Transcript

The British commentator J. C. Ryle wrote back in the nineteenth century that if someone was about to leave England to settle in Australia or New Zealand, he would want to know something about his future home. Likewise, since we as Christians plan to settle forever in that heavenly country, it is natural to seek all the knowledge we can about our eternal home.[1]

As we continue to sail into Revelation 21 and on into chapter 22, we are given more information about our glorious future in heaven. So far, we have learned that the Father’s house, our new residence, will make Mount Everest look like a little hillside; and we have learned that the foundation stones of the twelve stories, or levels, of this house are made of precious gemstones, the size of railroad cars. While we will no longer shed tears of sorrow, I believe we will weep with joy at the grandeur and beauty of heaven and the brilliant glory of our precious Redeemer.

Here in Revelation 21:22, John informs us that there is “no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” In the Father’s house, God’s presence will not be limited to a single building. His presence will permeate the entire city.[2] We will not have to go anywhere to worship Him, for He will be immediately present, as well as omnipresent—with us wherever we go.

Another feature that is often misunderstood is described in verse 23. John writes, “The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” People often think this new creation will not include the sun or moon. No, what John means is that within this house—in the new Jerusalem—there will be no need for lamps or light posts because the light of God’s glory will illuminate this golden city. John has already told us that God will recreate a new universe, and that includes our solar system and all its functions as we know it—only perfected and made immortal.

Verse 24 tells us, “By its light [that is, the glory of God] will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” Verse 26 adds, “They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.”

Heaven will not eliminate ethnicities and distinctions between the various people groups. Here they are, all entering the eternal city.

Furthermore, the gates of the city “will never be shut by day—and there will be no night” (verse 25). Again, this specifically refers to the Father’s house. In ancient days, the city gates were closed for protection. But this city does not need protection because there is no more threat of danger.

What a blessing for us living in this sin-cursed, evil world to be able to look forward to a day when there is a complete absence of sin. We can leave our doors unlocked without fear of harm, ever again.

As we begin chapter 22, John describes even more of our future home:

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 month. (verses 1-2)

This description intrigues me greatly. The reference is to one species of tree, as a collective singular. In other words, this is not one tree, like in the garden of Eden. This is rows of trees—orchards of this tree—flourishing on both sides of the river. And they are bearing twelve different kinds of fruit every single month.

And notice the mention of “each month.” Yes, in heaven we are going to have months and, therefore, years. As one scholar has pointed out, the reference to months here indicates that the normal “orbital and rotational motions of the earth will go on . . . and that the moon likewise will continue orbiting around the earth.”[3]

Let’s clear something up here. The idea that “time” will be no more, comes from Revelation 10:6. There the angel says there will “be no more delay,” meaning God’s final judgments will proceed without interruption. The opportunity for people to repent is quickly passing. The King James Version translates this, “there should be time no longer.” But the phrase doesn’t mean time itself is ending or that the eternal state will be without time.

John writes that every month these trees will bear a new crop of fruit for you to enjoy. You are going to decide to walk down to one of those trees one afternoon and pick a fruit. That means you will have taste buds to savor the fruit and teeth to chew it and a body to digest it. There just will be no more cavities or digestive problems in your glorified, perfected body.

Beloved, this is paradise regained. Think about it: human history began in a garden with a river flowing through it and a tree of life, and it ends in a garden with a river flowing through it and a tree of life.[4] But the Bible reveals that the garden of Eden was nothing compared to the garden of heaven.

John also focuses on this river. He writes in verse 1 that the river originates and flows from the throne of God. God’s throne is no doubt located on the top floor of this eleven-to-twelve-mile-high ziggurat—the Father’s house of gold and glory.

This is a literal river. Just imagine the scene. It will flow out from God’s throne and wind its way through miles of gardens and orchards on either side. Then as it cascades down, from one level to the next, the waterfalls it creates will be spectacular.

This river, while literal, is also symbolic. It is the River of Life. The water represents eternal life, which comes from God and was delivered by Jesus Christ. He alone could provide the water that gives everlasting life, and He promised that those who drink it by believing in Him will never thirst again (see John 4:13-14).

Likewise, the Tree of Life is both literal and symbolic. You might remember that the Tree of Life was placed in the garden of Eden. But after Adam and Eve sinned, they were barred from eating the fruit of this tree, lest they live forever in their sinful state (Genesis 3:24). But now the Tree of Life is back, and as John writes back in Revelation 2:7, believers will “eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

We are told here in Revelation 22:2 that the leaves are “for the healing of the nations.” This tree’s presence is God’s way of promising that no disease of any kind will ever interfere with the enjoyment of life in heaven.

Verse 3 says, “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the city].” By the way, this verse clearly teaches the unity and equality of God the Father and God the Son, for they are effectively occupying the same throne.

Christ’s title “the Lamb” fits this context perfectly. The curse that came upon the first creation because of sin is gone forever because the Lamb of God died for you and me.

The curse will be gone, and paradise will be ours. In fact, verse 5 reveals that we will reign with Him “forever and ever.”

Beloved, I cannot imagine what that even means. But I do know that your future and mine—through faith in Christ alone—is going to be stunning, spectacular, surprising, beautiful, and glorious.