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Text File | 1992-08-13 | 8KB | 200 lines

                   THE BOOK OF REVELATION

CHAPTER.22.

HEAVEN ON EARTH

The last chapter of the book of Revelation contains a final
description of that heaven-like earth which God has prepared
for them that love Him.

It also contains a final challenge of a loving Saviour who
came into this world to die for the sins of man and has
consistently sent His Spirit through His servants to convey
His loving Gospel message to them.

It is a fitting way to end not only this greatest of all
books on prophecy, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, but also
the library of God's Word.  The Bible opens and closes with
basically the same type of setting.  In the first two
chapters of Genesis we encounter God's description of
creation and the heaven-like conditions on the earth prepared
for man.  The last two chapters of Revelation describe the
eternal heaven that God will reestablish for man.  All the
chapters between contain the great conflict of the ages as
man turns his back upon God, and as God seeks to draw man unto
Himself.  In all these books man is consistently presented
with the opportunity to worship God freely by faith or reject
Him by rebellion of will.

ITS WATER
Rev 22:1

Man cannot live without water in this life or seemingly in
the life to come.  A study of history shows that man has
always looked for water.  The ideal fortress cities of the
world have been located on high points of ground which had an
adequate water supply.  Many have died and nations have had
to change their homeland because there was no adequate water
supply.  In the eternal paradise God has planned for man, an
abundance of water that will proceed out of the throne of God
Himself, indicating that God will be the source of the life-
giving substance.

This verse states that there will be a pure river of life
proceeding out of the throne of God.  According to other
relative scriptures, there will also be twelve rivers (v2),
and living fountains of water (7:17), all of which are clear
as crystal.

ITS FOOD
Rev 22:2

When Adam and Eve sinned, God forbade them to eat of the Tree
of Life.  Gen 3:22-24 states:
     "And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one
     of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth
     his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat,
     and live forever; therefore the Lord God sent him forth
     from the garden of Eden to till the ground from where he
     was taken.  So he drove out the man: and he placed at
     the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming
     sword which turned every way to guard the way of the
     tree of life."

This text clarifies that the eating of the Tree of Life makes
man live forever.  Man was forbidden to eat of that tree
because he had first taken of the Tree of the Knowledge of
Good and Evil, but in the eternal future he will be able to
eat of it; this testifies of the eternity of man's blessed
future state.  One aspect of the Tree of Life has brought
some controversy relative to the expression `and the leaves
of the tree were for the healing of the nation'. (22:2).  It
would be better to translate the word `healing' as health,
not indicating that anyone will be sick during the eternal
order, but that the Gentiles or nations that have been
inhuman to each other throughout their known history will be
healed in their relationship toward each other and will thus
live equitably and fairly.

ITS RULERS.
Rev 22:3-4

The curse that God placed on the earth as a result of the sin
of man in the Garden of Eden will be partially lifted during
the millennium, but completely lifted during the eternal
order.  Therefore, the unlimited potential of the planet God
gave man will be realized for the first time.  As proof that
it will be an uncursed earth, God will place His throne here.
His angelic hosts and men will be with Him as His servants.
No rebellious servants of God will exist in the eternal
order.

The seal of God in the forehead of man is an indication that
he is the blood-bought child of God through faith in Jesus
Christ.  The superiority of the future status of man in
relationship to God is seen in the fact that man will
actually be able to see God.  Today we know that `no man has
seen God at any time'; in that order we will literally see
God.  Just as we rule with Christ for a thousand years, so we
will reign with Him forever.  Whether that will involve
universes, galaxies, and other planets can only be guessed
at.  But one thing is for certain: we will reign with Him
forever.

THE CONCLUSION AND INVITATION
Rev 22:6-21

These verse concludes the book of Revelation.  The truths are
confirmed, the sayings are faithful and true, and the Lord
God has sent His angel to show His servant these things
`which must shortly be done'.

Verse 10-19 give the final instructions to God's servants.
The promise, "Behold I come quickly," is reaffirmed.  He will
come and His `reward is with Him'.  Whosoever desire, `let
him take of the waters of life freely'.  These instructions
have been given, and they must be heeded.  They must not be
added to nor taken from.

The last two verses pronounce a promise and a prayer, thus
ending this book and the Bible.  Jesus testifies that He will
come quickly.  The anticipation and response of the true
believer is, "Even so come, Lord Jesus", and the closing
benediction is a precious declaration, "The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN".

Since the Bible does not in any one passage offer a complete
presentation of God's plan for man's activities during the
eternal order, it would be good to examine the
characteristics delineated by Dr. Pentecost in his book -
"THINGS TO COME"

A.   A life of fellowship with Him.
     "For now we see through a glass, darkly: but then face to
face" (1 Cor 13:12).
     "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."
(1 John 3:2).
     "I  will come again, and receive you unto myself, that
where I am there ye may be also." (John 14:3).
     "And they shall see his face" (Rev 22:4).

B.   A life of rest.
     "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write,
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:
Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours:
and their works do follow them." (Rev 14:13).

C.   A life of full knowledge.
     "... now I know in part; but then shall I know even as
also I am known." ( 1 Cor 13:12).

D.   A life of holiness.
     "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that
defileth neither whatsoever worketh adomination, or maketh a
lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
(Rev 21:27).

E.   A life of joy.
     "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things
are passed away." (Rev 21:4).
F.   A life of service.
     "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" (Rev 22:3).

G.   A life of abundance.
     "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of
the water of life freely" (Rev 21:6).

H.   A life of glory.
     "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory" (2 Cor 4:17).
     "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall
ye also appear with him in glory." (Col 3:4).

I.   A life of worship
     "And after these things I heard a great voice of much
people in heaven, saying Alleluia; Salvation, and Glory, and
honour, and power unto the Lord our God" (Rev 19:1).
     "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which
no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and
people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the
Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands: And
cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb....Blessing and
glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power,
and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen." (Rev 7:9-
12).


AMEN!