Revelation 22: River of Life and Conclusion

 Revelation 22: River of Life and Conclusion

v1-5: The River of Life

Continuing from the last chapter, the angel showed John a river, a water of life, bright as a crystal, flowing from the throne. The river streams through the middle of the city, and on both sides are the tree of life, with twelve kinds of fruits and yield monthly. The leaves were for  the healing of nations. (v1-2)

It is apparent that the throne of God and the Lamb is inside the city of New Jerusalem, as the river flows from there and through the city.  Ezekiel 47:1-9 had described a similar river that exist when Christ ruled the earth for a millennium. He also mentioned that the leaves were for healing. Perhaps them temple Ezekiel saw is a model for the New Jerusalem's temple, which is the throne of God and the Lamb. 

Again, this strange word of "healing of nations" is still puzzling. According to Revelation 21:5, that says "‘There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away,’”  then it would not be necessary to have "healing leaves."  Is it wondrously possible that the new earth has a newly created version of mankind?!? 

However, Walvoord brings us down to earth when he said: “The word for ‘healing’ is therapeian, from which the English word therapeutic is derived, almost directly transliterated from the Greek. Rather than meaning ‘healing,’ it should be understood as ‘health-giving,’ as the word in its root meaning has the idea of serving or ministering.”   See if this makes more sense to you and a new creation of mankind!

Note that the tree of life that was mentioned in Genesis 2:9 grew on both sides of the river. Adam and Eve may have eaten from this good tree, but to them, it is not good enough. So they were tempted and ate the tree of knowledge of good and evil, in which they brought the responsibility to themselves to choose good and evil, which they were not ready to do.  Let us be more appreciative of what God has given us, rather than we go hunting for our pleasure and greed. 

John continued to say that there will nothing accursed in the city, as God's throne will be in it and His servants will worship Him, and they will see His face. This is the first time we are told we can "see his face!"  We know that God is too holy for man to see his face and live. “And He said, ‘You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live!’” (Exodus 33:20)  However, Christ's blood has made us holy, and therefore we will be able to see God's face, just as Adam and Eve had in the beginning.  Furthermore, our foreheads will bear the name of God, which the beast tried to copy.  (v3-4)

John repeated that there will no lamp or sun, for God will be the light, forever and ever. (v5)

v6-21: Conclusion

The angel testified that these words (i.e. the revelation) is trustworthy and true, and the God of the spirit of prophets has send his angel to show his servants what must soon take place. Jesus added, saying that he is coming soon, and blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. (v6-7)

Though it has been 2000 years, to God it was not long. 2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

John testified that he was the one who heard and saw these things. He mentioned that he fell to worship  the angel, but the angel told him not to do that, for he is a fellow servant with him and his brothers the prophets, and those who have kept the words of this book. Worship God instead. (v8-9) (This had happened before in Revelation 19:10.)

The angel told him not to seal up the words of the prophesy of this book, for the time is near. The evildoer will still do evil, and the filthy will still be filthy, and the righteous still still do right, and the holy will still be holy. (v10,11)  The angel is saying despite this book is available to all, most people still won't change. Even if they understand what Revelation is saying about the future, they still won't believe it nor receive Christ as their savior. The most important message for them is that Jesus sacrifice himself for them because He loved them. Only the Agape love can change their hearts. 

Then Jesus said that he is coming soon and will bring his recompense (i.e. reward) to repay us for our works. Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. This is so true, where the universe begins with him and ended with Him, and were recreated by Him again! (v12-13)

The scripture continued to say that blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and can enter into New Jerusalem by the gates. (v14)  In NKJV, instead of "wash their robes" in ESV, they translated it to "do His commandments." Some scholars say that the Greek word between those are similar, and may lead to a wrong interpretation. However, neither is wrong, for obedience is the one of the way to wash your robes. The bible can still be trusted even with minor translation errors. 

Outside the city are the dogs, the sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who practice falsehood. (v15). Here it mentions that sinners, who did not receive Christ as their savior, are "outside the city."  I believe the "outside the city" is not literal, but refers to the lake of fire whom they have be thrown into. (Revelation 20:15)

Jesus testify that He has sent His angel to testify to the churches these things. He is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.  The target audience of Revelation are to the seven churches in Chapter 2 and 3. (v16)

Isaiah 11:1 had called Jesus the "root" of Jesse, who is the father of David. Even the pharisees admit that the Messiah will be a son (descendant) of David. (Matt 22:41-46). Numbers 24:17 prophesy that "a Star shall come our of Jacob, a Scepter shall rise our of Israel."  In fact, Peter also said that you are a light shining in a dark place today,  "until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."  (2 Pet 1:19). What joy it will be to see Jesus at the end days!

John heard the Spirit and the Bride (the saved ones) say "come" to those who are thirsty, and those who desires take the water of life without price. Oh, if those who heard the gospel comes to Jesus immediately, rather than waiting for the judgement in the end days! (v17)

John warned those who heard the prophecy in this book not to add or take away anything from the book, for God will add to him the plagues describe in this book and take away his shares to the tree of life and the holy city. (v18-19) This applies to Christians and non-Christians as well.

Jesus, who testifies of these prophecies, says "Surely I am coming soon." John replied "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (v20)

John ended the book, by blessing the seven churches with the grace of the Lord Jesus. (v21). Let's join with John to invite Jesus to come soon!