One significant feature of the heavenly New Jerusalem is a river coming from within. Revelation 22 says John saw “a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” What is this about? First realize Genesis and Revelation are like bookends to the Bible. What Genesis begins Revelation completes. Genesis began with a perfect earth. Then sin corrupted it. The rest of the Bible is the story of redemption through Christ. Finally, in Revelation you have paradise completely restored in the New Jerusalem.
Specifically, we have a river in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:10. It appears again in the New Jerusalem in Revelation 22:11. It originates from the throne of “God and the Lamb” symbolizing the unity of both Christ and God on one throne. It also pictures a perfect and inexhaustible source that does not end. It is “clear as crystal” indicating absolute purity without any pollution from sin.
Christ used water to speak of spiritual truth in which man finds complete satisfaction and never thirsts again for the things of this world.
Jesus once asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. Because Samaritans were looked down upon by Jews she couldn’t understand why He would ask her for a drink. “Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (Jn. 4:13).
Jesus used this play on words to speak of spiritual water or truth that quenches our thirst and gives eternal life. This comes from faith alone in Christ who is our savior from sin. Have you tasted of this satisfying water in your life?
-Pastor Mark
P.S. Joanne Richter’s memorial is Saturday Feb. 4th at 2PM at Discovery. Her obituary can be viewed at obits.dignitymemorial.com. She is now enjoying the wonder of Heaven in the presence of her Savior who gave her of the water of life.