The city is provisioned for everlasting service by the water of life - Re 22:1 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” A pure river, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb; promised to those who thirst (for righteousness) - Re 21:6 “And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”; 22:17 “The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”; Mt 5:6 “"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
The city is provisioned for everlasting service by the tree of life - Re 22:2 “through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” In the middle of the street (as was in the garden of Eden, now in the city of God!). Straddling the river of the water of life (from which it gets its nourishment?), bearing twelve fruits, yielding fruit every month (perpetual provisions), with leaves for the healing of the nations (no more sickness).
The city is provisioned for everlasting service by the reign of His servants - Re 22:3-5 “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” The curse which made work difficult is no more – see Gen 3:17-19. The throne of God and of the Lamb is present (God’s reign continues!). His servants serve Him (there will be work, but it will not be laborious). They shall see His face (like the angels, they will enjoy His presence) - Mt 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."’ His name will be on their foreheads (they shall be designated as His) - Re 3:12 “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” There shall be no night, no need of lamp nor light of the sun (for God is the light). They shall reign forever and ever (the exalted nature of our service!) - Mt 25:21 “His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'” -- A glorious city, with provisions to enable glorious service for eternity!
Granted, we are dealing with a highly figurative passage.... John was shown that which is to come in symbols - Re 1:1 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,” We must be careful not to strain the figures beyond their intended purpose. But how shall we envision the hope that we have in Christ...?. With images of our own imagination, with those from other uninspired sources? Or with those provided by Jesus Himself, to comfort and encourage His servants?
As we look for the city to come (see He 13:14).... A city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God - He 11:10. A city prepared by God who is not ashamed to be called our God - He 11:16 ...may we who are disciples of Jesus Christ allow the vision seen by John to excite and encourage us to remain faithful until we walk through those pearly gates! Listen, then, to these words:
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!”
And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
- Rev 22:12-17
This material is adapted from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God Be The Glory!
With this lesson being the last lesson in the series of textual sermons we will begin a new series next week.
