The Revelation

Revelation 22, Part 1 – Paradise Regained
Lesson 38 Bobby Stafford

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Revelation 22, Part 1 – Paradise Regained

Introduction (Revelation 22:1–7)
Revelation 22 gives one of the most beautiful and hopeful pictures in all of Scripture. It portrays the final condition of the faithful—the redeemed in the presence of God. John describes a paradise regained, where the curse of sin is gone, life flows freely, and God’s people dwell forever in His light.

Faithfulness Commended
As this lesson opens, we are reminded how precious it is to see believers choosing to do what is right rather than what is convenient. Many in the world trade faithfulness for ease, but those who worship God in truth and sincerity are blessed. God honors the choice to put Him first. Each Christian who remains steadfast brings joy to heaven and receives blessing even now.

The River of Life
John begins his vision with a remarkable description: “He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” The source of life is God Himself. This river symbolizes continual refreshment, renewal, and blessing flowing from the throne shared by both the Father and the Son. Ephesians 5:5 confirms that the kingdom belongs to both: “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man who is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” The throne represents divine rule, authority, and eternal harmony.

The Tree of Life Restored
On each side of the river stands the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding its fruit each month. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. This imagery recalls Genesis chapters 2 and 3. In the Garden of Eden, the tree of life sustained Adam and Eve until sin cut them off from it. Paradise was lost. But in heaven, paradise is restored through the blood of the Lamb. The faithful are granted what Adam and Eve lost—life in God’s presence, access to the tree of life, and perfect fellowship with Him.

No More Curse
John writes, “There shall be no more curse.” Every curse ever spoken in Scripture was the result of sin. Adam toiled under a curse upon the ground. Eve suffered pain in childbirth. Cain bore the mark of guilt. Even the serpent was cursed to crawl on its belly. Yet in heaven, there are no curses—only blessing, peace, and holiness. Sin and its consequences are forever gone.

Serving God Forever
“The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.” Serving God will be the joy of eternity. On earth, service can be hindered by weakness, fatigue, and distraction. In heaven, it will be perfect, joyful, and unending. The redeemed will serve willingly and lovingly before the throne forever.

Seeing His Face
“They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.” No one in this life has seen God’s face, but in heaven, the redeemed will behold Him directly. That sight will be the supreme joy of eternity—to dwell in His presence, to know Him perfectly, to share in His glory. His name on their foreheads symbolizes ownership, fellowship, and identity. The faithful belong to Him forever.

Light and Reign Eternal
“There shall be no night there. They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” There will be no darkness in heaven—no fear, no ignorance, no evil. God Himself will be the light. The saints will reign with Him eternally, sharing in His victory and His glory.

The Words Are Faithful and True
John emphasizes that these words are “faithful and true.” Every promise and every warning in Revelation can be trusted. The visions were given for the encouragement of persecuted believers and the assurance that God’s victory is certain. The Lord said, “Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” This is the sixth beatitude in Revelation, promising blessing to those who obey and keep God’s Word.

Worship God Alone
When John fell before the angel in awe, he was told, “Do not do that. I am your fellow servant… Worship God.” Only God deserves worship. Angels, men, and religious leaders are never to receive reverence reserved for God. Jesus Himself taught that worship belongs to the Father alone.

A Message to Be Revealed
John is told, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.” Unlike the sealed visions of Daniel, Revelation was to be made known immediately. The early church needed to hear that God was in control and that their faith would be rewarded.

Eternal Consequences and Final Judgment
“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still… he who is righteous, let him be righteous still.” This verse emphasizes the permanence of judgment. When death comes, our character and destiny are fixed. The condition in which we die determines the condition in which we spend eternity. There are only two paths—the righteous and the unrighteous—and each person chooses which to walk.

Christ’s Reward for the Faithful
Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Our lives matter. Our works follow us. Every act of faith, obedience, or service will be remembered. Scripture repeatedly affirms that each person will be judged according to what he has done. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.

Be Prepared
Because we do not know when our last morning will come, we must always be prepared. Whether He comes while we live or after we die, there will be no warning. We prepare by obeying the gospel—being born of water and the Spirit—and by remaining faithful unto death. The message is simple: be faithful to God no matter what others do.

Paradise Regained
Revelation 22 closes the story of Scripture with perfect symmetry. In Genesis, paradise was lost through sin. In Revelation, paradise is regained through the Lamb. The river of life flows again. The tree of life bears fruit again. God’s people dwell in His presence again. The Bible begins with man’s separation from God and ends with man restored to fellowship with Him forever.

Revelation 22 — Paradise Regained and the Final Invitation Sermon Outline

Text: Revelation 22
Theme: The final vision of hope, service, and invitation from the Lamb of God.

I. The River of Life (Revelation 22:1–2)

1. A pure river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and the Lamb.
   • Represents eternal life and spiritual nourishment directly from God. (John 4:14)

2. The tree of life stands on both sides of the river.
   • Twelve fruits signify completeness and constant provision.
   • Leaves for the healing of the nations symbolize eternal peace and restoration.

3. Connection to Genesis 2–3: Paradise lost through sin is now restored through the Lamb.

II. No More Curse (Revelation 22:3)

1. All curses since the fall are removed. (Genesis 3:16–19; Galatians 3:13)

2. The throne of God and the Lamb shows divine unity and reign.

3. His servants will serve Him joyfully and eternally. (Matthew 25:21)

III. Seeing His Face (Revelation 22:4)

1. “They shall see His face.” The greatest joy of heaven is direct fellowship with God. (1 John 3:2; Matthew 5:8)

2. “His name shall be on their foreheads.” Signifies identity, belonging, and eternal ownership by God.

IV. Eternal Light and Reign (Revelation 22:5)

1. “There shall be no night there.” Eternal day, no fear, no darkness, no evil.

2. God Himself is the light; no need for sun or lamp. (Isaiah 60:19–20)

3. “They shall reign forever and ever.” The faithful share in Christ’s eternal victory. (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 3:21)

V. The Faithful and True Words (Revelation 22:6–7)

1. “These words are faithful and true.” God’s promises never fail.

2. “Behold, I come quickly.” Refers to His sure judgment and certain return.

3. “Blessed is he who keeps the words of this prophecy.” Obedience to the Word brings eternal blessing.

VI. Worship God Only (Revelation 22:8–9)

1. John falls to worship the angel but is told, “Do not do that.”

2. Lesson: Only God deserves worship. (Matthew 4:10; Acts 10:25–26)

3. All religious titles and reverence belong to God alone.

VII. The Open Message (Revelation 22:10)

1. “Do not seal the words of this prophecy.” God’s Word must be shared openly.

2. “The time is at hand.” The events of Revelation were already unfolding for first-century Christians.

3. The message of victory and faithfulness is for every generation.

VIII. The Fixed Eternal Destiny (Revelation 22:11)

1. “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still.”

2. Death fixes character and destiny forever. (Hebrews 9:27)

3. The righteous remain righteous; the wicked remain wicked.

4. There is no second chance beyond the grave.

IX. Christ’s Final Declaration (Revelation 22:12–13)

1. “Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

2. Judgment will be based on each person’s works. (Romans 2:6–7)

3. “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Christ is eternal, sovereign, and supreme over all.

X. Preparation for Eternity

1. Every life will end; the soul’s condition at death determines eternity.

2. We must be born again—obedience through water and Spirit. (John 3:5; Acts 2:38)

3. Remain faithful unto death. (Revelation 2:10)

4. The faithful will see His face and live forever in His presence.

Call to Action
The Spirit and the bride still say, “Come.” Jesus invites all who thirst to receive the water of life freely. Obey the gospel, remain faithful, and keep your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The invitation stands until He comes.

Key Takeaways
• Heaven restores all that was lost through sin. (Revelation 22:1–2)
• The faithful will serve and reign with God eternally. (Revelation 22:3–5)
• God’s Word is faithful and true. (Revelation 22:6–7)
• Only God is worthy of worship. (Revelation 22:9)
• Eternal destiny is fixed at death. (Revelation 22:11)
• Christ’s coming and reward are certain. (Revelation 22:12)

Scripture Reference List
Revelation 22:1–21 – Vision of heaven and final exhortations.
Genesis 2–3 – Paradise lost through sin.
Ephesians 5:5 – The kingdom of Christ and God.
Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeemed us from the curse.
Isaiah 60:19–20 – The Lord as eternal light.
Matthew 4:10; Acts 10:25–26 – Worship God alone.
Revelation 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10 – Faithfulness and judgment.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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