啓示錄 22 章 Revelations 22
- 馬克牧師
- Jul 22, 2025
- 11 min read
各位平安，今天我們要一起來分享《啟示錄》最後一章，第二十二章。
我們看到整個異象，從前一章聖城的外觀，到今天，我們彷彿要走進這座城的深處。這一切美好的異象，約翰所看見的，到了這一章，都要完整地寫給我們了。
一開始我們看到，在城內的街道當中，有一條生命河，明亮如水晶，從神和羔羊的寶座流出來。這樣的畫面，其實在舊約中早已有所預表。約珥說：「必有泉源從耶和華的殿中流出來。」撒迦利亞也說：「必有活水從耶路撒冷出來。」箴言告訴我們，敬畏耶和華就是生命的泉源，人有智慧就有生命的泉源。詩人也說：「因為在祢那裡，有生命的源頭。」到了約翰福音，耶穌親口說：「信我的人，從他腹中要流出活水的江河來。」而約翰接著解釋，這話是指信祂之人要受聖靈說的。
在聖經許多地方，都反覆出現生命河、生命泉源、活水江河這樣的意象。要知道，在以色列這個乾旱的沙漠地帶，水本身就是生命，能夠有清水、泉水，是極其重要的事。而在這裡，耶穌說，信祂的人，從他腹中要流出活水的江河來，真正使人得生命、永遠不止息的源頭，是從祂而來的。到了《啟示錄》最後，這一條生命的河，就在聖城之中完全地彰顯出來。
接下來我們看到生命樹。這棵從《創世記》一開始就出現、卻帶著神祕色彩的生命樹，在這裡再次顯明。經文提到，生命樹每月都結果子，也就是說，不分春夏秋冬、不分季節，常常結果子，而樹上的葉子可以醫治萬民。請特別注意「萬民」這個詞，這代表救恩不再只是局限於某一個民族，而是臨到所有的人，萬民都能得醫治、得拯救。同時，經文也提到，在那裡不再需要燈光，也不再需要日光，因為神的榮光要照耀一切。
在這裡提到，祂的僕人都要事奉祂。這意味著，我們的敬拜不再只是人生中的一個部分，而是成為我們每天的生活本身。我們每天都能夠與神直接面對面，每一天都能夠直接敬拜祂，從祂那裡學習，也從祂那裡親身體驗祂無盡的豐盛。
約翰在第九節，又特別再一次提到一件他在第十九章已經發生過的事情。當時，他幾乎想要俯伏敬拜那位對他說話的天使，但天使立刻阻止他，說：「千萬不可！我和你，並你那些弟兄中作先知的，都是僕人，你要敬拜神。」約翰在這裡再次提起這件事，是因為在那個時代，已經有人把天使崇拜帶進教會裡，把除了耶穌以外的對象帶進敬拜之中。因此，約翰再次強調這一個絕對不能犯的嚴重錯誤：除了神以外，沒有任何敬拜的對象。
接著在第十節之後，經文提到日期將近，不要再封住這書上的預言，又說不義的仍舊不義，污穢的仍舊污穢，為義的仍舊為義，聖潔的仍舊聖潔。這裡所要表達的，是每一個人都有自己的選擇要做，也必須為自己的選擇負責。前面經文提到「那些洗淨自己衣服的人有福了」，而洗衣服這件事，是不能交給別人代勞的，不像今天丟進洗衣機就好。你的衣服要你自己洗，你的德性、你的生命狀態，也只有你自己能夠面對與整理。即便給了你洗潔精、給了你肥皂，你還是必須親自動手，沒有人能替你完成。這裡其實是一個很清楚的提醒：每一個人都要為自己的信仰生活自己負責。
到了第十五節，經文提到那些在城外的，包括犬類、行邪術的、淫亂的、殺人的、拜偶像的，以及喜愛說謊言、編造虛妄的人。這與前一章所提到的內容是呼應的。在猶太文化中，「狗」是一個極其不潔、低賤的形象，因此用「犬類」來形容那些抵擋神、不願意活在真理中的人，表達的是一種非常強烈的屬靈對比與警告。
另外我們也注意到，在這一章裡，耶穌親自開口說話了，而且一共出現了好幾次。
首先是在第七節，耶穌說：「看哪，我必快來！凡遵守這書上預言的有福了。」接著在第十二節，耶穌再次說：「看哪，我必快來！賞罰在我，要照各人所行的報應他。」並且宣告說：「我是阿拉法，我是俄梅嘎，我是首先的，我是末後的，我是初，我是終。」
到了第十六節，耶穌更清楚地自稱說：「我耶穌差遣我的使者，為眾教會將這些事向你們證明。我是大衛的根，又是他的後裔，我是明亮的晨星。」在這裡，耶穌親自為約翰所寫的一切作見證，確認這一切都是真實的、可信的。也正因為如此，這本書的地位是不可動搖的。歷代教會中，曾經討論過《啟示錄》是否應該被收錄進正典，而這一段經文，可以說是耶穌親自為這本書的重要性所作的見證與背書。
接著，約翰又說，他要為這書上預言的話作見證，如果有人在這書上加添什麼，神必將寫在這書上的災禍加在他身上；如果有人刪去這書上的話，神必從這書上所寫的生命樹和聖城，刪去他的分。這是一個非常嚴重的警告。約翰在這裡清楚表明，他所寫的一切，是按著上帝的旨意寫下來的，因此沒有人可以去改動，也沒有人應該去改動。
然後，在接近結尾的地方，耶穌再次說：「是的，我必快來。」也就是說，我將要來，我一定會來。耶穌再一次確認，約翰所寫的這一切都是真實可信的。
最後，約翰用一句祝福的話，結束了這一卷充滿奇妙、充滿奧祕、也充滿恩典的書：「願主耶穌的恩惠，常與眾聖徒同在。阿們。」
到這裡，這一卷充滿各樣奇妙畫面、異象、神蹟，也同時是非常不容易理解的一本書，就正式來到結尾了。當我們嘗試去理解《啟示錄》的時候，必須承認，裡面仍然有許多非常豐富的內容，是我們沒有辦法一一完全解釋清楚的。
因此，當我們閱讀這些充滿畫面感、象徵性與預言性的內容時，也要明白，其中既有屬於預言的部分，也有約翰在當時的處境中，實際想要傳遞給信徒的信息。若我們願意更貼近當時的歷史背景、貼近當時信徒的處境來閱讀這本書，就不會一味地用過於玄妙、牽強的方式來解釋《啟示錄》，也不需要把書中的每一句話，硬套在某一個特定的時代、國家，或某一個人物身上，因為上帝的旨意，有祂自己的方式來成就與顯明。
到目前為止，我們所確定、也是最重要的一個預言，就是耶穌必定會再來。這一件事直到今天尚未實現，但我們知道，它必然會成就，只是照著上帝的時間、上帝的心意來完成。至於其他我們暫時讀不懂、看不清楚的部分，我們不需要急著把它們硬解開，而是要回到整體的信仰脈絡中來理解。
我們要明白，《啟示錄》所啟示的一切，必須符合整體神學的核心：除了上帝以外，沒有任何敬拜的對象；忍耐到底的，必然得救；撒但最終必定失敗；耶穌早已得勝，而這位得勝的主，坐在神的右邊，將要永永遠遠地掌權統治。這些，才是我們在閱讀這卷書時，真正需要抓住、並且深深記住的重點。
同時，我們也能從書中看見對信徒極大的鼓勵：暫時的苦難，是我們在今生可能需要面對與承受的，但我們確信，在這些苦難之後，必然有永遠不改變的榮耀為我們存留。
感謝你的聆聽！謝謝你一路陪伴我將啟示錄從起初到最後一起聽完。願上帝祝福你！
Peace be with you. Today we come to the final chapter of the Book of Revelation—chapter 22.
As we look at this vision as a whole, we see that from the previous chapter, where we viewed the exterior of the Holy City, we are now invited to go deeper, into the very heart of the city itself. All the beautiful imagery that John was shown reaches its full expression here and is now written out completely for us.
At the beginning of the chapter, we see that in the streets of the city there is a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This imagery is not new to Scripture; it was already foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Joel says, “A fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD.” Zechariah says, “Living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem.” Proverbs tells us that the fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, and that wisdom is a fountain of life to those who have it. The psalmist declares, “For with You is the fountain of life.” Then in the Gospel of John, Jesus Himself says, “Whoever believes in Me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water,” and John explains that He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive.
Throughout Scripture, the images of the river of life, the fountain of life, and living water appear again and again. In the dry and arid land of Israel, water itself means life; having clean water and fresh springs is of vital importance. Here, Jesus says that whoever believes in Him will have rivers of living water flowing from within them. The true source of life—eternal, life-giving, and never-ending—comes from Him. And at the very end of Revelation, this river of life is fully revealed in the Holy City.
Next, we see the tree of life. This mysterious tree, first introduced at the very beginning of Genesis, now appears again in full view. Scripture tells us that it bears fruit every month—meaning it bears fruit continually, in every season, without interruption. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. Pay close attention to the word “nations.” Salvation is no longer limited to one people or one group; it extends to all people. All nations may be healed and saved. At the same time, we are told that there will be no need for lamp or sunlight, because the glory of God will give light to all.
We are also told that His servants will serve Him. This means that worship is no longer just one part of our lives—it becomes our daily life itself. We will see God face to face every day, worship Him directly, learn from Him, and personally experience the abundance of His inexhaustible richness.
In verse 9, John again refers to an incident that had already occurred earlier in chapter 19. He nearly fell down to worship the angel who was speaking to him, but the angel stopped him immediately and said, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets. Worship God.” John brings this up again because, at that time, angel worship had begun to creep into the church, introducing objects of worship other than Jesus Himself. John therefore emphasizes once more a grave and serious warning: there is no object of worship other than God alone.
After verse 10, the text says that the time is near and that the words of this prophecy are not to be sealed. It goes on to say that the unjust are to remain unjust, the filthy remain filthy, the righteous remain righteous, and the holy remain holy. What is being communicated here is that every person must make their own choices and bear responsibility for them. Earlier we are told, “Blessed are those who wash their robes.” Washing one’s robes is not something that can be done by someone else. It is not like tossing clothes into a washing machine. Your clothes must be washed by you; likewise, your character and the state of your spiritual life must be faced and dealt with personally. Even if soap and detergent are provided, you still must do the washing yourself. No one can do it for you. This is a clear reminder and warning: each person is responsible for their own life of faith.
In verse 15, Scripture describes those who remain outside the city: the dogs, those who practice sorcery, the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and those who love and practice falsehood. This echoes what was said in the previous chapter. In Jewish culture, dogs were considered unclean and despised, so the term “dogs” is used here to describe those who resist God and refuse to live in the truth. It is a strong spiritual contrast and warning.
We also notice that in this chapter, Jesus Himself speaks directly—and He does so multiple times. First, in verse 7, He says, “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Then in verse 12, He says again, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing My recompense with Me, to repay each one for what he has done.” He then declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
In verse 16, Jesus identifies Himself even more clearly: “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Here, Jesus personally bears witness to everything John has written, affirming that it is true and trustworthy. Because of this, the authority and place of this book are unshakable. Throughout church history, there were debates about whether Revelation should be included in the biblical canon, but this passage serves as Jesus’ own endorsement of the book’s authority.
John then adds a solemn warning, testifying to the words of this prophecy: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from them, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the Holy City. This is a very serious warning. John makes it clear that what he has written was written according to God’s will, and therefore no one has the right to alter it, nor should anyone attempt to do so.
Near the end, Jesus says once more, “Yes, I am coming soon.” In other words, He will come—He surely will come. Once again, Jesus confirms that everything written here is true and trustworthy.
Finally, John closes this book—so full of wonder, mystery, and grace—with a blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.”
At this point, this book—filled with extraordinary images, visions, and signs, and yet also difficult to fully understand—comes to its conclusion. As we seek to understand Revelation, we must acknowledge that there is still much rich content we cannot fully explain in detail.
Therefore, when reading these vivid, symbolic, and prophetic passages, we must remember that they contain both future prophecy and messages meant specifically for believers in John’s own historical context. If we read this book with an awareness of its original background and the situation of the early church, we will avoid overly mystical or forced interpretations. We do not need to impose every word onto a particular era, nation, or individual, because God accomplishes His purposes in His own way and in His own time.
The most important prophecy we can be certain of is this: Jesus will return. This has not yet happened, but we know it will surely come to pass, according to God’s timing and His will. As for the things we do not yet understand clearly, we do not need to force interpretations, but instead place them within the broader framework of our faith.
We must remember that everything revealed in Revelation aligns with the core of Christian theology: there is no object of worship other than God alone; those who endure to the end will be saved; Satan will ultimately be defeated; Jesus has already won the victory; and the victorious Lord sits at the right hand of God and will reign forever. These are the truths we must hold onto and remember deeply as we read this book.
At the same time, we find great encouragement for believers: the sufferings we endure in this present life are temporary, and after them awaits an eternal and unchanging glory prepared for us.
Thank you for listening, and thank you for journeying with me from the beginning to the end of the Book of Revelation.May God bless you.
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