Revelation 22 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.

Revelation 22:12 nkjv

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Revelation 22:12 niv

"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Revelation 22:12 esv

"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

Revelation 22:12 nlt

"Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.

Revelation 22 verses

Revelation 22 12 Meaning

Revelation 22:12 declares the swift return of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that He comes bearing the divine recompense for every individual. This recompense will be impartially administered, with each person receiving a reward or consequence in exact proportion to the actions and character demonstrated in their life. It underscores both the imminence of His advent and the absolute justice of His future judgment, urging all to live in anticipation and faithfulness.

Revelation 22 12 Context

Revelation 22:12 stands as a pivotal declaration near the very end of the Bible, serving as one of the last personal pronouncements of Jesus Christ recorded in scripture. The surrounding verses in Chapter 22 conclude the vision given to John, revealing the glories of the New Jerusalem, the river of life, and the tree of life. This chapter transitions from prophecy about future events to an urgent call for response. It reiterates blessings for obedience (v.7, 14), warnings against altering the prophetic word (v.18-19), and a final emphatic affirmation of Christ's coming. Verse 12 serves as a stark reminder that while eternal blessings await the faithful in the new creation, Christ's arrival will also bring an immediate reckoning for all, based on their deeds performed during their earthly lives. The repeated emphasis on "quickly" (ταχύ, tachu) in verses 7, 12, and 20 creates an atmosphere of immediacy and urgency for the reader. The entire book of Revelation, set against a backdrop of Roman imperial worship and persecution of early Christians, assures believers of Christ's ultimate victory and judgment, and urges them to remain steadfast rather than conforming to the world.

Revelation 22 12 Word analysis

• And, behold (Καὶ ἰδού, Kai idou):
  • Kai: "And", connecting this declaration to what precedes it.
  • Idou: "Behold", "Look", an emphatic particle in Greek, used to draw immediate and serious attention to a new, important, or surprising announcement. It functions like a spiritual exclamation point, underscoring the urgency and certainty of the following statement. It often introduces divine pronouncements.
• I come quickly (ἔρχομαι ταχύ, erchomai tachu):
  • Erchomai: "I come" or "I am coming". This is a present tense verb in Greek used here for a definite future event. It conveys a sense of absolute certainty and immediacy, as if the event is already in motion or as good as done.
  • Tachu: "Quickly", "soon", "swiftly", "without delay once started." This word does not necessarily imply a short time period before the event, but rather the manner of the coming – sudden, decisive, and efficient once it commences. It speaks to imminence and the unexpectedness for many, demanding constant readiness.
• my reward (ὁ μισθός μου, ho misthos mou):
  • Ho misthos: "The reward", "wages", "recompense", "payment for service". It signifies something justly deserved or given in return for actions, effort, or labor. This "reward" encompasses both blessings for the righteous and consequences/judgment for the unrighteous.
  • Mou: "My", denoting it originates with Christ Himself, belonging to Him to distribute.
• is with me (μετ' ἐμοῦ, met' emou):
  • Met': "With", indicating accompaniment or possession.
  • Emou: "Me" (first person pronoun, referring to Jesus Christ). This signifies that the judgment and recompense are not abstract concepts or processes external to Him, but are intrinsically linked to His very person and His arrival. He brings it directly with Him; it is ready for immediate distribution.
• to give (ἀποδοῦναι, apodounai):
  • "To give back", "to render", "to repay", "to return". This verb carries the sense of a just or due transaction, fulfilling an obligation or administering what is deserved. It implies a legal or equitable settlement of accounts.
• every man (ἑκάστῳ, hekastō):
  • "Each one", "every individual". This emphasizes the universal and personal nature of this coming judgment. No one is exempt, and the judgment is individual, based on personal accountability. It highlights God's impartiality.
• according as his work shall be (καθὼς τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, kathōs to ergon autou):
  • Kathōs: "According as", "just as", "in proportion to", indicating the precise standard or measure.
  • To ergon: "The work", "deed", "action". This refers to the totality of a person's life actions, their character as expressed through their conduct, and the true fruit of their inner faith (or lack thereof). It's not about salvation by works (which is by grace through faith, Eph 2:8-9), but rather that works serve as evidence or manifestation of one's genuine spiritual condition and their relationship with God.

Revelation 22 12 Bonus section

The concept of "reward" (misthos) in this verse and throughout scripture is multifaceted. For believers, it's not a merit badge for earning salvation, but a divine commendation and blessing given in grace, recognizing their faithful service, endurance, and love demonstrated through works (1 Cor 3:12-14). This could include a share in the administration of His kingdom, unique access to God, or an increase in joy and glory. For the unrighteous, "reward" signifies the deserved punitive consequences, demonstrating divine justice against sin. This highlights that Christ's coming is a dividing moment for humanity, revealing the eternal destinies determined by how individuals responded to His call during their earthly lives. The repetition of "I come quickly" three times (Rev 22:7, 12, 20) in the book's concluding verses signifies ultimate prophetic certainty and immediacy from a divine perspective. The consistency of judgment based on "works" across Old Testament prophets (Isa 40:10, Jer 17:10) and New Testament teachings (Matt 16:27, Rom 2:6, 2 Cor 5:10, Rev 20:12-13) emphasizes that this is an unchanging principle of divine governance, consistent with God's perfect justice and knowledge of hearts and deeds.

Revelation 22 12 Commentary

Revelation 22:12 delivers one of the most powerful and concluding statements in the New Testament from Jesus Christ himself. His declaration "I come quickly" serves as a repeated motif in this final chapter, injecting an intense eschatological urgency into the message. This "quickly" denotes not a human sense of elapsed time, but the swift and decisive manner of His arrival, highlighting that it will be sudden and unyielding once it begins, demanding a posture of perpetual readiness from all humanity.

Crucially, Christ proclaims, "my reward is with me." This "reward" (misthos) is comprehensive, encompassing both the gracious recompense for the faithful (their inheritance, blessings, and praise) and the just consequences for the unrighteous (judgment, condemnation). This payment is not something to be earned in a way that provides salvation, but rather the outcome commensurate with a life lived in response to (or in defiance of) God's grace and truth. He doesn't go to retrieve it; it accompanies Him, signifying that justice is integral to His return.

The subsequent phrase, "to give every man according as his work shall be," underscores the impartiality and individual nature of this divine reckoning. It means that everyone will face accountability, and the measure of that accountability will be their deeds, actions, and the manifest character of their lives. These works are the undeniable proof of one's faith (or lack thereof), providing clear evidence of whether one lived in sincere devotion to God or in self-serving rebellion. While salvation is by grace through faith alone, the Bible consistently teaches that genuine faith will produce works (Jas 2:18). Therefore, these "works" serve as the definitive witness to the inner spiritual reality. This verse urges Christians to live purposefully, actively pursuing righteousness and service, understanding that their choices have eternal weight and will be reviewed by the Returning Lord. It also serves as a stark warning to those who refuse Christ, that their rebellion will ultimately be judged.

This verse therefore encapsulates the balance of urgency, grace, and divine justice found throughout scripture, compelling believers to perseverance and encouraging all to heed the call for repentance before Christ's certain and swift advent.

• Practical usage examples:
  • Encouragement to faithfully continue good deeds and service to others, knowing Christ will justly reward.
  • Motivation to live in readiness and sanctification, as His coming is imminent.
  • A call to seriously consider one's life choices, as all will be evaluated by God's standard.