22:6-9 And he said to me: "These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show to his servants the things which must speedily happen. It is called "the first resurrection." On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ), how the poultice made for King Hezekiah was derived from figs, a clear association with the fig and fig leaves of Genesis 3:7). Thus the second beast is no longer seen as an earthly power, but as a prophet-of course a false prophet. as the Complut. Past history therefore in no way suits the prophecy. "For God put [it] into their hearts to do his mind, and to do one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled." When the second beast appeared, he even strove to put to death those who would not worship the beast, nor pay homage to his image, nor receive his mark. It does not mean persons merely, but the souls of beheaded persons. The proper translation is, producing twelve fruits, yielding or rendering its fruit in each month. Thus there is, indeed, a succession of fruit-crops, but it is the same kind of fruit. They lived, and were put therefore into a place and condition suitable for reigning with Christ, no less than the Old Testament saints and the church itself. "I'm coming quickly. It is a description, not of Babylon's relation to the beast, but of the city's fall, with certain dirges put into the mouth of the different classes that groan because of her extinction here below. That a corrupt religion is better than none I will not say: at any rate it troubles men; it is a thorn in the side of those who want no religion at all. When the task was done "they bade them pronounce a curse in accordance with their custom upon any who should make any alteration either by adding anything or changing in any way whatever any of the words which had been written or making an omission" (Letter of Aristeas 310, 31 1). Link Johns vision of the river of life with Psalms 46:1-11 verses 4 and 5--, There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most high. He did this a little earlier and the angel said to him to stand up. Heaven and the Afterlife: The Truth About Tomorrow and What It Means for Today by Erwin Lutzer. Having viewed the splendor of the New Jerusalem he now saw what will nourish and enrich the lives of Gods people there. This is the meaning of "one hour with the beast.". Thus such as were in the separate state were reunited to their bodies, and lived and reigned like those who were already on the thrones. On the contrary, it proved the immediateness of communion. * Roy and Revelation - 2 - Don't Wait too Late (4/22/2023) ___in So here a description is given of the bride, the Lamb's wife, and we learn how it is that God will use her for unmeasured goodness and blessing and glory in the millennium, as the devil during this age has used Babylon to accomplish his wicked plans here below. The friendships of the evil are not lasting. Learn to do things without drawing attention to yourself. a tree of life, yielding twelve fruits, according to each month giving its fruit; and the leaves of the tree are for healing of the nations. It sounds, wow! The only way I know to experience the blessing of the river of the water of life in our present day is to keep in close fellowship with Jesus. As for the earthly land and city, the moon will have her light increased to that of the sun, and the sun shall be sevenfold. And the coming of the Lord is urged in connection with it. Rivers carry away impurities. The race was now in the resurrection state either for good or for evil; and thus it must be for ever. "Up to this chapter, the New Jerusalem seems to be all mineral and no vegetable. Enoch 25:2ff; IV Esdras 7:53; 8:52; II Enoch 8:3). 21:25; 22:5 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. At the end of the millennium the righteous and the wicked form two distinct arrays, though even then there would appear to be a line drawn between the surrounding camp, and the beloved city Jerusalem on earth, where the Jews were. For who knows not the horrors of Mariolatry? "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is near." There will be no time for seeking mercy, as it were: whatever the state in which the Lord at His coming will find us, all is closed up and fixed. And I, with John, would respond, "Amen. Other cities close their gates at night to prevent possible enemy attacks, but this city never closes its gates, because there is no night and no enemy. Then the book concludes after a solemn warning against either adding to or taking from its contents. On either side of the river is the tree of life[ a] with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. He reiterates that his return is not to be long delayed. It is possible that the tree of life in the New Jerusalem is literal and that its leaves and various fruits will somehow enrich our existence in the eternal state. "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.". Such is the hard bondage which mere historical tradition imposes on its votaries. Gods love, Gods grace, bestowed on undeserving sinners, is the river of the water of life in Revelation 22:1-2. It so happens that the text is, in fact, in bad condition and we do not know for certain what the actual wording is. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.". "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood." For the latter read , as render, as Rev., on this side and on that. So Rev. "Blessed are they that read, hear and practice the words of this prophecy, putting them into practice in their lives." Why then is the book of life mentioned? - EBCNT, There are many references in Jewish apocalyptic literature to the tree of life found in Gen. 3 (cf. In the different fruit for each month of the year may we not see symbolized that in the life which God gives there is a special grace for each age from the cradle to the grave? Who does not see that this is precisely analogous to the verse which opened the description of Babylon? What does Revelation 22:2 mean? | BibleRef.com The tree gives many and varied fruits. This being so, it adds immense clearness in the understanding of the book. "* There is no thought of making such a paradox to perplex the mind. We have already considered a very similar list in Revelation 21:8 of those who were cast into the lake of fire. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Hard to believe; isn't it? B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 545. That is the only basis upon which this gift is predicated and God gave me the faith to believe. The vision ends with the promise that the people of God will reign for ever and ever. Having been healed from the curse of sin, they can now enjoy the blessings of the tree of life that God originally intended for them. Who are the nations and where do they come from in Revelation 20:7-8? When we realize this truth we will be able to sing--, "Love of Christ so freely given, Grace of God beyond degree, Mercy higher than the heaven, Deeper than the deepest sea. ", Remember that this description of the river of life flowing through the city of God is part of the description of the church. Again, the affirmation of the truth of what God is declaring for your skeptical mind that finds it hard to believe that God should do such a thing for us. But "nations of them which are saved," is a most anomalous expression, and betrays man as the author of it. As War Rages in Sudan, Countries Angle for Advantage Even so, come Lord Jesus. the leaves -- healing . On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. Here you may see the reason for saying that the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures are not absolutely the church, because when that symbol applies, and the one of the bride comes forward, we have got others too. This explains, it seems to me, the wounded head that was afterwards healed. The presence of the tree on both sides of the river is an allusion to Ezekiel 47:1-12. on either side of the river . We are not to infer, however, that there will not be variety in the occupations and the joys of the heavenly state, for there can be no doubt that there will be ample diversity in the employments, and in the sources of happiness, in heaven; but the single thought expressed here is, that the means of life will be abundant: the trees of life will be everywhere, and they will be constantly yielding fruit. The Greeks used from alpha ( G1) to omega ( G5598) and the Hebrews from aleph to tau to indicate completeness. There was judicial discernment with the distinct possession of all titles to sovereignty. The Lamb is its light. Here is the final culmination of the description of the city of God. He is urged to take up the same cry. She does not, it is true, say, "Come quickly." Yet to this heavenly city, after Christ comes, the kings of the earth bring their offerings and their homage; but there is no excitement of the nations, no filthiness of fornication, no abominations, no blood-guiltiness. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, nor sorrow, nor crying nor shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. It is the fault, however, of the bad Greek text of Erasmus, Stephens, etc. If your work is just for a big show to just be known among people, and they say, "Oh, man he's just a holy Joe." He identifies himself as the author of the book. No one can soberly deny that Babylon in some sort had a place then; but that the special, and above all, the full character of Babylon was manifested as here portrayed is another matter. (3.) There is no lack of precision, but the very reverse. We know that if He tarries, it is not that He is "slack concerning His promise," but that "His long-suffering brings salvation to many." The Psalmist sings of the river whose streams make glad the city of God ( Psalms 46:4). There is a rabbinic saying: "Whoever eats with an idolator is the same as he who would eat with a dog. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely ( Revelation 22:17 ). "Shall we pray.Lord we thank you for Your grace and by grace we will be able to participate in the glorious inheritance of the saints in light. On these I may say but a very few words. It is to Jesus. 1. This tree was perpetually rather than seasonally in fruit; it produced a new crop of fruit each month of the year. Note that this river of the water of life CARRIES AWAY OUR IMPURITIES (OUR SINS). "Living waters," says Zechariah, "shall flow out from Jerusalem" ( Zechariah 14:8). To make good sense, supposing there to be but one tree, we should either, as Mede, suppose that the Greek for street is a plain washed on both sides by the river (as the first Paradise was washed on one side by the Tigris, on the other by the Euphrates), and that in the midst of the plain, which itself is in the midst of the river's branches, stood the tree: in which case we may translate, "In the midst of the street (plain) itself, and of the river (having two branches flowing) on this and on that side, was there the tree of life." Everything about it will contribute to sustain life. 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place. This city is seen now as the holy vessel of divine power for governing the earth during the millennium, "having the glory of God: and her brightness was like a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.". And on either side of the river - As well as in all the streets. Rev 21:4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes." You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. The Jews interpret the passage in Ezekiel 47:12 to which this refers, of future time, or the world to come f; and speak of various trees and herbs of great fragrancy and medicinal virtues, which grow quite round on the sides of a laver that stands in paradise g. e Yalkut Simeoni, par. vi., Jub. "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is an eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth unto destruction." twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. It is not therefore a question of virtual idols suitable to ensnare the children of God, but of that which is adapted to the earth itself, thorough-going palpable idolatry. Matt covers just about everything for Betsperts . Revelation 22:2 ESV;NIV - through the middle of the street of the And you do things to give them that kind of a feeling, you learn to close your eyes at the proper time and fold your hands and you learn to talk in such a way that it sort of oozes of righteousness and spirituality, so that people they can just talk to you and know that you walk close to God. That He is the vine, or inner life of the tree, that Christians are the branches growing upon it/Him (John 15:1-5), and the fruit (of the Spirit; see Galatians 5:22-23) are the reproducing center of that tree, and the leaves* (the message of salvation) can be used as salves or poultices (In these last two examples, note 1.) People of all nations inhabit the city, adding colour and splendour, yet there is complete purity, because sin is excluded (24-27). Lights, whether natural or artificial, are unnecessary, because God's glory fills every place (22-23). The idea in the mind of the writer is that of Eden or Paradise; but it is not the Eden of the book of Genesis, or the Oriental or Persian Paradise: it is a picture where all is combined, that in the view of the writer would constitute beauty, or contribute to happiness. Revelation 22:2 NRSVUE - through the middle of the street of the 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. There is a distinct contrast between the city John describes and the ancient Babylon, in that the latter was built on the plain of Shinar, while the former is expressly said to have seven heads, and these explained to mean seven mountains. The regular ending of the letters to the seven Churches is an invitation to hear what the Spirit is saying ( Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:29; Revelation 3:6; Revelation 3:13; Revelation 3:22). We say it has almost been almost two thousand years. And Jesus sits on the great white throne. 3) The description of this trees location is debatable, but perhaps John saw the river dividing and flowing on both sides of it. And yet this warning would seem to imply the expectation of a long time of reading and copying the book, a time which John himself clearly did not expect. And let him that hears say: Come! In the Book of Enoch the writer demands that no one should "change or minish ought of my words" (Enoch 104:10). The judgment of the dead is strictly individual, judgments in this world are not. It is God's gift to me by faith in Jesus Christ, faith alone. It is a description, and not one of the visions that carry us onward. The son is doubly guilty, because he saw his father's nakedness and felt it enough to hide. They were caught in flagrant treason and rebellion: what further need of any process of judgment whatsoever? [15] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John's Revelation (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Publishing House, 1943), p. 650. God has not told us how, nor is it our business. The fruitfulness of this tree. It is interesting.God is going to have a tree that has twelve different kinds of fruit and every month a fruit will be ripe. Still God does not forget His ways with His people; and the angels here are only in the quality of porters, if we may so speak; they are at the gates. Jesus guarantees the truth of all that John has seen and heard. Accordingly, "Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me." Not because any of their names were written therein, but in proof that they were not. Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! Isaiah 53:4-5 ( ESV ), (i) It is not to be interpreted with absolute literalness. Life itself, "For the entrance of thy word giveth life." New King James Version 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. Revelation 22:2 New International Version 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. Isaiah 51:3). and his name shall be in their foreheads. I really believe this will be the last time. Andreas suggests that the dogs are not only the shameless and the unbelieving, but also Christians who after their baptism "return to their vomit." And the river of life may well stand for the abundant life God provides for his people which is there for the taking. Rev 21:5 "I am making all things new." When a person dies, it will be a positive curse from God; if he die even a hundred years old, it will be like a baby dying now. Come, Lord Jesus! 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; After so long a tarrying how blessed! Accordingly the rapture of the church with the Old Testament saints must have already taken place, all (as I have no doubt) being caught up at the self-same time to be with the Lord above. It is not the enjoyment of all, but it is the hinge on which all depends. I take it, therefore, that God intended this analogy to be noted by us; that it is not a pursuance of the prophecy, but a description of the holy city previously named, just as the other was a description of the corrupt city, whose judgment had been announced. At two-thirds of a mile the river had deepened to the knees. There was the sad register of undeniable sin on the one side; there was no writing of the name on the other side. 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Healing - Jeremiah 8:22 ff ; Ezekiel 27:17 ff, The English word therapeutic comes from the Greek word translated healing. The leaves somehow enrich heavenly life, making it full and satisfying. Every one who loves and acts falsehood is shut out. "I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God" (alluding to this very city) "[is] with men." But in the holy city--the church--the river of the water of life--The love of God--the grace of God--takes its source from above--from the throne of God. Wheat and tares grow together till the process of judgment separates. "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Accordingly it is another figure. That living water fills their "leaves" and "fruit". And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. See what this is saying! Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem? In the early Greek manuscripts all the words are written in capital letters and there is no space left between them. Lenski correctly observed that all these terms: avenue, river, and wood (tree) are comprehensive and collective."[15]. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star. His grace be with all! A tree surrounded by water is the epitome of a fruitful tree (cf. 19. A man can so long refuse the way of Christ that in the end he cannot take it. The warning in Enoch is: Woe to you who drink water from every fountain. 4. And I heard as it were a voice of a great multitude, and as a voice of many waters, and as a voice of mighty thunders, saying, Alleluia, for the Lord God the Almighty reigneth. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. She is, the mother of the harlots, but also (and with still deeper guilt) of the abominations of the earth. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for night shall not be there. I have already touched on the double force of the symbol mountains. Polyglot, and all editions of the least critical value. Since there will no longer be any curse, what is the use of the leaves in Revelation 22:2? As there is but a single class of trees referred to, it might have been supposed, perhaps, that, according to the common method in which fruit is produced, there would be sometimes plenty and sometimes want; but the writer says that, though there is but one kind, yet the supply is ample. And the devil that deceiveth them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where both the beast and the false prophet [are], and they shall be tormented day and night unto the ages of the ages.". But John is overwhelmed again; he is just wiped out, overwhelmed that the guy tells him that, so he falls down at his feet again to worship him. Other Translations for Revelation 22:2 Discussion for Revelation 22 View All In the older Apocalypses, written between the Testaments, the instruction is always to seal them and lay them up for a distant future. The individual has his own fruit too. It must remind us of God's great invitation, "Ho, every one who thirsts come to the waters, and he who has no money; come, buy and eat! In short, Babylon, the disgusting counterpart of the holy city, in earthly ambition seeks the kings and the masses for her own present objects, while the other suffers now and will reign then. In the midst of the street of it,. That is, of the city described in the preceding chapter, which shows that this vision belongs to that, and is a continuation of it, and which street was all of pure gold, Revelation 21:21. and on either side of the river was there the tree of life; not that it stood either in the midst of the street of the city, which being a pavement of gold, a tree could not well stand there; nor on both sides of the river, which is impossible, unless the tree of life is put for many trees of the same kind, as in Ezekiel's vision, to which the allusion is; and so some were on one side of the river, and some on the other, as there; see Ezekiel 47:7 or unless it can be thought that such a solution of the difficulty is sufficient, that the root of it was on one side, and the branches grew over to the other; though the words may be better rendered, and the difficulty will be removed, and the sense be clear, "between the street of it", the city, "and the river, on this side, and on that side"; that is, the street on one side, and the river on the other, was the tree of life; compare with this John 19:18.
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