("come ... and my reward is with me ... work"). The statement in verse 5 about  the Lord God giving his servants light echoes Isaiah 62 v 1, "the righteousness (of Jerusalem shall) go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth".

Verse 6

Verse 6 points back to Revelation 1 v 1 ("angel ... shew unto servants"). A comparison of verses 6 and 16 brings out similar conclusions to those in the notes on chapter 1 concerning the names of God. In verse 6 it says "the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel", whereas verse 16 says "I Jesus sent my angel". From this it can be concluded that Jesus can be equated to the Lord God in some sense. It was seen from Revelation chapter 1 that Jesus can  be considered to be the Lord or Yahweh, because the name Yahweh contains the idea of the Father being manifested through his servants, i.e. people like Jesus.

Similar ideas can be associated with the term God. In John 10 v 35 Jesus says that "he (the Father) called them gods, unto whom the word of God came". So "God"  describes someone who receives God's word, whether man or angel. Putting the ideas behind Lord and God together, Lord God (or Yahweh Elohim in its hebrew form) describes the Father being manifested through individuals who receive his word. The word that Jesus gave to the angel to give to John are the words of his Father as well (see John 14 v 24, John 12 v 49, 50).

The Father is manifested through individuals, like Jesus, and they can be termed "Lord God" because they are manifesting the Father who speaks through them.

Verses 7/17

Verse 12 makes reference to Isaiah 62 v 11, "come ... my reward is with me". It is salvation which comes in Isaiah 62 and it comes to Zion. In turn, Isaiah 62 v 11 contains similarities to Zechariah 9 v 9, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion ... behold thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation (or "and is saved")". Christ has obtained salvation and will provide it for the bride, who will inhabit Zion.

Verses 18/21

Verses 18 and 19 quote Deuteronomy 4 v 2, 12 v 32, "If any man shall add unto these things ... and if any man shall take away from the words". When Moses spoke these words, he reminded Israel of what happened to those who went after Baal - Peor (Deuteronomy 4 v 3 - see Numbers 25) and emphasized that those who had joined themselves to Yahweh were still alive. Tampering with God's word leads to idolatry, which is a major theme in the Book of Revelation (see reference to Numbers 25 v 1, 2 in Revelation 2 v 14, also the contrast between the bride of Christ and the idolatrous woman of Revelation 17).

In this chapter, Jesus reminds the reader, "I come quickly" (vs 7, 12, 20 - see also 2 v 5, 16, 3 v 11). This could have two possible meanings, either that his return would quickly follow the completion of the book or that his return would occur quickly when the time came (which seems to be the sense of the quickness in other passages (e.g. Mark 16 v 8)).

This study has concluded that many of the details of the Book describe events that occur about the time of Christ's return. When Jesus says "I come quickly", it suggests that it is no good waiting for the start of the events at the end of this age before obeying Christ, because things may well unfold too fast. Instead, we should take heed of the teaching of the Book and determine to walk in the ways of the Father and his Son now, so that when things do start unfolding we shall not be afraid of whether or not we will be part of the bride.

If we will walk in God's ways while we have the opportunity to do so, we will say "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (v 20) before the events at the end of the age engulf the world, and we will be prepared for his coming whenever it is.

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