4. THE FINAL VISION Revelation 22:1-5 1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, --This paragraph completes the vision of the new Jerusalem as the angel presented it to John. Attention was called to a river proceeding from the throne of God and Christ. Water is necessary to physical life; hence, the appearance of a river fits into a symbol that portrays life and happiness. Being bright as crystal and coming from the throne of God show that all genuinely pure blessings come from God. In harmony with his will heavenly mansions are being prepared by Jesus. (John 14:2.) The throne in this glorious city is said to be "of God and of the Lamb." Paul tells us that in the final state even Christ shall be subject to the Father "that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:28.) This will be after Christ has turned the reigning power back to God. Notwithstanding that fact it is said that in heaven it will be the "throne of God and of the Lamb." This is said, doubtless, because God and Christ are one in providing the salvation. Question: If in the final state the throne (reign or rulership) can be called that of both God and Christ, though it strictly belongs to God, why cannot the kingdom in which Christ reigns now also be called God's? It can and is as the following passages show: (Luke 8:1; Luke 8:10; Mark 1:15; John 3:5; John 18:36; Colossians 1:13.) Paul speaks of the inheritance as being in the "kingdom of Christ and God." This use of the words "throne" and "kingdom" proves that Christ is now reigning, even though his throne is also the throne of God. 2 in the midst of the street thereof.--This completes the description of the river. Their reference to a river may be an allusion to Genesis 2:10 which speaks of a river flowing from the original Paradise of God. In the restored Paradise there will be a river of divine blessing--here called the water of life. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life. --Probably the most simple view here is that the word "tree" is not used to signify just one, but generically to mean that the "tree of life" is a class or kind of tree. This will allow for the streets and both sides of the river to be lined with this tree. Such a vision would indicate abundant life for all throughout the whole city. Twelve manner or twelve crops--one every month--would symbolically represent a perpetual abundance of spiritual blessings. Of course, months and years are inconceivable in a state where there is nothing but continuous light, but all unseen states must be presented through the medium of what is seen. Healing, of course, implies disease, but that happens to be one of the things that will be unknown in heaven. (Revelation 21 :4.) The meaning is that the tree of life has supplied just the things that have healed people of all nations and will then protect them against disease. No tears or crying does not mean that there will be occasions for such things in heaven, and God will then wipe the tears away, but rather that nothing will come to produce them. 3 And there shall be no curse any more.--When man sinned in Eden he was driven out from the tree of life under a curse, including pain, sickness, sorrow, and death. In the final city of God, these curses can never come. The reason assigned is that the throne (reign of God and the Lamb) is there. A perpetual service by the saved will guarantee a perpetual freedom from all curses. 4 And they shall see his face and his name shall be on their foreheads.--They will never be driven from his presence nor disowned, for his name will be upon them. 5 And there shall be night no more.--See notes on Revelation 21:23-25. And they shall reign for ever and ever.--There is absolutely nothing in this verse to indicate any special class as those who will reign over others. There will be no wicked in that heavenly place; the whole tenor of these two chapters is against that. The redeemed are represented as "his servants." (Verse 6.) So whatever the meaning given the word "reign," here it applies to all the saved in heaven. It cannot be understood literally as exercising authority over others for two reasons: (1) That prerogative, in whatever way it may be necessary, will belong primarily to God, and secondarily to Christ; and both will be present. (2) All the saved will be in the reigning and have no others but themselves to reign over. The language must be taken figuratively. It is not possible for one in the flesh to describe accurately a purely spiritual state. Nothing seems more reasonable than the thought that through the ceaseless age then to begin redeemed humanity will truly and completely submit to God's rule, and thus figuratively rule with him by a loving submission to his authority. This completes the emblematic description of the new Jerusalem, and the ultimate blessings that await the faithful in God's spiritual family. It also brings to a close the symbolic part of the book of Revelation. The remainder of this chapter is a brief conclusion, in which the last warnings and promises of a loving Father are laid before a sinful race.