Devine Scripture

Revelation 21:6

What does Revelation 21:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 21:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 21:6 means

God announces completion: “They are come to pass.” He reveals His eternal identity—“the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end”—assuring that the plan spans all history. Then He promises to give the thirsty the water of life freely. Spiritual thirst—deep need for God—is met not by payment or merit but by grace. The fountain’s source is God Himself, the inexhaustible life-giver. This is the substance of salvation: communion with the living God forever. The language invites needy sinners and comforts saints, grounding confidence not in themselves but in the God who starts and finishes the work.

Revelation 21:6 in context

Revelation 21 — A New Heaven and a New Earth

John's final vision. The first heaven and earth pass away, and the New Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. God himself dwells with his people; he wipes away every tear; there is no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The former things are passed away. The light of the city is the glory of God; its lamp is the Lamb. The story that began in the garden of Genesis ends in the city of Revelation, and the gates are never shut.

  • New creation
  • God dwelling with man
  • End of death and sorrow
  • Eternal worship

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to me, It is done. I am the First and the Last, the start and the end. I will freely give of the fountain of the water of life to him who is in need.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and He said to me, `It hath been done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End; I, to him who is thirsting, will give of the fountain of the water of the life freely;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to me: It is done. I am Alpha and Omega: the Beginning and the End. To him that thirsteth, I will give of the fountain of the water of life, freely.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that thirsts of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Context

This follows God’s pledge to renew all things and confirms that His purposes are already secured. The revelation of God’s identity undergirds the offer of life. The next verses (7–8) will divide humanity into two groups—those who overcome and inherit this life, and those who persist in unbelief and sin and face the second death. Thus, verse 6 functions as a hinge, moving from the sure promise of new creation to the personal call and consequence.

v.5And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true.

v.6This passage

v.7He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 36:9

    For with thee is the fountain of life: In thy light shall we see light.

  • John 4:10

    Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

  • Joel 3:18

    And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of Jehovah, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

  • Romans 8:32

    He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?

  • Revelation 22:17

    And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.

  • John 4:14

    but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.

Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:6

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Revelation 21:6 teaches us about new creation

  • What Revelation 21:6 teaches us about god dwelling with man

  • What Revelation 21:6 teaches us about end of death and sorrow

  • What Revelation 21:6 teaches us about eternal worship

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