In Revelation, chapter 21, we learned about the dimensions of the city of the New Jerusalem that came down from heaven. We also learned about how the walls appeared and the different formations on them. As we’ve seen in that chapter, this place is absolutely spectacular in every sense of the word. Nothing on Earth can even top this beautiful place from God on high. Now, in chapter 22 we get an even better look into what the New Jerusalem will look like. I am so excited to share this with you all and I hope that everyone is as excited as I am to learn and grow in the faith. This vision continues with the angel showing John a river of water. This water is crystal clear and comes out of the throne room of God. It also says that this water is the water of life and leads to the tree of life, which is at the center of it. This tree has twelve different fruits hanging from it, of which yields new fruit each month. The leaves on the trees were also used for the healing of all nations. In this new Earth, with God’s throne room on Earth, there are no more curses or anything unclean. Instead, this is where the Lord Jesus and His servants will serve Him and even see His face. His Name shall also be imprinted in their foreheads. Lastly, there are is no more night here or light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth light to all the people. This is where God’s people shall reign with Him forever. This is the vision that John received. Even in John’s own words he said….
1“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:1-5)
After getting such an amazing description of the New Jerusalem, which is on the new Earth, it is easy to blown away by all of this. As it is surely going to be a sight to see. And just to imagine it in our minds and to think of what John was able to sees in person, while being able to see a glimpse of the future is mind boggling. How blessed he was to experience this and then be able to write it most of it down for us to read and study. It was surely God that sent his angel to speak with John, God’s holy apostle, in order to show him all these events, of which will take place shortly in the future. Even Jesus spoke to John and told him that He will be returning before we know it. In saying this, it is good to remember that those who are blessed are those that understand this prophesy and keep to God’s Word and don’t deviate. Now, having hearing this, John was moved by everything the angel showed him, even to the point of bowing down and worshiping the angel. However, as an angel told John before in Revelation, chapter 19, he was very wrong for doing this. This is when the angel told John to not worship angels, for they only his fellow servants and nothing to be worshiped for. He then pointed him to worship God alone. Which is a great reminder to anyone that worships other gods, Mary, angels or saints. This is especially true when specific false religions like Catholicism teaches this. Please know that the bible is clear about worshiping God alone and anything else is idolatry. Now to understand this better, we will read more of John’s vision below…
1“And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 22:6-10)
As John’s vision continued, Jesus continues speaking to John, while helping him understand how He acts with us as a human race. Does He force anyone to believe in Him and do His will? No. Does He force people to repent of their sins, that they may be cleansed through His blood? No. Instead, He allows people to live their own life, as they well please. No one is forced to live a life for Christ. Instead, if they wish to worship idols, be a homosexual, look at porn, get drunk, or do drugs, He allows it all, although their are consequences later in judgement for the life they led without Christ in their life. He also allows people to make the choice to follow Him and allow His righteousness to be imputed upon them. The same can be said with holiness. As they desire to do what is right and live in His will, the Holy Spirit is with them, in order to guide their paths. These people are also free to believe in Jesus and follow Him, but are also blessed in life and forever in God’s kingdom because of the choice that they made. Jesus specifically says that those that obey His commandments have the right to the tree of life and also enter the gates of the city of New Jerusalem. Where all people that are unclean, sorcerers, whoremongers or those that live in sexual sin, murderers, idolaters and liars, will never enter but pay for their sins in the lake of fire. These things were made known to God’s churches through God’s angel. Now, if you love Jesus, then you will know that He is our Savior. And if you are not following Him now, then the Spirit will convict you one day to do so. We even have a promise that those that come unto Him will be able to drink of the water of life freely in the city of New Jerusalem. Things things are taught by the Lord in John’s vision below…
1“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 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.” (Revelation 22:11-17)
Now, as the Bible ends, the importance of knowing what this prophesy says and not change it is brought up by the Lord. For if any wicked person enough to add to or take away from this book of revelation will have their consequences. Where their own name will be removed from the book of life. And if you’ve been reading in revelation, you’d understand what this means. As these people will one day be judged in the Great White Throne Judgement and be found unworthy to enter God’s presence. Where instead of being saved they will be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity. And because of this, they will not ever be able to enter such a holy city as New Jerusalem, but be forever shut out from it and God’s presence. Every good thing that has been spoken of in this prophesy for the righteous, will be kept away from wicked and vial people. So this warning goes against any person that has created a new translation after the King James Bible, while changing God’s Words. If these other translations do not say what the original Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic scrolls have said, then they are only deceiving people. While the person doing this is also part of those that will one day be cast into the lake of fire. The same can be said for the false prophet Joseph Smith, who took the King James Bible and added, removed, and re-arranged the verses, including the book of Revelation. This was done in the Joseph Smith Translation (JST). This is very serious and this means that all Mormons are on a path of destruction also. In conclusion, it is better to be on God’s side then not. And please read what John concluded in His prophesy below…
1“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:18-21)
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will understand the importance of following You. Not that they are forced into anything, but that their hearts desire to do the right thing, starting today. I know that even so-called Christians need to make this choice or pay the consequences later in judgment. If we desire to live with You on this New Earth and New Heaven, then our lives need to be for You also in this life. It really gets me thinking how people can think that they can just do their own things and simply say they believe in You, and be saved. This is such a false teaching and is even making a mockery of what You have said in scriptures through John and Your holy prophets. It is clear that to enter into the gates of New Jerusalem, we need to be worthy of Your presence. Even those that will eat from the tree of life ought to be obeying Your commandments each day. I know and many people know this as well, but instead their actions say differently. So I pray that people will stop being Sunday Christians, but truly live each and every day by what Your Word says and seek You often in prayer. And if we truly love You, then we will be reading the Bible daily and doing what You say. You will become the king of our lives and not just somebody we know of. For I know that when Your Holy Spirit comes inside of me, I want nothing else but more of You and less of me. I love You Lord and this love has led me to love others the same way. May I always be found worthy in Your presence. Help me to fight against temptation and win the battle, that I may always be on Your side. In thy holy name, Jesus, Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Revelation 22 (KJV)
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 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.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.