THE GLORIFIED STATE Devotion 8 of 25 – Monday:
" . . . and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
How abundant, productive, and effective "the tree of life" is. It goes plentifully on both banks of the massive river of the water of life. It bears all manner of fruit, and does it every month of the year. Now, we are told that even its leaves have qualities for which the renewed heart years. They are for "the healing of the nations." Ezekiel spoke similarly of the trees growing by the healing waters: "and their leaves for medicine" (47:12). Everything speaks of full recovery from the fall, and "life forever more. "
The "nations" are "the nations of those who are saved" mentioned earlier (21:24). I do not know the extent to which we can take the word "nations." However, it does appear that in the glorified state, when "the former things are passed away," the redeemed will bear some association with the area of the earth from which they were redeemed. This condition will accrue to the glory of God and the honor of Jesus, who "redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Revelation 5:9).
Throughout the world, the redeemed experienced many and multifarious effects of "the transgression." Some have been deprived of the normal amenities of life, living in poverty, sickness, and squalor. Others had little opportunity to culture their minds in the Lord. Still others lived in places and times characterized by fierce and bloody persecution. Some lived their lives in the midst of famines and pestilences, and other in war and much social disturbance. Make no mistake about it, sin has yielded great devastation to our race! Some have lived with mental handicaps, physical deformity, and other disabilities. I speak particularly of circumstances that were not owing to personal transgression, but yet were the aftermath of the time when sin "entered into the world."
How sorely healing is needed. When we read, "and with his stripes we are healed" (Isa 53:5; 1 Pet 2:24), we bring great reproach upon Jesus by confining that healing to temporary relief from bodily infirmities. That there has certainly not been a full recovery from such infirmities is evident from the dominance of death, which is the ultimate bodily infirmity. Just as our sores went deeper than the flesh, so our healing extends infinitely further than our present bodies. There are effects of sin that must be remedied, and, indeed, they will be!
Will the impact sin has had upon our minds, memories, abilities, and desires ever be healed? Will full recovery every be realized? "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Will the lamentation and grief that we experience because of sin ever be remedied? Will deep sorrows and the recollection of them every be taken from us? "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." What about the sorrow for sins committed, personal failures, and wasted time? Will we ever be finished with those things? "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
How about the grief that attends separation, trials, and the hardships of life? Will the scars left upon us by these things ever be removed? "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Will Peter have forever blotted from his mind that awful night when he denied Jesus three times? Will Paul ever forget consenting to the death of Stephen? Will your mind ever be freed from the recollection of foolish words and deeds you would to God you never said and did? "The leaves are for the healing of the nations!
Indeed, all such things will be removed for those who overcome. "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." There will be full recovery for every effect of sin – every single one! The hurtful things that occurred to us during our sojourn in the flesh will "not be remembered, nor come into mind" (Isa 65:17). On eagles' wing, we will soar high above debilitating and sorrowful memories. With agility of spirit, soul, and body, we will walk upon those high hills of eternal involvement without a twinge of conscience, or moroseness of thought. "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
I ask you, is that not worth fighting the good fight of faith? Does not the consideration of these things bring strength to resist the devil, remaining steadfast in the faith? You have every reason to be faithful until death! Full provision has been made for you in your glorious inheritance! The Spirit does not exaggerate what is prepared for you. The inheritance is great in every sense of the word, and worthy of your best effort.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the prospect of total healing from every kind of debilitation and weakness. In Jesus' name, grant me grace to live for the day when I will have full access to "the leaves of the tree" of life.