In Revelation 22:3–4, the phrase “no longer will anything be cursed” could mean that nothing accursed will be in God’s presence. This would fulfill Zechariah 14:11, considering that the church is now called the New Jerusalem. More likely, it refers to God lifting the curse placed in Eden (Genesis 3:17–18).
The phrase the throne of God and of the Lamb indicates the oneness of God and the Lamb, as well as God’s presence right among his people, and they will see his face. The face of God had not been seen by anyone since Adam and Eve sinned. Even Moses, the great lawgiver who went up on the mountain to meet with God, had only been able to see God from the back (Exodus 33:20).
When we are in heaven, however, God’s people will see him face-to-face (1 John 3:2). The ability to see God’s face suggests an intimate personal relationship. In addition, God’s people will have his name written on their foreheads. This points out God’s ownership. God’s people had been “sealed” by the Spirit (Rev. 7:3), and this seal previously had been described as being in the form of the Father’s name (Rev.14:1). The point is that this is the same group—God will bring his own safely to his eternal Kingdom. (Rev. 22:5)
The point that there will be no night was noted in Rev. 21:25. This indicates that there will be no more evil, no more darkness, and no more time (for God had created day and night, along with the sun and the moon, to mark the passage of time—Genesis 1:14–15). The people in the city will not need lamps or sun, for the Lord God will shine on them, as was also noted in Rev. 21:23.
The entire book of Revelation culminates in this verse: God’s people, those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, will reign forever and ever (see also Daniel 7:18, 28). Eternal life is ours now and forever. (Rev. 22:6) John referred to the angel (as opposed to “an” angel), so this is probably the same angel who had shown him the heavenly city (Rev. 21:9; 22:1). The revelation closes with an angel explaining that what John has written is trustworthy and true. Throughout the ages, God has told his prophets what the future holds, and he did so again in this prophecy to John. Revelation describes what will happen soon (see also Rev. 1:1). The word “soon” means imminent and implies certainty.
Revelation 22:7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19–21 declares that Jesus is indeed coming! These verses form the epilogue to the book of Christ’s Revelation to his church. An angel attested to the prophecy’s authenticity, and at the very end, Jesus warned that the end would indeed come soon. Rev. 22:7 From Jesus himself come the words of assurance: “Look, I am coming soon!” The word “soon” (taxu) means that his coming will be quick and without delay. It may not be “soon” by human standards (after all, John wrote this two thousand years ago), but it is certain to occur; it is imminent.
Jesus clearly told his followers, “So be prepared, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matthew 24:42, 44). Then follows the sixth of seven beatitudes in the book: “Blessed are those who obey the prophecy written in this scroll.” The other beatitudes are found in Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:14.1 Like the beatitude at 1:3, the ones listed here promise a blessing to those who obey God by heeding the warnings of this prophecy.
1 Bruce Barton, Life Application New Testament Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001), 1271–1272.