Revelation 22:14

King James Version (KJV)

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Blessed are they that do his commandments - They are happy who are obedient.

That they may have right to the tree of life - The original is much more expressive, Ἱνα εσται ἡ εξουσια αυτων επι το ξυλον της ζωης· That they may have authority over the tree of life; an authority founded on right, this right founded on obedience to the commandments of God, and that obedience produced by the grace of God working in them. Without grace no obedience; without obedience no authority to the tree of life; without authority no right; without right no enjoyment: God's grace through Christ produces the good, and then rewards it as if all had been our own.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Blessed are they that do his commandments - See the notes on Revelation 1:3; Revelation 22:7.

That they may have right - That they may be entitled to approach the tree of life; that this privilege may be granted to them. It is not a right in the sense that they have merited it, but in the sense that the privilege is conferred on them as one of the rewards of God, and that, in virtue of the divine arrangements, they will be entitled to this honor. So the word used here - ἐξουσία exousia- means in John 1:12, rendered “power.” The reason why this right or privilege is conferred is not implied in the use of the word. In this case it is by grace, and all the right which they have to the tree of life is founded on the fact that God has been pleased graciously to confer it on them.

To the tree of life - See the notes on Revelation 22:2. They would not be forbidden to approach that tree as Adam was, but would be permitted always to partake of it, and would live forever.

And may enter in through the gates into the city - The New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:2. They would have free access there; they would be permitted to abide there forever.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God. They are things that must shortly be done; Christ will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's interpreter. He refused to accept religious worship from John, and reproved him for offering it. This presents another testimony against idolatrous worship of saints and angels. God calls every one to witness to the declarations here made. This book, thus kept open, will have effect upon men; the filthy and unjust will be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those who are upright with God. Never let us think that a dead or disobedient faith will save us, for the First and the Last has declared that those alone are blessed who do his commandments. It is a book that shuts out form heaven all wicked and unrighteous persons, particularly those who love and make lies, therefore cannot itself be a lie. There is no middle place or condition. Jesus, who is the Spirit of prophecy, has given his churches this morning-light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of the perfect day approaching. All is confirmed by an open and general invitation to mankind, to come and partake freely of the promises and of the privileges of the gospel. The Spirit, by the sacred word, and by convictions and influence in the sinner's conscience, says, Come to Christ for salvation; and the bride, or the whole church, on earth and in heaven, says, Come and share our happiness. Lest any should hesitate, it is added, Let whosoever will, or, is willing, come and take of the water of life freely. May every one who hears or reads these words, desire at once to accept the gracious invitation. All are condemned who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it, or taking from it.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

14. Blessed. Another blessing upon the faithful (see on v. 7).

That do his commandments. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the reading “that wash their robes.” A few manuscripts read “that washed their robes.” Of the early uncials (see Vol. V, pp. 114-116) only the Sinaiticus and the Alexandrinus contain this section of Revelation, and both of these read “that wash their robes.” Most of the minuscule manuscripts read “that do his commandments.” The ancient versions are divided in their readings, as are the patristic quotations. The two clauses are very similar in the Greek, and it is easy to see how a scribe may have mistaken the one clause for the other, although it is impossible to know certainly which was the original reading. The following transliteration will show the similarity:

hoi poiountes tas entolas autou, “that keep his commandments.”

hoi plunontes tas stolas autÅÂn, “wash their robes.”

In actual fact both readings suit the context and are in harmony with John’s teaching elsewhere. On the subject of keeping the commandments see Rev. 12:17; 14:12; cf. John 14:15, 21; 15:10; 1 John 2:3-6. On the subject of washing robes see Rev. 7:14, where a company of saints is described as having “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Our title to heaven is the righteousness of Christ imputed: our fitness for heaven, the righteousness of Christ imparted, represented by the washed robes. The outward evidence of the righteousness of Christ imparted is perfect compliance with the commandments of God. Hence the two ideas of washed robes and obedience to commandments are closely related.

In the light of the problems of translation here discussed, it would seem wise to build the foundations of the doctrine of obedidence to God’s commandments on those other passages of Scripture dealing with obedience on which no question of textual evidence has been raised. There are many such.

For a more complete study of this problem see Problems in Bible Translation, pp. 257-262.

The Greek word for “robes” is stolai, used of outer, flowing garments, marking a man of distinction. Compare the use of the word in Mark 12:38; 16:5; Luke 15:22; 20:46. The same Greek word is used in the LXX for the holy garments of Aaron and his descendants (Ex. 28:2; 29:21). Our English word “stole” is derived from stole. “Stole” originally designated a long, loose garment reaching down to the feet; later, an ecclesiastical vestment of silk, worn around the neck and falling from the shoulders.

Right. Gr. exousia, “liberty,” “privilege,” “right.” It is to be the saints’ privilege and liberty to partake of the tree of life and to enjoy immortality with Jesus Christ (cf. on v. 2).

Enter in. This is a further privilege. The New Jerusalem is to be the capital of the new earth (see GC 676).

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Ellen G. White
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 137

Will the students of our schools study, and endeavor to copy the life and character of Him who came down from heaven to show them what they must be, if they would enter the kingdom of God? I have borne you a message of the near coming of the Son of God in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. I have not presented before you any definite time, but have repeated to you the injunction of Christ himself, to watch unto prayer, “For in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.” The warning has come echoing down the ages to our time, “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”—The Review and Herald, August 21, 1888. FE 137.1

The Work of Reform, Signs of the Times, June 3, 1889
Proper Education, The Review and Herald, July 14, 1889
Home Training, Signs of the Times, July 22, 1889
Religion and Scientific Education, Testimonies for the Church, 5: 501-504
The Education of Our Children, Idem, 5: 505-507
Dangers to the Young, Idem, 5: 508-516
Suitable Reading for Our Children, Idem, 5: 516-520
Advice to the Young, Idem, 5: 520-529
Needs of Our Institutions, Idem, 5: 549-554
Our Institution at Battle Creek, Testimonies for the Church, 5: 555-567
Education of Workers, Testimonies for the Church, 5: 580-586

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 133

John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast or his image by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast. John declares, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” TM 133.1

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” We are plainly shown that two parties will exist at the appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In which party do we wish to be found? “Behold, I come quickly,” Christ says, “and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” This is the destination of commandment keepers. Should we not all wish to be among that number who have right to the tree of life, and who enter through the gates into the city? TM 133.2

Adam and Eve and their posterity lost their right to the tree of life because of their disobedience. “And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of Us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” Adam and Eve transgressed the law of God. This made it necessary for them to be driven from Eden and be separated from the tree of life, to eat of which after their transgression would perpetuate sin. “So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Man was dependent upon the tree of life for immortality, and the Lord took these precautions lest men should eat of that tree “and live forever”—become immortal sinners. TM 133.3

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Ellen G. White
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7 (EGW), 990

13. See EGW on 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45. 7BC 990.1

13-17 (ch. 1:8). The Alpha and Omega of Scripture—[Revelation 22:13-17 quoted.] Here we have the Alpha of Genesis and the Omega of Revelation. The blessing is promised to all those who keep the commandments of God, and who cooperate with Him in the proclamation of the third angel's message (The Review and Herald, June 8, 1897). 7BC 990.2

14 (ch. 20:12, 13; see EGW on Genesis 3:22-24; Romans 3:31; 2 Corinthians 3:7-11). City of God for Commandment Keepers—None who have had the light of truth will enter the city of God as commandment breakers. His law lies at the foundation of His government in earth and in heaven. If they have knowingly trampled upon and despised His law on the earth, they will not be taken to heaven to do the same work there; there is no change of character when Christ comes. The character building is to go on during the hours of probation. Day by day their actions are registered in the books of heaven, and they will, in the great day of God, be rewarded as their works have been. It will then be seen who receives the blessing. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (The Review and Herald, August 25, 1885). 7BC 990.3

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 592

“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: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.” Revelation 22:3-5. AA 592.1

“He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Verses 1, 2, 14. AA 592.2

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, AA 592.3

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Revelation 22:14