Lesson 467 - Senior
Memory Verse
"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).
Cross References
I Internal View of the New Jerusalem
1. The River of Life flows from the Throne, [REV:22:1]; [GEN:2:10]; [PS:46:4]; [EZE:47:1].
2. The Tree of Life grows on each side of the River, [REV:22:2]; [GEN:2:9]; [EZE:47:12]; [REV:2:7].
3. There is no curse of sin and no night in that city, [REV:22:3-5]; [1CO:15:26]; [REV:21:25].
II Eternal Verity of the Inspired Word
1. The things shown must shortly be done, [REV:22:6-7]; [REV:3:11]; [MAT:24:27], [MAT:24:44].
2. John mistakenly worships the angel who is one of the prophets, and is told to worship God, [REV:22:8-9]; [REV:19:10].
3. This Book is not to be sealed, for the time is at hand, [REV:22:10-11]; [ECC:11:3]; [DAN:12:4].
4. Jesus again states the nearness of His coming and gives promises of reward for the obedient, [REV:22:12-16]; [MAT:16:27]; [LUK:12:37]; [JHN:14:2-3]; [2TM:2:12]; [1PE:5:4]; [REV:1:6]; [REV:21:4].
III Final Invitation
1. The Spirit and the Bride join in the invitation to the whosoever will, [REV:22:17]; [LUK:12:8]; [JHN:4:14]; [ACT:10:43].
2. A final warning is given against tampering with the Word, [REV:22:18-19]; [DEU:4:2]; [DEU:12:32]; [MAT:24:35]; [2TM:2:16-17].
3. The final words of Jesus, and the Apostle's response, [REV:22:20-21]; [HEB:9:28].
Notes
A Glimpse Within the New Jerusalem
In the study of [REV:21:1-27], we had a brief description of that most glorious city, called the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. This described the city's outside appearance, size, and construction. In our lesson today we get a little glimpse of the inside of this celestial city.
It is indeed difficult for us to form right conceptions of things so much above and beyond all present experiences. When Paul recovered from his visions of Paradise and the third Heaven, he said that it was not permitted of him to tell the transcendent things which he saw and heard. And so, John brought to such a view of the sublime palaces of the saints; he does not tell us all about its eternal economy. But try to imagine such a grand and glorious city as he has described. Try to picture the civic centre, or the very capitol within the capital city. Here at the very focal centre is a Throne occupied by God and the Lamb. No descriptive detail is given of this Throne, but knowing that it is the everlasting Throne from which God the Father and God the Son forever rule and reign among the beloved saints, we must deduct that the beauty of this Throne was beyond description.
The River of Life
This is a Throne from which blessings flow, so John consequently sees a River of Life flowing from it. The soul of the Psalmist must have caught a little glimpse of this blessed time when he wrote:
"They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures" [PS:36:3]).
"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
"God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early" [PS:46:4-5]).
It is plainly stated in our text that in the new creation there is to be no more sea. Earthly rivers flow into seas or oceans, but here we note another of the many mystical things of this celestial city: we are not told whither the river flows -- but it flows on in its life-giving purity throughout eternity.
The Tree of Life
It appears that this pure and crystal river divided a great street, the dimensions of which are not told. On each side of this river is the marvellous tree that bears twelve manner of fruit and yields this fruit every month, the leaves of which are for the healing of the nations.
Perhaps we wonder if glorified saints eat food in this Holy City; and why it is necessary to have a healing for the nations. First, may we say that the Lord Jesus Himself refers several times to eating and drinking in the Kingdom of Glory. Also the Saviour, after His glorious resurrection, did eat. One of the grandest themes of the future referred to in the Revelation is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The implication is that there will surely be eating in this eternal city. The monthly product of the Tree of Life renders a fruit that we might term "life" fruit, which no doubt is far superior to even the angels' food, of which the Children of Israel ate.
As for the healing benefit of the leaves of this tree, the meaning is not that the nations are full of sickness and ailment, for the last remains of the curse which brought sickness into the world are gone. The meaning rather is that of preservation of health and comfort and not that diseases then exist to be removed.
The Closing Remarks
For the third time in the Book of Revelation, it is repeated that these presentations are "faithful and true " [REV:19:9]; [REV:21:5]; [REV:22:6]). In the opening of this Book, its purpose is stated: "To shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John" [REV:1:1]). Here at the conclusion it is repeated that "the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done" [REV:22:6]). Jesus Himself confirms this in the 16th verse by saying: "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches." Thus the very highest authority confirms the message given unto the Apostle John. Also at the beginning of this Book of Revelation there is a promise of blessing for him who "readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein" [REV:1:3]). And now at the close we hear the voice of the Lord Himself from the Throne in Heaven saying: "Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book" [REV:22:7]). All this is in addition to the seven-times-repeated admonition, "He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
In the closing of this Book, the summing up of God's Holy Word, come the oft-repeated words of warning: "Behold, I come quickly"; "The time is at hand"; "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly." Oh, the everlasting love, mercy, and goodness of our Saviour to provide salvation at such infinite cost, to give us a glimpse of the glory that awaits, and then to warn and admonish the whole world to make preparation, for the time is at hand!
So profound were the revelations and so wonderful was the knowledge and understanding of the angel which communicated these things, that John was filled with adoration and twice he fell down before the feet of the angel to worship him. The angel immediately stopped him, stating: "For I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, . . . worship God" [REV:19:10]; [REV:22:9]). Thus we see that it would be entirely wrong to worship any saint or angel, for only Deity is worthy this honour.
The sayings of this Book were not to be sealed or kept secret, the reason being, "The time is at hand." In other words, all expediency should be used to publish the Gospel, the truths, and the judgments of God that are coming. There is surely a time coming when the seal of permanence is to be set upon the spiritual condition of each one: he who is unjust shall remain unjust forever and he who is righteous shall remain righteous forever. There is always a twofold effect from the preaching of the divine Word. It is quick and powerful and never leaves men where it finds them. It either makes them better or it makes them worse. If it does not absolve, it the more condemns. If it does not soften to penitence, it hardens to iniquity. If it is not a savour of life unto life, it is a savour of death unto death.
The Final Invitation
Knowing that the time of the end is near at hand and such glorious events await those who prepare, the Bride of Christ joins with the Spirit of God to extend a grand invitation. It has ever been the work of the Holy Spirit to secure a Bride for the Lamb of God, much as it was for the servant of Abraham to secure a bride for Abraham's son, Isaac. Today the Bride of Christ is in her preparation. There will come a time when the "wife hath made herself ready." But now the main interest of the Bride is not only to be ready herself, but to see that others are added to make up the complete Bride of Christ so that that time may come quickly. The Spirit and the Bride are not only longing to see the fulfilment of this time, but they are working jointly in extending the invitation to "whosoever will." To him that is athirst the invitation is, "Come . . . take the water of life freely." The provision is made for every human soul by which he can be saved; but man is a free moral agent and must exercise his free power of choice and will to come. God has surely done His part. The provision is made. The invitation is given. He that willeth may come and drink of the Water of Life freely.
Final Warning
From this invitation we move solemnly on to the very last words of our Lord and Saviour in His Holy Book. Final words of warning are given against altering the Word and the message that He has sent to man. To mutilate this Holy Word of God, which charts the course to life eternal, is to forfeit salvation and all its eternal benefits.
Once again, and for the last time, comes the message, "Surely I come quickly. Amen." In a spontaneous answer to this statement, the Apostle John sounds forth the cry as from the heart of the Bride, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." All Christendom awaits and longs for the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is no greater promise in all the Word of God than these last words of Jesus to His people. If the whole creation groans and travails together in pain for the manifestation of the sons of God, how much more those sons of God themselves long for that day when they shall come into their inheritance and see their blessed Redeemer face to face.
Can you say you are truly looking for and desiring the glorious return of Jesus Christ? is there a spontaneous answer that rises from the depth of your heart, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus"? It is the fervent desire and constant prayer of the Sunday School department, as well as the Apostolic Faith as a body of believers, that you may be among the Bride of Christ to enjoy forever and ever the eternal blessings about which we have been studying.
Questions
1. Describe the internal view of the New Jerusalem as seen by John.
2. In what way is the River of Life different from earthly rivers?
3. What distinguishes the Tree of Life from any earthly tree?
4. What words of warning are repeated several times in this chapter?
5. To whom is the final invitation given? By whom is it given?
6. What warning is made regarding altering God's Word?
7. What is the response from the heart of the Apostle at the final words of Jesus?