What does Revelation 22:6 mean?

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Revelation 22:6

Explanation

Revelation 22:6 is a part of the concluding chapter of the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament. In this verse, an angel speaks to John, the author of Revelation, affirming the reliability and truth of the prophecies contained within the book. The angel emphasizes that these prophecies were given by God and are meant for His servants to know what events will unfold “shortly,” indicating imminence from the perspective of prophetic time. The deeper meaning hinges on the reassurance that God’s plans, as revealed to the prophets and recorded in the Scriptures, are certain and trustworthy, and that followers should take comfort and prepare for their fulfillment.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, was likely written towards the end of the first century AD, a time of persecution for early Christians under the Roman Empire. Revelation uses symbolic imagery and prophetic language to convey a message of hope and divine justice for believers who faced oppression. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the expectation of an imminent return of Christ and the establishment of God’s Kingdom, which would vindicate the faithful and judge the world.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Revelation 22:6 is significant across various Christian traditions. Preterists believe that “shortly” implies that most prophecies in Revelation were fulfilled in the first century with the fall of Jerusalem and the Roman persecution. Futurists interpret “shortly” to mean that, from the perspective of God, who is outside time, the end times were imminent. Historicists consider the prophecies to unfold throughout the course of history, while Idealists read the book symbolically, stressing the spiritual truths applicable to all times. Nevertheless, the common thread is the trustworthiness of divine revelation.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of Revelation 22:6 for believers might include living in a state of readiness for the fulfillment of God’s promises and maintaining faith in the face of challenges, trusting that God’s words are “faithful and true.” It also encourages the study of prophecy and Scripture as a guide for understanding the times and discerning God’s will.

Cross-References

• Revelation 1:1 – “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.”
• Revelation 19:9 – “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
• Revelation 21:5 – “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words include:

• “faithful” (πιστοί – pistoi): meaning trustworthy or reliable.
• “true” (ἀληθινοί – alethinoi): meaning genuine, not counterfeit, true to fact.
• “shortly” (ἐν τάχει – en tachei): indicating quickness or imminence, though relative to divine, not human, time. These words underscore the reliability and urgency of the message conveyed by the angel.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar to other ancient religions, early Christian apocalyptic literature, like Revelation, used symbolic language and visionary experiences to communicate messages from the divine. This tradition can be compared to Jewish apocalyptic works, like Daniel, and other Near Eastern religious texts that describe interactions between humans and divine messengers with messages about the future.

Scientific Perspectives

While Revelation is a theological and spiritual text rather than a scientific one, contemporary readers may engage with the text from a psychological perspective, understanding visions and prophecies as expressions of the collective unconscious or as metaphors for universal human experiences. Additionally, the notion of time as it relates to prophecy may intersect with scientific concepts of time’s relativity.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and commentators have shared insights on Revelation 22:6. Some emphasize the immediate relevance and comfort the early church would have derived from the message. Others focus on literary structure, noting how this verse serves as a conclusion, recapping the themes of divine revelation and fulfillment. Many commentators also discuss the verse’s eschatological implications and the eager anticipation of the early Christian community for the return of Christ.