Bible In Poetry: Revelation 22 Poem by Dr John Celes

The River of Life:

1 And then the angel showed to me
The river of water of life,
As clear as crystal, and which flowed,
From the throne of God and the Lamb,
2 And down the city’s middle street.
On either side of river stood,
Tree of life, with twelve crops of fruit,
And yielding fruit on every month.
The leaves of tree healed all nations.
3 No longer will there be a curse.
The throne of God and of the Lamb
In city, and servants serve Him.
4 They’ll see His face then directly;
His name will be on their foreheads.
5 There will be no more night at all.
They will not need a lamp-light’s help,
Nor light of sun, for God gives light.
And they will reign forever, ev’r.
6 The angel turned and said to me,
'These words are trustworthy and true.
The God of spirits of prophets,
Sent angel to show his servants,
The things that must take place sooner.'

Jesus Is Coming:

7 'Behold, I am then coming soon!
Blessed is he who keeps the words
Of the prophecy in this book.'
8 I, John, heard and saw all these things.
And when I’d heard and seen them all,
I fell down to worship at feet
Of angel who showed them to me.
9He said to me, 'Do not do it!
I’m a fellow servant with you
And with your brothers, the prophets,
And all who keep words of this book.
Therefore, you worship the Lord, God! '
10 He told me then, 'Don’t seal the words
Of prophecy of this book for,
The time is near as prophesied.
11 Let him who wrongs, so continue;
Let him who’s vile, then, continue;
Let him who does the right, do so;
Let him who’s holy, holy be.'
12 'Behold, I am then coming soon!
With Me is my reward for all;
And I will give to everyone,
According to what he has done.
13 I’m Alpha and the Omega,
First and Last, Beginning and End.
14 'Blessed are those who wash their robes,
That they have right to tree of life,
And go through gates of the City.
15 Outside are dogs, with magic arts,
The sexually immoral ones,
The murderers, idolaters,
And all who love, practice falsehoods.
16 'I, Jesus, have sent my angel,
To testify to all churches:
I am the Root, David’s Offspring,
The Morning Star that’s ever bright.'
17 The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come! '
Let him who hears say, 'Come! Also.”
“Whoev’r is thirsty, let him come;
Whoever wishes let him take
The free gift of Water of Life.
18 I warn all those who hear the words
Of prophecy of this great Book:
If one adds anything to them,
Then God will add to him the plagues
That are described in this God’s Book.
19 If anyone takes words away
Then, from this Book of prophecy,
God too will take away from him,
His share in tree of life as well
As, in the holy city too,
Which are described in this great Book.
20 Whoever testifies to these
Things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.'
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen
21The grace of Lord Jesus Christ be
With God's people always. Amen.


(7-16-2007)