Words of Life
March 29, 2019
Commentary
In this chapter we also find some additional facts about the New Jerusalem. The angel showed John the river of the water of life which was clear as crystal as it flowed from the throne of God (v. 1). The water flows as a stream down the middle of the street, which apparently refers to the main thoroughfare in the New Jerusalem (v. 2). While this probably is a literal river it symbolizes the water of life.
John also saw the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. This constant yielding of fruit indicates the continuous blessing that it will bring forth. While the verse does not state that the fruit can be eaten, this is presumably the implication. The trees’ leaves are for the healing of the nations. Even though there is no sickness in the eternal state, the trees’ fruit and leaves seem to contribute to the physical well-being of those in the eternal state.
As mentioned earlier God and the Lamb are in the new city (v. 3). The highest joy and privilege of the saints will be to serve their blessed Lord even though it also means reigning with Him forever (vv. 4-5). The God who has lived in unapproachable light became approachable in the person of Jesus (John 1:14). The God who is transcendent became immanent. People could look at Jesus and see God. But Revelation 22:4 appears to speak of seeing the face of God the Father. This will truly be a privileged place just being with Him throughout eternity.
Application
We have had a glimpse here of what it will be like for those who have been born-again. It is my responsibility to share with others how they can be sure of going to heaven when they die.
Revelation 22:1– 7 (NET)
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life—water as clear as crystal—pouring out from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 flowing down the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. 3 And there will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him, 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.
6 Then the angel said to me, “These words are reliable and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”
7 (Look ! I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)
Illustration: Randy Alcorn A Theology of Heaven
Randy Alcorn says, “I’ve written about Heaven. I taught a seminary course, “A Theology of Heaven.” I’ve spoken about Heaven at churches and conferences. There’s a great deal I don’t know…but if there’s one thing I do know, it’s what people think about Heaven. And I’m frankly alarmed. Not simply because of ignorance, but the harmful misconceptions held by many believers. Lloyd George admitted, “When I was a boy, the thought of Heaven used to frighten me more than the thought of hell. I pictured Heaven as a place where time would be perpetual Sundays, with perpetual services from which there would be no escape.” (Randy Alcorn – Book on Heaven).