The Meaning of Revelation 22:7 Explained

Revelation 22:7

KJV: Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

YLT: Lo, I come quickly; happy is he who is keeping the words of the prophecy of this scroll.'

Darby: And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

ASV: And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Behold,  I come  quickly:  blessed  [is] he that keepeth  the sayings  of the prophecy  of this  book. 

What does Revelation 22:7 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Probably the angel relayed these words of Christ (cf. Revelation 22:12-13) to John (cf. Revelation 16:15). Jesus Christ promised to return soon (cf. Revelation 22:12; Revelation 22:20; Revelation 3:11). Reconstructionism (dominion theology) and preterism refer this imminence to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D70. [1] The Greek word translated "quickly" (tachy) means "soon." The Second Coming is the great climactic event in view through most of this prophecy, but applying this word about imminence to the Rapture is certainly legitimate. [2]
". . . it is quite evident that He would have us live in the constant expectation of His advent being imminent." [3]
The book closes as it opened, with a special blessing for those who pay attention to what it teaches ( Revelation 1:3; cf. Revelation 16:5). Here, however, the speaker is Christ, whom the angel apparently quoted. John evidently wrote this book as his visions unfolded (cf. Revelation 10:4).
It is ironical that people have neglected this book even though it contains more promises of blessing than any other book in the Bible. Everyone should continue to study it.

Context Summary

Revelation 22:1-9 - "the River Of Water Of Life"
The first five verses of this chapter obviously belong to the preceding one, from which they should not be severed. The ever-flowing river of life proves that the whole life of the blessed depends on the life of God, resident in the enthroned Lamb and communicated through the Holy Spirit. In Eden there was one tree of life; in the New Jerusalem there is a grove with perennial fruit, not protected by a flaming sword, but standing freely in the main thoroughfare, that all who will may take. Observe the threefold description of the saints-they serve, they behold, and they resemble Revelation 22:3-4. No night with its shadow; no rest is needed in the delightful service; no artificial, but un-derived and original light; no cessation of regnant power, for they shall reign forever and ever.
When the visions end, John is assured of the reality and truth of all that he has heard and seen. It appears that the Master Himself broke in with the assurance of His speedy advent; and who shall say that that assurance has failed, when we measure the flight of time with the years of the right hand of the Most High? We should remember also that the fall of Jerusalem and the sack of Jerusalem marked stages in the Advent. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 22

1  The river of the water of life
2  The tree of life
5  The light of the city of God is himself
7  Jesus Is Coming
9  The angel will not be worshipped
18  Nothing may be added to the word of God, nor taken away

Greek Commentary for Revelation 22:7

And behold, I come quickly [και ιδου ερχομαι ταχυ]
Christ is the speaker, either through this angel or more probably directly from Christ without introduction as in Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:16. About Christ coming quickly see Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 16:15, and already in Revelation 1:2. Once more we must recall that ταχυ — tachu and εν ταχει — en tachei are according to God‘s time, not ours (2 Peter 3:8). [source]
Blessed [μακαριος]
This beatitude is like in substance the first (Revelation 1:3) and is in Christ‘s own words like the one in Revelation 16:15. This book is here called a “prophecy” (προπητειας — prophēteias) as in Revelation 22:10, Revelation 22:18, Revelation 22:19. It is Christ‘s revelation from God, a direct message from God. Part of it is prediction of doom on Christ‘s enemies, but most of it is a comforting picture of final triumph and bliss for the faithful in a time of great distress and persecution. [source]
Keepeth [τηρῶν]
A favorite word with John, occurring in his writings more frequently than in all the rest of the New Testament together. See on reserved 1 Peter 1:4. [source]
Book [βιβλίου]
Diminutive, properly a little book or scroll. See on writing, Matthew 19:7; see on bill, Mark 10:2; see on book, Luke 4:17. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 22:7

Revelation 11:3 I will give [δωσω]
Future active of διδωμι — didōmi The speaker may be God (Beckwith) or Christ (Swete) as in Revelation 2:13; Revelation 21:6 or his angel representative (Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12.). The idiom that follows is Hebraic instead of either the infinitive after διδωμι — didōmi as in Revelation 2:7; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 7:2; Revelation 13:7, Revelation 13:15; Revelation 16:8 or ινα — hina with the subjunctive (Revelation 9:5; Revelation 19:8) we have και προπητευσουσιν — kai prophēteusousin (and they shall prophesy). [source]
Revelation 11:6 That it rain not [ινα μη υετος βρεχηι]
Sub-final use of ινα μη — hina mē with the present active subjunctive of βρεχω — brechō old verb to rain (Matthew 5:45), here with υετος — huetos as subject.During the days (τας ημερας — tas hēmeras). Accusative of extent of time. In Luke 4:25; James 5:17 the period of the drouth in Elijah‘s time was three and a half years, just the period here.Of their prophecy Not here the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10) or a particular prophecy or collection of prophecies (Revelation 1:3; Revelation 22:7.), but “the execution of the prophetic office” (Swete).Over the waters (επι των υδατων — epi tōn hudatōn). “Upon the waters.” As Moses had (Exodus 7:20).Into blood As already stated in Revelation 8:8 about the third trumpet and now again here.To smite (παταχαι — pataxai). First aorist active infinitive of πατασσω — patassō used here with εχουσιαν εχουσιν — exousian echousin (they have power), as is στρεπειν — strephein (to turn).With every plague In 1 Kings 4:8, but with reference to the plagues in Egypt.As often as they shall desire (οσακις εαν τελησωσιν — hosakis ean thelēsōsin). Indefinite temporal clause with οσακις — hosakis and modal εαν — ean (= αν — an) and the first aorist active subjunctive of τελω — thelō “as often as they will.” [source]
Revelation 11:6 Of their prophecy [της προπητειας αυτων]
Not here the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10) or a particular prophecy or collection of prophecies (Revelation 1:3; Revelation 22:7.), but “the execution of the prophetic office” (Swete).Over the waters (επι των υδατων — epi tōn hudatōn). “Upon the waters.” As Moses had (Exodus 7:20).Into blood As already stated in Revelation 8:8 about the third trumpet and now again here.To smite (παταχαι — pataxai). First aorist active infinitive of πατασσω — patassō used here with εχουσιαν εχουσιν — exousian echousin (they have power), as is στρεπειν — strephein (to turn).With every plague In 1 Kings 4:8, but with reference to the plagues in Egypt.As often as they shall desire (οσακις εαν τελησωσιν — hosakis ean thelēsōsin). Indefinite temporal clause with οσακις — hosakis and modal εαν — ean (= αν — an) and the first aorist active subjunctive of τελω — thelō “as often as they will.” [source]
Revelation 11:14 The third woe [η ουαι η τριτη]
(η ουαι η τριτη — hē ouai hē tritē feminine as in Revelation 9:12) is the seventh trumpet, which now “cometh quickly” (ερχεται ταχυ — erchetai tachu), for which phrase see Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. Usually pointing to the Parousia. [source]
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief [ιδου ερχομαι ως κλεπτης]
The voice of Christ breaks in with the same metaphor as in Revelation 3:3, which see. There comes one of seven beatitudes in Rev (Revelation 1:3; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:14). For γρηγορων — grēgorōn (watching) see Revelation 3:2, and for τηρων — tērōn (keeping), Revelation 1:3. [source]
Revelation 2:16 I come [ερχομαι]
Futuristic present middle indicative, “I am coming” (imminent), as in Revelation 2:5 with ταχυ — tachu as in Revelation 3:11; Revelation 11:14; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. As with εν ταχει — en tachei (Revelation 1:1), we do not know how soon “quickly” is meant to be understood. But it is a real threat.Against them (μετ αυτων — met' autōn). This proposition with πολεμεω — polemeō rather than κατα — kata (against) is common in the lxx, but in the N.T. only in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 12:7; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 and the verb itself nowhere else in N.T. except James 4:2. “An eternal roll of thunder from the throne” (Renan). “The glorified Christ is in this book a Warrior, who fights with the sharp sword of the word” (Swete).With Instrumental use of εν — en For the language see Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 19:15. [source]
Revelation 22:12 My reward is with me [ο μιστος μου μετ εμου]
It is Christ speaking again and he repeats his promise of coming quickly as in Revelation 22:7. He speaks now as the Rewarder (ο μισταποδοτης — ho misthapodotēs) of Hebrews 11:6. Cf. Revelation 11:18; Isaiah 40:10; Isaiah 62:11. [source]
Revelation 22:20 Yea: I come quickly [Ναι ερχομαι ταχυ]
Affirmation again of the promise in Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12. On Αμην ερχου Κυριε Ιησου — Nai (Yes) see Revelation 1:7 for the Lord‘s assent to the call. Then John expresses his absolute belief in the Lord‘s promise: “Amen: come, Lord Jesus” On Ιησου — Amēn see Revelation 1:7. On Μαρανα τα — erchou see Revelation 22:17. Note Kurie with Iēsou As in 1 Corinthians 12:3; Philemon 2:11. For Paul‘s confidence in the deity of Christ and the certainty of his second coming see Titus 2:13; 2 Timothy 4:8. Marana tha (1 Corinthians 16:22). [source]
Revelation 3:11 I come quickly [ερχομαι ταχυ]
As in Revelation 2:16; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20. “The keynote of the book” (Beckwith). But allow the author‘s own meaning of “quickly.” [source]
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy [μακαριος και αγιος]
A fifth beatitude (Revelation 1:3; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 19:9) already and two more to come (Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:14, seven in all). Here αγιος — hagios is added to the usual μακαριος — makarios The second death The spiritual death of Revelation 2:11; Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:8 in contrast to the first or physical death. This language raises a question about the interpretation of the first and the second resurrections, whether both are of the body or one of the spirit. There seems no way to reach a solid conception about it. In 1 Corinthians 15:23 there is no mention of the resurrection of any save “those of Christ” However, Paul elsewhere (Acts 24:15) speaks of the resurrection of the just and of the unjust as if one event. [source]
Revelation 22:10 Seal not up [μη σπραγισηις]
Prohibition with μη — mē and the ingressive first aorist active subjunctive of σπραγιζω — sphragizō Charles takes this to be the command of Christ because in Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:18 “the words of the prophecy of this book” come from Christ. But that is not a conclusive argument, though Charles, as already stated, rearranges these chapters to suit his own notion. Once only (Revelation 10:4) was John directed to seal and not to write. See note on Revelation 10:4 for discussion of σπραγιζω — sphragizō This book is to be left open for all to read (Revelation 1:3; Revelation 13:18; Revelation 17:9; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:18).At hand (εγγυς — eggus). As in Revelation 1:3. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 22:7 mean?

And behold I am coming quickly Blessed [is] the [one] keeping the words of the prophecy of the book this
Καὶ Ἰδοὺ ἔρχομαι ταχύ μακάριος τηρῶν τοὺς λόγους τῆς προφητείας τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου

Ἰδοὺ  behold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἰδού  
Sense: behold, see, lo.
ἔρχομαι  I  am  coming 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
ταχύ  quickly 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ταχύς  
Sense: quickly, speedily (without delay).
μακάριος  Blessed  [is] 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: μακάριος  
Sense: blessed, happy.
  the  [one] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τηρῶν  keeping 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: τηρέω  
Sense: to attend to carefully, take care of.
λόγους  words 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
προφητείας  prophecy 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: προφητεία  
Sense: prophecy.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
βιβλίου  book 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: βιβλίον  
Sense: a small book, a scroll, a written document.
τούτου  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.