What is the meaning of Revelation 22:11?

Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous

– The angel speaks after announcing that “the time is near” (Revelation 22:10); there is no longer any allowance for delay.

– This is not permission to sin; it is a solemn warning that, when Christ appears, moral choices will be fixed (cf. Genesis 6:3; Daniel 12:10; Hebrews 9:27).

– Those who persist in unbelief will carry their unrighteousness into judgment (Revelation 20:11-15; John 3:18-19).

– The verse urges readers to repent now, because a day is coming when repentance will no longer be possible (Isaiah 55:6-7; Luke 13:24-28).

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and the vile continue to be vile

– “Vile” points to a heart and lifestyle that revel in moral filth (Revelation 21:8; Romans 1:24-28).

– Repeated sin deepens defilement; the longer it is embraced, the harder the heart becomes (Proverbs 29:1; Ephesians 4:17-19).

– When Christ returns, those who love impurity will remain impure forever, excluded from the holy city (Revelation 21:27).

– The phrase underscores the frightening consequence of refusing cleansing through the Lamb (1 John 1:7).

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let the righteous continue to practice righteousness

– For believers, the command is to persevere in doing what is right until the very end (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:35-39).

– Righteousness is not a single act but a sustained walk that evidences true faith (1 John 3:7-10; James 2:18).

– Even as society grows darker, disciples are called to “shine like lights” (Philippians 2:15) and refuse compromise (Revelation 2:10).

– The promise of Christ’s imminent return motivates steadfast obedience (1 Corinthians 15:58).

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and the holy continue to be holy

– “Holy” describes people set apart to God, cleansed by Christ’s blood and indwelt by His Spirit (Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 2:9).

– Sanctification is both positional and practical; believers are already holy in Christ and are to pursue holiness daily (Leviticus 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

– Without holiness, “no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14), so the command urges continual growth in purity and devotion (2 Corinthians 7:1).

– Final separation is coming: the holy will dwell forever with God, the unholy forever apart from Him (Revelation 21:3-4, 27).

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summary

Revelation 22:11 draws a sharp line at history’s end: character becomes destiny. Those who reject God will face eternity fixed in unrighteousness and vileness; those who trust Him are called to persevere in righteousness and holiness, knowing the Savior’s arrival is near. The verse offers both a sobering caution and a stirring encouragement—turn to Christ now, and keep walking faithfully with Him to the finish.