Revelation 22 20

Revelation 22:20 kjv

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20 nkjv

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20 niv

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:20 esv

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22:20 nlt

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 22 verses

Revelation 22 20 Meaning

Revelation 22:20 captures the final promises of Jesus Christ regarding His return and the fervent response of the Church. It presents a divine assurance, followed by a human petition, forming a powerful climactic declaration and prayer. Jesus, the faithful witness, asserts the imminent certainty of His second coming, using an emphatic "Yes." The verse concludes with the worshipping community's enthusiastic "Amen," affirming His truthfulness, coupled with an earnest plea for His swift arrival, "Come, Lord Jesus." This exchange embodies the eschatological hope and longing that defines Christian faith.

Revelation 22 20 Context

Revelation 22:20 stands at the very end of the Book of Revelation, which serves as the climactic unveiling of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. Chapter 22 specifically reinforces the truthfulness and certainty of the preceding prophecies, portraying vivid descriptions of the New Jerusalem and emphasizing the urgent, active role of the faithful. Within this context, the repeated declaration of Christ's imminent return (vv. 7, 12, 20) serves to impress upon the reader the nearness of the fulfillment of all things. It acts as a divine validation and a final exhortation, underscoring the necessity of spiritual readiness and unwavering commitment to God's commands. Historically, for the persecuted early church, this promise offered profound hope, reassurance, and motivation in the face of suffering and opposition, emphasizing that their present struggles were temporary and a glorious future with their Lord was certain and approaching. It was also a strong polemic against the temporal powers and pagan idolatry by affirming that Jesus Christ is the true and sovereign Lord over all.

Revelation 22 20 Word analysis

• He who testifies (Ὁ μαρτυρῶν - Ho martyron): Refers emphatically to Jesus Christ. He is the "faithful witness" (Rev 1:5, 3:14), the one whose testimony is ultimate truth and authority concerning "these things" (ταῦτα - tauta), meaning all the revelations presented in the Book of Revelation. His identity guarantees the certainty of His declarations.
• to these things (ταῦτα - tauta): Denotes the entirety of the prophetic vision and truths contained within the Book of Revelation, especially concerning His return and the eternal kingdom.
• says (λέγει - legei): A present tense verb, indicating a direct and ongoing declaration, affirming the timeless relevance and certainty of Christ's statement.
• Yes (Ναί - Nai): An emphatic affirmative adverb, meaning "truly," "certainly," "indeed." It reinforces the absolute truthfulness and unwavering determination behind Christ's promise.
• I am coming (ἔρχομαι - erchomai): A present tense verb used with a future sense, signifying certainty, immediacy, and an action that is definitively set in motion. It's not a mere possibility but a guaranteed event, representing Christ's Parousia or second advent.
• soon (ταχύ - tachu): Meaning "quickly," "swiftly," "without delay." It indicates the suddenness and swiftness of Christ's return when it occurs, rather than a specific human timetable. It highlights His return will happen at God's appointed, unexpected moment, not slowly or dragging on indefinitely. It is about character of the coming, not chronological proximity.
• Amen (Ἀμήν - Amēn): Of Hebrew origin, meaning "so be it," "truly," or "firmly." In this verse, the "Amen" is both Jesus' final, divine affirmation of the absolute truth and certainty of His promise ("I am coming soon") and also serves as the immediate, collective "Amen" from John/the church, confirming their belief and reception of this truth. Christ himself is "the Amen" (Rev 3:14).
• Come (ἔρχου - erchou): A present imperative verb, expressing an earnest plea, an invitation, or an urgent prayer, "Come here!" It reflects the profound longing and anticipation of the Church.
• Lord (Κύριε - Kyrios): A title of reverence and divine authority. It proclaims Jesus' sovereign power and deity, recognizing Him as the ruler of all creation.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦ - Iēsou): The personal name of the Son of God, affirming His human incarnation while acknowledging His divine lordship.

Words-group analysis:

• "He who testifies to these things says": Establishes the divine authority and unquestionable truth of the following statement. It reminds the reader that the speaker is Jesus Christ, the ultimate witness, ensuring the reliability of His prophecy.
• "Yes, I am coming soon.": This is Christ's direct and assured declaration. "Yes" reinforces certainty, "I am coming" points to His direct personal involvement and the absolute reality of His return, and "soon" emphasizes its sudden, definitive, and imminent nature from a divine perspective. It's a promise given with absolute divine authority.
• "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.": This is the culmination of Revelation's message. The initial "Amen" confirms the divine promise and also serves as the church's initial faithful assent. The subsequent "Come, Lord Jesus" is the fervent, passionate plea of the faithful for His swift and sovereign return, acknowledging His deity and authority. It bridges divine promise with human prayer and longing. This structure mirrors the Lord's Prayer ("Your kingdom come") and echoes the early church's Aramaic cry, "Maranatha."

Revelation 22 20 Bonus section

• Maranatha Connection: This verse echoes and perfectly completes the early Christian plea "Maranatha" (1 Cor 16:22), an Aramaic phrase often translated as "Our Lord, come!" or "Our Lord has come." It signifies not just belief in His coming but an ardent prayer for it. Rev 22:20 directly translates the core of this Aramaic cry into Greek, emphasizing its universal Christian significance.
• The Final Say: Rev 22:20 contains the final words spoken directly by Jesus in the New Testament, bringing His revealed testimony to a personal, emphatic close. The final verse (Rev 22:21) is John's benediction. This highlights the immense importance of Christ's promise and the church's enduring response.
• Divine vs. Human Amen: The "Amen" here brilliantly functions in two ways: it's Christ's "Amen" (affirmation of the certainty of His coming), immediately followed by the responsive "Amen" of the believing community, signifying their agreement and longing. This interplay establishes a covenantal certainty—God's promise is sure, and humanity's faith receives it.
• Unity of Prophecy and Prayer: The verse powerfully unites divine prophecy ("I am coming soon") with fervent human prayer ("Come, Lord Jesus"). This illustrates that the hope of Christ's return is not merely a doctrinal belief but a driving force for worship, intercession, and mission, shaping the life of faith until He arrives.

Revelation 22 20 Commentary

Revelation 22:20 is the culminating expression of hope and anticipation in the Christian Scriptures. Jesus, as the ultimate and faithful Witness, confirms the veracity and certainty of the entire prophecy contained within the Book of Revelation. His repeated promise, "I am coming soon," encapsulates the urgent, decisive, and sudden nature of His return. The word "soon" (ταχύ) does not necessarily imply a short chronological period in human terms but rather highlights the swiftness and unexpectedness of the event when it occurs. For the waiting believer, it means living in a constant state of readiness and expectation, knowing that the timing is fixed by God, yet its arrival will be quick and unexpected.

The powerful double "Amen" underscores the certainty of Christ's promise and the absolute affirmation by the church. Christ's "Amen" speaks to His unchangeable character and the faithfulness of His word (He is the "Amen," Rev 3:14), while the church's responsive "Amen" is an act of profound faith and complete agreement. This dual "Amen" leads seamlessly into the earnest prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus." This plea encapsulates the collective yearning of believers throughout history for the establishment of His full kingdom, the end of suffering, and eternal fellowship with Him. It reflects the heart of the early church's "Maranatha" cry, which was not just an intellectual assent to eschatological truth but a passionate longing for their King's physical return. Living by this verse means orienting one's life towards Christ's imminent return, seeking His glory, praying for His kingdom to come, and serving with anticipation, patience, and love for His appearance.