1And the angel showed me the river of water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Zech.14:8), 2It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river, a tree of life grew, which bore twelve kinds of fruit, and yielded its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were used as medicine for the healing of the nations (Ez.47:12). 3And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him; 4And they shall see His face; and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there. They will need no lamp, nor light from the sun; for the Lord God will give them light; and they shall reign forever and ever. (Is.24:23) 6And the angel said to me, “These words are faithful and true (trustworthy); and the Lord God, Who inspires the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants those things which must happen shortly.” 7“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed are they that keep and obey the words of prophecy of this book.” 8And I, John, am the one who saw and heard these things. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9But then he said to me, “See that you do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and your fellow prophets, and with all those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” (Acts 10:26) 10And then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll (book); for the time is near. 11Let whoever is unjust remain unjust; and whoever is filthy, let him remain filthy; and those that are righteous, let them remain righteous; and those that are holy, let them remain holy.” (Dan.12:10). 12“And, behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each person according to what they have done (Job 34:11). 13I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” 14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may enter through the gates into the city, and eat the fruit of the tree of life. 15For outside are the unclean – those that engage in magic, sorcery, sexual perversion, murder, idolatry, and deceit. 16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you testimony about these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.” (Is.11:1) 17And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let him that hears say, “Come.” And let anyone who is thirsty come. And let whoever desires take and drink freely of the gift of the water of life. (Is.55:1) Most translations of verse 14 (21 of the 24 reviewed) have the phrase “wash their robes”, while the other 3 have “do his commandments”. In English, there is little similarity between the two; but we are told that in the original Greek, they are very similar (differing only in 3 letters in one word, 1 in the 2nd, and 2 in the 3rd) - close enough that a scribal error may be the reason. The “best” manuscripts are said to read “those that wash their robes”. Perhaps we would be better served if we “marry” the two interpretations into “those who obey His commandments by washing their robes in His cleansing blood”. 18And I solemnly warn everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God shall add to that person the plagues that are described in this scroll. (Deut.12:32) 19And if anyone takes away any of the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God shall take away from that person their share in the tree of life, and in the holy city, that are described in this scroll. 20He Who testifies of these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! 21May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all God’s people. Amen |