Devine Scripture

Revelation 22:4

What does Revelation 22:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 22:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 22:4 means

To see God’s face is the highest blessing—the intimate fellowship once barred is now granted. His name on their foreheads marks identity, ownership, and likeness: the redeemed belong to Him openly and forever. No more veils, no mediated distance; the people of God enjoy direct communion with the One they serve. This fulfills the deepest longing of faith: not merely His gifts, but God Himself. The name inscribed also speaks of protection and consecration, as priests bore holy marks. Here every citizen bears that mark. The face once hidden becomes the light of their lives, and holiness is no longer external command but internalized identity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they will see his face; and his name will be on their brows.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they shall see His face, and His name <FI>is<Fi> upon their foreheads,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they shall see his face: and his name shall be on their foreheads.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and they shall see his face; and his name [is] on their foreheads.

Context

This promise follows the end of the curse and the mention of God’s servants. It explains the quality of their service: it is rooted in immediate vision and belonging. Verse 4 is a pinnacle of Revelation’s hope. It prepares the reader for verse 5’s description of perpetual light and reigning, which are the natural outflow of seeing God’s face and bearing His name. Together, these verses complete the Eden-restored picture and shift toward the chapter’s concluding assurances.

v.3And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him;

v.4This passage

v.5And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 33:17

    Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold a land that reacheth afar.

  • 1 John 3:2

    Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.

  • Matthew 5:8

    Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

  • Hebrews 12:14

    Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:

  • John 12:26

    If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will the Father honor.

  • Revelation 3:12

    He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.

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