Revelation Now :
Daily Devotional Bible Studies in Revelation
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The Tree of Life in Eden : Day 81 
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2)
The Water of Life
"The water of life" is a symbol of eternal life. Jesus used this same image with the Samaritan Woman.(1) Jesus offers fullness of life with God and allows a person to satisfy his or her spiritual thirst.
The Healing of the Nations
Why would the nations need to be healed if all evil is gone? John is alluding to "the healing of the nations" (2), where water flowing from the temple produces trees with healing leaves. He is emphasizing that "the water of life" produces health and strength wherever it goes. Those who wash their robes are those who seek to purify themselves from a sinful way of life. This image is used again in Revelation as Christ invites anyone to come and drink of "the water of life." Salvation cannot be earned, but God gives it freely. We live in a world desperately thirsty for living water, and many are dying of thirst. Let us invite everyone to come and drink.
The Tree of Life
"The tree of life" reminds us of the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve sinned, they were forbidden to eat from "the tree of life" because they could not have eternal life as long as they were under sin's control. We will be able to eat freely from the new tree of life in Heaven, when sin's control over us is destroyed and our eternity with God is secure. Those who eat the fruit of this tree will live forever.
Human History Closes
Revelation closes human history as Genesis opened it, in Paradise. But there is one distinct difference in Revelation, evil is gone forever. Genesis may describe Adam and Eve walking and talking with God but Revelation speaks of people worshipping God face to face. Genesis pictured a garden with an evil serpent, but Revelation portrays a perfect city with no evil. The Garden of Eden was destroyed by sin, but Paradise is re-created in the new Jerusalem.
Words to meditate on
How will drinking the water of life and eating from the tree of life affect your work today?
Words to pray
"Holy, holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty Merciful and mighty.
All thy works shall praise thy name, In earth and sky and sea."(3)
Notes
(1) John 4:7-14 (2) Ezekiel 47 (3)
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place."
