Revelation 22:2 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Revelation 22:2

Comments

As you go on through the chapter you find mention of a river. You also find mention of a road, and the Greek indicates that it is a main road. We have ‘street’ in our translation, but it is a main street, because, as you read, you find actually there are a multiplicity of roads and rivers. A main road and avenues; a main river with many branches: these are obviously collective terms. ‘In the midst of the street of it’ – running down the middle of the street, that possibly means – ‘and on either side of the river’ – which is therefore down the middle of the street – ‘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 the picture is getting of confusing, because it's not actually one tree; its many trees, either side of the river. But here it's spoken of collectively. What does it mean? The river is easy and we could pick it up from Ezekiel 47. It's the river of spiritual life, the river of spiritual comfort, of spiritual provision. It’s the great river of God which saves and supplies. It's mentioned in the Gospels in many different ways. Christ promises: ‘He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water’ (John 7:38). He spoke this of the Spirit, and of spiritual life and peace and energy, which flows and has many branches. There in the city is the street either side, the main thoroughfare, and the tree of life which picks up from the Book of Genesis at the very opening of the Bible. Adam and Eve were prevented from taking of the tree of life and living forever because of their sin. But now the tree of life is provided, and it is many trees, and it bears many fruits, and they are for the healing of the nations: healing from sin, healing from corruption, healing of the soul.

Application

In the vision this extraordinary tree will fruit twelve times a year. Even the seasons will be improved upon in heaven. There will not be the deadness of winter from which the earth must, as it were, recover each spring, for these Spring’s recovery is a figure of the resurrection and that will be past and will need no further illustration. Everything in eternity will have so much more vigour than it had during time. All will have reached its full potential. Heaven will not be a place where we must hope for future blessing, but where we enjoy the goodness of God constantly.

The allusion to the healing properties of the leaves of the tree is a reference to Ezekiel 47:12. It is no accident that mankind has found that various plants have healing properties. God in his mercy has provided remedies for many of the illnesses that plague man even in a world that is under the curse. But this is taken up and used as a picture of spiritual healing. God has deliberately created plants on earth with these healing properties to illustrate the healing of the soul. The nations will enjoy the healing power of the tree of life as well as those Jews who believe. They too may come and apply the leaves of the tree of life to the wounds of sin.

Questions

What adorns the street and gives it its peculiar beauty? The tree of life. As it was in Eden, so it is in Zion, the city of God. Before the fall, there was the possibility that man could eat of this tree and receive eternal life. In his created state, he was unstable, capable of obedience but also of disobedience. He was earthly, made from the dust of the earth and was so placed as to aspire to a state beyond that in which he found himself by nature. The tree of life was planted in Eden as a symbol of that eternal life which he must obtain. But that life is found alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is to us the true tree of life. It is through faith in him that we gain eternal life. Why do they need the tree of life in heaven? Because though they have life, it is a derived life. They continue to be dependent beings. The tree of life in heaven is the symbol of the enjoyment of the life that God has given. God will sustain their lives moment by moment. After the fall man was driven out of the garden of Eden and an angel barred the way to the tree of life. But in heaven, the way is open, the flaming sword has gone, the cherubim join in worship with the saints. Through Christ the saints have access to the Father. They may eat of the fruit of the tree whenever they please.

Outline

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Introduction

Revelation 22:2 Commentary and Bible Study