Please explain Revelation 22:14.
Revelation 22:14-15 says, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
Revelation 22 is the last chapter of this book, which is the last book of the Bible. As the book winds down to a close, the Apostle John says in verse 8, “And I John saw these things, and heard them.” The visions were coming to an end and so there are now words of encouragement, warning, and invitation. In verses 14-15, we have the two classes addressed…the saved and the lost.
The Book of Revelation begins with a beatitude in Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Now, it ends with the last beatitude of the risen savior in verse 14, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” The first part of this verse is more correctly translated as “Blessed are they that wash their robes.” Most other versions of the Bible use this language. We know that eternal life cannot be gained by keeping commandments. Yet, even if we prefer the language of the KJV, speaking of ‘doing his commandments’, we find the question being asked in John 6:28, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” What is the acceptable work to be saved? It is simple faith! It is in verse 29, that we have the Lord’s reply, “This is the work of God, that ye BELIEVE ON HIM whom he hath sent.” To wash our robes is to put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those are saved who “have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14).
These now have a right to the tree of life. I’m sure you remember that after their sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Ever were forbidden to eat of that tree. We read in Genesis 3:22-23, “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” In a great act of mercy, the Lord would not allow Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of life and live forever in their sinful condition.
To those who have washed their robes, they are happy (blessed), they have access to the tree of life, and can enter into the holy city, New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:2 tells us, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Before we close, we should look at the warning given in Revelation 22:15, “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” As believers on the Lord Jesus, we have access and will live forever in the New Jerusalem. However, without (on the outside of the city), are those still in their sins. From sorcerers, whoremongers, and murderers, all the way down to those who love and tell lies…ALL are on the outside, away from God’s wonderful and eternal presence. These are those who have sinned (just like we all have), yet have not repented of their sins and put their faith in the Lord Jesus. ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD! How dreadful is such a fate. A place of “outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12). A place of “everlasting punishment.” (Matthew 25:46).
My friend if you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, I pray that you will heed the words of the scriptures, repent of your sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Your eternity depends on whether you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ or refuse Him as your savior. (282.8)