Tuesday
Tuesday
The Garden
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God.
Revelation 22:1
The city has now been transformed into a garden city, with emphasis on the river, the tree of life, and the throne. Firstly, the river. Its crystal-clear waters flowed out of the throne (symbol of God’s sovereign grace) and down the middle of the city’s main street. Thus the water is available at all times to the thirsty.
Secondly, the tree of life. John sees it growing on both banks of the river. Access to it had been forbidden after the fall, but now the prohibition has been lifted. Perhaps John sees only one tree on each side of the river. But I prefer the view of some commentators that, as already predicted in Ezekiel 47, many trees of life will be lining both riverbanks along its full length, making their fruit available to all. Thus the hungry may eat and the thirsty drink to his heart’s content. Every month fresh fruit will be available, while the leaves will be for the healing of the nations, indicating the widespread positive benefits that the gospel will bring to the gentile world. John adds that there will be no more curse, another clear allusion to the Garden of Eden.
Thirdly, John moves on from the river and the tree to the throne. Its centrality will be restored, as in Revelation 4 and 5, and the whole of life will be subservient to the rule of God. Moreover, his servants will worship him, and “they will see his face” (v. 4). God had told Moses plainly, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exod. 33:20). So all that human beings have seen so far is the glory of God, which has been defined as the outward shining of his inward being. We have seen his glory in the person and work of his incarnate Son. But one day the veil will be lifted and we shall see him “as he is” (1 John 3:2), even “face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12). The beatific vision is an indispensable part of God’s ultimate purpose for his people.
For further reading: Revelation 22:1–5