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picture is revived in this closing section. Ezek. 47: Provides a millennial anticipation
of this river of living water. Its healing power is brought before us by a physical and
geographical fact:--
"These waters issue out towards the east country (used of the Jordan, Josh. 22: 11),
and go down unto the desert (or plain), and go into the sea (that is the Dead Sea), which
being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed" (Ezek. 47: 8).
Is not this a blessed symbol? In verse 12 we read of the fruit trees with similar
characteristics and virtues as those of Rev. 22:
The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, not for those who have the right of
entry into that city. We are however not to suppose that sin or death is at work among the
nations, for the Scripture immediately adds, "And there shall be no longer any curse",
even as there shall be no longer any night, or death, or crying.
There in that renewed paradise shall be the throne of God and the Lamb, there His
servants shall serve Him and see His face, bearing His name upon their foreheads.
Basking in the light that the Lord God Himself shall give, they shall reign unto the ages
of the ages. This is the farthest point to which the book takes us in the outworking of the
great purpose of God. One by one the barriers are broken down. The last to go here is
the temple with its priesthood. Paul places the top stone upon the edifice by revealing
that when the reign of Christ has brought everything into line and order, the goal of the
ages will then be reached and God shall be all in all.
The remaining verses of chapter 22: form the epilogue or conclusion of the book.
The conclusion has much in common with the introduction.
The one thing needful -- come!
We have the coming of Christ mentioned or suggested in the chapter at least four
times:--
"Behold I come quickly" (7)
"Behold I come quickly" (12, 13).
"The morning Star" (16).
"Surely I come quickly" (20).
A blessing is pronounced upon those who keep the words of the prophecy of this book
(7), while severe judgment is threatened to any who shall either add to or take away from
these prophetic words (18, 19).
John sees the Lord, not only as the root and offspring of David, but as the bright and
morning Star. From the dark night of sin and sorrow ascends to the Lord the bright
harbinger of everlasting day, the one word COME, "He who testifieth these things saith,
Surely I come quickly".