Life Restored

Revelation 22:1-5 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. 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.
 
A river of the water of life and a tree of life are images that spiritually flow and grow throughout scripture. It begins in Genesis 2:9 And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. This is God’s blessing, created for mankind to perfectly enjoy life with God in his creation forever.
   But we know that in sin’s curse God banished Adam and Eve from Eden and sealed them from the tree of life. Genesis 3:22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."…24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. The doorway to life with God was locked tight.  
   Then our merciful God began to graciously move throughout history to open the door into his presence again. Through Ezekiel, he uses the river and tree of life images to prophesy he will reestablish paradise on earth: Ezekiel 47:12 “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Then Jesus comes to reaffirm this life promise: John 7:37b “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
   Then it will come to pass. The river of life will one day freely flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb through God’s new city. The tree of life is the symbol of the curse canceled and blessing restored. God’s people will again personally know, love and worship him. All who believe will be satisfied forever.
 
Prayer: “Give me this water, Lord, so I won’t be thirsty.” (John 4:15b) Amen.