Revelation 22:15 Komentář

In this chapter we have, I. A further description of the heavenly state of the church (Rev 22:1-5). II. A confirmation of this and all the other visions of this book (Rev 22:6-19). III. The conclusion (Rev 22:20, Rev 22:21).

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 22 This chapter contains a further account of the above city, a confirmation of the visions of this book, and the conclusion of it. The city is further described by the river that ran by it, or through it, called a river of water of life, said to be pure and clear as crystal, and to have its rise from the throne of God and the Lamb; and by the tree of life in the midst of it, situated on each side the river, bearing twelve sorts of fruit, yielded every month, the leaves of which heal the nations, Rev 22:1 and the happiness of the inhabitants of it is set forth, by there being no curse in it; by the throne of God and the Lamb being in it; by the service of the saints in it; by the pleasure they enjoy, and the honour put upon them; by the light of the place, and the duration of the saints' reign, Rev 22:3 next follow testimonies concerning the authority of the book, and the truth of things in it; and first, the testimony of the angel that talked with John, declaring that the things in it were true and faithful; and that he was sent from the Lord God of the prophets to show to the saints things that would quickly come to pass; and that Christ himself would quickly come; and that they were happy who kept and observed the sayings and prophecies of it, Rev 22:6 then the testimony of John who saw and heard them, and was about to worship the angel that declared them, but was forbid by him, and dissuaded from it, by observing to him who he was, a fellow servant of his and of his brethren, and that God only was to be worshipped, Rev 22:8 who is ordered, as it seems by Christ, not to seal up the prophecies delivered to him, since the time of their fulfilment was at hand, when men would remain just as they were, whether ungodly and filthy, or righteous and holy, Rev 22:10 and who declares that he should quickly come to reward every man according to his works; and that he was the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last; and that they were happy that did his commandments, since it would appear they had a right to the tree of life, and to entrance through the gates into the city before described, when wicked men, whose characters are given, would be without, Rev 22:12 and still more clearly and fully Christ asserts himself to be the author of this revelation, and the sender of the angel, to testify it to the church, who is David's root and offspring, and the morning star, whose coming is to be wished for by the Spirit and bride, and every truly gracious soul, Rev 22:16 and to show the perfection and authority of this book, as well as of the whole Scripture, and to deter persons from adding to it, or taking from it, he threatens to inflict on such persons the plagues herein written, and to take the names of such out of the book of life, out of the holy city, and from the things written in this book, Rev 22:18 and then he delivers out a fresh asseveration of his speedy coming, to which John adds his hearty "Amen", and earnest request that he would come quickly; and the book is concluded with a benediction usual in the epistles, especially in those of the Apostle Paul, Rev 22:20.

For without are dogs,.... That is, without the holy city are such persons who are comparable to dogs for their filthiness, impudence, and voraciousness, as are persecutors, heretics, and apostates, Mat 7:6. Some think Sodomites are intended, as in Deu 23:18. So Abarbinel and others interpret the law; and who abound in the Roman jurisdiction, called therefore Sodom, Rev 11:8 and indeed all wicked men, who will be cast out into outer darkness, may be signified hereby. The Jews say (k), "when a man dies, if he be worthy (or righteous) he descends in the likeness of a lion to receive "his" soul, but if not, in the likeness of "a dog", concerning which David says, Psa 22:20.'' And sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters; characters of the antichristian party, who will have no place in this city, or glorious kingdom of Christ; See Gill on Rev 21:8. And whosoever loveth and maketh a lie; who loves both to invent and tell lies, and loves to hear them told by others; meaning more especially the doctrinal lies of antichrist, which are spoken in hypocrisy by him, and his followers are given up to believe. (k) Raya Mchimna in Zohar in Numb. fol. 95. 2.

Now then, ye dogs, whom the apostle puts outside, and who yelp at the God of truth, let us come to your various questions.

Outside are the dogs, he says. It is customary in the divine writing to call dogs those who associate with others because of their shamelessness and uncleanness. For Moses also says in Deuteronomy, the law of the advocator: "You shall not bring the hire of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God for any vow of yours." (Deut. 23:18) And since such persons are like dogs in their shamelessness, one of the philosophers outside also testifies, saying likewise: "Flee from every murder and the beds of a woman's adultery;" and oaths of the blessed and shameless couches of youths. Therefore the dogs are outside the holy city and the conduct with the righteous, these and those. For what fellowship have they with the righteous of God? And everyone who loves and practices falsehood, he says will be outside. Falsehood is everything contrary to nature; for since virtue is according to nature, because the Maker originally implanted in our nature the seed of virtue, wickedness is contrary to nature. Just as in bodies health is according to nature and disease contrary to nature, and sight and hearing are according to nature while blindness and deafness are contrary to nature, so in souls virtue is according to nature and wickedness contrary to nature; for health is parallel to virtue, and disease to wickedness. And in this respect wickedness is falsehood, because it often pretends to be virtue; for boldness is fashioned to appear as courage, wickedness as prudence, sloth as temperance, and baseness as justice. For all these are vices assuming the guise of virtue, and so he casts out of the divine precincts those who practice the falsehood of wickedness.

Those who are outside the congregation of the saints will be manifestly thrown out of the ark of blessedness. He moreover declares by whose authority these things have been shown or said to saint John when he continues, “I, Jesus …”

The dogs are not only the shameless and the unfaithful and those evildoers in the circumcision, for whom the apostle wept, but also those who, after their baptism, “returned to their own vomit.” Therefore, with the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters, they are foreigners to the heavenly city.

But outside are dogs, and sorcerers, and sexually immoral, etc. For all the rage of the wicked now also attempts to intrude upon the Church, but when the master of the house has entered, and, with the saints entering with him into the wedding, has shut the door, then they will begin to stand outside and knock at the door (Luke XIII).

The river of the water of life, Rev 22:1. The tree of life, Rev 22:2. There is no curse nor darkness in the city of God, Rev 22:3-5. The angel assures John of the truth of what he has heard, and states that the time of the fulfillment is at hand, Rev 22:6, Rev 22:7. He forbids John to worship him, Rev 22:8, Rev 22:9. Again he states that the time of the fulfillment of the prophecies of this book is at hand, Rev 22:10-12. Christ is Alpha and Omega, Rev 22:13. The blessedness of those who keep his commandments; they enter through the gates into the city, Rev 22:14. All the unholy are excluded, Rev 22:15. Christ sent his angel to testify of those things in the Churches, Rev 22:16. The invitation of the Spirit and the bride, Rev 22:17. A curse denounced against those who shall either add to or take away front the prophecies of this book, Rev 22:18, Rev 22:19. Christ cometh quickly, Rev 22:20. The apostolical benediction, Rev 22:21.

Without are dogs - All those who are uncircumcised in heart. The Jews call all the uncircumcised dogs. "Who is a dog? Ans. He who is not circumcised." Pirkey Elieser, chap. 29. And sorcerers - See the note on Rev 21:8.

THE RIVER OF LIFE: THE TREE OF LIFE: THE OTHER BLESSEDNESSES OF THE REDEEMED. JOHN FORBIDDEN TO WORSHIP THE ANGEL. NEARNESS OF CHRIST'S COMING TO FIX MAN'S ETERNAL STATE. TESTIMONY OF JESUS, HIS SPIRIT, AND THE BRIDE, ANY ADDITION TO WHICH, OR SUBTRACTION FROM WHICH, SHALL BE ETERNALLY PUNISHED. CLOSING BENEDICTION. (Rev. 22:1-21) pure--A, B, Vulgate, and HILARY 22, omit. water of life--infinitely superior to the typical waters in the first Paradise (Gen 2:10-14); and even superior to those figurative ones in the millennial Jerusalem (Eze 47:1, Eze 47:12; Zac 14:8), as the matured fruit is superior to the flower. The millennial waters represent full Gospel grace; these waters of new Jerusalem represent Gospel glory perfected. Their continuous flow from God, the Fountain of life, symbolizes the uninterrupted continuance of life derived by the saints, ever fresh, from Him: life in fulness of joy, as well as perpetual vitality. Like pure crystal, it is free from every taint: compare Rev 4:6, "before the throne a sea of glass, like crystal." clear--Greek, "bright."

But--so Coptic. But A, B, HIPPOLYTUS, ANDREAS, and CYPRIAN omit. dogs--Greek, "the dogs"; the impure, filthy (Rev 22:11; compare Phi 3:2). maketh--including also "whosoever practiceth a lie" [W. KELLY].