As for the earthly land and city, the moon will have her light increased to that of the sun, and the sun shall be sevenfold. In Ezekiels vision the river of water DEEPENED the further it flowed. Holding on to what others knew before them, or little more, they reduce themselves to a minimum of the truth. "I will raise him up at the last day." He gets his power and they get theirs for one and the same time. Why then is the book of life mentioned? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman." (2.) This is a repetition of titles used in Revelation 1:17; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 21:6. But it was no such evil which astounded the prophet. There is a close resemblance between the language used here by John and that used by Ezekiel EZechariah 47:12, and it is not improbable that both these writers refer to the same thing. But that idea is wholly insufficient to cover or meet the word of God, which gives clear and strong reasons that prove the mistake of applying this to the pope as its complete fulfilment. It was the destruction of the imperial unity of Rome that gave occasion for the well-known ten kingdoms which the barbarians set up afterwards. From Rome saints had suffered; and it was easy to see that the revealed persecutress is called Babylon, and identified with the governing city of Rome. "Oh, that is a sealed book. No doubt all this may seem to some a little difficult, but it is no use evading what is hard. (3.) Angels we know from other scriptures will be there, but of this we hear nothing here. Hence the effort of some to prop up a manifestly false reading. "So don't seal the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.". - Utley. He was a divine person, whatever new position He assumes for the world. This is clearly of moral importance. Revelation 22:1-2 New International Reader's Version (1998) (NIrV) 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life. there is a son in the family, who, instead of being admonished by his father's wickedness, takes license from it to indulge the same. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Then the angel said, Don't do that: for I am thy fellowservant, of the brethren the prophets, of those which keep the sayings of this book: worship God ( Revelation 22:9 ). The tree of life in the Garden of Eden could perpetuate life forever (Genesis 3:22; Genesis 3:24). ", Remember that this description of the river of life flowing through the city of God is part of the description of the church. And what shall we say of the wonderful wisdom of the Lord? Lenski correctly observed that all these terms: avenue, river, and wood (tree) are comprehensive and collective."[15]. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Then follows the proclamation of the angel, and the invitation to the supper of the great God, to eat the flesh of all the great ones of the earth. Were for the healing - That is, they contribute to impart life and health to those who had been diseased. For two thousand years Israel was like dead, but now they have revived. In heaven, there will be no diseases either of body or mind. We find similar warnings in the Bible in other places. We must therefore look a little into the two objects Babylon and the beast. For instance, Abraham kept the whole Law from aleph to tau. Athletics vs Reds Game Thread. In this respect, this new Paradise stands in strong contrast with that in which Adam was placed at his creation, where there seems to have been a single tree that was designated as the tree of life, Genesis 3:22-23. https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/bible/lxx-a-accents/isaiah/53/5, New blog post from our CEO Prashanth: Community is the future of AI, Improving the copy in the close modal and post notices - 2023 edition. All this gives us a true and just view of the various parties that have a share in the resurrection. Accordingly these are the two main objects of judgment brought before us in the chapter. The fruit is not only pleasant, but wholesome. In Revelation 22:1-5, talking about the New Jerusalem, John writes, "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 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 But now it is not the time to seal but it is the time to open and read; for the coming of Christ will take place at any moment. Bible > Revelation > Chapter 22 > Verse 2 eBibles Free Downloads Audio Revelation 22:2 It is not a syllogism that is wanted or that can satisfy here: only require, only believe, the word of God. Now we find the symbol of the bride brought before us, and the elders and the living creatures disappear. It is forbidden to offer to God money that has been made by prostitution. Of course they will be preserved through that crisis in some sort of way suitable to divine wisdom. The question is, why is she thus designated? "Those who have washed their robes" is the reading of the best manuscripts, but it is easy to see how a scribe could make a mistake in copying and substitute the more usual phrase. As this tree of life is stated to be in the streets of the city, and on each side of the river, tree must here be an enallage of the singular for the plural number, trees of life, or trees which yielded fruit by which life was preserved. The leaves which are for the healing of the nations in Revelation 22:2 is derived from the word which refers to tribes of people, particularly the tribes of Jacob/Israel (e.g. I think, therefore, that the elders and the living creatures comprehend both the Old Testament saints and the church, the bride of Christ, that consequently, when the bride is mentioned, there were these others who had been included in the elders and the living creatures, but who are now seen as a separate body. Immigrants accounted for about 10% of the Black population in 2021, up from 7% in 2000. In 1 Peter 2:24, the Greek word for "healed" is iaomai, related to the Greek word therape in the follow sense: [2390 /iomai ("to heal") draws the attention to the Lord, the supernatural Healer, i.e. We can understand a remnant saved out of one or more nations; but who ever heard of "nations of them which are saved"? By FGPolito Apr 28, 2023, 6:00pm PDT. * Let us be glad and exult, and give the glory to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." So be it. This, then, would be another warning that every man is writing his own destiny. Yet grace despised necessarily ends in judgment. The particulars are reserved for a later point in this prophecy. All right, good work, make you ruler over eight cities." It does not make the slightest difference which view is taken. But there is a message also for others. It is also clearly a personal reward to those who had suffered. Gods grace is free, but to have this river the conditions are faith, prayer, meditation on the Word of God, dedication of oneself in the mission of the church. This is accordingly traced in our chapter with considerable detail, and with the sorrow and vexation of all the different classes who on the fall of Babylon groaned over her destruction, and the loss of their wealth and enjoyment. The earthly paradise was well watered: no place can be pleasant or fruitful that is not so. The leaves of the tree will heal the nations. But the graphic account does not end until the Spirit of God shows us another view of Babylon altogether. You can have it back again." It abounded everywhere. "Alive the two were cast into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." II. But Peter said, "God isn't slack concerning His promises," that is the promise of the coming, "as some men count slackness." He certainly leaves us in no doubt that worship of angels is wrong and that worship must be given to God alone. The presence of the tree on both sides of the river is an allusion to Ezekiel 47:1-12. on either side of the river . 46. Man has always sinned in one or other of these two ways, looking now at sin in its broadest forms. After so many sorrows, trials, difficulties, dangers, how sweet to have such a word, and to know that He who speaks is the holy and the true, and surely about to come in the faithfulness of His love! He which testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly. And the beast was taken" (taken alive), "and with him the false prophet that wrought signs in his presence, with which he deceived those that received the mark of the beast, and those that worshipped his image." The realities of the word of God always bless and honor the peoples who receive and obey it. healing of the nations . Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22-24). Satan will bring forth an empire suited to his purposes, as it springs from Satanic principles which deny God; and this is part of what appears to be meant by the beast ascending out of the bottomless pit. I am not aware of any MS. in its favour, though some versions represent it. There are two possibilities. Summary: Many churches have forsaken the Word of God and embraced worldly views of right and wrong. The proper translation is, producing twelve fruits, yielding or rendering its fruit in each month. Thus there is, indeed, a succession of fruit-crops, but it is the same kind of fruit. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Does the Bible Condemn Using Tarot Cards? Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. This may suffice for Revelation 18:1-24. As there is but a single class of trees referred to, it might have been supposed, perhaps, that, according to the common method in which fruit is produced, there would be sometimes plenty and sometimes want; but the writer says that, though there is but one kind, yet the supply is ample. But it is blessed that He says, "I come quickly;" and it is only Christ who in scripture ever says so. The glorified saints are to administer power in a way far beyond angels. If your work is just for a big show to just be known among people, and they say, "Oh, man he's just a holy Joe." Apparently a total of twelve trees (or more) that yields fruit each month (is the monthly fruit different?). And who would defraud either the soul of salvation, or the Lord of showing it? It is not the gospel, nor the Holy Spirit, but the lawless revived Latin empire with its vassal kingdoms of the west, that combine and destroy Babylon. We have not to learn what the other mystery means; we know well that it is according to God and godliness. It is no longer a question either of celebrating the ways and counsels of God, or of the war with the beast and king. The prophecy of Hosea is fulfilled. We have already considered a very similar list in Revelation 21:8 of those who were cast into the lake of fire. However, here are introduced the elements which add a rich softness to this city of elaborate beauty." There was no doubt at all of the character of the emperor; there never had been a worse than he; yet God took that very opportunity to lay this on the Christians as their duty to the worldly authority outside and over them. This gives great beauty to the imagery. We say it has almost been almost two thousand years. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and acts falsehood. This, was no lack. What is this brick with a round back and a stud on the side used for? 27 And he rose and went. It is plain that what the verse contemplates is neither the Roman power when there was one head of the empire, nor the eastern or Byzantine part of it after that partition, nor the western state of division under the kings who succeeded the deposition of Augustulus; for in the medieval state there may have been ten kings (in contrast with the ancient state of the beast without them but no beast or imperial system with its chiefs. Revelation 22:2 ESV "the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. John takes his picture of the tree of life from two sources--from the tree in the Garden of Eden ( Genesis 3:6); and even more from Ezekiel. Centuries after came in, not only the division into east and west, but the broken up state of the west, when there ceased to be an imperial chief. This should take care of any notion that this is a literal tree. Directly he had sinned, the word of God came, and he was called. And we thank you Lord for that hope that You have given to us of the New World, the new age where righteousness shall reign and Jesus shall reign where here the sun doth her successive journeys run. One final word must be said about this passage. The reason is given at the close; not only "by thy sorcery were all the nations deceived," but above all "in her was found [the] blood of prophets and saints, and of all the slain upon the earth.". Some think that by this tree of life the Gospel is indicated; the twelve fruits are the twelve apostles; and the leaves are Gospel doctrines by which the nations-the Gentiles, are healed of the disease of sin. By its quality--pure and clear as crystal. Whether it were the Old Testament saints and the church, or the Apocalyptic saints, if I may so distinguish them, it was in an instant that each were raised, but there was some space between them. Have we not all heard of the balance of power? Revelation 22:2 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. But in this is shown what it is of importance to see the true nature of the kingdom or millennial reign. It is an added digression for the purpose of describing an object already named passingly in the foregoing series, which closes at Revelation 21:8. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. The Risen Christ once again announces his speedy coming; and he makes two great claims. The sight of God produces two things. On either side of the river is the tree of life[ a] with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and the morning star. Hence. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. "By grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourself it is a gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast"( Ephesians 2:8-9 ). And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations unto it. Well, that was almost nineteen hundred years ago that He said, "Behold, I come quickly." What a glorious way to end this glorious book. "And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceedeth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh." 2. It is a time of strong delusion, be it remembered. "After these things I heard as it were a great voice of a great crowd in heaven, saying, Alleluia, the salvation, and the glory, and the power of our God: for true and righteous [are] his judgments: because he judged the great harlot, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. "For God put [it] into their hearts to do his mind, and to do one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled." [14] A. Plummer, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. When God is so gracious, His word rich, full, and deep, it does seem sad to see His children content with just enough to save their souls, or keep them from positive starvation. "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Revelation 22:2d) Just like in Ezekiel's vision, the leaves of the trees that grow alongside this river of life are for healing. how the Greek for salve derives from kolla, which often denotes "in ancient medical language of the uniting of wounds". All is then fixed. On either side of the river. Note the highlighted word above, namely nations. It is because they don't attempt to or they attempted to spiritualize the meanings, and if you do that it becomes meaningless. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Then follows a description of the wall, gates, foundations, and general position. Again, to my mind it seems demonstrably true that the relation to the beast here brought before us must in all fairness be allowed to look onward to a later stage of Babylon. The river of paradise. When Christ came personally to judge and govern the quick (Revelation 20:4), there were thrones; for the risen saints reign with Him. He is coming, and coming soon for us. Thus there is no question that some of the actors in the final scenes of the great drama were already there, as the reigning city, and the Roman empire. Questions about Heaven, Hell, and Eternity. It is thus that God is wont to deal as a rule in His judgments, not necessarily on the one that first introduces an evil, but on those that inherit the guilt, and perhaps aggravate it, instead of taking warning by it. Nor is there any real reason to wonder at their deriving help from partial light. We are not to suppose that there will be sickness, and a healing process in heaven, for that idea is expressly excluded in Revelation 21:4; but the meaning is, that the life and health of that blessed world will have been imparted by partaking of that tree; and the writer says that, in fact, it was owing to it that they who dwell there had been healed of their spiritual maladies, and had been made to live forever. (i) The dog was the symbol for everything that was savage and unclean. . 2. When Christ at God's right hand was announced, even from the very beginning, He was ready to judge the quick and the dead. What does Revelation 22:2 mean? And when God does judge, it is not merely for the evil of those then judged, but of all from the first budding of it till that day. Since our fathers have fallen asleep everything has gone on as it was from the beginning"( 2 Peter 3:3 ). Under the direction of an Accounting Manager, this position will be responsible for work on providing support to managers and staff within the Agency by facilitating and performing administrative or related services, including travel reservations, travel reimbursements, and other payroll-related services. There are too many who are devout, but not students; they will not accept the discipline of learning and even look with suspicion upon the further knowledge which study brings. There was judicial discernment with the distinct possession of all titles to sovereignty. Which bare twelve manner of fruits - Producing twelve fruit-harvests; not (as our version) twelve manner of fruits (Prof. Stuart). These are symbols, not literal thrones, rivers, streets, and trees. Enter into the joy of the Lord." By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. And let him that heareth say, Come. The literal rendering is, "producing twelve fruits" - poioun karpous dodeka. "He that testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. This notion of healing is not literally the process of healing. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. "Healing" really means "health-giving" (Gr. How could one speak of "months" if this is heaven? . The twelve apostles of the Lamb will accordingly have their own special place. Just as the city of man's confusion was seen in her vile, degraded, and degrading relations with the beast, this city is seen in her pure and glorious relations with the Lamb. There will be no more curse. Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it ( Proverbs 16:22). All our springs of grace, comfort, and glory, are in God; and all our streams from him are through the mediation of the Lamb. The "saved" is a term which, so far from belonging to the nations, is expressly applied to the Jewish remnant when it is a technical term. But the wages of a dog is more difficult. This is not one tree, but stands either for many trees of one variety, or even many varieties of trees. Is not this reason enough for saying that not even the shadow of solid ground appears for the system? Nothing more is to be done. This river is described, 1. You don't get salty tomatoes. We don't know; do we? Observe another very important fact. He, whose word cannot be broken, Formed thee for His own abode. But still it is a very solemn fact to read, and that which we are bound to preach that even in the perfect state of eternity, while there is the brightness of the heaven and of the earth into which no evil can enter, you have all the evil that ever has been all the wicked of every clime and of every age cast into the fixed condition of eternal judgment in the lake of fire. John also saw the tree of life. They had cried to the Sovereign ruler to avenge their blood on their foes, but they were told they must wait a little for some others, their fellow-servants and their brethren, to die as they had. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. Eusebius (The Ecclesiastical History 5.20.2) quotes the way in which Irenaeus, the great second century Christian scholar, ends one of his books: "I adjure thee who mayest copy this book, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by his glorious advent, when he comes to judge the quick and the dead, to compare what thou shalt write, and correct it carefully by this manuscript, and also to write this adjuration, and to place it on your copy.".