THE GLORIFIED STATE Devotion 2 of 33 "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Verse 1) -- Tomorrow:
Following a vivid depiction of the judgment of all men, and the removal of Satan, the wicked one, and every personality associated with him (Rev 20:10-15), John is given to see "a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away (21:1). This is what Jesus referred to as "the regeneration" (Matt 19:28). This is the "new heavens" and "new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness," for which Peter affirmed believers are looking (2 Pet 3:13). As John gazed upon the sight, a holy angel said to him, "Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev 21:9). It was a vision of the glorified church, referred to as "that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God" (21:9-10). That vision extends into our text, for we are being given to see things relating to the glorified saints, and the marvelous habitation toward which they are journeying, and for which they are longing.
Notice the adjectives employed by the Holy Spirit in our text. He speaks of a river that is "pure" and "clear." How marvelous to hear of such things while in a polluted realm, where matters are not as clear as we desire. For believers in Christ, the future holds out both purity and clarity. There will be no distractions or contamination of any kind: no imperfection or defilement in any form. Candidly, I find that to be a most pleasant and comforting consideration.
A MATTER OF REVELATION
"He showed me." It is no wonder this book is called "the Revelation" (1:1). It is not the result of human conclusion or contemplation, but of Divine disclosure. What follows could never have been deduced by mortals regardless of the amount of revelation given to them. At the very outset of the book, John is told, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass" (1:1). Following the exhortation to the churches, the aged Apostle was told, "I will show thee things which must be hereafter" (4:1). After John had been exposed to the alarming corruption of false religion, he was told, "I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore . . . " (17:1). Before closing this marvelous vision, John was again told, "the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show unto His servants the things which must shortly be done" (22:6).
John is twice shown something in this section of the Revelation. (1) "And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and SHOWED ME that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God" (21:10). (2) "And he SHOWED ME a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb" (22:1).
Although considerable revelation had already been given to the sons of men, the Apostle John was still SHOWN aspects of glory. At least three things may be seen in this. First, there are things that cannot be concluded, even though extensive revelation has been given. Second, the greatness of glory requires extensive unveiling. Third, there is a need for believers to have their minds stretched, so to speak, regarding their future.
From an academic point of view, the word "show" is translated from a word that means "show, point out, reveal, explain, or prove" (Barclay-Newman Greek Dictionary). The word "show" underscores that it is hidden. The word "point out" means it is not apparent. "Reveal" means Divine initiative is required for it to be seen. "Explain" indicates that even the vision requires some Divine interpretation. "Prove" emphasizes how the Lord brings the matter to the attention of John, confirming the reality of the thing being made known.
Once again, the Spirit makes clear that "no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation" (2 Pet 1:20). What we have before us is NOT John's commentary on what he saw, but what he saw – and there is a vast difference between those who meanings. When it comes to faith, God will allow no man, regardless of his appointed position in the Kingdom, to simply give us a private exposition of the truth to which he was exposed. Truth revealed is not a series of building blocks to be assembled by mere mortals. Nor indeed, can the soul be saved, strengthened, or comforted, by an interpretation originating with men. If the things of God are not "shown," there is no way for them to be profitably known.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for being a revealing and disclosing God. Grant me grace to be the kind of person to whom You desire to disclose hidden realities.