‘Day 334

And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1,5 (NASB)

The circle is complete, Eden lost to Eden Restored. The reign of sin and rebellion is over. Scripture has moved full circle. The cul-de-sac of the universe, where it was all contained, is cleansed and elevated to a place of prominence. The curse has gone (V:3).

The phrase at the end of V:2 has always fascinated me. If the New Jerusalem is part of a perfect world, what need is there for healing? Sickness and death are a thing of the past by this time (21:4). So physical healing must not be what is in view here. The text says that the healing is not for individuals, but for “the nations.” This term is often based on the Hebrew term “goyim” which means both foreign nations and Gentiles. The “healing” of Rev 22:2 is healing from national and linguistic barriers (Remember the Tower of Babel). The New Jerusalem is inhabited by people of all nations, tribes, and languages. The imagery of the leaves of the Tree of Life represents healing from the hurts and the barriers that keep people apart. The goal is that there be no more mental and emotional barriers between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female, but one family in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28; Rev 21:24-26). We can start heaven on earth now – in the church!

Our text promises that in the New Earth we will see the face of God. When looking at a person’s face you can often learn a lot about them, because character is expressed through the face. When the redeemed get to see God’s face it means that they will come to know His character and will be in an intimate relationship with Him. There will be no atheists in heaven. April fool’s day will no longer be their holiday.

V:7-10 The Book of Revelation claims to be a written prophecy (Rev 1:3 and 22:10). This book bears clear evidence of God’s hand. As we study those prophecies that are already fulfilled, we learn how to interpret those that haven’t yet come to pass. The immensity of eternity lies before us!