A Heavenly Preview

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

REVELATION 22:1-21

SUBJECT: HEAVEN & THE RAPTURE

THEME: Believers should hold the hope of heaven in their hearts and believe the promise of Christ’s return.  Such believers will be marked by faithfulness, service, and spiritual motivation as we anticipate Christ’s return in the Rapture.

INTRODUCTION:

1.  As Pre-Tribulationists we believe the Rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation.  There are four main reasons for this conviction.

   A. The Christian is promised deliverance. In Revelation 3:10, we read, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

Many people believe that this promise is only to the first-century church in Philadelphia. Pre-Tribulationists believe, however, that while there was a fundamental message given to that historic church, the language of the promise goes beyond local persecution and includes worldwide persecution that would logically occur during the Great Tribulation.

   B. The Christian is not appointed to wrath. In 1 Thessalonians 5:9 we read, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” Pre-Tribulationists believe that Paul is speaking about the wrath that is to come on the unsaved at the end of this age during the Great Tribulation.

   C. The churches are not mentioned during the Great Tribulation. Pre-Tribulationists believe that the churches, which are mentioned in Revelation 1–3, are in heaven in Revelation 4. And in the remaining chapters of The Revelation there is no mention of the churches; this is interpreted as meaning that the churches are absent from earth during the Great Tribulation.

   D. The Christian is to be ready for the imminent return of Jesus Christ. This means that the Rapture can occur at any moment and that Christians should be constantly watching for Jesus' return.

Titus 2:11–13 says that “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Verses like these point to the Rapture as the next prophetic event, not to anything else we should look for before the Rapture.

2.  Once a Bible teacher introduced the topic of heaven by saying, “Most of what we're told about heaven is negative.” He went on, tongue-in-cheek, to enumerate the “negatives”: no more crying, no more death, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more separation, no more loss, no more war, no more loneliness, and so on! It is true that we are told surprisingly little about heaven and about what role we will fulfill in the hereafter. We are given hints about the great purpose that God has reserved for humankind (Rom. 8:18–39; 1 Cor. 2:9). We now “see through a glass, darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12), but we know that we will be in eternal fellowship with God and with one another, and the blessedness of that state is beyond our present comprehension.

There are four things John points out as He focuses the seven churches on the immanent return of Christ in the Rapture. We will only consider the first one mentioned in chapter twenty-two in this article. 

MESSAGE:

I.  He Completes the Stunning Previews (Rev. 22:1-5). 

In Rev 22:1-5, we move inside the city to see additional facts about the New Jerusalem and discover that it is like a beautiful garden, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden.

A.  A PREVIEW OF THE RIVER OF LIFE (Rev. 22:1).

The angel showed John the “pure river of water of life;” there were four rivers in Eden (Gen 2:10-14), but there is only one river in the heavenly city.

  1.  Its Purity.

It was as “clear as crystal.”  While this is most likely a literal river, its symbolism is clear. Out of the throne of God will flow pure water, symbolic of the holiness and purity of God and the city.

If we believe that heaven is a wonderful place of holiness, beauty, and joy, we will also realize it is a place superior to earth. The beauty of heaven will far surpass the beauty of earth. In addition, there will be none of the ugliness, none of the pain, none of the sorrow. This will help us become willing to live more for the things of heaven and less for the things of earth.

   2.  Its Source.  “Proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

       A.  Ezekiel Saw a Purifying River Flowing from the Temple, Certainly a Millennial Scene (Ezek 47).  This reference to a river should not be confused with similar millennial situations such as those in Ezekiel 47:1, 12 and Zechariah 14:8. These refer to literal rivers flowing from the temple and from Jerusalem and will be part of the millennial scene.

       B.  But this River Will Flow Directly from God's Throne, the Very Source of All Purity.

The river in Revelation 22:1 will be part of the New Jerusalem in the celestial city.  The water flows down the middle of the great street of the city. This apparently refers to a main thoroughfare in the New Jerusalem coming from the throne of God with the river being a narrow stream in the middle of the street.

        C.  It Is Significant That the Lamb Is Sharing One Throne with the Father. (also in Rev. 22:3).

                1.  This makes it clear that Christ reign will not end.

1 Cor. 15:24,  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down [destroy] all rule and all authority and power.

                      — 1 Corinthians 15:24, means that will destroy all opposing powers and not that his reign will cease.  

                      — Christ’s reign on the throne will change its character not its duration.

                2.  Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14; 19:16) for all eternity.

   3.  Its Purpose.

        A.  The river and the tree symbolize abundant life in the glorious city.

        B.  I also believe that believers will actually drink from this perfect river.

B.  A PREVIEW OF THE TREE OF LIFE (Rev. 22:2).

Man was prohibited from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and prevented from eating of the tree of life (Gen 2:15-17; 3:22-24). But in the eternal home, man will have access to the tree of life.

   1.  Its Location.

       A.  The phrase “in the midst of the street” mean these trees are also growing on either side of the river. Some have been puzzled over this idea that the tree of life is on each side of the river. I take this as a group of trees, because it is “on either side of the river.”

       B.  Others say that the river of life is narrow and that it flows on both sides of the tree.

   2.  Its Fruit.

As John thought on the heavenly city, he saw “the tree of life, which bear twelve manner of fruit, yielded her fruit every month.”

       A.  The Tree of Life Was Referred to in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:22, 24), where it was represented as perpetuating physical life forever. Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat of the fruit of this tree after they fell in sin.

       B.  Earlier in Revelation (2:7) the Saints Were Promised by Christ who said, “I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

       C.  While the Literal and the Symbolic Seem to Be Combined in this Tree, there is no reason why it could not be an actual tree with literal fruit.

              1.  The practical effect would be to continue physical life forever.

              2.  While the verse does not state that the fruit can be eaten, this is presumably the implication.

   3.  Its Leaves.

The “leaves of the tree”. . . are “for the healing of the nations.”

       A.  Based on this Statement Some Believe this Situation Refers Back to the Millennial Times when there will be sickness and healing. However, another meaning seems to be indicated.

       B.  The Word “Healing” Can Be Understood as “Health-giving” and “Therapeutic.” 

 Even though there is no sickness in the eternal state, the tree’s fruit and leaves seem to contribute to the physical well-being of those in the eternal state.

C.  A PREVIEW OF THE ETERNAL LIFE (Rev. 22:3-5).

Every human heart longs for eternity. The Bible tells us that God put that yearning there, but we would know it without the Bible. We see it in all ages, cultures, and peoples. We see it in burial practices. Egyptians mummified the bodies of their important leaders, hoping to preserve them for eternity.

We see this longing for immortality in the common stories of the world. Even in our own fairy tales, the yearning comes through strongly, emerging symbolically from stories such as “Sleeping Beauty.”

   1.  The Throne of God (Rev. 22:3).

        A.  No Curse–Perfect World.

               1.  John added the absence of any curse. 

As the curse of Adam’s sin led to illness requiring healing and death, so in the eternal state there will be no curse; therefore no healing of illness is necessary.

               2.  "No more curse" takes us back to Gen 3:14-19 where the curse began.

               3.  Interestingly, even the Old Testament closes with the statement, "Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse" (Mal 4:6).

               4.  But the New Testament announces, "And there shall be no more curse!"

               5.  Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire; all of creation will be made new; and the curse of sin will be gone forever.

Nothing accursed will be in God's presence (Zech 14:11). God will not only lift the curse that had been placed in Eden during the millennial age (Gen 3:17-18), but he will completely eliminate it in the eternal age. As the curse of Adam’s sin led to illness requiring healing and death, so in the eternal state there will be no curse; therefore no healing of illness is necessary. In the new heaven and new earth there will be no curse at all and no possibility or need of such divine punishment.

        B.  The Throne—Perfect Government (Rev. 22:3).

              1.  As mentioned earlier, “God and . . . the Lamb” are in the heavenly city reigning (Rev. 21:22-23; 22:1).

              2.  The New Jerusalem will be the holy of holies of God (Rev. 21:22), and the throne of God will also be in it.

              3.  This clearly depicts perfect government and leadership.  The phrase "the throne of God and of the Lamb" indicates the oneness of God and the Lamb, as well as God's presence right among his people.   

The New Jerusalem will be the temple of God (21:22), and the throne of God will also be in it. God and the Lamb’s presence will be immediately among his people in the new city (21:22-23; 22:1), and His servants will serve him unceasingly.

        C.  The Servants—Perfect Service (Rev. 22:3).

Then John wrote, “His servants shall serve Him.”

             1.  What will we do in heaven for all eternity?

                   A.  Certainly, we shall praise the Lord, but we shall also serve Him.

                   B.  "His servants shall serve Him" (Rev 22:3) is a great encouragement to us, for in heaven our service will be perfect.

                          — As we seek to serve the Lord here on earth, we are constantly handicapped by sin and weakness; but all hindrances will be gone when we get to glory. Perfect service in a perfect environment!

                          — The highest joy and privilege of the saints in eternity will be to serve their blessed Lord, even though it is true that they will also reign with Him.

            2.  What will this service be?

                  A.  We are not told, nor do we need to know now.

                  B.  It is sufficient that we know what God wants us to do today.

                         — Our faithfulness in life prepares us for higher service in heaven.

                         — In fact, some believers think that we shall have access to the vast universe and perhaps be sent on special missions to other places. But it is useless to speculate, because God has not seen fit to fill in the details. Yes, our relationship to God in eternity will involve service and worship. The highest joy and privilege of the saints in eternity will be to serve our blessed Lord, even though it is true that we will also reign with Him (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:10; 20:4-6). While all of our service will be focused on worshiping God, there will be ongoing caretaking responsibilities given to us as we reign with him (22:5).

   2.  The People of God (Rev. 22:4).

        A.  Our Privileges (Rev. 22:4, 5b).

             

             1.  To See His Face.

                   A.  God's people will see his face; they will have a privileged place before the throne for “they shall see His face.”

                   B.  The implication is that they are under the Lord’s good favor and in His “inner circle.”

                   C.  The face of God had not been seen by anyone since Adam and Eve sinned.

                           — Even Moses, the great lawgiver who went up on the mountain to meet with God, had only been able to see God from the back. God had told him, "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live." (Ex 33:20).

                           — Here in heaven, however, God's people will see him face-to-face.

                   D.  Jesus had promised, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matt 5:8).

                   E.  John, in another of his books, wrote, "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).

                   F.  To be able to see God's face suggests intimate personal relationship. God will not be a king on a throne in a remote castle; he will be among his people.

God’s people will see his face. The face of God had not been seen by anyone since Adam and Eve sinned (Ex 33:20). Here in heaven, however, God’s people will see him face-to-face (Matt 5:8; 1 John 3:2). This privilege suggests intimate personal relationship and immediate access to the glory of God in the eternal state. God will not be a king on a throne in a remote world; he will be among his people.

             2.  To Bare His Name (Rev. 22:4).

 In addition, God's people will have his name written on their foreheads.

                 A.  This intimacy is also indicated by the fact that “His name shall be in their foreheads” (Rev. 2:17; 3:12; 7:3; 14:1).

                         1.  This points out God's ownership.

                         2.  God's people had been "sealed" (Rev. 7:3), and this seal previously had been described as being in the form of the Father's name (Rev. 14:1).

                         3.  The point is that this is the same group along with all true believers-- God will bring his own safely to his eternal kingdom.

                  B.  Our freedom to be in the presence of God indicates that we will then be in our glorified bodies (1 John 3:2). In addition, God's people will have his name written on their foreheads. This points out God’s ownership and He will bring his own safely to his eternal kingdom. Their freedom to be in the presence of God indicates that they will then be in their glorified bodies (1 John 3:2).

        B.  Our Positions (Rev. 22:5b).

              1.  Not only shall we be servants in heaven, but we shall also be kings. We shall “reign forever and ever!”

              2.  This speaks of sharing Christ's authority in glory.

                    A.  As believers, we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies today (Eph 2:1-10); but in the eternal state, we shall reign as kings over the new heavens and earth. What an honor! What grace!

              3.  Certainly, many interesting questions could be asked about our future abode in heaven, but most must go unanswered until we reach our glorious home. In fact, John closed His book by reminding us that we have responsibilities today because we are going to heaven.

   3.  The Light of God (Rev. 22:5).

Once again John wrote that the glory and light of the New Jerusalem will be the presence of God, with no artificial illumination (Rev.21:23-24). 

         A.  No Night

         B.  No Candles Light

         C.  No Sun Light

         D.  Divine Light

Though the description of the city does not answer all questions concerning the eternal state, the revelation given to John describes a beautiful and glorious future for all who put their trust in the living God.

There will be no more night indicating that there will be no more evil, no more darkness, and no more time. The Lord God will be the light (Zech 14:7). Those who believe in Christ will become rulers, reigning in his kingdom of life, where there is no death. Eternal life is ours now and forever.

The future is veiled, and for good reason. There have been times in my life that had I known what was going to happen, I would have been a basket-case waiting for the axe to fall. Still, the future draws us. We are eternal beings, created for a world other than this—destined for a better world than this. It is natural for us to look forward to it. Yet the Bible does not give us a lot of details about heaven and the future. Vance Havner, a witty preacher of an earlier generation, said if God had given us a clear picture of heaven, it would be like putting a plate of spinach in front of a young boy, with a chocolate cake at the other end of the table. It would be even harder for the young boy to get his spinach down, looking at the chocolate cake all the time.

The question, “What will Jesus do in eternity?” is of deep interest to us, not only because of our interest in God, but also because it affects what we will do in eternity. And while the Bible does not give us a lot of information about eternity, it does give us some, and that “some” can be very enlightening and encouraging.