Our society is alarmed by the lack of pure water to drink. The crave for pure water has led companies to build water purifiers and sell bottled water all over this country. But I know of a place where there is a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal" (Rev. 22:1). Could I interest you in this place? Keep reading!

Life demands water. Vegetation and humans die for the lack of water needed to sustain life. The conversation Jesus had with the woman of Samaria points up the need for living water. A woman of Samaria was drawing water and Jesus said unto her, "Give me to drink" (Jn. 4:7). The woman was puzzled, she being a Samaritan, that Jesus being a Jew, would even speak to her. This led Jesus to say, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water" (Jn.4:10). We can learn from this story that Jesus is the source of living water and we must come to him to have access to the water and tree of life pictured in Revelation 22.

Jesus, being the source of living water, invites all men to drink. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). The call of the Spirit and the Bride is to drink. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come, And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will , let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). The invitation is world-wide in scope, in that all are invited to drink! Before one will have access to the eternal water and tree of life he must obey the gospel of our Lord by hearing (Matt. 17:5), believing in Christ (Jn. 8:24), repenting of sins (Acts 17:30), confessing faith in the Lord (Matt. 10:32), and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Then one is added to the church (Acts 2:47) and if faithful in serving God, can enter into that eternal rest in heaven where the pure river of water of life, clear as crystal is!

Rivers run throughout the Word of God having their beginning in the garden of Eden. "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four heads" (Gen. 2:10). The first river is Pison, the second is Gihon, the third is Hiddekel and the fourth was the great river, the Euphrates (Gen. 2:11-14). The prophecies of Jeremiah were associated with rivers (Jer. 46:2-10; Jer. 51:63).

Some Vivid Descriptions

Heaven is a most beautiful place as we often sing, "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be." Man does not have the words to describe this ever-longed for place. John's enraptured view is such a vivid picture of the blessings of God for the Christian (Rev. 22:1-5).

1. A Pure River. In Revelation 22:1, John tells us that the river was pure, clear as a crystal river. The place the writer had in mind had no pollution. It was crystal clear.

2. In The Midst of the Street. As a member of the church and in heaven itself, the Lord's people, without respect of persons, can have access to the water and tree of life (Col. 3:25).

3. The Tree of Life. The tree of life is pictured as bordering the banks of the river of life. The fruit of the tree of life was life-giving, and its balm was soul-healing. The spiritual supply was perpetual and perennial in that the tree of life bore fruit every month. The "tree of life" is found twice in Genesis referring to the tree placed in Eden that if man would eat of it he would be immortal (Gen. 2:9; 3:22). This symbolic language such as "leaves for the healing of the nations" shows that God himself is the source of all life.

4. No Curse Any More. No accursed person has access to the water and tree of life. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us! for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13). Nothing accursed can abide in the presence of the throne of God and the Lamb.

5. Serving Servants. Children of God are now servants of God (Rom. 6:22) and serving him will continue in eternity. "And his servants shall serve him" (Rev. 22:3). Christians shall be able to serve God continually forever!

6. Shall See His Face. The yearning to see God has been expressed by man from in the beginning. The redeemed can behold his face, seeing him as he is (1 Jn.3:2). In reference to our King, we often sing, "We Shall See The King Some Day." We ought to long for that day.

7. His Name in Their Foreheads. Those who overcome were to have his name written upon the foreheads (Rev. 3:12). These are the Lord's people! They have submitted to the Lord's teachings and they are his.

8. No Night There. Those who obey the gospel and walk in the light will have access to the water and tree of life. "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:11).

Walking in the light while here, we will be able to enjoy a place where there is no night. John said. "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light" (Rev. 22:5). What a place as compared to "outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 25:30).

9. Reign For Ever. Those redeemed by the Blood of Christ will reign in heaven unlimited by time. Paul said, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (2 Tim. 2:12). Eternal glory ought to be the ultimate goal of every one. Jesus said, "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matt. 25:46).

What a blessing to be in the Lord's church and have heaven as our home after awhile! Be sure you are in Christ (Gal. 3:27) so you can "abide in" him, (Jn. 15:1-6) and then you can be ready to "die in the Lord" (Rev. 14:13), to enjoy the most wonderful place - Heaven.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, pp. 616-617
October 17, 1991