Forever Living and Loving As Kings

Revelation 22:1-5

When we go on a holiday - say to an alpine place with high mountains and crisp cool air - we marvel. It’s beautiful. We breathe in the scent of pine and look up at night sky and see the myriad of stars. But this is nothing compared to the beauty of the new heaven and earth. It will contain the far expanses of the recreated universe with colors, sights, and smells in greater intensity than anything we have today.

When we go to work, we put our energies into creating good in this world - whether it is to produce better and more things, to increase efficiency, to help the industry, and done all to the glory of God. And there’s satisfaction when you complete a project. But it’s nothing compared to work in heaven - everything you put your hand to there will prosper. Imagine the fine things we will produce forever. Here, terrible bosses, reports to write, your own sloth, lost control; there, only good.

When we come to worship, we are ushered into God’s presence. God calls us to his assembly, we call on him for help to worship, he greets and showers us with peace and mercy, we praise him and hear his word. But it’s nothing like heaven - in his presence there’ll be no confession of sin, no prayer, no more preaching because we know all things, no more charges to live for God, no more dismissal and benediction - there’ll be just praise and eternal blessing.

We can’t imagine it because no eye has seen, no ear has heard, neither have entered into our hearts the things God has prepared for them that love him. But we catch a glimpse here again in Revelation 22. Here, John uses symbols to talk about a greater worship, work, and creation. But John does it in a successive way. He started by describing the outside of the city, then he went inside and saw there was no temple, no night, but eternal light, and today we see the city center. But remember, these symbols portray themes and not a literal picture of heaven.

There are two themes from this passage about what’s central and prime in heaven. Firstly, the everlasting life given abundantly to God’s people. And secondly, God’s people commune freely with the Everlasting God.

Firstly, the everlasting life given abundantly to God’s people. It’s not just everlasting life - it’s abundant life. And we see this from the symbols. Verse 1 - “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.” There was a river of life. More accurately, it was a river of living water. The same angel who showed him the city - the bride of Christ - now brought him into the city center where he saw a river of life. It was clear as crystal coming out from God and the Lamb’s throne. Remember, the throne is jasper, clear as glass, the streets are crystal clear gold, in fact, the whole city is crystal clear and shimmering. Then this river - also clear as crystal - flows through the city. And it’s described as the river of living water. God portrays a city that brings us back to the beginning of the Bible. In the Garden of Eden, we learn in Genesis 2 that “a river went out of Eden to water the garden.” It gave much needed water to give life to the plants and trees. Genesis 2:12 says it flowed to a place with gold and bdellium and onyx - precious things we also see in the New Jerusalem. And when man was kicked out because of his sin, that river of living water was shut to him. That paradise was no longer available. And that’s why in the Bible, it speaks extensively about the restoration of that living water. We see it in the Old Testament. In Joel 3:18, one day the mountains shall be dripping with new wine, the hills will flow with milk, and the rivers will flow with water, and a spring shall come out of the house of the Lord. Similarly, Ezekiel 47 gives a more detailed description of this river flowing from the temple. For the initial 1000 cubits length, the waters only came up to Ezekiel’s ankles. Then for the next 1000 cubits, it reached the knees. Then for another 1000 cubits, it reached his loins or waist, and then it became too high he had to swim. Ezekiel 47:5 says, “and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.” And wherever it went, it brought life and vegetation. It’s described as healing the Dead Sea and bringing forth life. Also, Ezekiel 47:12 describes how the trees would bring forth fruit according to its seasons, and the leaves are used for medicine.

We see it in John’s gospel. It describes how when a person believes and repents, the Spirit of God indwells that person and gives him life like a river or spring of living water. That person will never ever thirst again. So when Jesus spoke, the Samaritan woman knew the context. She knew he spoke of a great kingdom of restoration where there’d be life eternal. Was that to be found on earth? Would it be found in modern day Israel? Or Israel during a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth? No! John shows the fulfillment in heaven. We must read Joel and Ezekiel in light of more advanced revelation; which reveals that the temple from where the river flows is God and the Lamb. They are the temple in the New Jerusalem. It flows from God. Now, what’s John’s point? Only in heaven we will truly have abundant life. In Eden, there was perfect life on earth - with a river flowing to places with precious stones. But it was lost! An angel guarded the garden against intruders. But its return was prophesied. And it’s fulfilled in heaven in greater glory. You want life? Abundant life? Overflowing abundant life? Not here. But there. But another picture shows life.

It’s the tree of life. Verse 2 - “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.” We saw this in Ezekiel - many trees with fruits in their season and leaves for medicine. But we first saw it in Eden. The tree of life with fruit that gives eternal life. But Revelation describes it in an interesting way. On both sides of the river was one tree, with 12 species of fruits, producing them every month. Not many trees as in Ezekiel but one enormous tree. It sits over an enormous river. So, it may or may not be literal. But John use Ezekiel’s picture to reiterate the theme of abundant life. Adam and Eve had abundant life in Eden, but chose to listen to that great serpent, the red dragon, and were kicked out. Man has always tried to build his Eden, whether it’s Babel or Babylon. And man is always deceived to think that he can find abundant life here. But where’s the real tree of life to be found? Heaven. Where does life flow from? God and the Lamb. Therefore, where should your life - as believers - flow from now? God and the Lamb. From Christ’s sacrifice which purchased eternal life. It’s for everyone who goes to it - it’s a giant river - life never ends, abundant life never runs out. Christ is the living water. And the tree’s there too - it produces many kinds of fruit. It doesn’t go through any winter or spring with no fruit - it’s always harvest time with this tree. 12 fruit, 12 times a year - always fruitful and abundant. Christ is the blessed man, who’s planted by the rivers of water, who bears forth fruit in his season. And we are in Christ. Together with the other number twelves, all of God’s people have abundant eternal life. And there’s no more curse. The leaves of the tree have healed the nations. When men tried to build in their own strength, the nations were scattered at Babel - confusion, hatred, war; but now, the nations are gathered at Jerusalem; friendship and peace. That’s why beloved, there are no commonalities between the church and the world. We worship two different gods - the inhabitants of Jerusalem worship God; those of Babylon worship themselves. The dragon, beast, and false prophet teach them to serve self. But when we serve God we have eternal abundant life to commune with him forever. And you must ask - who are you worshiping? Who will you commune with? Because the opposite of heaven where the healed nations come, you will be in hell along forever, if you have not Christ.

Secondly, God’s people communing freely with the everlasting God. After being shown the symbols of everlasting life, John sees the symbols of free and everlasting communion with God. What are they? What’s in this city center that draws our attention not only to life but to communion? We notice in verse 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 throne of God is in the city. We’ve seen it throughout the book as a symbol of God’s sovereignty. It’s in the city. And that’s why God’s servants serve him - in the city, serving God at the throne. That’s service and intimacy. Service means that our existence in heaven will be one of work. We’re not floating from cloud to cloud, which by the way, is a gnostic idea. This is what the Greeks taught. You even have it in some of the mystic eastern religions today - which teach that you’ll be released into nothingness. It says we will serve him. Meaning, the abundant joy comes from service. When we expend energy in heaven, it will be pleasurable. Satisfaction in heaven comes from service. And it’s the same today. You can only rest for so long. And also for holidays - at the end of the holiday, you’re waiting to go back to school or to work. Even in retirement, there must be a plan - we can’t do nothing forever. Those who don’t work but spend their time in idleness have a fruitless existence. Which is why brethren who find themselves out of work, are very much troubled. But in heaven, service will be eternal around the throne. Everything we will do will be worship. Today, when we eat and drink, and whatever we do, we do to the glory of God - but imperfectly. We work unto the Lord - but imperfectly. When we sing praises today - we do it imperfectly. But then, everything we do will be perfect to the Lord. God commanded Adam and Eve to have dominion over all things - to subdue all things under their feet. He gave them the job of naming the animals. Work was easy - the river gave life to the fruit trees, a mist came from the ground to water the plants. But work after the fall was full of thorns and thistles. By the sweat of our brow do we eat our bread. But when we serve him in the New Creation, it will be wonderful. Work now is driven by greed, fear, pride, strife; yes, in Christ, it can be redeemed. But even Christians are dissatisfied with work. But in heaven, it’s perfect. So that tells us something - the only way we can be satisfied with work now, is to do it in Christ. You won’t find the perfect boss or work setting or colleagues. You can switch jobs yes - but something will be wrong there. And also you bring your own sin into the workplace. Same thing with church. Your worship will not be sufficient for God. You will not feel enough - or you feeling in worship will only sensual, not spiritual. Your service in church will be marred by sin - people will compete with one another. Yes, even in service. The Corinthians tried to outdo one another. There’s conflict between those who’d serve together - Euodias and Syntyche were at odds. Even Paul and Barnabas. But not in heaven. Our service - work; our service - worship will be perfect. There’s no distinction between work and worship as there is here on earth.

But not only will we serve him, we will see him. We learn in verse 4 that we will see his face and his name will be on our foreheads. Throughout history, access to God was always by mediation. The priests, Moses, the burning bush, the cleft of the rock, and today by Jesus Christ. And even when the High Priest went into the cubic Holy of Holies, he couldn’t even see God. If you remember in Hebrews, on that Day of Atonement, the altar of incense would be dragged in front of the Ark of the Covenant - but incense would be burned - to create a smoke barrier between the High Priest and the mercy seat. From where he was, he’d sprinkle blood past the smoke onto the mercy seat. But he was never truly face to face before God. Yes, he’d come representing the people before God. But if he didn’t see God, neither would the people who were outside of the temple. But here, our foreheads are written with God’s name. We are priests, far superior to the High Priest, because we can see God. Yes, now we see through the Word, but one day, face to face. Remember, only the pure in heart will see God. And we will be completely pure on that day. As 1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” We shall be face to face. Moses wanted it, the High Priests couldn’t get close enough, Uzzah was burned up for trying to; but there, we will have absolute satisfaction because we see God. And dearly beloved, we have a taste of it today.

We come to Christ, in the closest possible way in today’s world by partaking of the supper where Christ is in our midst. So while we do not see him by sight, we taste the sweetness of his presence by the wine, we touch the bread in our hands to know he’s been broken for us, and we hear his Words to us to stir us to love him more. This is where we know his communion with us. This is where we know his love for us. This is where we stir our hearts to yearn for his presence, where we cry “Come, Lord Jesus!” Why? So that we will be there in that land without night, reigning forever and ever. But until he come, we work to subdue the earth to his glory; and we commune with him.

1. Everlasting Life Given Abundantly to God’s People

A. River of Life

B. Tree of Life

2. God’s People Communing Freely with the Everlasting God

A. We will serve him

B. We will see him

Conversation for Change: