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.
Revelation 22.1-5
So the great story of redemption comes full circle.
Genesis 2.10 tells us that ‘A river watering the garden flowed from Eden’.
Here in the last chapter of the Bible, ‘the river of the water of life’ is seen flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In Eden after the fall, Adam and Eve were barred from the Tree of Life as they were driven out of the Garden with no way of return.
Here it is growing on each side of the river producing 12 crops a year with its leaves for the healing of the nations.
In Eden, the created order was cursed because of sin.
Here there will no longer be any curse.
In Eden before the Fall God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve
Here God’s throne will be in the city – which could be described as a ‘garden’ city.
In Eden after the Fall Adam and Eve hid from God
Here all will see his face.
In Eden Adam and Eve’s days were numbered.
Here the inhabitants will reign for ever and ever.
The angel said to John-
These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place. (v.6)
For the believer, a glorious and wonderful future awaits as Paradise, lost at the fall, is restored.
Will you be there?