Chapter XXII.

THE TREE AND RIVER OF LIFE.

VERSE 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.

The angel continues to show John the wonderful things of the city of God. In the midst of the street of the city was the tree of life. Although the word street is here used in the singular number, with the definite article "the" before it, we do not understand that there is but one street in the city; for there are twelve gates and there must of course be a street leading to each gate. But the street here spoken of, is the street by way of distinction; it is the main street, or, as the original word signifies, the broad way, the great avenue. The tree of life is in the midst of this street; but the tree of life is on either side of the river of life; hence the river of life is also in the midst of the street of the city. This river proceeds from the throne of God. The picture thus presented before the mind is this: The glorious throne of God at the

head of this broad way or avenue, out of that throne the river of life flowing lengthwise through the center of the street, and the tree of life growing on either side and forming a high and magnificent arch over that majestic stream, and spreading its life-bearing branches far away on either side. How broad this broad street is, we have no means of determining; but it will be at once perceived that a city three hundred and seventy-five miles on each side, would be able to devote quite an ample space to its great avenue.

The Tree of Life. But how can the tree of life be but one tree, and still be on either side of the river? 1. It is evident that there is but one tree of life. From Genesis to Revelation it is spoken of as but one-the tree of life. 2. To be at once on both sides of the river, it must have more than one trunk, in which case it must be united at the top or in its upper branches, in order to form but one tree John, caught away in the Spirit, and presented with a minute view of this wonderful object, says that it was on either side of the river. Another, who has been privileged to behold in vision the marvelous glories of the heavenly land, has borne similar testimony: "We all marched in, and felt that we had a perfect right in the city. Here we saw the tree of life and the throne of God. the throne came a pure river of water; either side of the river was the tree of life. I thought I saw two trees; but I looked again, and saw that they were united at the top in one tree.

Out of

and on At first

So it was the tree of life on either side of the river of life. Its branches bowed to the place where we stood, and the fruit was glorious, which looked like gold mixed with silver."-Experience and Views, pp. 12, 13. And why should such a tree be looked upon as unnatural or incredible, since we have an illustration of it here upon earth. The banyan tree of India is of precisely the same nature in this respect. Of this tree the Encyclopedia Americana thus speaks: "The ficus Indica (Indian fig, or banyan tree) has been celebrated from antiquity from its letting its branches drop and take root in the earth, which, in their turn become trunks, and give out other branches, a single tree thus forming a little forest." Thus we believe the tree of life extends and supports itself. The tree of life bears twelve kinds of fruits, and yields its fruit every month, probably one kind each month. This fact throws light upon the declaration in Isa. 66:23, that all flesh shall come up from one new moon to another to worship before the Lord of hosts. The word new moon should be rendered month. The redeemed come up to the city from month to month to partake of the fruit of the tree of life. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations; literally, the service of the nations, not implying that any will enter the city in a diseased or deformed condition to need healing; and even if so, the work would soon be done, and then what would the leaves be for? We understand that the service of the leaves, whatever it is, will be perpetual, like the use of the

VERSE 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.

This language proves that the great God, the Father, is referred to, as well as the Son.

VERSE 4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

The word, his, in the sentence, "And they shall see his face," refers to the Father; for it is the one whose name is in their foreheads; and that is the Father, as we learn from chap. 14:1.

VERSE 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 forever 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.

Here again we have the declaration that there. shall be no night in the city; for the Lord God will be the light of the place. Verse 7 proves that Christ is the speaker, a fact which it is of especial importance to bear in mind in connection with verse 14. To keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book is to obey the duties brought to view in connection with the prophecy, as, for instance, in chap. 14:9-12.

VERSE 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 fellow-servant, 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.

For remarks on verse 9, see on chap. 19:10. In verse 10 John is told not to seal the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Popular theology says that the book is sealed. One of two things follows from this: either John disobeyed his instructions, or popular theology is fulfilling Isa. 29:10-14. Verse 11 proves that probation closes, and the cases of all are unalterably fixed before the coming of Christ; for in the very next verse Christ says, “Behold, I come quickly." What dangerous and insane presumption, then, to claim as Age-to-come believers do, that there will be probation even after that event! Christ's reward is with him, to give every man as his work. shall be; which is another conclusive proof that there can be no probation after that event; for all the living wicked, those "who know not God," the heathen, and those "who obey not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ," the sinners of Christian lands, 2 Thess. 1:8, will be visited with swift destruction from Him who then comes in flaming fire to take vengeance on his foes.

The declaration of verse 11, marks the close of