THE GLORIFIED STATE The FIRST thing John beholds is life – preeminent LIFE. At the first he is not shown what the redeemed will do, but the source of sustenance and delight: "a pure river of water of life." This is doubtless the river of which David sang. "There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High" (Psa 46:4). It is a source of joy and gladness, satisfaction and gratification. Life is not depicted as a boisterous ocean, but a smoothly flowing river, following a tranquil course without any commotion, turbulence, or defilement. -- Tomorrow:
"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. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." (Rev 22:1-9)
Devotion 4 of 33
In ancient times, the flow of water into the city was critical. If the enemy could cut off the water supply, the city could be easily conquered. If the supply of water could be maintained, the city could stand during the fiercest assaults. This is precisely how the city of Babylon was overthown by the Medes. The account which Xenophon ("Cyrop." vii. s.) gives of the taking of Babylon. and of the death of the king — though without mentioning his name, agrees so well with the statement here, that it may be regarded as a strong confirmation of its correctness. After describing the preparation made to take the city by draining off the waters of the Euphrates, so as to leave the channel dry beneath the walls for the army of Cyrus (Albert Barnes).
Our text speaks of a joyful condition that will never be interrupted. The abundant supply of life will never be cut off, diminished, or run dry. Life will be abundant, consistent, and without interruption. It will never wane, diminish, or in any way decline. How marvelous is the picture!
There will no more sense of distance between the individual and spiritual life. There will be no more environment or circumstance in which spiritual life and response are reduced or placed under limitation. Our awareness of God will never wane, nor a sense of profound satisfaction ever diminish.
PERFECT CLARITY
The river was "clear as crystal." This is an aspect of glory that can scarcely be imagined while in this world. Alas, even in our best times, "we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror" (1 Cor 13:12, NIV). Even after we are given profound glimpses of the truth, we must stand back and shout, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Rom 11:33). With David we acknowledge, "Your thoughts are very deep" (Psa 92:5, NKJV). Even when the "riches of Christ" are brought within our grasp, where they can be enjoyed and contemplated, we acknowledge they are "unsearchable" (Eph 3:8). This circumstance provokes a lifetime of inquiry, seeking, and pressing toward the mark. As long as we are in the body, a profound sense of mystery surrounds the truth of God. It is our "earthen vessels," and not the truth itself, that produces this situation.
However, this will not be the case in the world to come. There, the flow of life-giving truth will be marked by perfect and undiminished clarity. The "river of water of life" is not only abundant and pure, it is also comprehensible. This is another way of saying, "but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Cor 13:12). The far-reaching implications of truth will be apparent to us. The significance of Divine utterance will be obvious to us as we no longer peer into a hazy mirror. The truth itself is pure (Psa 119:140; Prov 30:5). However, the "vile body" (Phil 3:20-21) in which we presently reside, emits a sort of spiritual fog that removes much of the apparency of the truth. This condition is a source of great grief to those living by faith. They are quite content to live without comprehending life in this world, but they are not content with the lack of perfect clarity in the things of God. How blessed, therefore, to read of a "a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the confirmed prospect of clarity.