As we continue in Revelation 22, there is an unfortunate break between verses 1 and 2. In the last lesson we looked at verse 1 that says, “And he showed me a river of the water of life as clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Then verse 2 says, “Through the middle of the street of it.” This obviously refers to the particular street this river is flowing down; again, John is describing only one river and one street of the twelve that are in the city.
So, for the sake of clarity, we’ll start verse 2 with the next complete sentence. “And on each side of the river there was the tree of life with its twelve fruits, yielding a fresh crop every month. And the leaves of the trees will be for the healing of the nations.” As previously discussed in Lesson 63, point 18, these trees seem to be identical to those described in Ezekiel 47:7, 12, referring to those growing on each side of the river flowing out from the throne of Christ in the millennial temple.
Now, there are two issues we need to look at here in this verse. The first is the phrase, “with its twelve fruits”. My Greek to English Interlinear New Testament says, “producing fruits twelve, according to month each rendering the fruit of it”. This seems to indicate these trees will produce twelve varieties of fruit, a different one each month. The Amplified Bible has, “with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop”. So, of the twelve different varieties of fruit, one may have a favorite (I’m sure they will all be delicious), but if that’s the case, they will have to wait until next year to have it again. But then, what’s a year compared to eternity?
The other is this, “the leaves of the trees will be for the healing of the nations.” Again, this is similar to Ezekiel’s statement in Ezekiel 47:12. But, here’s the problem; in the eternal earth the curse is gone and with it the natural weakness of the human body and its accompanying disease and death. The word “healing” is from therapeia, generally denoting medical attention or therapy. So, we must assume that even though the curse is removed and with it the problems that commonly cause weakness or death today, something is needed to preserve health and life for those living in natural bodies on the eternal earth.
But then there’s another problem. This is Revelation 2:7, “He who is willing to listen, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” This is the end of the message to the church in Ephesus and what we have to realize here is that the messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 describe conditions in the church that will be present all through this current age ending with the rapture. So, this statement is made to those who live during this age, many of whom have long since died. This refers to redeemed saints. That redeemed saints in glorified spiritual bodies will eat food in eternity has already been established. However, this seems to indicate that, like the nations, redeemed saints must need certain nutrients to preserve health and life as well. And, there was a tree of life in the original garden prepared for Adam and Eve before they sinned.
Now we come to the last three verses of John’s description of the city. “And every curse will no longer exist. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him.” (Revelation 22:3) The word “every” is in the original text. Every effect of the curse brought about by Lucifer and Adam’s rebellion will be gone. Conditions on the earth will be as though that rebellion had never happened. All rebels are now confined to the lake of fire. God and Christ (the Lamb) are present on the earth, a place now free of anything that would be offensive to a Holy God. I have to remind you of the statement in 21:5, “See, I make all things new.” Remember, “new” is kainos, meaning different as to form or quality, as contrasted to the old.
And who are His servants? There are faithful angels of several types: the living creatures (Revelation 4:6-8), other innumerable angels (Revelation 5:11), the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6:1-8) and the cherubim that Ezekiel saw (Ezekiel 1:4-28, 10:1-22). The redeemed saints will occupy the city, as already discussed. The nations are part of this company, as well. Though they don’t live in the city, they have free access to it.
The word translated “servant” is doulos. This is a word Paul uses to describe himself as a bondslave of Christ in Romans 1:1. The meaning is, willing submission. It came to be used generally for “servant” in the N.T. The followers of Christ are “servants”, being that they are subjected to Him, without the idea of bondage. This is just another example of an important doctrinal truth that is illustrated over and over again in the Scriptures. Regardless of the gross misconceptions on the subject found in religion concerning such subjects as predestination or foreordination, God never violates the free will of His creation. Both angels and mankind are free to choose whether or not to serve God and be subject and loyal to Him.
The next two verses refer to the “servants” of 22:3 that are privileged to enter the city and complete John’s vision of the Heavenly City. “They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no night there. They will have no need of light from a lamp or of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:4-5)
All those inhabiting the eternal earth, whether living nations or redeemed saints, will have the name of God written on their forehead. There is no reason to think this is symbolic in any way. The name will literally be visible on the forehead. Actually, if you remember the previous discussion, according to Revelation 3:12, there will be three names written on the forehead of those who overcome: the name of God, the name of the city of my God and the new name of Christ.
Then, finally, we have the statement, “And they shall reign forever and ever.” The nations will “reign” over the earth, as originally commanded in Genesis 1:28. The redeemed also, as the kings and priests of Revelation 1:6 and 5:10, will assist God in administering the affairs of the universe forever (Daniel 7:18, 27, I Corinthians 6:2-3, II Timothy 2:12).