Revelation 22:1-5

and he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal receding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bear twelve manner of fruits and yielded their fruit every month. the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse. What the throne of God and of the lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him, and they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle. Either light of the sun, but the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. God bless to us His sacred this morning. Now the prominent theme of the last chapter of the book of Revelation is life. We’ll see that it speaks of the water of love. life in chapter 22 verse 1 and also then verse 17 the tree of life in chapter 22 verse 2 and verse 14 and the book of life in chapter 22 and verse 19 all that is contrary to God all that has developed as a consequence of sin through Adam’s fall ends in death. We talked about the second death, which was mentioned in chapter 20 of the book of Revelation. And in chapter 21, 8, we read about those who were cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. Here in 2219, 19, again, the second death comes to light when we read about being taken out of the book of life, which means that they end up in the second death. However, all that is saved, all that is spared from the dominion of sin, enters into this completely new, abundant life of the new creation that we’ve talked about from chapter 21 and verse 1, we’re talking about in the last two chapters of Revelation, the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Nothing impure or defiled can enter into it. The abundant life that believers in joy has been provided to them by their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now the first part of this chapter, the first five verse, that we just read are actually the continuation of the description of the New Jerusalem, which we saw from chapter 21. The second part of this chapter, beginning with verse 6 through verse 21, is the final conclusion of the book, and it deals with a variety of issues. So we want to talk about the abundant blessings of the New Jerusalem, that we see here in the first five verses. And the first thing we read about here is the river of life. He showed me a pure river of life, water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the land. What is this all about? Well, the imagery that we find here is taken from various Old Testament passages. Let me direct your attention to a few of them. The first thing, is Ezekiel 47 in the first five verses. Ezekiel 47 in the first five verses. Afterward, he brought me again under the door of the house. This is the new temple that he sees in this vision. And behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward, for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waterfront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under the right side of the house at the south side of the altar. Then he brought me out of the way of the gate northward and led me about the way without under the river, excuse me, under the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward, and behold, there ran out waters on the right side. and when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters, and the waters were to the angles. And again he measured a thousand and brought me through the waters, and the waters were to the knees. And again he measured a thousand, he brought me through the waters, and the waters were to the loins. Afterward, he measured a thousand, and he measured a thousand, and it was to the loins. was a river that I could not pass over for the waters were risen waters swim waters to swim in a river that could not be passed over so we see what starts out as more of a stream ends up as a as a major river here which is the river that we see here in the book of Revelation you look at the book of Zachariah chapter 14 in verse 8 your last chapter of Zachariah We see this passage, and it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem. Half of them toward the former sea, half of them toward the hinder sea, in summer and winter shall it be. Here are living waters that come out of the city. And then if you would, Psalm 46 and verse 4, this you may remember singing. about this. 46 and verse 4 of the Psalms, there is a river that streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most high. Now the river, we’re told, contains the water of life. This symbolism is best explained, I think, by Christ. In his discussion with the woman at the well at Samaria, he talks about giving her living water. And here’s what he says in John 4, verse 10 and verse 14. If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee give me drink, thou wouldest have asked of him and he would have given thee living water. whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. So the water of life here symbolizes in some fashion eternal life, the salvation that God provides as a gift of his sovereign grace. Just as water satisfies thirst, we see this living water satisfies the desires of the redeemed. It is a pure river. We’re told clear as crystal in this passage of scripture. Now, a river implies some type of an abundance of water. This life is granted by divine. grace. There’s no pollution. There’s no murkiness to the water. Salvation by grace is presented in scripture in a very clear manner for all to see. It proceedeth out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. This inexhaustible fountain of water, of living water, never will run dry. There’s an unending supply of divine grace. The people of God are always sustained by it. There’s always plenty for everyone of God’s people. So the source of divine grace is perpetual. So no one has to worry about the flow stopping. Now this fact that it proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb indicates to us that our salvation here is brought about by the sovereign will of God and was purchased by the blood of Christ. It comes from God himself is the implication. So any questions here about the river of life? Yeske. I see the Holy Spirit, first of all, giving us a spiritual life, but then it talks about the water flowing out of us. There are graces of the Spirit that are granted to us by the, by the Holy Spirit. by God and that those graces flow out of us in dealing with other people. And through us, other people will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and are brought to salvation. So that’s, I think that’s what the passage you’re thinking about, that will flow out of us as well. And I think that’s the explanation I would suggest. Any other thoughts on that? Let’s go on to then the tree of life in verse 2 of Revelation. 22. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, there was the tree of life, which bared 12 manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Now, the definite article, The, is actually missing. The King James usually italicizes when it’s missing. Why it’s not italicized in this passage, I cannot say for sure. But the various text that I looked at did not have the V there. So the description here suggests the term Tree of Life is used, I think, more of a a collection of trees of the same kind, which makes sense when we compare this with Ezekiel. Ezekiel 47-7 says this. Behold, at the bank of the river, there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. All of these evidently are the tree of life, or trees of life, if you would. John also says that the tree of life. trees are in the middle of the city street and on either side of the river in our text. Moses Stewart and his commentary in the book of Revelation, I think, gives an explanation which clarifies this. The writer conceives here of the river as running through the whole city, then on streets parallel to it on each side, and then on the banks of the river, between the water and the street, the whole stream is lined on each side with two rows of the tree of life. And so that would seem to be implied here by the text here in Revelation. The original paradise we know had one tree of life, but here we have sort of a multiplicity with regard to the tree of life. The blessing that Adam forfeited has been restored in superabundance by the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we have these long rows of trees of life and the new Jerusalem of God. Revelation 2, verse 7, says this, To him that overcometh why give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. by the way the article is in this passage in the Greek this one does have the listed in it and in 2214 we have something very similar blessed are they that do his command is that they may have the right to the tree of life again the article is in this particular passage as well it bear 12 manner of fruits and yielded her fruit every month now we’re used to fruit trees having seasons, they have fruit-bearing season, and only one kind of fruit being produced. But the tree of life, we have a perpetual supply of fruit, even a variety of fruit, a different kind each month. And the picture here is a new paradise, which reminds us of the old paradise, where the tree of life and the fruit of the fruit of the tree of tree is there. Man is portrayed here as dwelling in fellowship with God just as the original paradise. Paradise is the place you recall where God walked with man in the garden and revealed himself to man. And access to the tree of life means that we have assurance of salvation. Remember what God said when he was. barred man from the garden lest he eat and live forever off the tree of life. So as long as you had access to the tree of life, there was the guarantee, the assurance of eternal life. So man was barred from the tree. But here, we not only have access, but it’s perpetual fruit. It’s constant for us. The leaves of the tree. the tree, we’re told were for the healing of the nations. Now, nations here does not mean distant nations, but as it is often used in the book of Revelation and elsewhere, it refers to the Gentiles. We’ve talked about the Jews and the Gentiles being included together in the New Jerusalem. How that, well, the gates are named after the 12 tribes. The foundations are named after the 12 apostles and that Jew and Gentile-like are included in this city. Those believing Gentiles then are part of the glorified saints of God. William Milligan in his book of Revelation says this. It’s impossible to think that the nations here spoken of have yet to be converted. They have already entered the New Jerusalem. And that they are healed can signify no more than this. That they are kept in constant soundness of health by what is here administered unto them. In other words, these leaves will be for the preserving and the continual health of the people of God in this heavenly paradise. Ezekiel 4712 in speaking of this says the fruit thereof shall be for meat or food and the leaf thereof for medicine. The healing provided by God’s grace in Christ is complete and perfect, no relapse is possible, and this is the assurance of that truth. So any question about the tree of life? here. All right. Let’s look at the first part of verse three then. It talks about no more curse. There shall be no more curse. Now, the removal of the curse, of course, will take us all the way back to the garden of Eden and the fall of Adam when the curse first came upon mankind. Man has lived with a curse all through his history. But now we have a new heaven and new art. and therefore there is no curse here. It’s been removed. The heavens and the earth have been perched by fire, according to 2 Peter chapter 3. And we read that the scripture tells us in Galatians 313, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us, and he lifts the whole curse, even upon the earth, which moans and groans until the curse is removed, to Romans chapter 8. You’re going to have a perfect and pure nature, incapable of sinning. As we saw in the end of chapter 20, that old serpent, Satan himself, is cast into the lake of fire. He’s no longer going to be present, able to enter into this paradise of God, and to tempt anyone to sin. none but those pure and undefiled are in this final paradise of God, as we saw in Revelation 21, 27. Nothing that worketh abomination or maketh a lie is allowed to enter into this city. Any question about the curse? Then let’s talk about the throne of God and of the Lamb also in verse 3. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. God himself will be there. His tabernacle will be among men, as we saw on chapter 21 and verse 3. The name of the city here is the Lord is here. He’s present. The blessed son of God and our Savior will be there. Whose presence will make it a very joyful and happy place for the people of God. Both God the Father and God the Son sit on the same throne, which symbolizes their sovereign rule over all things. The King of Glory reigns, and all the citizens of His eternal kingdom obediently serve Him. His will is their pleasure to perform. His servants serve him. The very last phrase here, verse 3. Now, the word serve can also imply the idea of worship. And so throughout eternity, we will be worshipping our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We saw this in Chapter 7, where all those around the throne are worshipping the Lord. Chapter 5, Chapter 15, Chapter 19, 1 to 6. Throughout the Book of Revelation, we see the people of God worshiping. Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, and so forth. How that Christ has purchased us and bought us out of every kindred tongue, people, and nation. And how we sing his praises, praises to the Lamb, and so forth. So all this is included in this idea of serve, the throne of God and of the Lamb. Any questions about that? All right. Fifthly, the sign of reconciliation and a recognition. approval is found in verse 4. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. She’ll see his face. Do you remember what Jesus said in the sermon on the Mount? Blessed, he said, are those who are pure in heart because what? They would see God. And here we have the fulfillment of that promise in this passage of Scripture. That’s Matthew 5-8. You can’t presently see the face of God, but in that day you shall see him as he is. Remember how such a great servant of God is Moses, who wished to see God, wasn’t allowed to see God. He could see the afterglow, the hinder parts of God. Remember he hit Moses in the cleft of the rock, and God says, I’m going to pass by, and you’ll see my hinder parts, or my hinder glow, as the Hebrew seems. to indicate. Because no man can see God and live. But in the new heaven and earth, we’re going to be able to see God. You shall see Christ in all his glory, even though his face shines brighter than the noonday sun, like it did on the Mount of Transfiguration. Remember what Jesus prayed in his high priestly prayer in John 1724? Father, I will that they also, whom thou has given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory. We’ll see Christ in all his glory. In Scripture, when you can see the king’s face, that means you enjoy his favor and his approval. And that’s what certainly is indicated here in this passage. Remember one of the benedictions we use. an Old Testament benediction from number 6, 24 to 26. Well, we have this. The Lord God bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So the idea of being able to see God implies this idea of favor, approval, peace, joy, him being gracious to us. Remember how King David, being angry with his son Absalon, who had killed his brother, allowed him to return to Israel, but he was still under a cloud of disapproval from his father. So his father said, let him turn to his own house, let him not see my face. David said, he can’t see my face. He can’t see my face. come back, but I don’t approve of him. I don’t like what he’s done. Here we have the opposite situation. We have wonderful access to God’s presence throughout eternity. We see his face. Therefore, we have his approval and blessing. Get out. Get out of my presence. Yes, that’s true. Yeah, get out of my presence. I don’t want to see you anymore. His name shall be in their foreheads, it says also. they shall be known, they shall be designated, if you would, marked, branded, sealed, as the people of God. Now, as we have seen elsewhere in the book of Revelation, this doesn’t mean you actually have a literal stamp on your head. But you are designated. You are marked out as God’s people. God’s people. God acknowledges you as one of his. is that he writes his name on your forehead means it’s a permanent thing. It can never be changed. There’s no way that you could be lost or your status could ever be changed. It’s a permanently fixed condition. So the sign of recognition and approval. We could see God’s face and we have his name stamped, if you would, in our foreheads. question about that section. Okay. And then we have the reigning of the saints in verse 5. And there shall be no night there and they need no candle, neither light of the sun. But the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign forever and ever. As mentioned earlier in chapter 21 and verse 25, you were told again that there shall be no night there. Now, symbolically night speaks about sorrow night speaks about trouble you know things of this nature but we read here that the Lord God giveth them light God is light his very presence dispels darkness we talked about before when there was creation before the sun the moon and stars were even made there was light when God said let there be light His own presence lighted up his universe. And we have similar idea here. For this reason, we don’t need a candle. We don’t need any sun. The Lord is present. There’s light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Now you recall in chapter 20 that we studied the fact that the saints of God reign with Christ for a thousand years while Satan is bound. And you might say, well, I thought we rained forever. Well, you do reign forever. But at that point, we’re only talking about the time that Satan is bound. And during that time, you will reign with Christ. But that was prior to the new heaven and the new earth, right? As this verse indicates, the saints shall reign and they shall not cease to reign. When Christ delivers up the kingdom to the Father, and the eternal kingdom begins, you shall reign forever and ever with Christ because you’ll sit on his throne with him. You have that prospect of reigning with him. Any question to hear about the reigning of the saints? So here is the abundant blessings of the New Jerusalem. We have the river of life. We have the tree of life. There’s no more curse. We have access to the throne of God and of the lamb. We get to see his face, the sign of recognition. or approval is given to us, and the reigning of the saints. The final part of this book, the conclusion, deals with a variety of issues that we’ll look at as we go along, Lord willing. So I’m going to stop at this point. Any questions, any comments, any things you’d like to add to this study this morning? All right, let’s close with a word of prayer. And I’ll ask Russell if he closes, please.