At the very end of the Revelation, we catch a glimpse of heaven through two dominating symbols: the river of the water of life and the tree of life. Interestingly, both rivers and trees played an important role in the Garden of Eden – especially the tree of life. God is showing us that the new heaven and new earth will be much like the old heaven and old earth as He intended them to be – only better; and far better than anything that we’ve experienced in this fallen world.
We continue to experience that “now-not-yet” sensation because we have the water of life in our lives right now through baptism. It is a washing of regeneration and renewal, and we have received new life having been baptized into Christ’s death. We are resurrection people. But experiencing that life giving water as a river flowing from Jesus, giving us new, eternal, abundant life, with such lavishness, such fullness, will wait until we dwell in God’s presence.
The tree of life (constantly yielding fruit, giving life, and having leaves which are for the healing of the nations) reminds me that even now we have a message of healing for the nations that will give them life. In this world we declare the Gospel and through it God gives healing and life. God even feeds us on the Gospel – like eating fruit from the tree of life – when we receive the Lord’s Supper and Jesus body and blood gives us both forgiveness/healing and life. It is also by a tree – a deadly tree – that Jesus over comes sin, death and the devil and give us life, and this tree will deliver the eternal life Jesus won for us on the cross.
Here in the heavenly city there will be nothing that separates us from God. His name is upon us because of faith – he has marked us, and we are his – and we will see him face to face. This is a privilege given to no man in history. Even Moses was only allowed to see God as He passed him by, and the result was that Moses carried God’s radiance within his skin – his face physically glowed! But here we will be able to be with God completely, we will see him and be able to stand and rejoice in his presence.
Jesus concludes John’s vision reminding him and the Church (including us), “I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Remember that from Jesus’ ascension all the way to the end that we are in the midst of struggle and combat against the dark spiritual forces of this world. Remember that as God’s people we will face persecution and trial all our lives. Remember the terrible punishment that is in store for the devil and those whom he has deceived. Have compassion on those people. The time is short. Share the hope we have in Jesus. REMEMBER, no matter how bad it looks, Jesus has won the victory and in His power and in His Spirit we will/have overcome this world too. God is faithful. He will see it done.
To Jesus’ words, our response is, “Come, Lord Jesus!” We long for the day when events of this book will be accomplished, because then our salvation will be complete and we will no longer struggle with our sin. Until that day we have a very important message that we must keep – not adding to it or taking away from it! People need to hear the message of this book, from Genesis to Revelation: God loves sinful people so much that he gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to give His own life for us on the cross that we might be cleansed of our sin and live with him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. That same Jesus not only died, but rose and lives forever more. Amen.
Father, help me hold these words dear, and share them so others may believe. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
We continue to experience that “now-not-yet” sensation because we have the water of life in our lives right now through baptism. It is a washing of regeneration and renewal, and we have received new life having been baptized into Christ’s death. We are resurrection people. But experiencing that life giving water as a river flowing from Jesus, giving us new, eternal, abundant life, with such lavishness, such fullness, will wait until we dwell in God’s presence.
The tree of life (constantly yielding fruit, giving life, and having leaves which are for the healing of the nations) reminds me that even now we have a message of healing for the nations that will give them life. In this world we declare the Gospel and through it God gives healing and life. God even feeds us on the Gospel – like eating fruit from the tree of life – when we receive the Lord’s Supper and Jesus body and blood gives us both forgiveness/healing and life. It is also by a tree – a deadly tree – that Jesus over comes sin, death and the devil and give us life, and this tree will deliver the eternal life Jesus won for us on the cross.
Here in the heavenly city there will be nothing that separates us from God. His name is upon us because of faith – he has marked us, and we are his – and we will see him face to face. This is a privilege given to no man in history. Even Moses was only allowed to see God as He passed him by, and the result was that Moses carried God’s radiance within his skin – his face physically glowed! But here we will be able to be with God completely, we will see him and be able to stand and rejoice in his presence.
Jesus concludes John’s vision reminding him and the Church (including us), “I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Remember that from Jesus’ ascension all the way to the end that we are in the midst of struggle and combat against the dark spiritual forces of this world. Remember that as God’s people we will face persecution and trial all our lives. Remember the terrible punishment that is in store for the devil and those whom he has deceived. Have compassion on those people. The time is short. Share the hope we have in Jesus. REMEMBER, no matter how bad it looks, Jesus has won the victory and in His power and in His Spirit we will/have overcome this world too. God is faithful. He will see it done.
To Jesus’ words, our response is, “Come, Lord Jesus!” We long for the day when events of this book will be accomplished, because then our salvation will be complete and we will no longer struggle with our sin. Until that day we have a very important message that we must keep – not adding to it or taking away from it! People need to hear the message of this book, from Genesis to Revelation: God loves sinful people so much that he gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to give His own life for us on the cross that we might be cleansed of our sin and live with him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. That same Jesus not only died, but rose and lives forever more. Amen.
Father, help me hold these words dear, and share them so others may believe. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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