(i) There is the invitation of the Spirit and the Bride. The spiritual power is wholly in the hands of the false prophet. and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations ( Revelation 22:2). Thank you, Lord, that you have delivered us from the power of darkness, taken the rebellion out of our hearts, and given us a heart of love, a heart of commitment, a heart of faith. There was no doubt at all of the character of the emperor; there never had been a worse than he; yet God took that very opportunity to lay this on the Christians as their duty to the worldly authority outside and over them. In her own course, and in the matters of her portion, the church does not know time at all. In as many things as she glorified herself, and lived luxuriously, so much torment and sorrow give to her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am not a widow, and I shall in no wise see sorrow.". In a spiritual sense, the leaves of the tree of life, in this present age, are the healing of the nations. "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." What risks are you taking when "signing in with Google"? on the other, she had, when she could, gone on increasing in both, until at last the blow of divine judgment came. "I am the bright morning star," he says. This gives great beauty to the imagery. 24 # Is. It is all plain and simple "the beast that was, and is not, and shall be present.". Were for the healing - That is, they contribute to impart life and health to those who had been diseased. As throughout the vision, John uses present terminology to describe future conditions. None but Rome corresponds. Once again he stresses the truth of all that John has seen and heard. What empire has existed, then sunk, and finally reappeared, with higher pretensions and power, only to perish horribly? Alford utterly mistakes in speaking of "nations outside," and "dwelling on the renewed earth, organized under kings, and saved by the influences of the heavenly city" (!) For a short time (what a mercy that it must be only for a short time!) And night will be no more, for they have no need of the light of a lamp, or the light of a sun, for the Lord God will be a light to them, and they will reign for ever and ever. No temple is needed in the city, because God is everywhere. They then come down to the earth; and those who eat their leaves and fruit receive that living water into themselves, and are cured ( Rev.22:2 ). Here Jesus is talking to John and He is declaring the same thing. yet we esteemed him stricken, It is impossible to refer it to the past with any show even of reasonable probability, I will not say of reality or truth. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Not so good. The book begins by promising a revelation to be given by Jesus ( Revelation 1:1); this is the attestation of Jesus that, however the vision came, it came from him. That kings had dallied with her, that the beast had once borne her up, will only turn to gall the more bitter to her, who, faithless to God, had staked the usurped and abused name of Christ to win what was now lost for ever. "The Spirit of prophecy" and such it is all through the Revelation after the seven churches are done with "is the testimony of Jesus." There is no scriptural reason to infer that any saint dies during the thousand years, but rather the contrary. I have already touched on the double force of the symbol mountains. And on either side of the river - As well as in all the streets. I say "righteousnesses," not "righteousness." It is the divine judgment of man eternal judgment. It is a precisely similar case here. His grace be with all! *In Revelation 22:2, the Greek word for "leaves" is phullon, from the word phule. We are not to suppose that there will be sickness, and a healing process in heaven, for that idea is expressly excluded in Revelation 21:4; but the meaning is, that the life and health of that blessed world will have been imparted by partaking of that tree; and the writer says that, in fact, it was owing to it that they who dwell there had been healed of their spiritual maladies, and had been made to live forever. - Constable. He with the glorified saints will have their home on high, but none the less shall they reign over this very world for the allotted time. The first part is clear enough. Here it is the city described in itself, on which we need not now enlarge. It is the fault, however, of the bad Greek text of Erasmus, Stephens, etc. Centuries after came in, not only the division into east and west, but the broken up state of the west, when there ceased to be an imperial chief. "So he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness" a thorough waste as to the knowledge or enjoyment of God. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city ( Revelation 22:14 ). But she has a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and the impurities of her fornication. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Clearly the same saints whom we have seen first set forth by the elders in heaven, subsequently by the elders and the living creatures, next, by the bride and the living creatures at the marriage-supper, and finally by the armies that followed the Lord out of heaven. ", Here is this last chapter of the Bible we are shown the river of Gods love bringing eternal life and spiritual health to believers, and also carrying away all of our impurities--our sins. This sounds like tears and their causes entering the city where they will be healed. In contrast, Gods blessing of fruitfulness will mark life in the new earth. "God," said the rabbis in their dreams of the golden age, "will produce a river from the Holy of Holies, beside which every kind of delicate fruits will grow.". It flowed down the center of the main street. See: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7495.htm. That pagan Rome, therefore, should set itself against Christianity was to be expected, and so the fact proved. Then follows a description of the wall, gates, foundations, and general position. The "saved" is a term which, so far from belonging to the nations, is expressly applied to the Jewish remnant when it is a technical term. It was important, just because it is the bride, the Lamb's wife, to show that angels are there, and further, that Israel is not forgotten. Revelation 21:12), but also, all the various tribes of the earth (Revelation 7:9, 11:9, 13:7, and especially 14:6; see footnote referenced below as "Eternal Gospel"). The heavenly state which was before described as a city, and called the new Jerusalem, is here described as a paradise, alluding to the earthly paradise which was lost by the sin of the first Adam; here is another paradise restored by the second Adam. Jesus said, "Take heed that you do not your righteousness before men to be seen of men, because then you have your reward"( Matthew 6:1 ). He identifies himself as the author of the book. Those that do rise at the same time rise, no doubt, in a moment; but that there are to be various acts of resurrection is not only not contrary to scripture, but required by its own descriptions. The simple fact of conquering far and wide, and of exercising vast political power in the earth, does not constitute any title to such a name. It produces 12 different kinds of fruita new one each month. But we can understand that the Lord could and did make that little go far, and do no little good. The leaves of the trees are for the Healing of the Nations that shall occupy the New Earth. But what are we to understand by the Spirit? Which bare twelve manner of fruits - Producing twelve fruit-harvests; not (as our version) twelve manner of fruits (Prof. Stuart). The Bride, we know, is the Church. As Ezekiel had it: "He that will hear, let him hear; and he that will refuse to hear, let him refuse" ( Ezekiel 3:27). Still God acts in a wisdom far above man, and holds to His principles even there. Then he pronounces his blessing on the man who reads and obeys the words of John's book. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits . And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Death reigns now because of sin; even in the millennial earth sin, and therefore death, though much limited, shall not altogether cease. Even when God was judging providentially in the beginning of the Apocalyptic visions (Revelation 4:1-11), associated thrones were seen. But here there is neither; and this again is an evidence of gain, not of loss. On these I may say but a very few words. 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). So let it be! "Upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of the harlots and of the abominations of the earth.". In short, it is not tropical language, as when it is said of the prodigal son "This my son was dead, and is alive again;" or of the restoration of Israel, which is compared to a resurrection from the dead for the rest of the world. There is another remark to make. Jesus guarantees the truth of all that John has seen and heard. "And I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. That is to say, there will be no more of the pollutions which harm the Christian life. And the city lieth foursquare, and its length is as much as the breadth." 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. We find, accordingly, the four and twenty elders and four living creatures here brought before us for the last time. This it is precisely which will bring out the indignant judgment of God upon the last phase of Babylon, so that the guilt of all the blood shed on the earth shall be imputed to her, and she may be judged accordingly. When the thousand years expire, Satan reappears on the scene to the sorrow and ruin of the Gentiles who were not born of God. From Rome saints had suffered; and it was easy to see that the revealed persecutress is called Babylon, and identified with the governing city of Rome. But "out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron." Again John making the mistake that man so often makes worshipping the instrument of God. The thrones were already filled. but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face ( Revelation 22:3-4 ); "Blessed are the pure in heart", Jesus said, "for they shall see God" ( Matthew 5:8 ). We know that the change of all those caught up takes place in the twinkling of an eye. "The tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God. Look back over the years since you found Jesus Christ as your Saviour and first committed yourself to Him. Note that this river of the water of life CARRIES AWAY OUR IMPURITIES (OUR SINS). It is one of those cases which every now and then appear where God checks and reproves our foolish curiosity, as He alone knows how to do perfectly. Then the book concludes after a solemn warning against either adding to or taking from its contents. and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations ( Revelation 22:2 ). 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 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. Such is God's account of Babylon the great. The city had not only a river passing through it, but it was pervaded by streets, and all those streets were lined and shaded with this tree. He saw their condition: it was part of the vision. It does not mean persons merely, but the souls of beheaded persons. The decem-regal division of the broken empire in the West, as all know, was long after Rome had ceased to be heathen. (2.) The Greeks used from alpha ( G1) to omega ( G5598) and the Hebrews from aleph to tau to indicate completeness. 474.]. It is God's gift to me by faith in Jesus Christ, faith alone. Genesis 2:9; The tree of life reappears now in new Jerusalem fulfilling Gods promise to make new Jerusalem like Eden (cf. I say not on but over the earth. Closely allied with this is the picture so common in Scripture of the fountain of life; we have it in Revelation 7:17; Revelation 21:6 in the Revelation. By the tree of life is meant not the Gospel, nor godliness, nor eternal life, nor any other of the divine Persons, but Christ, who is the author of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal; ( See Gill on Revelation 2:7) and its situation between the street of the city, where the saints commune and converse together, and the river of God's They are not seen here as the bride. Translation Details for Revelation 22:2 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. It will be remembered that it was said to them that they must wait. The 76ers will await the winner of the Celtics-Hawks series in the . But that idea is wholly insufficient to cover or meet the word of God, which gives clear and strong reasons that prove the mistake of applying this to the pope as its complete fulfilment. "Faithful" is what belongs to a man. Start your free trial today! "He that testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. "And he that sat upon him called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." If you are a believer, do not be afraid, even if you know but little; for the Lord neither forgets nor slights those who may be comparatively unintelligent. Holding on to what others knew before them, or little more, they reduce themselves to a minimum of the truth. All the energy to mislead men in the presence of the first beast was long in his hands, and now nothing more is spoken of. The Spirit of God contrasts with the fall of Babylon the marriage. The woman was allowed to ride the beast to influence and govern the empire first, but at last to be the object of hatred to the ten horns and the beast, who expose, rob, and destroy her. The account in Genesis shows that Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden deprived them of access to the tree of life; but in heaven redeemed mankind shall have this privilege restored. But the most ordinary knowledge suffices; for who does not know from the Bible that there was a Roman empire when Christ was born, one emperor, and no such state as that empire divided into ten kingdoms? Even so, come, Lord Jesus." And they said Alleluia a second time; and her smoke goeth up unto the ages of the ages." No great rivers can flow through cities or bring life to and plains except there are high mountains as sources of those rivers. https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/lxx-a-accents/isaiah/53/5, New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. Psalms 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8; Ezekiel 19:10; Ezekiel 47:12). As man does not believe in the resurrection of man, it is no wonder that he does not believe in the resurrection of an empire. of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. "They shall see His face". Evidently the new creation will not have a lunar calendar, since there will be no moon (Revelation 21:23), but another type of calendar will define months. The very name indeed shows something similar; not of course that the church can ever be earthly. A mysterious lawlessness inherits the well-known name of Babylon when Rome is brought forward; and it does not merely embrace Christian times, but the end of the age after the church has gone, when the course of divine judgment comes. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Capnionis, which was used by Erasmus, and lately discovered after a long obscurity by Dr. Delitzsch, reads (not ) . Since there will be no death in the new earth these leaves will evidently promote wellbeing. And let him that heareth say, Come. Clearly, another reference to Ezekiel 47:1-12; There is some difficulty in visualizing this because "the exact construction and punctuation is not quite certain" (CBSC). "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heavens fled away." This picture has many sources in the Old Testament. The first is one of the angels who have been the interpreters of the divine things to John. ", Remember that this description of the river of life flowing through the city of God is part of the description of the church. The individual has his own fruit too. The Letter of Aristeas tells how the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible, was made by seventy Jewish scholars at the request of the King of Egypt. Simple deform modifier is deforming my object. There is an indication in Hosea that for two days Israel will be as dead, but in the third day God will revive them and they will live before him. 2. "Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book." Today's Highlight in History: On April 22, 2000, in a dramatic pre-dawn raid, armed immigration agents seized Elian Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of a custody dispute, from his relatives' home in Miami; Elian was reunited with his father at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington. The idea is not that there are twelve kinds of fruit on the same tree, for that is not implied in the language used by John. In the midst of the street of it - Prof. Stuart renders this, between the street thereof and the river; and says that the writer conceives of the river as running through the whole city; then of streets parallel to it on either side; and then, on the banks of the river, between the water and the street, the whole stream is lined on either side with two rows of the tree of life. The more common interpretation, however, is doubtless admissible, and would give a more beautiful image; that in the street, or streets of the city, as well as on the banks of the river, the tree of life was planted. Consequently, here we must most unquestionably go back to be shown an important object in the prophecy which could not, without interrupting its course, have been described before. Now with John, he said, "don't seal the book. Some render crops or harvests of fruit. I Jesus have sent my angel to testify unto you these things in the churches ( Revelation 22:15-16 ). R. H. Charles points out that this warning may not be part of the original book at all. Revelation 22:2 . cf. (Revelation 22:2, KJV) During the first thousand years in heaven, before the saints return to Earth to take up residence in the earth made new, they will have opportunity to go over the books of record (see 1 Cor. Nothing more is to be done. as the Complut. But "nations of them which are saved," is a most anomalous expression, and betrays man as the author of it. The seventh bowl contained under it the fall of Babylon, which "was remembered before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.". "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book." The nations are groups of people in the new creation viewed according to their old creation divisions (cf. To the church the end is always near. And, behold [again the Lord is talking], I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be ( Revelation 22:11-12 ). The tree of life, in this paradise. What, then, is the meaning of this curious passage which seems to say that men must remain as they are? Even so, come Lord Jesus. In Ezekiels vision there are multiple trees on each side of the river that bear fruit monthly (Ezekiel 47:12). "The nations shall walk in the light of it," Any one of spiritual judgment can see that it should not be "nations of them which are saved." Man converted will then not merely reach the natural term if I may so say of a thousand years, but pass that bound. It was not like a tree that bears but once a year, or in one season only, but it constantly bore fruit - it bore every month. Come what may, John was sure of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and equally sure that it was sufficient for all things. [Rev 21:1]. "He who comes to me shall not hunger; and he who believes in me shall never thirst" ( John 6:35). Then, when the Lamb and His purchase by blood are celebrated in heaven, the four living creatures join the elders, though each is distinct. "* There is no thought of making such a paradox to perplex the mind. therapeian).
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