River of Life
Notes
Transcript
V.1:
Up until this point, all we’ve seen of the New Jerusalem has been all mineral and no vegetable.
Beautiful and brilliant, but lacking the fundamental qualities of life.
Here, we see the elements that add and air of life and softness.
It’s no surprise that the source of the river of life is the throne of God.
This is a continual flow of eternal life from God’s throne to heaven’s inhabitants.
V.2:
This appears to be an entire orchard of trees. It is said to be in the middle of the street and on each side of the river.
The tree of life is in line with Ezekiel’s vision.
The tree of life is in line with Ezekiel’s vision.
Ezekiel 47:12
Ezekiel 47:12
Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”
Moreover, we are told that “each” tree yells it’s fruit every month.
The trees bear 12 fruits. The tree of life has plenty of variety.
Does the trees bear 12 different fruits at a time? Renewing every month? Or do they bear a different fruit each month of the year? Either way, we’ll have plenty of variety, so that we don’t get tired of it.
Even though there is no sickness in the eternal state, the tree’s fruit and leaves seem to contribute to the physical well-being of those in the eternal state.
All of this lets us imagine what we will see when we walk the streets of heaven. I’m not talking about the technical details, but more important matters.
We will see satisfaction. All along the streets of heaven will be satisfied saints.
They will be satisfied, because they will have a constant and abundant supply of living water and fruit from the tree of life.
True and perfect abundance. There will always be a table prepared for us, and our cup will overflow.
This will be a place of sufficiency!
V.3:
The curse that began in the garden of Eden will be totally finished. God will never have to judge sin again.
Another element of the Holy City, is that it’s not all feasting. It will not be a place of idleness.
It will be a place of service, there will be constant activity.
What this service consists of is anybody’s guess, but whatever the service, it’ll be to God.
V.4:
Yet another attribute of heaven, is that it will be a place of sight.
No person can currently see God’s face and live.
No person can currently see God’s face and live.
Exodus 33:20-23
Exodus 33:20-23
But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”
John 1:18
John 1:18
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
1 Timothy 6:16
1 Timothy 6:16
who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
The residents of heaven will look on God’s face without harm because they will be holy.
The residents of heaven will look on God’s face without harm because they will be holy.
1 John 3:2
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Not only that, they belong to God. They have His name on their foreheads.
V.5:
As previously noted, no external light source is needed, because God is the light.
The fact that the saints will reign forever is the fulfillment of the first promise in the book of Revelation.
The fact that the saints will reign forever is the fulfillment of the first promise in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:6
Revelation 1:6
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:10
Revelation 5:10
And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Make no mistake, we will be perfected, we will be glorified, and we will reign, but we will not be gods.
Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will reign supreme above us all.
We will be His governors, under His headship.
We will rule under His authority and in subjection to Him.
Not be cause He needs us, not because He can’t handle the job Himself, but because He has decided that it will be that way.
The saints are indeed privileged to have been chosen for such a future!
We have seen that heaven is a place of satisfaction, where our deepest needs are met.
It is a place of sufficiency, where we will be cared for and provided for in abundance.
It is a place of service, where we will serve our Lord.
It is a place of sight, where our eyes will be opened as never before. We will see our Lord in all His glory, and there will always be plenty of light to see by.
Satisfaction, Sufficiency, Service and Sight. And the only way to get there is through Jesus Christ.
Heaven is a place of satisfaction, sufficiency, service and sight, and the only way to get there is through Jesus.
Heaven is a place of satisfaction, sufficiency, service and sight, and the only way to get there is through Jesus.
John 14:6
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
