seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Revelation 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
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Here's a link to the commentary I read. I hope you will follow the link and read all of it.
Each tree yielding its fruit every month: From all indications, this describes the world of the new heaven and the new earth, yet we are given a time indicator. Apparently, heaven will still mark time, but not be subject to it in the same way we are on this side of eternity.
Street… river… tree… fruit… leaves: Are these pictures of heaven literal or symbolic? It may be that you can’t describe another dimension like heaven without using symbols, but they are symbols connected to their reality. What John saw may or may not be exactly like a river on earth, but when we see it we will also say, “That looks like a river.”
There shall be no more curse: In heaven, the curse is gone. Since the fall, man and creation have lived with the effect of the curse described in Genesis 3:16-19: sorrow and pain in childbirth for women, friction between the sexes, the necessity of hard and often futile work for man’s sustenance, and most of all death.
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. Moses was denied the privilege of seeing God face to face (Exodus 33:20-23), but everyone in heaven shall see His face.
His name shall be on their foreheads: Heaven will be a place where God’s people will forever be identified with their God, and there will never be any doubt that they belong to Him.
There shall be no more night there: Heaven will be a place where the darkness of this age will be forever gone. The light is not artificial, even from the sun — God Himself is the light.
They shall reign forever and ever: Heaven will be a place where God’s people enjoy an eternal reign, in contrast to the limited duration of the Millennium. It will never end.
These words are faithful and true: The angel that showed John all this reminds John that it isn’t too good to be true. John is assured that it is in fact faithful and true.
The things which must shortly take place… I am coming quickly! As John reminds us of the suddenness of these events, Jesus Himself breaks in with a reminder to all that He is coming quickly. Why does it seem that it has been so long? Was Jesus wrong here?
The word quickly in the ancient Greek isn’t exactly the same as our word for “quickly.” “The word ‘quickly’ might with accuracy be rendered ‘suddenly.’” (Morgan)
Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book: This blessing reminds us that prophecy gives us a word to keep, not merely material for interesting discussions and debates. The main intent of prophecy is to lead us to trust and obey God, and apply His truth to the way we live.
Do not seal the words of this prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand: Because the time is at hand, and history now runs parallel to the brink of the consummation of all things, this book isn’t sealed. This is in contrast to Old Testament prophecy (Daniel 8:26); men seal the Book of Revelation in defiance of God’s command.
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still… he who is righteous, let him be righteous still: The thought here is probably “since Jesus is coming so suddenly, there won’t be time for change.” There will be no time for last minute repentance, but there is time now. If what you have read in Revelation hasn’t changed you, there isn’t much hope!
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last: As an added incentive for us to do and be what is right, being ready for Jesus’ return, He reminds us just who He is. If we really know and understood who Jesus is, we will not have any trouble being ready for His return.
Blessed are those who do His commandments: Doing His commandments does not earn us eternal life, but it is evidence that we have been granted eternal life. Besides, there is an inherent blessing in doing His commandments, because they are good and right for us.
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers: What about those outside? We shouldn’t think that outside the walls of heaven multitudes will throng, longing to get in. “The verse does not intend to teach that in the eternal state all manner of wicked men will be living just outside the heavenly city. It simply describes the future with the imagery of the present.” (Mounce)
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you: With these solemn words, Jesus authenticates the entire book. Much of the Book of Revelation is either fantastic or seems too good to be true, but it is all true.
To testify to you these things in the churches: The Book of Revelation is written to the churches. This book is not a private affair, knowable only by an elite — it is for all believers. It’s also worth noting that this is the first reference to the church since the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.
Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely: This is an invitation so great that we can glory in it. Anyone who desires salvation in Jesus Christ can come to Him and take the water of life freely.
If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book: This is another section at the end of the Book of Revelation where it is difficult to tell exactly who spoke. In most red-letter editions, these words are in black, indicating that the translators believe that these were not the words of Jesus. But there may be good reason to believe Jesus gave this warning.
Surely I am coming quickly: To the very end, the Book of Revelation emphasizes readiness and watchfulness. If we miss this practical lesson from the Book of Revelation — the lesson of readiness — then we miss the essential message of the book.
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There are a few promises in this chapter.
Women won't have labor pains anymore. That's in verse 3. That was the curse that Eve caused. That one stupid human got talked into going against her faith, and all of us have paid the price since. Oh, and men have paid too... if there was no pain involved in childbirth... there would be no reason not to act like bunnies. Sorry guys... it hurts too much.
God loves children. Jesus loves the little children. Will we have children in Heaven?
We won't have an electric bill anymore!!!! That's in verse 5. God is so brilliant He lights up the place wherever He goes. God says we won't have to use candles or lightbulbs. I wonder if New Jerusalem will have a museum to remind us of all the crap we left behind.
Verses 10 and 11 are depressing. I also think it should be read with a sarcastic tone. I think it could be restated, "Go ahead... keep it up... do whatever your miserable, ignorant apostate self wants to do... I'm coming and I'll take care of you when I get there"... fits in modern lingo.
The Doomsday Clock is at 89 seconds to midnight.
It could happen today... it could happen this morning!
The volcano off the coast of Oregon is ready to breach the Pacific any day now.
IMHO... the four horsemen are already working. Our peace has been stolen. The earth is heating up. The ring of fire is getting agitated. Shape-shifting is beginning, IMHO.
"Yep... keep on doing what you've been doing.... like you have all the time in the world to get your poop straight with Jesus." It's sarcasm!
Suddenly, like a widow maker heart attack, suddenly it'll be too late!!!
Other humans are going to do what they are going to do. We can't save them. You can't poop for other people! So, get your own poop ready.
I like that thought.... You can't poop for other people!
It's true right? Get your own poop ready!
