Eternity with God! Revelation 22:1-21

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1 Eternity with God! Revelation 22:1-21 NKJV Notes by Pastor Mike Sasso Introduction Have you ever wondered what heaven will be like? The Bible only gives us so much detail about heaven. Many have speculated about the activities and occupations of heaven. But it seems that many of the kinds of details and specifics we desire to know are not necessarily the kinds of details and specifics God has chosen to reveal to us at this time. So perhaps we should modify the focus of our investigation. Let s determine to understand what God wants us to know, lest in our enthusiastic pursuit to discover what we long to discover we miss what God desires to reveal to us in this magnificent chapter. Before beginning these study notes read through this chapter out loud with your group. STUDY NOTES: verses 1-5 v. 1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. A river of pure water is always a refreshing and inviting sight. This clean flowing river of life is especially comforting since it is proceeding from the very presence of God. This reveals to us that state of eternal joy in heaven which will offer a consistent, reliable supply of life and refreshment for its inhabitants. Don t miss a very important insight here into the position of Jesus Christ in eternity. This lifegiving river of pure life is proceeding from both the Father and the Son. If Jesus were not deity then this thought would be pure blasphemy. The scriptures consistently reveal a shared authority between the Father and the Son (Heb. 1:3). The Father and the Son even share the very throne of God (Rev. 22:3). v. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. The positioning of this tree in its setting is a challenge to envision. Below are a few attempts to clarify this scene: The visual picture presented is that the river of life flows down through the middle of the city, and the tree is large enough to span the river, so that the river is in the midst of the street, and the tree is on both sides of the river (Walvoord). The picture presented to the mind s eye would appear to be that of a wide street, with a river flowing down the center, like some of the broader canals of Holland, with trees growing on either side, all of them of the same kind, all called the tree of life. I do not know how we can make the figure out in any other way (Spurgeon).

2 The tree of life was originally seen in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9). Adam and Eve were banned from partaking of this tree after they sinned (Gen. 3:22-24). But now in the heavenly scene we see this tree and its fruit readily available for all (Rev. 2:7). There is also a likelihood that this tree of life consists of twelve trees, each bearing a different fruit (twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month). This tree or series of trees bear fruit continually (monthly) and not just seasonally like the fruit trees we know today. And this tree has so much to offer as that even its leaves bring healing. So here, portrayed for us in the heavenly scene, is a continual provision of nutrition and healing for the inhabitants of God s kingdom. There will be therefore no unhealthiness or malnourishment of any kind in heaven. 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 (Walvoord). v. 3 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 curse mentioned in this verse is the curse of sin and all its malicious symptoms and side effects. This would include all sickness, all unfruitfulness and all death. The curse came upon those in Paradise on account of their sins [See Gen. 3:14-19]. There shall be no more curse, for no sin shall ever enter the New Jerusalem. Every curse that has ever blighted the life of man, must be ascribed to sin. Not a throe of pain has ever been felt by the human body, not a pang has ever pierced the human heart, or a shadow of sorrow passed over the human spirit, which was not due, either directly or indirectly, to transgression. As sin can never pass the gates of the Celestial City, there will be no more pain (People s New Testament Commentary). but the throne of God and of the Lamb Once more in a consistent fashion we see portrayed a unity of the Father and the Son as they share the throne together. Henceforth, eternal praises to His name, the throne of God is the throne of the Lamb. It is a throne of righteousness, but no less a throne of grace. There, on the throne of the Almighty, mercy reigns. According to the merit of the sacrifice and the virtue of the atonement all the statutes and decrees of the kingdom of heaven are issued. The altar and the throne have become identical. From that throne no fiery bolt can ever again be hurled against the believer, for it is the throne of the Lamb as well as the throne of God (Spurgeon). His servants shall serve Him The perfect eternal condition is definitely not a state of idleness or inactivity. The perfect eternal state is in fact a condition of perfect activity, service unto God! Heaven is not a place of indolent leisure, but a place where service is done, centering on God (Morris).

3 v. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. Whose face and whose name is this verse referring to? A systematic study of scriptures will reveal that just as the throne of God is the throne of both the Father and the Son, the face we will see in heaven will reflect the same God. See John 14:9; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:1-3. This will be the greatest glory of heaven: to know God, to know Jesus, more intimately and wonderfully than we ever could on earth. It is the chief blessing of heaven, the cream of heaven, the heaven of heaven, that the saints shall there see Jesus (Spurgeon). To look into the face of Christ signifies to be well acquainted with His person, His office, His character, His work. So the saints in heaven shall have more knowledge of Christ than the most advanced below. As one has said, the babe in Christ admitted to heaven discovers more of Christ in a single hour than is known by all the divines of the assemblies of the church on earth (Spurgeon). Notice also that just as the deceived and wicked population of the world once brandished the identity of the antichrist upon their foreheads, now the enlightened redeemed boldly bear the brand of their Savior and Lord. v. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. It is quite glorious to realize that the very presence of God is the solitary source of all illumination in heaven. There will never again be darkness or night for the redeemed. It is also quite interesting that the they mentioned in this verse who shall reign for ever and ever are apparently one and the same as those mentioned in verse three as His servants who shall serve Him. The authority structure in heaven is so contrary to the authority structure upon earth. In heaven those who are the greatest are the servants of God. TRUTH APPLIED: 1. What is significant about a pure river of water of life flowing from the throne of God? 2. Look up the following scriptures from the Old Testament and discuss the spiritually positive aspects of rivers revealed in each - Isaiah 48:18, Zechariah 14:8, and Ezekiel 47: Compare the words of Jesus in John 7:37-39 with what you have just learned. Discuss your insights together.

4 4. What is your understanding of The Tree of Life? Why is it positioned in such a dominant role in heaven? 5. What insights does our text give into the person of Jesus Christ? (Compare John 14:9; 2 Cor. 4:6; Heb. 1:1-3.) 6. Look up Rev. 5:6, 7:10,17 and discuss what these verses share in common with Rev. 22:1 & Why is Jesus Christ referred to as the Lamb? Why would Jesus be called the Lamb even in heaven? Do you think this will always be His title throughout eternity? 8. What have you learned so far about this place we call heaven? 9. What do we learn about reigning and serving in heaven from this text? Compare Matt. 20:26,27; Mark 10:43,44; Luke 22:26,27; John 13:14,15; 2 Cor. 4:5; Gal. 5:13; and Phil. 2:5-8 and discuss the principles taught here. STUDY NOTES: verses 6-11 v. 6-7 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." We will see in a few verses that we are hearing from Jesus angel/messenger speaking in Jesus name and with His authority. See notes on chapter one for an understanding of the possible interpretations of must shortly take place and coming quickly.

5 Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. - Understand that the blessings of reading and studying God s word never rests in the hearing or understanding alone, but in the proper response to the truths contained therein. v. 8-9 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." Now the Apostle John, being overwhelmed at the climax of this revelation, falls down before the feet of this angel (According to verse sixteen this in not Jesus Himself but His messenger). The angel properly rebukes John and clarifies that angels are fellow servants of the Christian and are not to be worshipped. Angels rebuke men who worship them. But Jesus aptly receives men s praise (Matt. 2:11, 14:33, 28:9,17; Mark 5:6; Luke 24:52; John 9:38; Rev. 5:8). v. 10 And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. Many consider the book of Revelation to be a sealed book of mysteries not to be read by the masses. But this notion is in direct violation to what the angel tells John here. v. 11 "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." There will come a time in human history when the character of each and every person will be forever frozen. It is the hopelessness of the final state of the wicked which is here pictured. The states of both the evil and the good are now fixed forever. There is no word here about a second chance hereafter (Robertson). TRUTH APPLIED: 1. What does this text teach about worship? 2. How should we adjust our worship as a result of what we have learned in this text? STUDY NOTES: verses v. 12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. Our correct understanding of our salvation is that it is a free gift of

6 God s grace. But not so concerning rewards. Our rewards in heaven will be appropriately distributed according to our good works for God. v. 13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Here Jesus Christ is speaking and identifies Himself as the first and the last. According to Isaiah 41:4, The One and Only true God Jehovah calls Himself by this same phrase. This verse is yet another piece of evidence for the deity of Jesus Christ. The term Alpha and Omega is Applied to God in 1:8; 21:6; and here alone to Christ, crowning proof in this book of Christ s deity. (Robertson) These terms together mean that Jesus is the beginning, middle, and end for the Christian. Preach orthodoxy, or any form of doxy; if you have left out Christ, there is no manna from heaven, no water from the rock, no refuge from the storm, no healing for the sick, no life for the dead. If you leave out Christ, you have left the sun out of the day, and the moon out of the night, you have left the waters out of the sea, and the foods out of the river, you have left the harvest out of the year, the soul out of the body, you have left joy out of heaven, yea, you have robbed all of its all. There is no gospel worth thinking of, much less worth proclaiming in Jehovah s name, if Jesus be forgotten (Spurgeon). v. 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Once again we see that the Kingdom of God and His holy city are not indiscriminately open to everyone, as some have supposed (Compare Matt. 7:13,14; Luke 13:24). Some translations say, Blessed are those who wash their robes instead of who do His commandments. This is due to the similarity of these two phrases in the original Greek HOIPLUNONTESTASSTOLAS (washed their robes) or HOIPOIOUNTESTASENTOLAS (do His commandments) v. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. All these are titles used to describe the ungodly. This statement is not to be interpreted as to picture these characters waiting just outside heaven s gate. The depiction here is that none of these mentioned will ever be seen in the City of God. v. 16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." Once more we get some clarification that Jesus has been speaking to John via His angel (Rev. 1:1). The titles Jesus uses here to identify Himself each have special significance. the Root and the Offspring of David This identifies Jesus as the promised Messiah from the line of David as promised (Matt. 22:42-45).

7 the Bright and Morning Star This identifies Jesus as the shining king promised in Numbers 24:17. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19 v. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. And now the open invitation is freely given to all to come and drink from the river of life that proceeds from the throne of God (Cp. v. 1). When we make our abode in heaven, the presence of God will not be an intimidating or threatening sight, but a warm and welcoming one. David Guzik gives interesting insight with his following comments about this verse. I don t understand all the Christian doctrine and theology - come anyway, because it doesn t say whoever understands, let him take the water of life freely. I can t repent the way that I should. My heart is hard and I can t even weep over my sins or feel bad over them as I should - come anyway, because it doesn t say whoever feels, let him take the water of life freely. I don t know if I can live the Christian life the way that I should - come anyway, because it doesn t say whoever can, let him take the water of life freely. I don t know if I am worthy to live the Christian life - come anyway, because it doesn t say whoever is worthy, let him take the water of life freely. It is really this simple: do you desire Jesus and His salvation? Then come. Can you say, Now, Lord, I desire to be saved, give me a new heart; I desire to give up my sins; I desire to be a Christian; I desire to believe and desire to obey. But I have no strength to do this. I have the desire, give me the power. If this is your desire, then you are freely invited to come, if you are only willing. There is no barrier between you and Jesus except your stubborn will. All the prophets of the Bible, all the apostles of the Bible, all the threatenings of the Bible, all the promises of the Bible, gather themselves up, and focus themselves into this one burning ray, Come to Jesus. Come, and take the water of life freely. (Spurgeon) v For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. - A very solemn warning to be taken quite seriously. It is a grave matter to tamper with the promises or warnings of this book or any book of the Bible. Interestingly enough, Reader s Digest Bible utterly omits this verse from its transcript. One would not want to be found guilty of altering, omitting, or adding to any doctrines found in scripture. v. 20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! This verse contains statements from two different personages. 1.) He who testifies to these things (Jesus) and, 2.) John, who is recording this revelation for us with his own pen. Jesus is proclaiming to all who read this book that He is coming quickly. This is an exhortation to all believers to live in a state of readiness. Watchfulness for the Lord s return is an ongoing theme in the New Testament.

8 Then John responds to Jesus promise. He says, Amen! come, Lord Jesus! This should be the heartfelt proclamation of every believer. This is the test to measure the readiness of your soul. Can you right now at this very moment proclaim this from your heart? If not, something is not right in your relationship with God. Allow the Lord to search your heart to show you what it is. Are you holding on to sin of any kind? Are you looking forward to some earthly event more than the coming of your Lord? Make this issue a matter of prayer and introspection before your Lord. v. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. These now are John s final words to his readers. After all is said and done, John wishes us grace not wrath. Grace is God s favor and merciful kindness to the objects of His love. Remember the acronym G.R.A.C.E = God s Riches at Christ s Expense. God paid a great price that you might be eternally saved. He sent His only Son to shed His blood for you and pay the required price for your sins. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 It has been properly pointed out that Justice is getting what you deserve, mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you don t deserve! TRUTH APPLIED: 1. Look up John 7:37,38. What does this great invitation from Jesus imply in the light of what you have just studied? 2. What is your overall impression concerning heaven from this chapter? 3. What do you think most people might emphasize about heaven that is not as important in God s eyes? 4. What should be our attitude concerning the Lord s return according to this text?

9 5. Take turns reading the following scriptures and share your impressions concerning the message they convey. Mathew 24:42,44, 25:13; Mark 13:33; Luke 12:37-40, 21:34-36; 1 Thess. 5:6; 2 Peter 3: Before concluding your time together studying this incredible book, make sure everyone in your small group is secure of where they stand with God. Ask them a. Are you certain that you are saved from the consequences of sin and on your way to heaven? b. Do you have absolute assurance of your right standing before God? c. What gives you confidence that you are on your way to heaven? CONCLUSION: At this point in each of our lives on earth, the most essential thing is not so much discovering all the details of what heaven is like, but rather clearly understanding the details on how to get there. To help the members of your study group settle this question I will include some links and materials that you can carefully explore together. One popular method of sharing the Gospel with others is the Roman s Road. This is a way to explain God s plan of salvation all with verses from the book of Romans The Romans Road The Romans Road leads to a new life in Christ!! I. WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT MAN? A. Man is SINFUL Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. II. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS? A. FORGIVENESS of sins and salvation through Jesus

10 Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. III. WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? A. BELIEVE in Jesus and His work on the cross Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. God bless you as you live the faith and share the faith! Mike Sasso