Revelation 22:3 kjv
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Revelation 22:3 nkjv
And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
Revelation 22:3 niv
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
Revelation 22:3 esv
No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.
Revelation 22:3 nlt
No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him.
Revelation 22 3 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
No more curse | ||
Gen 3:17-19 | Cursed is the ground for your sake... | Origin of the curse. |
Gal 3:13 | Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse... | Christ's atonement reversing the curse. |
Zech 14:11 | And Jerusalem shall dwell safely, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. | Prophecy of Jerusalem free from destruction/curse. |
Mal 4:6 | ...lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. | Divine curse possible without repentance. |
Rev 21:4 | God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. | Removal of all negative consequences of sin. |
Rom 8:21 | The creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption. | Creation liberated from the effects of the curse. |
Throne of God and of the Lamb | ||
Rev 4:2-3 | I saw a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne... | The divine throne as seat of ultimate authority. |
Rev 5:6 | And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne...stood a Lamb. | Lamb shares the throne and authority with God. |
Rev 7:17 | For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them... | The Lamb's nurturing role from the throne. |
Rev 21:22-23 | But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple...and the Lamb is its lamp. | Direct divine presence as light and sanctuary. |
Dan 7:9-10 | Thrones were cast down; And the Ancient of Days was seated... | Old Testament vision of divine judgment and rule. |
Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace... | Access to God's presence through Christ. |
Psa 47:8 | God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. | God's universal and majestic reign. |
His servants shall serve him | ||
Rev 7:15 | Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. | Continual service in God's immediate presence. |
John 12:26 | If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. | Proximity and relationship for those who serve Christ. |
Deut 6:13 | You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him... | Command to serve God in the Old Testament. |
Heb 9:14 | How much more shall the blood of Christ...cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? | Redemption enabling true spiritual service. |
Rom 12:1 | Present your bodies a living sacrifice...which is your reasonable service. | Service as spiritual worship and devotion. |
Phil 3:3 | For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit... | Worship/service empowered by the Spirit. |
1 Pet 2:9 | You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation... | The New Testament church as priests who serve God. |
Rev 1:6 | Has made us kings and priests to His God and Father. | Believers designated as priests unto God. |
Revelation 22 verses
Revelation 22 3 Meaning
Revelation 22:3 describes the perfected state of the New Jerusalem, where the consequences of sin and the curse initiated in Eden are entirely abolished. In this blessed realm, the absolute sovereignty and majestic presence of God and the Lamb are eternally established at its very core. The direct result of this intimate divine presence is that all who belong to Him will perpetually engage in perfect and unhindered service and worship. It signifies the complete restoration of creation, a permanent fellowship with the Creator, and an eternal life of purpose centered on God.
Revelation 22 3 Context
Revelation 22:3 is positioned at the climax of the biblical narrative, offering a glimpse into the eternal state in the New Jerusalem after all judgment has concluded and the former heavens and earth have passed away. The preceding chapter (Rev 21) describes the beauty, purity, and glorious nature of this holy city descending from heaven. This verse builds upon that vision by detailing what will not be and what will be present in this perfect existence. It explicitly marks the reversal of the Fall of man and the curse unleashed in Genesis 3, signifying the ultimate victory of God's redemptive plan. The historical context for the original audience, living under Roman imperial rule, would have contrasted this vision of God's universal, benevolent reign with the limited, often oppressive, reign of earthly powers, offering a powerful message of ultimate hope and divine vindication for the persecuted believers. It directly opposes any pagan belief in recurring cycles of despair or a chaotic cosmic order, presenting a stable, eternally blessed reality under God's complete dominion.
Revelation 22 3 Word analysis
- And there shall be no more curse: (Greek: kai ouketi estai pan katathema)
- no more:
ouketi
- "no longer," indicating a decisive and permanent cessation. What was, is utterly removed. - curse:
katathema
- Refers to anything cursed or devoted to destruction, especially the consequences of divine judgment. This term distinctively points to the original curse of Genesis 3 (Gen 3:17-19) and every effect stemming from sin's corruption (e.g., pain, death, toil). Its absence signifies complete liberation and perfect harmony. This directly refutes the cycle of judgment and re-creation prevalent in some pagan cosmologies; God's creation is eternally restored, not constantly destroyed and restarted. - "no more curse": This phrase encapsulates the complete reversal of humanity's fall. The very ground, humanity's toil, and life's struggle, which came under the curse, are entirely sanctified and blessed. It ensures purity and unblemished existence.
- no more:
- but the throne of God and of the Lamb: (Greek:
alla ho thronos tou theou kai tou arniou
)- but:
alla
- A strong adversative conjunction, emphasizing a powerful contrast to the "no more curse." It introduces the glorious truth that replaces the former woe. - throne:
thronos
- Signifies supreme authority, absolute sovereignty, royal dominion, and ultimate power. - God:
tou theou
- The ultimate Creator and Sustainer. - Lamb:
tou arniou
- Jesus Christ, specifically emphasizing His role as the sacrificial Lamb (Rev 5:6-14) whose atoning work made this redeemed state possible. The pairing of "God and of the Lamb" underscores their unified essence, shared authority, and the theological centrality of Christ's redemption in the new creation. This co-occupancy of the throne emphasizes divine co-regency and refutes any Gnostic separation of God from the physical world. It directly contrasts with the thrones of earthly rulers or false gods. - "the throne of God and of the Lamb": This unity is foundational. The New Jerusalem's governance and source of blessing flow from this singular, supreme seat of authority. It speaks to a perfect, unified divine rule based on holiness and redemption.
- but:
- shall be in it: (Greek:
en auto estai
)- in it:
en auto
- Referring to the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21-22. Significance: God's presence is not remote but centrally and perpetually located within the redeemed community. This implies an unprecedented intimacy and direct communion, fulfilling promises like "God with us" (Matt 1:23) and rendering an external temple unnecessary (Rev 21:22).
- in it:
- and his servants shall serve him: (Greek:
kai hoi douloi autou latreusousin auto
)- his servants:
hoi douloi autou
- "His slaves/bondservants." This denotes total ownership, devoted submission, and willing obedience, not burdensome labor. It implies a perfect, loving relationship where service is joyful and natural. - shall serve him:
latreusousin auto
-Latreuo
specifically refers to cultic or priestly service, religious worship, and adoration rendered to God. It moves beyond general obedience to active, liturgical, spiritual ministry. This suggests that redeemed humanity, now fully pure, will fulfill a perpetual priestly role in direct, unhindered worship before God and the Lamb. This also refutes practices like emperor worship or temple cults dedicated to false gods, asserting that only God and the Lamb are worthy of truelatreia
. - "his servants shall serve him": This phrase captures the ultimate purpose and highest joy of the redeemed. Free from the curse and dwelling in the presence of divine majesty, their eternal existence is defined by direct, unblemished, and joyous worship and devotion. It's the perfected expression of their true identity and blessed relationship.
- his servants:
Revelation 22 3 Bonus section
- Reversal of Exile and Separation: Historically, the curse led to expulsion from Eden and separation from God's immediate presence. This verse, with the "throne of God and of the Lamb in it," signifies a reversal, ushering in an everlasting "Edenic" intimacy.
- Purity and Holiness: The absence of curse implies absolute holiness and purity, meaning no contamination from sin will ever touch this new realm. This allows for unhindered service, as only the pure can draw near to God.
- Cosmic Restoration: This verse highlights God's plan for total cosmic renewal. The elimination of the curse extends beyond humanity to creation itself (Rom 8:21), implying a re-ordering of all things under God's perfect governance.
- Fulfilment of Priesthood: The call to "serve Him" connects to the Old Testament concept of a kingdom of priests (Exod 19:6) and the New Testament calling of believers as a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). This implies that in the New Creation, every believer will function in an unmediated priestly capacity, offering pure spiritual service.
Revelation 22 3 Commentary
Revelation 22:3 paints a picture of complete and utter redemption. The phrase "no more curse" signals the definitive end to all forms of evil, suffering, and imperfection that originated from humanity's fall in Genesis 3. This is not merely the absence of negative things but the positive, perfect presence of God's uncontaminated dwelling. The core of this new existence is "the throne of God and of the Lamb," signifying a unified, majestic, and eternally sovereign rule that grounds the entirety of the New Creation. This direct, indwelling presence means that God and Christ are the central reality, light, and temple of this heavenly city, removing any distance or mediating needs. Consequently, the redeemed, described as "His servants," will experience the ultimate privilege and joy of "serving Him." This service (latreia
) implies direct, pure, and perpetual worship, a priestly ministry offered in perfect holiness and unbroken fellowship, demonstrating that our highest purpose in eternity will be to glorify and serve our Creator and Redeemer. It emphasizes that heaven is not a place of passive rest but active, joyful worship and devotion in intimate communion with the divine.