Revelation 22:12; And, Behold, I Come Quickly (2)

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Revelation 22:12 (KJV)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

The infinitival clause “to give every man according as his work shall be” possibly expresses the purpose of His coming, but it is more likely that it is intended as a further definition of “the reward” that comes after the promise of His coming.

The thought is that the rightness or wrongness of the work will determine the nature of the reward (cf. Revelation 2:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:26).

Revelation 2:23 (KJV)  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 

Romans 2:26 (KJV)  Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 

As noted already in Revelation 20:13, works are consistently the basis for future divine judgment. Here, however, the singular in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (Lee).

Revelation 20:13 (KJV)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (KJV)  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

The adjective “every man” sounds the note of individual responsibility heard often in this book (Revelation 2:23; 6:11; 20:13) (Swete).

Revelation 2:23 (KJV)  And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Revelation 6:11 (KJV)  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. 

Revelation 20:13 (KJV)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody, 1995, 505]