REVELATION 22.1-5

In the upper room, Jesus said these words:

• John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
• That’s what He’s been doing for 2,000 years. He has been working, preparing a place. Heaven is a place that Jesus has built. It’s His home. It belongs to Him. He’s inviting us to be there with him.

Rev 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.

• John sees a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. This is not to be confused with the river issuing from the millennial sanctuary (Ezek. 47:1, 12) nor with that of the living waters going forth from Jerusalem (Zech. 14:8) also in the millennial scene. These millennial streams anticipate, however, this future river which is in the New Jerusalem.
• Ps 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
• Rev 7.17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
• This river corresponds to the present believer’s experience of the outflow of the Spirit and eternal life. Purity of life and clarity of purpose in life are gifts that come from the Sovereign God, Who is the fountain of life. 
• Ps 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
• Pr 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
• Pr 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
• Oh how sad it is to see people professing Jesus as Lord, yet seeking to find their satisfaction and fulfillment in the polluted springs of this world/
• Jer 2:3 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
• On a doctrinal note, it should be noted that the throne is in the singular and is indicated as being that of both God and the Lamb. This speaks of the Deity of Christ as well as the divine mystery of the unity and oneness of the Trinity.
• The promise of Jesus to the church of Laodecia spoke about this throne as well:
• Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
• I admit that I cannot fathom the depth of this promise. But I believe it is true because Jesus declared it.

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.

• The verse declares that the tree of life is in the midst of the street and at the same time on either side of the river. The visual picture presented is that the river of life flows down through the middle of the city, and that the tree is on both sides of the river.
• The tree of life is always in the singular. Some have suggested that it may be a species of trees. For example, the lion is called the king of the jungle, but that does not mean that there is only one lion.
• The tree of life seems to have reference to a similar tree in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:22, 24). Its character is revealed in Genesis 3:22 as being such that if Adam and Eve had eaten of the tree of life, physical death would have been an impossibility. The tree in the new Jerusalem seems to have a similar quality and a similar intent.
• The tree is represented as bearing fruit every month which apparently can be eaten. Some people wonder if we will eat in heaven. The best answer is that we can eat, but will not have to. In His resurrection body, Jesus enjoyed food (Luke 24:41-43, John 21:12-14). Angels ate with Abraham (Genesis 18:6-8). The great heavenly "reunion" between Jesus and His people is described as a marriage supper (Revelation 19:9).
• Jesus said to the church at Ephesus that He would give the overcomer “to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7+).
• Tony Garland writes these words: “When man rebelled in the Garden of Eden, he was cut off from the tree of life (Gen. 3:22-24). Since then, death has reigned over all peoples, even the people of God—with few exceptions. We rejoice in the fact that in the redemptive counsels of God, history is to be brought full circle to affect a full return to a Paradise without death which was previously lost.”
• That this tree produces leaves that bring healing to people has caused some understandable questions. Why would there be a need for healing in a perfect environment. The word for “healing” is therapeian, from which the English word therapeutic is derived. Rather than specifically meaning “healing,” it should be understood as “health-giving,” as the word in its root meaning has the idea of serving or ministering. In other words, the leaves of the tree promote the enjoyment of life in the new Jerusalem, and are not for correcting ills which do not exist. This, of course, is confirmed by the fact that there is no more curse as indicated in verse 3.
• Evidently, there will be a measurement of time in the eternal state, for there is a reference to 12 months. We will have to wait to see if the months mentioned here will be as we know it this side of eternity.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (God’s throne indicates His absolute sovereignty in His universe) ;

• In the millennial scene, there is a lifting of the curse upon the earth, but not a total deliverance from the world’s travail brought in by sin, for in the millennium, it is still possible for a “sinner” to be “accursed” (Isa. 65:20) with resulting physical death.

• In the new heaven and the new earth, there will be no curse at all and no possibility or need of such divine punishment. God will remove the curse of the Garden of Eden forever.
• This is the time when the “creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom. 8:19).
• It needs to be noted here that the curse of Genesis is different from the curse of the law, mentioned in Deut 28 (RJV, check this verse out) and Gal 3. The curse of the law simply stated means that only those individuals that keep the law of God perfectly will enter into the kingdom of God. The problem of course is that none of us are perfect, nor can we keep His law pefectly. But the solution to our problem is rooted in the grace and love of God .
• Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)  (Galatians 3:13).
• Jesus Christ  is The One Who heals us for eternity. He forgives our sins for eternity when we believe that He died on the cross for our sins.
• Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).
• Let me try to make this as simple as possible for any people who may be visiting us wondering what this Gospel, Jesus stuff is all about.  We die because of sin. The wages of sin is death. That is what each one of us deserves. But because of God’s grace and love for us, Jesus died on the cross because of sin. Then He rose to conquer sin. If we repent of our sin and trust in Him, we rise with Him, and we don’t die any more.

o            I picked up from the Internet in one of my searches the 3 R’s of the Christian faith. (1) Ruin by the fall (2) Redemption by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (3) Regeneration by The Holy Spirit.

And His servants shall serve Him:

One of the heavenly elders told John that those arrayed in white robes have come out of great tribulation.

• Re 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
• I want you to get the picture of a King with a Kingdom, a new city, a wonderful new creation, with all of His servants serving Him. Work was given to man before sin entered the world, and we will be given work in our eternal home.

The Greek word for serve can be translated worship. Our service unto God in eternity will never diminish or decline. While service here on earth is oftentimes imperfect, our service in glory will be totally pure. We mar our service here with the flesh, with false motives and with pride. We often use service to get ahead or be recognized or to impress God or others. But our service in glory will be without fault. The pure service of God in this life is that which comes from our hearts and is a response to His grace and love for us on Calvary. Since serving God is an act of worship, any act of service directed to God and done for His glory is worship in motion. Some of you are great cook. Some of you are great musicians. Some of you are great handymen. Some of you can teach…some of you are great with computers and tech stuff…some of you are great with children…some of you are great with the elderly.

• Mark 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

• Beloved, we are not going to be bored to all get go in glory. We will be worshipping and serving our King. Question, are you worshipping and serving your King today? Beloved, we are not employees we are servants. We are not superstars, we are stewards.

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

• They shall see His face. Heaven will be a place where God's people see His face, a place of intimate, face to face fellowship with God. This will be the ultimate fulfillment of the beatitude, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matt 5.8).
• As early as the book of Job, it has been the hope and dream of the redeemed to see God firsthand:
• Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
• When Moses asked to see the glory of the Lord, God only permitted him a passing glimpse in order that he might not be consumed:
• But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” (Ex. 33:20-23)
• Moses was denied the privilege of seeing God face to face, but everyone in heaven shall see His face.
• Paul the apostle anticipated seeing Go face to face. 1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
• Because of Jesus, we can know something of the face of God now. 2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

When I think of the face of Jesus, I am reminded of some of the significant passages that speak of His face.

• Matt 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. We will see this face in glory.
• Mt 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands. We will see the face of The One Who would die for those Who spit upon Him and buffeted Him.
• Mt 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. We will see The One Who fell upon His face in complete surrender to the redemptive plan of God for mankind.

His Name shall be upon their foreheads-

• God’s name on our forehead means that we belong to God. In chapter 7, the 144,000 servants of God were sealed in their foreheads.
• Presently Christians are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). God seals us until the day we go to be with Him.

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.

• Rev 7.16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

They shall reign for ever and ever.

• Not only will we reign with Jesus on earth for a thousand years (Rev 20.6), we will reign with Him forever.

Words cannot even begin to describe how glorious heaven will be. But we do know that when The Spirit of God reveals the reality of these eternal things, it will change our perspective here on earth.

• For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
• For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17).

The Bible opens with the story of 'Paradise Lost,' so it here closes with the story of 'Paradise Regained.'" (Erdman) We see the return of Paradise in the ideas of a river, a tree of life, revocation of the curse, intimacy restored, and reigning resumed. It is a perfect consummation. God has made a  way for you to be there my friend…..trust Christ and Christ alone.