Revelation 22:20; Surely, I Come Quickly

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Revelation 22:20 (KJV)  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

John’s response to the far-reaching profundity of Jesus’ words just concluded is a prayer for His soon return – He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

The “saith” shows that the words of v20 are not the direct wards of Jesus, but are a quotation by the writer (Beckwith).

The speaker identified by “He which testifieth these things saith” is Jesus who has just spoken the words of Revelation 22:12 and proves v12-19 to be an extended word directly from the Lord.

Revelation 22:12 (KJV)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

This expression also confirms that “Jesus Christ” is a subjective genitive in the expression “the testimony of Jesus Christ” in Revelation 1:2.

Revelation 1:2 (KJV)  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 

The pronoun “these things” refers immediately to v12-19, but indirectly and ultimately to the contents of the whole book (cf. John 21:24) (Lee, Hailey).

John 21:24 (KJV)  This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 

John adds “Amen” to Jesus’ “even so” (cf. Revelation 1:7) – Revelation 1:7 (KJV)  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 

This expression represents his absolute faith in Jesus’ promise, just as “even so” expresses Jesus’ assent to the call of “come” in v17 (Swete).

Revelation 22:17 (KJV)  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 

John adds his personal invitation, “come”, to those already extended.

His address of “Lord Jesus” rounds out a formula that must have been common among first century Christians. “Lord Jesus” is a title used only here and in v21 in Revelation, but one that is quite frequent in the rest of the New Testament. It is an acknowledgement of Jesus’ deity. Paul shared John’s view of Jesus’ deity and return (2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13).

2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV)  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Titus 2:13 (KJV)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

The combination “come, Lord” is the equivalent of the Aramaic “the Lord comes” which was the watchword of the early church (1 Corinthians 16:22) (Swete, Charles, Moffatt).

1 Corinthians 16:22 (KJV)  If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha. 

The expression recognises that as Lord, it is His right to come and judge (Revelation 22:12), a theme held in common with Romans 14:9-12.

Revelation 22:12 (KJV)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Romans 14:9-12 (KJV)  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 

The judgment certainly includes the infliction of the curses pronounced in v18-19, but to also includes a more positive connotation which is the hope of John in making this prayer for His coming (cf. v17) (Beasley-Murray).

Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV)  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

Revelation 22:17 (KJV)  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 519-520]