Reading Revelation 22:17-21 An Invitation, a Warning, and Grace
- Thad DeBuhr
- Jun 22
- 9 min read
You've journeyed through the wild landscape of Revelation: vivid scenes of dragons, beasts, hardened hearts, relentless persecution, triumphant angels, breaking seals, and faithful martyrs. By the end, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and wonder, "What's the takeaway from all this?" Surprisingly, John provides just that! He concludes his letter with powerful, direct instructions – a clear "after all that, here's what to do (and what not to do)." That's what we'll dive into in this study.
Today, we're also going to take one "little rabbit trail" into Revelation 22:14. We'll show you how different Bible translations can sometimes give the impression that words were "added" or "left out," when in fact, both versions are simply honest translations from ancient manuscripts. This is a perfect illustration of why understanding Bible translations is so vital, especially when John warns us not to tweak anything in his message. And while this is just a quick peek, get ready for a much bigger, deeper dive into all things Bible translation—including their history, different methods, and guidance on which versions are most accurate for deep study versus those best for daily reading.
Setting the stage: Revelation 22:17-21
We're at the very end of the Bible, in the book of Revelation, which N.T. Wright often describes as a picture book for grown-ups. It's not so much about predicting every last detail of the future like a crystal ball, but rather about showing us who God is, what He’s up to, and how everything is going to culminate in His ultimate victory. Think of it as a grand finale, a cosmic "happily ever after" but with a lot more glory.
Specifically, we're looking at Revelation 22:17-21. This isn't just some polite closing remarks; it's a powerful invitation and a serious warning. You see, throughout history, there have been folks who tried to add to or take away from God’s Word. In ancient times, especially in the Greco-Roman world where John, the author of Revelation, was writing, it was common for important documents to have a curse or blessing at the end to protect their integrity. Imagine a legal contract with a big, bold statement at the end saying, "Don't mess with this!" That’s kind of what’s happening here. John MacArthur points out that this passage isn't just about Revelation, but it's a strong statement about the entire biblical canon – God's complete message to us.
Verse 17 is especially beautiful: "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price." This isn't just a general invitation; it's a passionate plea. Craig Keener, in his extensive commentaries, often highlights how this reflects the ancient Near Eastern hospitality where thirsty travelers were freely offered water. But here, it's not just physical water; it's the "water of life," a direct reference to spiritual renewal and eternal life, echoing what Jesus offered the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:10). The "Spirit and the bride" (meaning the Church, God's people) are united in this invitation, eager for others to experience God's goodness. It’s an open-door policy for anyone who's thirsty for something more.
Then come the warnings in verses 18-19. These are stern words, not to be taken lightly. "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." N.T. Wright explains that this isn't about God being a cosmic killjoy, but about protecting the integrity of His message. It's like a recipe for a life-saving medicine – you wouldn’t want someone messing with the ingredients, would you? God wants His truth to be pure and unadulterated so that everyone can find the true path to life. Brad Gray from Walkingthetext.com often emphasizes that these warnings underline the seriousness with which God views His revealed word. It’s His communication to us, and it’s perfect just as it is.
Finally, verses 20-21 bring us back to hope and grace: "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." The entire book of Revelation, and indeed the entire Bible, points to the coming of Jesus. It's a promise, a comfort, and a challenge. We are to live in expectation of His return, actively participating in His mission until He comes. And it all ends with grace – an undeserved gift from God that empowers us to live for Him and to share His message with a thirsty world.
Rabbit Trail: A Closer Look at Revelation 22:14 – Why Translations Differ
In today's study, we mentioned that we'd take a little "rabbit trail" to illustrate why understanding different Bible translations is so important, especially when John warns us not to add or take away from his message. Let's look at a classic example from Revelation 22:14.
You might have noticed that some modern translations like the NASB95, ESV, NIV, and NLT say "wash their robes," while the King James Version (KJV) says "do his commandments." This isn't a case of someone intentionally "adding or leaving out" something from the Bible. Instead, it's a perfect illustration of a textual variant in biblical studies, and how both versions are translations based on legitimate manuscripts from the original languages.
1. Textual Variants and Manuscript Evidence:
First, it's crucial to remember that we don't possess the original handwritten texts (autographs) of any biblical book. What we have are thousands of copies made over centuries. As scribes copied these texts, unintentional errors (like skipping a line or mishearing a word) or even intentional changes (like clarifying a point or harmonizing with other passages) sometimes occurred. These differences are called textual variants.
When it comes to Revelation 22:14 specifically:
"Wash their robes" (πλύνοντες τὰς στολάς αὐτῶν): This reading is supported by some of the earliest and most highly regarded Greek manuscripts, including Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) and Codex Alexandrinus (5th century), as well as many other ancient versions and church fathers. Most modern translations (NASB, ESV, NIV, NLT) follow this reading because it is considered to have stronger, earlier manuscript support.
"Do his commandments" (ποιοῦντες τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ): This reading is found in the Textus Receptus (Received Text), which was the primary Greek text used for the King James Version (KJV). The Textus Receptus was compiled primarily from later Byzantine manuscripts. While there is ancient support for this reading from some church fathers and later manuscripts, it is generally considered by most textual critics to be a less ancient and less reliable reading.
2. The Likely Origin of the Difference:
You might be wondering how such a difference could arise. In the Greek, the two phrases are remarkably similar in appearance and sound:
"wash their robes": πλύνoντϵς ταˋς στoλαˋς
"do his commandments": πoιoῦντϵς ταˋς ϵντoλαˋς
It's very easy to see how a scribe could have accidentally substituted one for the other, either by mishearing if it was dictated, or by visually jumping between similar-looking words. Some scholars also suggest that "do his commandments" might have been an intentional change by a scribe to bring the verse into closer harmony with other passages emphasizing obedience (like Revelation 14:12).
3. Meaning and Theological Implication:
While the phrasing differs, many scholars argue that the underlying theological meaning is not drastically different:
"Wash their robes": This imagery in Revelation (and elsewhere, like Revelation 7:14) is a metaphor for purification and salvation, specifically through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Those who "wash their robes" are those who have been cleansed from their sins by faith in Christ. This cleansing naturally leads to a righteous life.
"Do his commandments": This emphasizes active obedience and a life lived by God's will.
The prevailing view among biblical scholars is that "washing one's robes" and "doing his commandments" are two sides of the same coin when it comes to the redeemed. Those who are truly cleansed by Christ's blood will, as a natural outflow of their transformed lives and faith, seek to obey God's commandments. Conversely, genuine obedience to God's commandments is a characteristic of those who have been redeemed and whose robes have been washed.
Therefore, while the textual evidence favors "wash their robes" as the original reading, both phrases point to the character of those who will enter the New Jerusalem and have access to the tree of life – they are people who have been saved by grace and whose lives reflect that salvation through obedience.
Coming Soon: Your BIG DEEP DIVE into Bible Translations!
This was just one "little rabbit trail" to whet your appetite! You can expect to see a much bigger, much deeper dive into Bible translations coming soon. We'll explore their methods, historical development, and provide guidance about which ones are more accurate for in-depth study, which are good to use as a daily reader, and which versions should be your go-to Bible when you want to dig deeper and truly understand the Word of God. Stay tuned!
There's more to this Reading Revelation 22:17-21 STUDY GUIDE
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FURTHER FOR:
Questions to chew on and discuss (or for your journal)
A Journey Group Discussion Starter (use in your small group time)
Modern Day Application Ideas
Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!
Questions for You to Chew On and Discuss
How does the invitation in Revelation 22:17 ("Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price") make you feel? Have you ever felt that spiritual thirst?
Why do you think God places such strong warnings against adding to or taking away from His Word? What might be the dangers of doing so?
The Bible ends with "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all." What does "grace" mean to you, and how does it impact your daily life as a follower of Jesus?
Journey Group Discussion Starter
In what ways can we, as modern-day Christians, actively embody the invitation of "Come!" to those around us who are spiritually thirsty? How can we offer the "water of life without price" in our daily lives?
Want to learn more about our Journey Groups (Small Groups online or in person)
Modern-Day Application: Go from "reading Revelation" to applying the lessons and principles:
This passage isn't just a historical footnote; it’s a living word for us today. First, be thirsty for God’s truth. Don't just skim the surface of your faith; dive deep into His Word. Seek Him with all your heart, and you will find Him. Second, respect God’s Word. Don't try to twist it to fit your own agenda or dismiss parts you don't like. Let it challenge you, change you, and guide you. Read it, study it, and let it shape your worldview. Third, share the invitation. If you’ve found the "water of life," don't keep it to yourself! Be an open channel for God’s love and truth, inviting others to experience the life-changing grace of Jesus.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
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