Revelation 22:1-5 – 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 2 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. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Not wanting to be dogmatic, the “the river of the water of life,” may be either physical water as we know it, or it may be a symbol speaking to us of the eternal life that flows from “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Either way it would be marvelous to physically drink cool fresh water that is a direct gift from God, or it would be great to receive the spiritual benefit. How tremendous the promise!
Considering this water as a symbol of the eternal life that flows from God to us is also very exciting. If we think of the water as being a symbol of the Holy Spirit, then it really gets sacred! In John 7:37-39 Jesus said that all who are spiritually thirsty should come and drink in living water that flows from Him. These verses end up by identifying the “Living Water” as the Holy Spirit whom they would receive after the death and resurrection of Jesus. John 3:16 relates that God the Father sent His Son Jesus to be the sacrifice for all those who would come to God. John 14:15-17a records that Jesus said that all who love, and thereby are obedient to Jesus, for them Jesus will ask the Father to give the Holy Spirit to. The Holy Spirit will only live within the believer (John 14:17). Jesus said (John 14:23) said that those who love and obey Him, in them will be the residence of the Father and the Son. So the Father sends the Son and the Son prays to the Father to send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) to those who love Jesus. Jesus also says that He will send the Holy Spirit to be with us (John 16:7). So the Living Water, the Holy Spirit, is sent from the Father and Jesus to be with us forever. The Holy Spirit will bring God’s love and eternal life to us. In fact, considering that the Holy Spirit comes to all who have submitted to and who love Jesus, the Holy Spirt is a sign of us belonging to God. In fact the Holy Spirit is God’s seal that we belong to Him. Here we see what always was.
The “river of the water of life” flows from the throne of God and the Lamb. One may envision a literal throne, or may think that throne is symbolic. Of course, “throne” could simply represent both. Certainly what the thrones are portraying is the supreme authority, the supreme seat of power, of all. No throne is higher, or even close. In the presence of God all those who sit on thrones crawl off realizing only to God does all power, authority and praise reside with and belong to.
From the authority, from the very presence of God, the Holy Spirit flows love, miracles, life and refreshment to all. The story of salvation is that the Father sent His Son, Jesus obeyed, and all who came to God through Jesus received the Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of eternal life, who is the seal of God ownership, and who is the very proof that to us that we eternally belong to God. Only a fool attempts to violate the seal of the King of kings and Lord of lords. So the flow of eternal life that God gave to us in His Word remains consistent, Living Water flows from God and from God alone.
Family, our relationship with God is eternal. To be in love with Jesus and to have that love be displayed via faith and obedience, is to have Jesus. If Jesus lives within us then the entire Triune God lives within us. And in God the will of all members of the Triune God is one in will, intent and action. Now, and then, eternal life from God flows from Him to us. When Jesus said that all who will live for eternity must feast upon His flesh and blood many people were repulsed and left Him (John 6:53-66). But those who trusted were granted understanding and given eternal life (John 6:68-69). Life comes from consuming all that God is so that we can be constantly changed to become more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18). So it is now, so shall it be then. We have great promises from God that will never change and never diminish. We look and cling to these, straining forward till they are fulfilled. God loves us and has provided all we need for His eternal peace and His eternal love to always be ours. He provided Himself. Praise God! Oh praise God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.