Revelation 22:1–2a - The River of Life
In John ch. 10, Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” It was part of His reply to an accusation against Him. The backstory is that He had just restored the sight of a blind man, and many people began to believe that Jesus was from heaven. But the religious leaders said, “This man is not from God.”
Jesus recognized this as a suggestion that He had come to cause people harm. So He replied with His now-famous illustration of sheep, and a sheep pen with a gate, and a shepherd to protect them. He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy [the sheep]. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
He was referring to His coming death on the cross. Jesus died so that His people could have abundant life. But what is “abundant life?”
Well, abundant life is a way of being and living that is compatible with God and His ways. Scripture describes it as something that comes from God. It originates with Him, and He gives it. There are many benefits of abundant life, but the greatest and over-arching benefit is knowing God and enjoying fellowship with Him. We speak to God and He hears; He speaks to us, and we hear. He cares and He’s involved in our lives.
Abundant life is a two-way relationship with God. It’s not theoretical, but actual. In other words, it’s real. It’s personal. Knowing and enjoying God is the essence of abundant life, and in Scripture, it’s often symbolized by water – like a river flowing from God. It quenches thirst and sustains existence and causes growth. It nourishes us.
John describes such a river in this vision. Undoubtedly, the purpose here is to teach us about the nature of abundant life from God. We need a growing understanding of this life in order to enjoy it and be blessed by it. So today, you should understand that abundant life from God is based on and born from His character, His concern, and His centrality. Each of these is symbolized by this river.
Now, at this point in the visions of Revelation, sin and death have been destroyed. All of God’s enemies have been defeated. John just saw a vision of a city – New Jerusalem – which is a symbol of the church. So, when we see the word “city” here, we should think “people of God.”
Look at verse [1] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal.” The OT prophets spoke of the living waters that flowed from God. Psalm 46 says, “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.” Psalms scholar Willem VanGemeren points out that the OT prophets use this river as a metaphor for God's blessing and restoration. God restores and blesses His covenant people. In this way, He gives them “life.”
And the first key characteristic of this river of life is that it is “bright as crystal.” “Bright” could be translated as “clear” or “transparent.” One scholar uses “sparkling.” The life that flows from God to His people is pristine. Spotless. Clean and fresh. The way of being and living that is compatible with God and His ways is pure.
Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden is often quoted as saying, “Character is who you are when no one is watching.” Character refers to your values and your ways, both in private and public. Your character is revealed through your words and actions.
What do the Scriptures say about the character of God? Psalm 145 says, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways.” All He does is a reflection of who He is. His ways mirror His character. He is holy; therefore the abundant life that flows from Him is holy. His nature is pure. Therefore, God is trustworthy. He cannot let us down. He cannot fail to come through. He does not change. He never goes back on His Word.
What God has said He will do, He will most certainly accomplish. This is because He always speaks and acts in accordance with His holy and pure character. His abundant life flows from His very being, and His purity refreshes, replenishes, and cleanses. God’s abundant life washes away our impurities.
Nowhere is God’s pure character is on greater display than in the Scriptures of the OT and NT. Psalm 19 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” His holy Word pours light into our dark minds. What is that light? It is the light of God’s bright character – of His pure and holy ways. Like a river that runs through a city, the light of the life of God flows to His church, quenching the thirst of our souls and reviving us when in our weakness.
Are you thirsty for truth, for understanding, for wisdom, for power over harmful desires? There is a river that makes God’s people glad! There is living water that satisfies! Notice this next phrase in verse 1.
John sees the river “flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” The source of the river is plainly stated here. It’s God and the Lamb. John often distinguishes between the Father and the Son. Their roles are obviously different. But here we learn that they share the throne. God the Father and God the Son are two distinct persons of the triune God, they are yet one. The river of abundant life flowing to the church flows from them – from the same place.
Psalm 135 makes a fascinating observation about the triune God. The psalm says, “The LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.” Vindication is proving someone right. Sooner or later, God will prove right those who trust Him.
But what is compassion? Well, it’s the feeling of sorrow for someone in their suffering. You don’t have to experience suffering to have compassion on someone who suffers. Compassion is pity; it’s concern. Psalm 135 tells us that the triune God cares for His people. And true care – true compassion, true concern – comes from the heart.
In 1 John 4, the apostle John writes, “God is love.” He agreed with Moses, who in Exodus 34 describes God this as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” The triune God is a loving, concerned God, and the life that flows from Him flows from His heart. Grace flows to His people from His heart. Eternal life flows to His people from His heart of love.
Do you know that God is concerned for you today? Do you know that He cares? Perhaps some life experience has caused you to question God’s concern. That has always been the case for God’s people. That’s why He confirms His care in His Word.
Can you believe that His mercy is fresh and new toward you today?
Can you trust that His love is unceasing?
The abundant life that flows from Him to you today reflects His compassionate concern for you and that river delivers that love to you. Now let’s look at this third and final phrase.
At the beginning of verse [2], the river John sees runs “through the middle of the street of the city.” God’s abundant life is rooted in His character, and His concern, and also, His centrality. God is the center of the universe He made.
In Acts 17, the apostle Paul affirmed the understanding of the philosopher who said of God, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” All knowledge finds its basis in God. Who has never asked, at some point, “What is the meaning of my life?” “What is the point of life?” That question may be nagging you today. Perhaps it pesters you in your quiet moments.
There is no satisfying answer to that question apart from the God who created all things. To seek an answer apart from Him is just a fool’s errand. It’s a vain and useless search. God is central to our existence. Our purpose for existing is found in Him. We should never try to understand our lives or experiences apart from Him. And when His abundant life flows to us, we’re nourished with the knowledge of His centrality.
This river John sees flowing through the middle of the city tells us that at the center of God’s covenant people is Himself and the life He gives. And as we receive His abundant life, we see that He’s the center. A life centered upon God is a satisfying life, regardless of changing circumstances.
Now, this river in Revelation 22 is like New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 in that it represents not only a future reality for the people of God but also a present reality. William Hendriksen puts it this way: “All these symbols apply, in principle, to this present age; and in perfection to the new universe.” We will know and experience abundant life perfectly when Christ returns, but Christ came into the world to give us abundant life now.
In John’s gospel, John wrote, “In Him was life.” In Colossians 3, Paul writes, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” God’s character, concern, and centrality are revealed to us and displayed for us in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Life flows to us from Him. Our access to abundant life is in and through Christ.
This is why Jesus told the woman at the water well in John 4, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” You cannot make sense of this world apart from the Lord Jesus. He must guide you at every turn. You must look to Him, listen to Him, learn from Him. And to do that, you must first trust in Him, and then turning from your sin, follow Him.
Call on His name today by faith. He came into the world so you could have life, and have it to the full.
Let’s bow in prayer.
Jesus recognized this as a suggestion that He had come to cause people harm. So He replied with His now-famous illustration of sheep, and a sheep pen with a gate, and a shepherd to protect them. He said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy [the sheep]. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
He was referring to His coming death on the cross. Jesus died so that His people could have abundant life. But what is “abundant life?”
Well, abundant life is a way of being and living that is compatible with God and His ways. Scripture describes it as something that comes from God. It originates with Him, and He gives it. There are many benefits of abundant life, but the greatest and over-arching benefit is knowing God and enjoying fellowship with Him. We speak to God and He hears; He speaks to us, and we hear. He cares and He’s involved in our lives.
Abundant life is a two-way relationship with God. It’s not theoretical, but actual. In other words, it’s real. It’s personal. Knowing and enjoying God is the essence of abundant life, and in Scripture, it’s often symbolized by water – like a river flowing from God. It quenches thirst and sustains existence and causes growth. It nourishes us.
John describes such a river in this vision. Undoubtedly, the purpose here is to teach us about the nature of abundant life from God. We need a growing understanding of this life in order to enjoy it and be blessed by it. So today, you should understand that abundant life from God is based on and born from His character, His concern, and His centrality. Each of these is symbolized by this river.
Now, at this point in the visions of Revelation, sin and death have been destroyed. All of God’s enemies have been defeated. John just saw a vision of a city – New Jerusalem – which is a symbol of the church. So, when we see the word “city” here, we should think “people of God.”
Look at verse [1] Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal.” The OT prophets spoke of the living waters that flowed from God. Psalm 46 says, “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.” Psalms scholar Willem VanGemeren points out that the OT prophets use this river as a metaphor for God's blessing and restoration. God restores and blesses His covenant people. In this way, He gives them “life.”
And the first key characteristic of this river of life is that it is “bright as crystal.” “Bright” could be translated as “clear” or “transparent.” One scholar uses “sparkling.” The life that flows from God to His people is pristine. Spotless. Clean and fresh. The way of being and living that is compatible with God and His ways is pure.
Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden is often quoted as saying, “Character is who you are when no one is watching.” Character refers to your values and your ways, both in private and public. Your character is revealed through your words and actions.
What do the Scriptures say about the character of God? Psalm 145 says, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways.” All He does is a reflection of who He is. His ways mirror His character. He is holy; therefore the abundant life that flows from Him is holy. His nature is pure. Therefore, God is trustworthy. He cannot let us down. He cannot fail to come through. He does not change. He never goes back on His Word.
What God has said He will do, He will most certainly accomplish. This is because He always speaks and acts in accordance with His holy and pure character. His abundant life flows from His very being, and His purity refreshes, replenishes, and cleanses. God’s abundant life washes away our impurities.
Nowhere is God’s pure character is on greater display than in the Scriptures of the OT and NT. Psalm 19 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” His holy Word pours light into our dark minds. What is that light? It is the light of God’s bright character – of His pure and holy ways. Like a river that runs through a city, the light of the life of God flows to His church, quenching the thirst of our souls and reviving us when in our weakness.
Are you thirsty for truth, for understanding, for wisdom, for power over harmful desires? There is a river that makes God’s people glad! There is living water that satisfies! Notice this next phrase in verse 1.
John sees the river “flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” The source of the river is plainly stated here. It’s God and the Lamb. John often distinguishes between the Father and the Son. Their roles are obviously different. But here we learn that they share the throne. God the Father and God the Son are two distinct persons of the triune God, they are yet one. The river of abundant life flowing to the church flows from them – from the same place.
Psalm 135 makes a fascinating observation about the triune God. The psalm says, “The LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.” Vindication is proving someone right. Sooner or later, God will prove right those who trust Him.
But what is compassion? Well, it’s the feeling of sorrow for someone in their suffering. You don’t have to experience suffering to have compassion on someone who suffers. Compassion is pity; it’s concern. Psalm 135 tells us that the triune God cares for His people. And true care – true compassion, true concern – comes from the heart.
In 1 John 4, the apostle John writes, “God is love.” He agreed with Moses, who in Exodus 34 describes God this as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” The triune God is a loving, concerned God, and the life that flows from Him flows from His heart. Grace flows to His people from His heart. Eternal life flows to His people from His heart of love.
Do you know that God is concerned for you today? Do you know that He cares? Perhaps some life experience has caused you to question God’s concern. That has always been the case for God’s people. That’s why He confirms His care in His Word.
Can you believe that His mercy is fresh and new toward you today?
Can you trust that His love is unceasing?
The abundant life that flows from Him to you today reflects His compassionate concern for you and that river delivers that love to you. Now let’s look at this third and final phrase.
At the beginning of verse [2], the river John sees runs “through the middle of the street of the city.” God’s abundant life is rooted in His character, and His concern, and also, His centrality. God is the center of the universe He made.
In Acts 17, the apostle Paul affirmed the understanding of the philosopher who said of God, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” All knowledge finds its basis in God. Who has never asked, at some point, “What is the meaning of my life?” “What is the point of life?” That question may be nagging you today. Perhaps it pesters you in your quiet moments.
There is no satisfying answer to that question apart from the God who created all things. To seek an answer apart from Him is just a fool’s errand. It’s a vain and useless search. God is central to our existence. Our purpose for existing is found in Him. We should never try to understand our lives or experiences apart from Him. And when His abundant life flows to us, we’re nourished with the knowledge of His centrality.
This river John sees flowing through the middle of the city tells us that at the center of God’s covenant people is Himself and the life He gives. And as we receive His abundant life, we see that He’s the center. A life centered upon God is a satisfying life, regardless of changing circumstances.
Now, this river in Revelation 22 is like New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 in that it represents not only a future reality for the people of God but also a present reality. William Hendriksen puts it this way: “All these symbols apply, in principle, to this present age; and in perfection to the new universe.” We will know and experience abundant life perfectly when Christ returns, but Christ came into the world to give us abundant life now.
In John’s gospel, John wrote, “In Him was life.” In Colossians 3, Paul writes, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” God’s character, concern, and centrality are revealed to us and displayed for us in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Life flows to us from Him. Our access to abundant life is in and through Christ.
This is why Jesus told the woman at the water well in John 4, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” You cannot make sense of this world apart from the Lord Jesus. He must guide you at every turn. You must look to Him, listen to Him, learn from Him. And to do that, you must first trust in Him, and then turning from your sin, follow Him.
Call on His name today by faith. He came into the world so you could have life, and have it to the full.
Let’s bow in prayer.
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