S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The precise phrase river of life does not appear in the Bible. However, Revelation 22:1-2 does refer to "the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of t...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

I love these 2 Bible translations of Revelation 22:1 --

NABRE
"Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (Rev. 22:1)

VOICE
"My heavenly guide brought me to the river of pure living waters, shimmering as brilliantly as crystal. It flowed out from the throne of God and of the Lamb,"

The river and the tree symbolize abundant life in the glorious city ("tree of life" is added in Rev 22:2) WWW

"These descriptive phrases in Revelation 22:1-2 indicate fullness of life and continuous blessing in the new Jerusalem." CCR

22:1 the river of the water of life This language recalls Eden (Gen 2:10), as well as the prophecies of Ezek 47:1 and Zech 14:8 (compare Rev 7:17; 22:17).

water of life —infinitely superior to the typical waters in the first Paradise (Ge 2:10-14); and even superior to those figurative ones in the millennial Jerusalem (Ez 47:1, 12; Zec 14:8), as the matured fruit is superior to the flower. The millennial waters represent full Gospel grace; these waters of new Jerusalem represent Gospel glory perfected. Their continuous flow from God, the Fountain of life, symbolizes the uninterrupted continuance of life derived by the saints, ever fresh, from Him: life in fulness of joy, as well as perpetual vitality. Like a pure crystal, it is free from every taint: compare Rev 4:6, “before the throne a sea of glass, like crystal.”

22:2 the tree of life This fulfills the promise of Rev. 2:7 (see Gen 2:9; 3:24). The presence of the tree on both sides of the river is an allusion to Ezek 47:12.

producing twelve fruits It produces 12 different kinds of fruit—a new one each month.

Robert Lowry who at the age of 22 gave himself to the work of the ministry, and entered upon a course of study at the University of Lewisburg, Pa. At the age of 28, he was graduated with the highest honors of his class and wrote this hymn after meditating on a picture of heaven in Revelation 22:1-2a, “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” (ESV). After contemplating the question “Shall we gather at the river?” the answer came to him in faith, “Yes, we'll gather at the river.”

1 Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain:
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

2 On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day. [Refrain]

3 Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we ev'ry burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown. [Refrain]

4 Soon we'll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace. [Refrain]

Jesus Christ sits with God on God's single throne (Rev. 3:21; 12:5; 22:1,3), shares God's predicates (His attributes) of eternity [Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13), and receives worship (Rev. 5:8-14; 7:9-10), which is due to God alone (Rev. 15:4).

May 07 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report