Revelation 22:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Those who keep the commandments of God are truly blessed, because in the blessed life they will have authority to rest upon the tree of life, Christ our God. They will be filled and delighted by the contemplation of Him, and then nothing evil will be able to hinder this. By the apostolic gates, that is, through their teaching, they will enter the city above by the true door (Jn 10:9). They will not climb up some other way (Jn 10:1), like hired shepherds, but will be brought in by the Gatekeeper of life.

He proclaims blessed either those who have washed their wedding garment in the blood of the Lord's sufferings, through the washing of regeneration which they received, or those who, through contrition of heart and with tears, have accomplished the cleansing of sins committed in the present life. John affirms that they will undoubtedly have authority over the tree of life. This authority consists in seeing the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true tree of life, and rejoicing. It also consists in being able to reach the place of His presence by passing through the gates, that is, through the teaching of the apostles and patriarchs, which they strove to fulfill.

Therefore blessed are those who live in goodness, who have cleansed themselves from every defilement of sin. Those who have lived in this way will have the right to lean upon the tree of life and to abide upon it in rest. And the tree of life is Christ, as was said before. And they will enter the city by the gates. Through the gates, that is, through the apostolic ordinances and teachings, they become partakers of the way of life and blessedness of the saints. Cf. Rev 2:7; Rev 22:2 and the commentary on them.

The essence of the whole faith consists in confessing perfect Godhead and true humanity in one and the same Christ. Concerning moral purity, John says, “But to those who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God” (Jn 1:12), indicating the reward of faith and love.

It seems that John speaks in a similar way here. He alludes to Christ in the letters alpha and omega, and by white garments he signifies a blameless life. For this he likewise promises the same reward, saying, “that they may have the right to the tree of life.”

The pasture promised here is the tree of life. Without doubt, they enter the Church by the gates, the gates of righteousness which the Psalmist asks to have opened to him (see Ps 117:19). But he who climbs into the courtyard by another way is a thief and a robber (Jn 10:1).

If the names of Christ's apostles are written on the gates, those whom He specially chose for preaching and witness to the truth, then without apostolic succession it will surely be difficult to enter the city without a wedding garment. Through that succession the breath and words of Christ can reach us: "Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22).