Posts Tagged ‘Tree of Life’

Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 22:1-21

“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 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.  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.  They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.” (Revelation 22:1-4)

As this magnificent vision came to a climax, John again viewed the throne of God, this time in its setting of the New Jerusalem.  Here the throne had a river flowing from it, coming down the main street.  Along its banks stood the tree of Life, bearing fruit each month.  All His servants would serve God and have access to the water and tree of Life!  They  would see God’s face and reign with Him forever and ever!

“Behold, I am coming soon!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” (Revelation 22:7)  John was informed of the truth of these words and reminded of the urgency of the message of the book he has written down.  As the promise of blessing was given to those who would read and obey in the beginning, it is now repeated as the vision ended.  (Revelation 1:3)

“Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”  “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.  Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:12-15)  Jesus Christ is coming soon!  This is repeated three times!  Some would enjoy blessing and reward, others would be left outside.  Will you be ready for your part in this abundant life? My prayer is that you can say with John and me: “Amen, Come Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20b)

Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 20-22

The end of the Bible tells of a new beginning!  All who were faithful to Christ get to live in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells.  All who enjoy this new beginning have been faithful and trusted Christ.  He has faithfully done what He promised.

John sees a Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.  This city is prepared like a bride for her husband.  (Revelation 21:2)  A voice from heaven announces that the dwelling place of God is among men and He will live with them.  He will comfort them and change the order of their existence.  There will be no more tears, crying or pain.  God is making everything new and His word is sure!

There will be some who won’t enjoy these new eternal accommodations.  These are the cowardly and unbelieving, those who put off deciding to follow the Lord.  Those who are murderers and are sexually immoral will not be invited in.  Those practicing the occult and living lies will also be excluded and sent to the lake of burning sulfur.  This lake is the second death spoken of at the Great White Throne judgment.  (Revelation 20:14-15)

However, the new Jerusalem contains the most precious and beautiful treasures for the redeemed.  There is the river of life that flows from the throne of God.  It’s waters are crystal clear and flowing abundantly.  The banks of the river are lined with the tree of life, bearing fruit each month of the year.  It’s leaves bring healing to the nations.  The best treasure of all is that those who dwell in this city will have God and the Lamb dwelling in their midst and they will see His face!  What blessed peace and joy will be ours when we see Him and behold Him in all His glory!

“Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  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.” (Revelation 22:12-14)

Three times in this final chapter the Lord speaks of His soon return, and the final “blessed” concerns those who have their wedding clothes ready for His coming!  The Spirit and Bride conclude with an invitation to all to come and join the Bridal party of  those waiting for the soon return!  Just reading the invitation to this party makes me want to be ready!  May you be ready too!

As we come to the last day of this year, I am so blessed to have been able to write through the entire Bible.  It is something that I haven’t done before but hope to do again next year!  I know that I have experienced Jesus Christ in every book.  I also know the Lord’s heart better and feel that I have grown spiritually in ways that I would not have without writing.  Thank you for sharing this journey with me and please join me again next year! In His Love, Pastor John Morse