Eden Restored
Opening Prayer
Father, I long for the life-giving river bursting its banks with crystal clear water!
Read Revelation 22:1-21
[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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What things allude to restoration from the fall?Almost every major city is built on a river. Jerusalem is a rare exception, having only underground aquifers and springs. But now we are shown a river of pure water flowing through the new Jerusalem, accessible to all who thirst (1,17). We are drawn to Ezekiel’s vision of a river flowing from a newly restored Temple, a river which brings life and healing (Ezek. 47). We are also taken back to Eden and the tree of life planted in its center (Gen. 2:9). The tree of life from which sinful humanity was banished (Gen. 3:22,23) is now accessible once more. Its fruit—rich and abundant and growing all year round—brings healing (2; see also Ezek. 47:12). From having lost our close fellowship with God, we shall now see him face-to-face (4; 1 Cor. 13:12). Also gone is the curse (3)—the effects of our fall into sin as described in Genesis 3.The idea of healing here must not be limited to physical healing (though in the new Jerusalem there will be no suffering or pain), but it includes complete mental and spiritual well-being. What is spoken of here is “shalom”—complete and utter wholeness.Almost every major city is built on a river. Jerusalem is a rare exception, having only underground aquifers and springs. But now we are shown a river of pure water flowing through the new Jerusalem, accessible to all who thirst (1,17). We are drawn to Ezekiel’s vision of a river flowing from a newly restored Temple, a river which brings life and healing (Ezek. 47).
We are also taken back to Eden and the tree of life planted in its center (Gen. 2:9). The tree of life from which sinful humanity was banished (Gen. 3:22,23) is now accessible once more. Its fruit—rich and abundant and growing all year round—brings healing (2; see also Ezek. 47:12). From having lost our close fellowship with God, we shall now see him face-to-face (4; 1 Cor. 13:12). Also gone is the curse (3)—the effects of our fall into sin as described in Genesis 3.
The idea of healing here must not be limited to physical healing (though in the new Jerusalem there will be no suffering or pain), but it includes complete mental and spiritual well-being. What is spoken of here is “shalom”—complete and utter wholeness.
Apply
Look at verse 17. How thirsty are you for this reality?
Closing prayer
Lord, fill me with Your life that I may reveal who You are, and Your boldness that I may speak of all that is to come.
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