3-1-2020 Heaven on Earth Revelation 22:1-5
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
The Bible is a fascinating book (or collection of books) in many respects. In one particular aspect, it is a literary perfection. It makes a full circle — Revelation completes Genesis. The Bible ends with a state similar to the beginning — the final chapter of Revelation is much like Genesis chaps. 2-3.
What does the beginning of the Bible tell us about the original paradise?
In the Garden of Eden, there was a RIVER.
In Eden, there was a TREE OF LIFE.
In Eden, there was no CURSE.
In the Garden of Eden, there was direct, physical FELLOWSHIP with God.
Paradise was lost because Adam and Eve disobeyed God. But Christ crushed the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15) through His death and resurrection and opened up the way to paradise to be restored.
What does the end of the Bible tells us about the new paradise?
Well, much the same as with the First Garden
Transition:
This final chapter of Revelation is the final part of John’s vision of the new Jerusalem. In vv. 1–5 John describes the eternal city as a paradise, much like the original Garden of Eden. But now we learn that paradise has been not only restored but also transformed into the perfect eternal Garden. John sees a similar picture as what Ezekiel saw at the end of his book, where the prophet sees a river flowing from the renewed temple and trees growing on the banks of the river. The Prophet Zechariah saw it too (Zech. 14:8). In John also seeing features similar to the beginning of Genesis, this image of a garden paradise now brackets the entire Bible (Gen. 2–3; Rev. 22). YHWH has gone to almost unbelievable pains to live among His people once again. Let’s read about it:
Scripture Reading:
Revelation 22:1–5
1 And he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming out from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2 in the middle of its street, and on both sides of the river is the tree of life, producing twelve fruits—yielding its fruit according to every month—and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
3 And there will not be any curse any longer, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his slaves will serve him,
4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5 And night will not exist any longer, and they will not have need of the light of a lamp and the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give light to them, and they will reign forever and ever.
When God created the universe, he assessed his material handiwork as “good”. This good God created a good world for His good creatures. The goodness of this physical, material world predates the curse of sin. When YHWH transforms creation, it will be a renewed material, physical order. The Bible never connects matter with evil. When heaven invades earth, we should imagine resurrected bodies living in a whole new physical world. The original Garden of Eden and Jesus’s resurrection body are the best biblical hints of what is to come. The disembodied, ghostly, “spiritual” existence many of us have grown up with as an image of heaven, complete with white clouds, winged angels, and harp music, is simply wrong (Angels will definitely be present, but they won’t resemble the gift-store figurines.). The prayer Jesus taught us to pray—“hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9–10)—is now perfectly answered.
Transition:
John continues to give us a tour of the New Jerusalem which is really Heaven on Earth:
I. Heaven’s Nature (vv.1-2)
I. Heaven’s Nature (vv.1-2)
John sees a river flowing from the throne of God. Just like the rivers on Earth we have now bring life-giving moisture to the land and its inhabitants, God’s presence is the source of life in the new Jerusalem.
And he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming out from the throne of God and of the Lamb
The water in our passage is said to be “clear” (lampros) as crystal, a term that elsewhere means “bright” (15:6; 18:14; 19:8; 22:16) and stresses the purity and glory of God’s presence. Perhaps much like this:
Shown here is the waterfall at Baynias, Israel along one of the sources of the Jordan River.
The first river in the original garden flows from Eden [[Gen. 2:10]]
Now a river flowed out from Eden that watered the garden, and from there it diverged and became four branches.
and in Ezekiel it flows from the temple (Ezek. 47:1–2), but here in our passage, it comes directly from the throne of God and the Lamb.
The river of the water of life represents God’s life-giving presence. In John’s Gospel, Jesus identifies himself and the Holy Spirit as the “living water”. Since Pentecost, the Spirit has made God’s personal presence known to individual believers (John 14:6; 15:26; 16:14–16). Now, God’s people are ushered into the very presence of God’s Spirit (7:16; 21:6; 22:17). We cannot possibly live any closer to the Triune God than we will in the transformed paradise.
And he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming out from the throne of God and of the Lamb
“the throne of God”
While the “throne” has previously emphasized God’s majesty and sovereignty, now it represents God’s powerful presence. In addition, “whereas the beast’s throne is characterized by oppression and domination that denies life to those who fail to recognize its supremacy (13:15), God’s throne is life-giving and life-sustaining.”
in the middle of its street, and on both sides of the river is the tree of life, producing twelve fruits—yielding its fruit according to every month—and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
The river of living water that flows through the heart of the garden city is surrounded by the tree(s) of life.
God is the true source of life
Illustration:
Nature: Mesquite trees are survivors. These amazing trees are able to live in extremely arid conditions because they are not dependent on the occasional rainfall for survival. In seasons of extreme drought, they can drop their leaves to conserve energy. The key to a mesquite tree surviving is its deep taproot. The mesquite tree sends its taproot up to two hundred feet below the surface, looking for the water table. It knows where true life waits.
Although the term “tree” is singular, it’s probably better to take it as a collective singular and picture many trees lining both banks of the river as portrayed in [[Ezekiel 47:12]]:
And along the stream will go up on its banks from both sides every tree producing food; its leaf will not wither and it will not cease producing its fruit. Every month it will bear early fruit, for its waters are going out from the sanctuary, and its fruit will be as food, and its leaf for healing.”
But John also has the Garden of Eden in mind, hence the one “tree of life.” He cares much more about the theological significance of these images. The point is that God’s people are now totally surrounded by and engulfed in God’s life. Jesus promised the victors food from the tree of life in the paradise of God [[Rev. 2:7]]
The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will grant to him to eat from the tree of life which is in the paradise of God.’
and now that promise is fulfilled.
Whereas the tree of life in Eden was off limits after the fall, this tree of life will always be accessible and never stop bearing fruit.
in the middle of its street, and on both sides of the river is the tree of life, producing twelve fruits—yielding its fruit according to every month—and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
For those who lived off the land and sometimes suffered famine and hunger, this promise of never-ending provision in the presence of God completely banishes all worry. With the river of life and tree(s) of life, God’s people will never hunger or thirst again.
In addition to abundant provision, all disease will be totally eliminated from the new creation. Ezekiel says the leaves of these trees are for healing (Ezek 47:12]]
And along the stream will go up on its banks from both sides every tree producing food; its leaf will not wither and it will not cease producing its fruit. Every month it will bear early fruit, for its waters are going out from the sanctuary, and its fruit will be as food, and its leaf for healing.”
and John adds “the healing of the nations,”
Healing what?!?!
Is there sickness or disease at this time? NO!
A too simplistic reading would say healing requires disease, but John is making the point that healing only exists in the new creation. Perhaps some of this healing is from the trauma of sin in times past. The healing in view relates most of all to the absence of any curse, as the next verse says.
Transition:
So this is the nature of Heaven on Earth, now John moves to the nurturing aspect of Heaven
II. Heaven’s Nurture (vv.3-4)
II. Heaven’s Nurture (vv.3-4)
So now we see that the healing also consists of removing the original curse that resulted from human sin
And there will not be any curse any longer, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his slaves will serve him,
“No longer will there be any curse”
(Gen. 2:16–17; 3:14–24). The reverse of the curse is now complete and overcomers may eat freely from the tree(s) of life (2:7). Drawing on the language of Zechariah 14:11 (LXX: “They shall inhabit it, and there will be no more anathema”), John says that nothing in the transformed paradise will be under God’s curse (katathema). This is one example of how the future paradise will surpass the original paradise.
And there will not be any curse any longer, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his slaves will serve him,
“The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city”
References to “the throne of God and of the Lamb” in verses 1 and here again 3 bracket the description of the transformed paradise. This sends a clear message that God’s powerful and glorious presence is the source of life in the heavenly garden city. But since God is there, the new creation will be a place of absolute safety, abundant provision, total unity, complete wholeness, and perfect fellowship with the Lord.
And there will not be any curse any longer, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his slaves will serve him,
“and his slaves/servants will serve him”
God’s people are commonly referred to as “slaves” or “servants” throughout all of the NT, and especially here in Revelation (doulos; 1:1 [2x]; 2:20; 7:3; 10:7; 11:18; 15:3; 19:2, 5, 10; 22:3, 6),
I am convinced we easily forget this! WE ARE SLAVES of the most High God, yet we seldom act like it! Instead we serve our Master only when it is convenient for us! “I’ll do this for the LORD—only if it doesn’t interfere with my… [fill in the blank]” or “I would serve God more, but I’ve got this thing going on and I don’t have time.” We’re not slaves of the Most High, we are instead part-time volunteers.
One of the saddest reoccurring things I’ve seen as Pastor is when someone comes to me and says, “Josh, I’m not growing here so I’m leaving your church.” In each instance, it is someone who does not come to hear the preaching and teaching of Sunday School—it’s way too early in the morning for them. They are not the ones learning what it means to serve on Wednesday nights—it’s way too late at night! They are not the ones contributing to the Thursday Bible studies— who wants to come in the middle of the work week for that? And then, the audacity to actually have a dedicated “prayer time” with other Believers here at Grace at 9:00 am? how terribly unthinkable! No one should be expected to be put through those things! Actually, that is correct, because only slaves of the Most High would be called to endure such tortures as multiple opportunities to grow!
The only growth, therefore, these people want is relegated to and reduced to about one hour of a Sunday each week. How can we be called to be a living sacrifice if we cannot sacrifice a few more hours out of our week to do the work of the ministry and grow?
But these slaves of YHWH are also priests in the heavenly temple. They will “serve” (latreuō) God, a term that implies priestly service or worship in the temple, now the heavenly temple. Revelation has already explicitly affirmed the priesthood of all believers (e.g., 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). Now, in the new holy of holies, the entire priestly community will experience the greatest blessing of all: they will see the face of God.
and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Not even Moses was allowed to see God’s face, but saw only his back, but God’s people have always longed to see the Lord [[Matt. 5:8]]
Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
God’s people will also bear his “name,” meaning they will belong to him, imitate his character, and live safely in his presence.
and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
The old priestly blessing/prayer for the Lord to “make his face shine on you” and “turn his face toward you” (Num. 6:25–26)
25 Yahweh will make shine his face on you and be gracious to you;
26 Yahweh will lift up his face upon you, and he will give you peace.’
finds its ultimate fulfillment here.
Transition:
With Heaven’s Nature and Nurture explained to us in such wonder, John repeats the delight of Heaven on Earth
III. Heaven’s De‘light’ (v.5)
III. Heaven’s De‘light’ (v.5)
The apostle John is apparently is just as obsessed with lights as I am. How do I know? Because we have John again mention the light thing:
And night will not exist any longer, and they will not have need of the light of a lamp and the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give light to them, and they will reign forever and ever.
God’s glorious presence will shine on his people and supply the only light needed in the new creation; all darkness will disappear forever. The name “Lord God” also echoes Genesis 2–3, where the divine names “Lord” (Yahweh) and “God” (Elohim) combine to reveal that the all-powerful Creator God is also the Covenant Lord.
And night will not exist any longer, and they will not have need of the light of a lamp and the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give light to them, and they will reign forever and ever.
“they will reign forever and ever”
These slaves are also kings who reign with the Lord God forever and ever, a theme found throughout the book. This verse says that we will actually share in God’s rule over the new creation much like Adam and Eve were supposed to rule over the original creation [[Gen. 1:28]]:
And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of heaven, and over every animal that moves upon the earth.”
Illustration:
Quote: Heaven Is a Place on Earth, by Michael Wittmer.
We were made to be human, and on the new earth we will participate in other, human activities.… Isaiah’s vision of the future includes a full range of cultural endeavors. In a passage on the “new heavens and a new earth,” Isaiah promises that people living there “will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.” … Houses, vineyard, kings, and wealthy nations—these words signal a world of cultural activity on the new earth. Remember that God’s first command to Adam and Eve was to develop his creation, to take the raw materials of his good world and make something better. Because this cultural mandate has never been rescinded, we may rightly expect to continue our cultural activity on the new earth, much as we are doing now
So What?
So What?
1. God is the only power source needed in the eternal city.
1. God is the only power source needed in the eternal city.
In other words, God is the source of all life. When we think of botanical gardens, we think of life. We imagine rivers and trees and flowers and all types of vegetation pulsing with life. Since all life comes from God, should we not look to him now to provide life? How often do we seek life apart from God—in God’s blessings such as friends or possessions or, moving in the opposite direction, in sinful habits? Ironically, our unrighteous adventures are often attempts to satisfy a desire that God has legitimately provided. May we stop being deceived and seek the Lord, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
2. We will not be bored or unemployed in the new creation.
2. We will not be bored or unemployed in the new creation.
The notion that heaven will be an eternally exhausting church service or even a never-ending vacation doesn’t fit with the Bible. Just as Adam and Eve were entrusted with ruling in the original garden, so God’s people will also be responsible to reign in the eternal garden city. Our relationship with God will involve doing something productive under God’s guidance and for his glory. What began in the millennium (in Chap 20) now continues throughout eternity. We will not be lazy or lack opportunities to serve. We will do meaningful work forevermore. And we will do it right this time around.
3. Life in God’s presence will mean all healing and no curse.
3. Life in God’s presence will mean all healing and no curse.
All of us have been devastated by the death of a loved one, many of us have dealt with a life-threatening illness, and some of us have experienced poverty. To survive such enemies now, we need hope—hope that we are coming closer to a time and a place when we will only know complete physical and spiritual healing. This will accompany the full and unhindered presence of God. And don’t miss the point: the presence of healing is one thing, but the absence of curse is another thing altogether. In his presence there will be no more deprivation, disease, or death. God’s Shekinah presence will protect us so that all we will know is security, provision, peace, and sheer joy. No wonder worship will come even more naturally in the transformed paradise.
In Conclusion:
The ultimate source of eternal life is God’s personal presence.
In the eternal garden city there will be no more death or disease, only life.
God’s people will see his face, serve him, and reign with him.