Thru the Bible – Revelation 22:2-21

Host: Jason Collins (with Steve, Greg, and teaching by Dr. J. Vernon McGee)
Date: April 2, 2026
Episode Theme: The Final Chapter – The Promise and Glory of Christ’s Return

Episode Overview

In this milestone episode, Dr. J. Vernon McGee brings the epic five-year journey through the Bible to a close by exploring Revelation 22:2-21. The focus is on the culmination of God's plan, the final promises of Christ, the blessings of the New Jerusalem, and the ultimate invitation to all seekers. The episode emphasizes glorifying Jesus Christ as the Alpha and Omega and revisits the joyful reality and hope found in His return. Reflections from the hosts and a powerful listener testimony underscore the study’s practical impact for believers worldwide.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The River of Life and the Tree of Life ([01:15]–[05:30])

• Scripture Analysis:

  • Revelation’s depiction of “the river of the water of life” flowing from God’s throne, and “the tree of life” bearing twelve kinds of fruit, one for each month (22:2).
  • Dr. McGee connects this image back to Genesis: “Man in eternity will return back to the diet that he had in the garden of Eden.”
    “The 12 kinds of fruit would seem to suggest a varied diet...I rather would take that viewpoint myself, provided we hold to the literal interpretation...” (Dr. McGee, [02:40])

• Leaves for Healing:

  • The leaves have “a medicinal value,” but in a perfect universe, their purpose is more about ongoing renewal than recovery from illness.
  • “Here is this first aid kit. And I personally believe that the bodies of the earth dwellers in eternity will be different than the bodies of the believers in the church, who are to be like Christ...earth dwellers may need renewing from time to time." (Dr. McGee, [03:40])

2. The Curse Ended, Ceaseless Activity, and Divine Light ([05:30]–[11:00])

• No More Curse:

  • Sin and its curse are eradicated.
    “The first creation was blighted by the curse of sin...the new creation will never be marred by sin. Sin will never be permitted to enter, even potentially.” (Dr. McGee, [05:52])

• Service and Identity:

  • Heaven is not idle; it’s filled with purposeful service for all believers.
    “Heaven's not a place of unoccupied idleness, but a place of ceaseless activity...I think there will be ceaseless activity. There's no night. And man will at last fulfill his destiny.” (Dr. McGee, [08:33])
  • Each will see God’s face and bear Christ’s name: “Each will be like him, yet without disturbing his own peculiar personality.” (Dr. McGee, [08:53])

• Divine Light:

  • “There will be no light holders such as the sun, or reflectors such as the moon. God lights the universe by his presence, for God is light.” (Dr. McGee, [09:35])

3. Christ’s Threefold Promise: "Behold, I Come Quickly" ([11:00]–[13:30])

• Understanding "Quickly":
  • Jesus repeats “Behold, I come quickly” three times—not meaning soon or immediately, but that the final events, once triggered, unfold rapidly: “What he's saying is these events...take place in a period of not more than seven years. Most are confined to the last three and a half years.” (Dr. McGee, [12:35])
  • Emphasis on the certainty and reality of prophecy: “No man is to trifle with them, bespoke, spiritualizing them, or reducing them to meaningless symbols. He's talking about reality.” (Dr. McGee, [13:15])

4. John’s Witness and the Angel’s Admonition ([13:30]–[15:40])

• John’s Vision:

  • John reaffirms his role as both witness and participant ("auditor and spectator") and describes, in awe, his impulse to worship the angel, who redirects worship solely to God.

• Openness of the Book:

  • “Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.” Contrasted with Daniel, Revelation is for the current church age.
  • Ominous warning: “Let him that's filthy be filthy still...the condition of the lost gets worse and worse in eternity until each becomes a monster of sin. And this thought is frightful.”
    “Heaven is not static...We shall have all eternity to grow and to know.” (Dr. McGee, [15:27])

5. Final Blessings, Invitation, and Solemn Warning ([15:40]–[19:00])

• Personal Word from Jesus:

  • “I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright, the morning star.” (Dr. McGee, [17:10])

• Twofold Invitation:

  • The church and the Spirit cry: “Come”—both to Christ to return, and to sinners to accept salvation before that day.
  • “He that will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Dr. McGee, [18:15])
  • Solemn warning not to add or take away from the prophecy: “If any man shall add unto them, God shall add the plagues...if any man shall take away...God shall take away his part from the tree of life.” (Dr. McGee, [18:45])

6. The Final Prayer and Benediction ([19:00]–[19:50])

• “He who testifieth these things saith, yea, I come quickly...the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all his saints. And we sure need plenty of the grace of God.” (Dr. McGee, [19:30])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Christ is the centerpiece to the book of Revelation. Don’t lose sight of him.” —Dr. McGee, [14:18]
• “If you are tired of drinking at the cesspools of this world, he invites you to come. What an invitation this is.” —Dr. McGee, [18:00]
• “If you’re not interested in Jesus today, I don't know why you'd want to go to heaven. Because that's all he's going to talk about up there.” —Dr. McGee, [17:45]

Reflections & Listener Testimony ([19:50]–[23:13])

Hosts Steve & Greg Celebrate the Journey

• Reflecting on 55 Years:
  “It’s not just five years, it’s 55 years...Weaving in the stories and testimonies.” —Greg, [19:59]

• Letter from Nadia (Middle East):

  • Nadia, from an Orthodox background, struggled with God’s goodness amid suffering, but finding the Revelation study online transformed her faith:
    • “I discovered that Revelation isn’t just about the end times. It’s about Jesus himself, His glory, His power, His victory. It lifted my eyes away from the noise and fear of this world to the throne of God, reminding me that he still reigns and nothing is beyond His control...I realized that pain and injustice are temporary, that a day is coming when everything will be made right.” —Nadia’s Letter, [20:47–22:07]
    • “Now, my heart is at peace. I no longer live in fear or anger, but with confidence and anticipation, knowing that my Redeemer lives and he is coming again.” —Nadia, [22:07]

• Encouragement to Listeners:
  “With confidence and anticipation, know that your Redeemer lives and that he’s coming again. And if you don’t have that assurance...now is the perfect time.” —Steve, [23:13]

  • “If you’re hearing our voice… thank you for being faithful. Keep going, keep studying...look ahead and there’s a lot of good stuff to come.” —Greg, [23:31]

Next Steps & Closing Prayer ([24:03]–[25:49])

• The next five-year cycle begins, starting over at Genesis.
• Resources available at ttb.org and via the app.
• Dr. McGee’s closing prayer:
  “…We pray you’ll do it again as we begin the new five year program…May we see him as he is. King of kings and Lord of lords…The chiefest among ten thousand.” ([24:35])
• Episode ends with a reminder and invitation to discover God’s purposes through Jesus Christ.

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Opening Thoughts and Prayer | 00:00–01:15 | | The River & Tree of Life, Healing Leaves | 01:15–05:30 | | No Curse, Eternal Service, Divine Light | 05:30–11:00 | | Christ’s “I Come Quickly”; Not Soon, But Rapid| 11:00–13:30 | | John’s Role, the Angel’s Direction | 13:30–15:40 | | Blessings, Invitation, Warnings | 15:40–19:00 | | Final Prayer & Benediction | 19:00–19:50 | | Reflections & Testimony (Nadia’s Letter) | 19:50–23:13 | | Encouragement to Listeners & New Cycle | 23:13–24:35 | | Closing Prayer & Final Words | 24:35–25:49 |

Summary in a sentence:
This episode brings to conclusion the five-year Bible journey with a stirring reminder of Christ’s eternal reign and invitation, a celebration of changed lives, and a call to eager anticipation as the journey begins anew.