Revelation 22:15; And Whosoever Loveth and Maketh a Lie

Revelation 22:15 (KJV)  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 

The phrase “and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” is an elaboration of “all liars” in Revelation 22:8 and “maketh a lie” in Revelation 21:7.

Revelation 21:8 (KJV)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

Revelation 21:27 (KJV)  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 

Satan is the father of lying (John 8:44), so his eternal home is a congenial place for those who love and practice lying (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:12).

John 8:44 (KJV)  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2 Thessalonians 2:12 (KJV)  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 

The verb “I do” refers to not “doing” the truth in 1 John 1:6 and to “doing the truth” in John 3:21 (cf. Romans 1:25; Ephesians 4:25).

1 John 1:6 (KJV)  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 

John 3:21 (KJV)  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Romans 1:25 (KJV)  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 

Ephesians 4:25 (KJV)  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 

A proclivity toward falsehood appears earlier in this book several times (Revelation 2:2; 3:9; contra Revelation 14:4).

Revelation 2:2 (KJV)  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

Revelation 3:9 (KJV)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Revelation 14:4 (KJV)  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 

“Loveth a lie” is deeper than “doing” a lie, however. The person who loves falsehood has by that love demonstrated his kinship to it and his affinity to the false Christ and to Satan (Swete, Beasley-Murray).

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody 1995, 508]