6 The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets,
sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."

The purpose of the book was to reveal truth. There is no room for teaching that this book can not be understood.
The book deals with things that will take place in the future.
This book then details information concerning the future and it can be understood through the Spirit of God and study.

"Soon" is the word "tachu" and is translated "soon" in the NIV and "quickly" in NASB and ASV.
The idea is captured in James 5:9 when it says "the Judge is standing right at the door." Meaning he is ready and could
come at any time.

John claims that the same God that spoke the OT to the men who wrote it and the same God who inspired the
authors of the NT is the God who sent the angel with a message concerning the future.
John here is claiming divine authorship in this letter. John is saying this book is inspired.

Notice that the angel only deals with events after the church age.
In chapters 1-3 and here in 22 Jesus is doing the talking to the church.
Concerning the NT revelation the angels understand it through the church.
Colossians 1:24-27
Ephesians 3:10
1 Peter 1:12

7"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

In the Greek this sentence begins with "kai" or our word "and".

"Keep" is the Greek verb "tereo" and means "to keep, to hold fast, to guard."
Believers are called on here to obey and protect the book of Revelation
1 John 2:3-4, "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, 'I know him,"
but does not do what he commands is a liar and the turht is not in him."
1 Timothy 6:20, "guard what has been entrusted to your care."

"I am coming soon" is found three times in chapter 22:7, 12, 20
It is also found in 3:11 as a promise

in 2:5 and 21:16 these same words are a warning to the church.

In 3:3 and 16:15 this refers to Jesus coming like a thief.

We are to live knowing that he is coming (at the rapture) and our chance to serve will be over.
The NT believers knew he was coming but did not know when, so their only option was to live like
he could return at any moment.
See 1 Corinthians 1:7
1 Corinthians 4:5
1 Corinthians 16:22
Philippians 3:20
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
1 Thessalonians 4:15
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
Titus 2:13
James 5:7
1 John 2:28
1 John 3:2

There are seven blessings in Revelation.
1) 1:3
2) 14:13
3) 16:15
4) 19:9
5) 20:6
6) 22:7
7) 22:14

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 them to me.

A form of "kai" begins verse 8 indicating again a change in speakers. First the angel (6), then Jesus (7), now John (8)
John had done this in 19:10

9 But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets
and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"

1) Do not do it.
2) I am a servant
3) Fellow servant with the prophets
4) Fellow servant with those who obey this book
5) Worship God.

Notice the angel realizes he is a servant, believers are servants and that together we must OBEY the book and WORSHIP God.

10 Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.

Daniel is told in Daniel 12:9 that the words of his prophecy were sealed up until the time of the end.
Here John is told not to seal up the words.
Once again indicating that from the time the vision was received the power to understand it has been available.

11 Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does
right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy."

The emphasis of verse 11 is from verse 10. The book can not be sealed up because people's lives styles and their eternal
condition is established by their response to this book.

Time is not going to change people nor is this prophecy going to override people's wills.
Those who do wrong are going to continue to do wrong because that is what they want.
Those who do right are going to continue because that is what they want.
Those who want to hear the message of this book will take heed.

Those who hardened their hearts towards this revelation will find no other deliverance. They will continue in their eternal
condition of living a life of condemnation.
Those who have accepted the revelation and so have grown in righteousness and holiness will "eti". This word means
"Yet more." Those who have accepted the word and grown will be righteous and holy yet more.

12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

Here a reward is promised along with the promise of his return.

2 John 8 "Watch yourselves, that yo do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward."

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, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go
through the gates into the city.

This is the last of the seven blessings.
KJ has "that do His commandments" instead of "those who wash their robes."
It appears the later text have changed the offering of the free gift to a requirement for obedience.

"wash" is in the present tense and suggests a continual action. This is similar to Jesus teaching to Peter concerning
bathing and foot washing in John 13:10
It is worth noting that in Rev. 7:14 that says, "they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed
their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" uses the word "washed" in the aorist tense which shows
an action belongin gto a specific point in time.

15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters
and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

These are those that have not washed their robes.
Believers have committed these same acts, but have washed their robes in the blood of the lamb.

16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you ("you" is plural) this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the
Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

"you" is plural in the Greek indicating that the revelation was given to the people in the church.
We are to understand this revelation now.
Those who live in this time will have additional insight and understanding.

"Root of David" is his name from OT prophecy foretelling his first coming.
"Morning Star" is his prophetic name foretelling his second coming.

17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come;
and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

The bride is the church.

The invitation for eternal life is still available today upon this reading.
In fact, as long as these words are read before Christ has come the invitation is open. It is a free gift but the opportunity is only
available during the time before his second coming.

John 7:37-39

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will
add to him the plagues described in this book.

This book is sealed with a curse.
This revelation is so important that to tamper with its meaning is to tamper with your eternal condition.

19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his 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.

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.