Sunday, November 20, 2016

Transcription

1 Sunday, November 20, 2016 Lesson: Revelation 22:1-7; Time of Action: 96 A.D.; Place of Action: From Patmos Golden Text: 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 (Revelation 22:1). I. INTRODUCTION. Most of us have easy access to clean water. However, in many parts of the world, that s not the case. In those countries visitors are advised not to drink the water because it may be the water of death. Unfortunately, even in America the greatest country in the world, the same thing is happening in Flint, Michigan where people can t drink the water. This week s lesson looks beyond the quality of water here on earth to the water of life that we will have access to in the New Jerusalem. Trust me, you won t ever be advised not to drink that water, because it is truly living water.

2 II. LESSON BACKGROUND. The text of this week s lesson is part of a description of the New Jerusalem. An angel had shown the Apostle John the external features of the city its foundations, walls, and gates (see Revelation 21:9-21). This angel had also given him a glimpse into the interior of the city, observing that it needed neither an external source of light nor a temple for worship, since the divine glory of God would suffice for both the light of the city and the temple (see Revelation 21:22-27). Our lesson begins with chapter 22. III. THE RIVER AND THE TREE IN THE NEW JERUSALEM (Revelation 22:1-2) A. The river of the water of life (Revelation 22:1). Our first verse says 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. After showing John the external features of the New Jerusalem, the angel then revealed to him the inner life of the city. At the center of it is a pure river of water of life. This description brings to mind the river in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 2:10) as well as the river flowing from the millennial temple in Ezekiel s vision (see Ezekiel 47:1-12). Throughout Scripture water symbolizes the spiritual salvation, satisfaction, and refreshment that comes from God (see Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14; 7:37-39). So, in the heavenly city, the river of the water of life signifies the Lord s constant supply for the redeemed

3 who inhabit the New Jerusalem. John also described the river of water of life as pure and clear as crystal. The description that it was pure gives the idea of sparkling, uncontaminated water, forever fresh and satisfying. This was unlike the cisterns of Israel that caught and stored rainwater which eventually became stagnant and unusable. The phrase clear as crystal refers to the shimmer of the waters of the river as it passed through the city. The river here does not come from the temple as in Ezekiel s vision, for John saw it proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. It is noteworthy that both God and Lamb (both Father and Son) occupy the throne together (see John 10:30; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 3:21; 21:22-23). Having completed all His work on earth, Jesus turns over His kingdom to His Father (see I Corinthians 15:24-28) and joins Him in ruling the new creation. Note: The pure river of water of life that John saw should not be confused with the river that Ezekiel saw proceeding from the temple during the millennial reign of Christ (see Ezekiel 47:1-12), nor with the living waters going forth from Jerusalem prophesied by Zechariah (see Zechariah 14:8) which also is part of the millennial scene. What they saw was a river in the millennial kingdom, not in the New Jerusalem. That river in the millennial kingdom will proceed from the temple in Jerusalem, and its course is defined by earthly landmarks. The river in John s vision will come from God s throne, not the temple, because the New Jerusalem won t have a temple (see Revelation 21:22). Therefore, the two rivers are different.

4 B. The tree of life (Revelation 22:2). This verse says 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. In addition to the river of life, there is the tree of life. However, the phrase In the midst of the street of it most likely refers back to the river of life in the previous verse, identifying it as flowing down the center of the main street of the city. As the river flows through the middle of the city s main street, it carries its life-giving properties throughout the city. The tree of life was on either side of the river. In other words, this tree stood on each side of the river of life. Note: We are not told how the tree can be on both sides of the river, although various explanations have been suggested. The easiest solution to this is to take the word tree as a collective noun describing a number of trees that make up the tree of life. Although there was only one tree of life in the Garden of Eden, Ezekiel s vision of the river of life in the millennium kingdom includes many trees along the river banks (see Ezekiel 47:7, 12). Their purpose and characteristics seem to match those of the tree of life that John saw. However, we should not get caught up with these details. Remember, God can cause a tree to grow with a river running through it just as John described it. John also said that the tree of life bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month. There were twelve bearing seasons, one each

5 month and each month the tree yielded or bore a different crop of fruit, not twelve different varieties each month. In addition to the bearing of fruit, the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Note: This statement may raise some questions like Why would there be a need for healing in the eternal state? We know that in Ezekiel s vision, the leaves of the trees that grew on either side of the river were for medicine (see Ezekiel 47:12), but that was in the millennial kingdom on earth. But in the heavenly city of New Jerusalem, there will be no need for healing because God will make everything new and there will be no more tears or sorrow (see Revelation 21:4-5). Therefore, we can assume that there will be no more sickness. Although we can t know for sure, the answer to our question may be that the leaves enhance the well-being and enjoyment of life in the holy city. The word nations refers to all God s redeemed people from whatever nation or ethnic background we find in this life (see Revelation 5:9; 7:8-10). In the New Jerusalem and the eternal state, there will be no more distinctions among people. Therefore, the phrase the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations most likely means that the leaves of the tree will add to the enjoyment of life for the redeemed of all ages who inhabit the New Jerusalem. IV. THE BLESSINGS ON THE SAINTS (Revelation

6 22:3-5) A. Serving God without fear (Revelation 22:3-4). 1. (vs. 3). This verse says And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. The declaration that there shall be no more curse further explains the well-being of the saints in the previous verse. The nations will enjoy this healthy environment because the curse accompanying sin will be removed. The Greek word for curse here refers to something that has been put under a curse. Sin brought a curse upon all God s creation, including human life (see Genesis 3:17-19; 5:29; Romans 8:22-23). A curse is also pronounced on all who fail to keep God s law perfectly (see Deuteronomy 27:26; Galatians 3:10). But Jesus took the curse of sin upon Himself when He died (see II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13). During the thousand year millennial reign of Jesus Christ, the curse that was imposed upon the earth because of man s sin will only be lifted. But in the New Jerusalem, the curse will be removed completely and forever, never to be experienced by man again. Since there shall be no more curse, this clears the way for God s abiding presence as John said the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. The holy city will house the throne of God and the Lamb. Once again, the Lamb is seen as occupying the throne along with His Father (see Revelation 5:6; 7:17; 21:22; 22:1) and this is how it should be since this book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ (see Revelation1:1). Nothing remains that will separate God from His people. Therefore, throughout

7 eternity his servants shall serve him. John called the saints servants using the word for bond servants or slaves. However, the verb translated serve here is not what we would expect when speaking of slaves. It signifies a service of worship (see Romans 12:1; Hebrews 9:14; 12:28), much like that rendered by the Old Testament priests. Therefore, the redeemed are special servants who also are priests unto God (see Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). It is significant that although two divine Persons occupy the throne, it is said that His servants shall serve Him. The singular form His and Him emphasizes the unity of Father and Son as one God. The servant-priests service is to one Deity. We don t know all that the saints future service will include, but it will bring glory to the One on the throne. 2. (vs. 4). In this verse John continues to say And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. During man s time on earth, no man could see God and live. Even the great law-giver Moses was told he could not see God s face or he would die (see Exodus 33:20; I Timothy 6:16). John wrote in his gospel, No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him (see John 1:18). The closest anyone has come to seeing God is through Jesus Christ incarnate (see John 1:14, 18). But in the New Jerusalem the saints shall see his face. The word they refers to the redeemed who occupy the New Jerusalem. In the future world, all barriers and veils will be removed and glorified saints will see God in His fullness (see Matthew 5:8; I John 3:2). We will stand before Him without fear. In addition, his (God s) name shall be in their foreheads.

8 This brings to mind the gold plate Aaron wore on his high priestly turban (see Exodus 28:36-38), identifying him with the Lord s holiness. However, here this may simply signify believers complete identification with God as they serve Him (see Revelation 3:12; 7:3; 14:1). Just as the unbelieving world during the tribulation period had been identified with the antichrist through a mark (see Revelation 13:16-18; 19:20), God s servants will receive His seal as evidence that they belong to Him. B. Enjoying God s eternal light (Revelation 22:5). This verse continues to say 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. The phrase And there shall be no night there repeats the prophecy of Revelation 21:23, 25, but there the emphasis was on the nature of the New Jerusalem. Here it emphasizes the effect of this light on the city s inhabitants. No longer will anyone need to light a candle or lamp, as one would do to see at night. Neither is there any need for the light of the sun to bring about daylight, because the Lord God giveth them light. God will give the city s inhabitants all the light they will need. Bathing in the light of God, they shall reign for ever and ever. The pronoun they refers to God s servants (see verse 3) or the redeemed. They will have already reigned with Christ for a thousand years during the millennium (see Revelation 20:4, 6); now they will extend their millennial reign into the eternal future (see Daniel 7:18, 27). The fact

9 that they shall reign for ever and ever does not mean that God s servants will have subjects under them, because everyone in the New Jerusalem will be God s servants. Instead, it s a way of saying they all share in Christ s royal dignity. V. THE CERTAINTY OF CHRIST S RETURN (Revelation 22:6-7) A. The truth of the angelic message to John (Revelation 22:6). In this verse, John writes And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. At this point the angel who was speaking to John (see Revelation 21:9) reassured him saying These sayings are faithful and true. The sayings the angel was referring to was the content of the whole book (see Revelation 19:9; 21:5). This was probably needed because the events that John saw must have seemed to him to be too good to be true. This faithful and true message came from the Lord God of the holy prophets. In times past, the Holy Spirit spoke to the human spirits of the holy prophets whom God set aside to share His message. Not only did God reveal His will to the holy prophets, He now sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. In other words, God, who

10 tells his prophets what the future holds, has sent his angel to John to assure his (God s) servants of what will happen soon. Therefore, we can conclude that John himself is included as a prophet. The servants here are simply Christian believers to whom John is writing (see Revelation 2:20; 19:2; 22:3). The things that God is showing to His servants through John and other prophets must shortly be done. The word must indicates that none of the things in Revelation will happen by chance. They are all preordained before the beginning of time and will take place exactly according to God s will. Regardless of what things may look like, God is still in control and will work things out according to His own plans (see Ephesians 1:11; 3:11). The phrase shortly be done implies something will happen quickly, or soon. But this does not mean that what God revealed to John would come to pass immediately. This is seen in the fact that almost two thousand years have passed since John s revelation and most of what he saw has not yet happened. For sure, God may tell us what He s going to do, how He s going to do it, where He s going to do it, and even who He may use to do it. But He will never tell us when He will do anything! God has not told us exactly when these things John saw will occur, but the church must always be aware that they could happen anytime without warning (see I Thessalonians 5:1-2; James 5:8; I Peter 4:7). Therefore, we should always be prepared for them. B. The reminder of Christ Himself (Revelation 22:7). Our final verse says Behold, I come quickly:

11 blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. In this verse, the speaker changes from the angel to Jesus Christ declaring directly to John Behold, I come quickly. Starting with Revelation 1:7, the return of Jesus Christ has been the focus of the entire revelation. Four more times Jesus declares I come quickly (see Revelation 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20). This is another reminder to all believers to be ready and waiting for His return (see Matthew 24:44; 25:13). Jesus then says blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. The word keepeth here means to heed or pay close attention to what is written. In other words, Jesus was saying that the one who is blessed or happy and prosperous is the one who heeds and takes to heart, and remembers the words of the prophecy, that is, the predictions, consolations, and warnings contained in this book. Note: It s interesting that the Book of Revelation begins and ends with a blessing (see Revelation 1:3). But the blessing is not on the one who spends all his or her time trying to figure out the images and figurative language in the book. The blessing is on the one who obeys its teachings. Therefore, it s clear that Revelation was not given to satisfy our curiosity about future events, but to provoke God s people to demonstrate appropriate behavior and character by making us more like Jesus (see II Peter 3:10-14; I John 3:2-3).

12 VI. Conclusion. Jesus has told us that He is coming back. Over and over He has promised that He is returning. We have it in writing. He says so at the end of Revelation, but the promise is evident in many places. That s tremendously comforting, especially in the world we live in today. There is so much turmoil; yet we don t have to fear. Christ is coming back! The only question is, Are we ready? As we await Jesus return, we should be encouraged to know that the tree of life and the river of life is available to every Christian now by faith in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. His life in us will bear much fruit for the healing of the sins of the world. ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***