THE GLORIFIED STATE The river of the water of life that John is beholding is the ultimate fulfillment of Ezekiel's vision of the healing waters. The language used in this text is that of Ezekiel (Ezek 47:1-23). As Ezekiel's waters swelled, they are said to become "a RIVER that could not be passed over" (47:5). When the prophet stood on the brink of those waters, it is written he was caused to "return to the brink of the river" (47:6). There were also "very many trees on the one side and on the other" (47:7). The fruit of those marvelous trees is described in this manner. "And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine" (47:12). -- 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 6 of 33
EZEKIEL'S VISION OF THE WATERS
The prophet Ezekiel, therefore, prepared us for this vision. He did not speak of something occurring after the passing of the present heavens and earth, for in his vision there were some "miry," or marshy places that were "not healed" (Ezek 47:11). His prophecy specifically pertained to the healing properties of the Gospel of Christ as it moved according to the purpose of God throughout the world. However, the concept that is introduced in his prophecy finds its fullest expression in the river of the water of life in our text.
It was through Ezekiel that the Holy Spirit developed the vocabulary of our text. To put it another way, when John wrote, he did so in words which the Holy Spirit teaches, "expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words" (1 Cor 2:13, NASB). This is the manner in which the Lord delivers truth to His people. Those who couch the Word of God in the language of the street, or in words that man's wisdom teaches, are in direct conflict with the manner of the Holy Spirit. With remarkable consistency, when the Holy Spirit reveals the things prepared for those who love the Lord, He does so in the language of the prophets.
THE TREE OF LIFE, ITS FRUITS AND LEAVES
"In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" (Verse 2). Glory is a condition in which no separating divisions exist. There is a single "street," and a solitary "river" – absolute focus and singularity. That is a depiction of perfect harmony and blessing. How different from our experience in this world! Here, "the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh" (Gal 5:17). False prophets are found as well as true ones (1 John 4:1). The lie is brought to us as well as the truth. In "this present evil world," we are exposed to a multiplicity of moral and spiritual streets and rivers. Glory will find us completely relieved of such grievous contradictions!
Now, the Spirit will emphasize the completeness of the glorified state. There will be no appetite developed by grace that will not be gratified, and no thirst created by faith that is not assuaged. Our text assumes a longing for the condition described. Grace is preparing those who live by faith for the fulfillment of these promises. Any approach to religion that does not make these texts inestimable is suspicious, to say the least, and should be avoided.
Additionally, there will be no effects of sin that will not be thoroughly remedied. Not a single vestige of the curse or its impact will remain. There will not be one godly longing that is not abundantly satisfied!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the prospect of the passing of the partial.