Even So, Come, LORD Jesus: Part 1

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Introduction

If you were writing the final chapter to the book of Revelation, could you write it with 573 words? (That is the number of words in the 22nd chapter of Revelation, in the KJV). How would you write the ending of life as we know it, and encourage others to look forward to that day? How much time would you meditate as you “word-smithed” the passage? Where would your focus be as you write to the seven churches going through persecution for the cause of Christ?

This is the task for a Jewish prisoner, imprisoned by the Romans on the Isle of Patmos located in the Aegean Sea, for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When God approached John and commanded him to write the Revelation, he began by presenting a vision of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, in all His glory. As John dips his quill in ink, he continued to write what he saw in the vision of the New Jerusalem.

So far, John’s view of the New Jerusalem was from the vantage point of a “great and high mountain” where he saw “that great city, the holy Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:10). The 22nd chapter takes us inside the city to catch a glimpse of its wonders.

John takes the reader from a panorama of their new home in New Jerusalem, to the street view.

The River of Life

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

The life that God created from the beginning required water for His creation to survive. John is shown a river that runs through New Jerusalem. His description is “pure, water of life, clear as crystal.)” Each of these terms would help the believers of the seven churches to understand the joy at finding that their eternal home is a place where there is plenty of pure, clear water, free for the taking.

The water is flowing, clean of debris, bright and crystal clear. However, and most importantly, it is the “water of life.” This river is the source of life. The River of Life is continuously running and therefore not stagnant.

In Genesis chapter two, we are introduced to the “Garden of Eden.” God provided a river so the garden would be watered. This river became the headwaters for four different rivers: the Pison, Gihon, Kiddekel and Euphrates rivers.

“…proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb…”

The “river of water of life” does not spring up from out of the New Earth. John describes it as flowing “out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

The idea is that water constitutes life and clear running water for the inhabitants of that city a joyful and a sign of prosperity.

All that is good, joyous, and happy flows out of the throne of God and the Lamb.

The Tree of Life

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

In Denver, Colorado, many of the streets are lined with trees. The city planners ensured that Denver would be beautiful for many years to come simply by planting trees. The picturesque shade trees run the entire length of most of the old Denver streets. Therefore, when I read this passage, I picture the “tree of life” lining the streets of New Jerusalem.

Tree of lives

We were first introduced to the “tree of life” in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:9. The Hebrew definition would be, “tree of lives” or “life giving tree.)” Commentators agree that the tree of life was not only good for food, but it was also medicinal, having healing qualities for Adam and Eve.

When sin entered the world, God removed Adam and Eve from eating of the “tree of life”, “lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.” (Genesis 3:22). This indicates that if Adam and Eve would have eaten from the “tree of life”, its fruit would have sustained them, and they would live forever. Let us think about that for a moment.

The fruit of the “tree of life” had everything the human body needed for nourishment and nothing it didn’t.

The prophet Ezekiel’s vision sees trees on both sides of the great river:

Ezekiel 47:12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

Let us fast forward a few thousand years. John sees the tree lined streets along the river of life. God informs John that the trees are the trees of life, forbidden to Adam and Eve, but for the inhabitants of New Jerusalem, they are encouraged to eat. They are now plentiful throughout all New Jerusalem. Life would go on, as the life-giving fruit would be plentiful for all the inhabitants.

“…which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month…”

Twelve

This is an interesting statement for several reasons. One, there are twelve kinds or sorts of fruit. 12 is a number that is used 189 times throughout the scriptures. 22 times in the book of the Revelation, we find the number twelve:

· 12,000 are sealed from each tribe of the children of Israel - 7:5-8

· Twelve Stars in the crown of the woman– 12:1

· Twelve gates, angels, and tribes – 21:12

· Twelve foundations, names of the Apostles of the Lamb – 21:14

· 12,000 furlongs on the length, breadth, and height of the New Jerusalem – 21:16

· Twelve gates were 12 pearls – 21:21

· Twelve manner of fruits – 22:2

Generally, when the number twelve is used, it refers to “government by divine appointment.” For example, the twelve tribes of Israel and Jesus’ own twelve disciples. The twelve apostles will sit on twelve thrones and judge.

The next point I find interesting is that the tree will have fruit all the time. The “tree of life” will be perpetually producing fruit…there will never be a “winter season.”

The most interesting point for me though, is John’s reference to “and yielded her fruit every month.)” Since there will be no sun, moon and stars, there will be no measure of seasons and no need for time in general. And yet, John refers to “month” for the benefit of the believers in the seven churches.

In Revelation 2:7, Christ had pledged, “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” This is the fulfillment. This symbolizes the complete undoing of the curse in the garden.[1]

“…and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations…”

Throughout the new world, disease will not be present. Cancer, diabetes, heart attacks, and Aids will be no more. God gave John the insight to see that healing will be a thing of the past for the residents of the New Earth. This means believers bodies will be healthy, enabling a full, vigorous, and irrepressible health.

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

These seven words, “And there shall be no more curse,” carry such an important and deep meaning. The curse is sin, and praise the Lord, sin is gone. When sin entered the world, a curse was placed on man, woman, and the earth (Genesis 3:14-19). Oh, what joy in hearing those words. Not only the seven churches but for those who will be reading this letter in the future that are going through persecutions. What a glorious future is available for the believers…there is “no more curse.”

“…but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it…”

There is no more curse because the Lord and Jesus are present in the New Jerusalem.

“…and his servants shall serve him…”

What will we do when we get to heaven? I have heard that question so many times. I asked this question multiple times. I ask it every time I think about eternity.

Wiersbe writes:

“What will we do for all eternity?)” We will certainly worship and praise Jesus our Savior, but we will also “serve him.”

“His servants shall serve Him” is such a wonderful and grand encouragement for believers. For in eternity our service will not be hindered by sin, it will be perfect. On this earth believers are hampered. The Apostle John defines those areas that hinder believers in this world.

1 John 2:16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

In the New Earth, these will be absent, no more to raise their ugly head. Praise the Lord.

Revelation 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

I am reminded of the hymn we just sung in worship.

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,

Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face—what will it be,

When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ Who died for me?

Only faintly now I see Him, With the darkened veil between,

But a blessèd day is coming, When His glory shall be seen.

What rejoicing in His presence, When are banished grief and pain;

When the crooked ways are straightened, And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face—oh, blissful moment! Face to face—to see and know;

Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ Who loves me so.

Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky;

Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by![2]

There are so many great songs and hymns centering on our first encounter with the risen Christ. Crown Him with Many Crowns[3]

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.

Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,

And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,

And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.

His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,

Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways

From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.

His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet

Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,

Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.

All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;

Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Easley writes:

One of the truths embedded almost from the beginning of biblical revelation is that no human can see God face-to-face. Moses’ experience with the Lord was the model: “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exod. 33:20). Further, the Lord said to Moses, “You will see my back; but my face must not be seen” (Exod. 33:23). In the Christian era, God’s face is glimpsed through Christ. Sometimes, however, the way seems dark, and God’s face has appeared hidden even to the greatest of saints. In eternity with the curse removed, all God’s servants will see him face-to-face. Again, we cannot begin to imagine what this means, only that it surpasses the most wonderful spiritual experience of God that anyone in this life can have. The second blessing is immediate divine presence.[4]

“…and his name shall be in their foreheads…”

They shall be identified as belonging to Jesus. (Revelation 3:12; 7:3; 13:16). Every inhabitant of the New World will readily recognize everyone as belonging to the Lamb.

McGee writes”

“His name shall be in their foreheads.” Each person will bear the name of Christ. Each will be like Him, yet without disturbing his own peculiar personality. I have always said this facetiously, but it could be true: If He will, I want God to let me teach the Bible in heaven. I want to attend the classes which Paul teaches, and then I would like to teach those people who were members of the churches I served on the earth but who would not attend the midweek Bible studies. I have asked to teach them for one million years and, I tell you, won’t think it is heaven for that first million years! I am really going to work them and make them catch up. Whether that will be true or not, I don’t know, but I do say that we are all going to be busy there.[5]

Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

No night, need for candles or the sun, is a confirmation of Revelation 21:23-25.

Revelation 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof. 24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. Revelation 21:23-25 (KJV)

“…and they shall reign for ever and ever…”

This is an interesting play on words: “Who will reign for ever and ever?” The “they” are His servants. They shall reign for “ever and ever.”

This reminds me of an exchange between Jesus and His disciples concerning who would be greatest in the kingdom.

Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

The servants of Jesus, now become the rulers. Easley writes:

Exactly what this means is not clear, but it is evidently part of their service to God. One of the promises Christ made to the overcomers early in Revelation was that they will share his rule (2:27; 5:10).[6]

Conclusion

The LORD:

Provides Everything Needed in the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem

Eternal Life is Maintained through the:

· River of Life

· Tree of Life

· Removal of the Curse

· Pure Light

[1] Easley, K. H. (1998). Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 415). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers. [2]Face to Face with Christ My Savior, Grant C. Tullar [3]Crown Him With Many Crowns – Matthew Bridges and Godfrey Thring [4]Easley, K. H. (1998). Revelation(Vol. 12, p. 416). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers. [5] McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed., Vol. 5, p. 1077). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. [6] Easley, K. H. (1998). Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 416). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.