End of the End

The final chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22:6-21) is a rapid series of speeches and dialogues, structured in fourfold parallelism. Each new section introduces a new speaker or speech with some form of “he said.” The speakers move from an angel to Jesus to the Spirit and bride. 

The chapter can be outlined as follows:

A. He said, these words are faithful and true, 22:6.

B. I am coming quickly, 22:7a.

C. Blessing, 22:7b.

D. “I John” saw and worshiped the angel, 22:8-9.

A’. He said, do not seal the words of prophecy, 22:10-11.

B’. I am coming quickly, 22:12-13.

C’. Blessing and curse, 22:14-15.

D’. “I Jesus” sent angel to testify, 22:16.

A”. Spirit and bride say, “Come,” 22:17a.

B”. Those who hear say, “Come,” 2217b.

C”. Thirsty drink from water of life, 22:17c.

D”. I testify, no addition or subtraction, 22:18-19.

A”’. He who testifies says, 22:20a.

B”’. I am coming quickly, 22:20b.

C”’. Benediction, 22:21.

All the “A” sections begin a quotation. The first two and the last speak of the “words” that are to be heard, and especially of the “words of the prophecy of this book” (vv. 9, 18; cf. v. 7). Each of the B sections speaks of Jesus’ coming, three times quoting Jesus’ own “I am coming quickly” and once (B”) quoting those who hear the voice of the Spirit and bride, calling on Jesus to come.

Each C section pronounces a blessing. The first two employ the word makarios, and the last is in the form of a closing benediction. C” does not use the word “blessing,” but offers a gift to the thirsty. C’ issues both a blessing and a warning: Those who wash their clothes can eat from the tree of life and enter the city; but outside are six things that God hates. 

The D sections all begin with ego. John and Jesus both identify themselves by name, and the “I” of verse 18 is implicitly John. The import of the chapter is that there is an accumulation of witnesses – John, Jesus, the Spirit and Bride, John again. In this, Revelation is following on the themes of John’s gospel, where Jesus cites the witness of John, of the Father, of His works, of His own words. D” is a longer statement, including not only a declaration that John speaks and testifies, but a warning to those who would add or subtract from the book of prophecy. As the last first-person statement, D” thus picks up on terminology and themes from the A and C sections.