The Resplendant City - The River of Water of Life

 The resplendent New Jerusalem will channel grand blessings to humankind on earth.  This is what John next learns:  "And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its broad way." (Revelation 22:1, 2a)  When does this "river" flow?  Since it flows "out from the throne of God and of the Lamb," it would only be after the Lord's day in 1914.  That was the time for the event heralded by the blowing of the seventh trumpet, and a grand announcement:  "Now have come to pass the salvation and the power  and the kingdomof our God and the authority of his Christ."  (Revelation 11:15; 12:10) During the time of the end, the spirit adn the bride have been inviting rightly disposed ones to take life's water free.  water from this river will continue to be available to such ones right up to the end of this system of things and, thereafter, on into the new world, when New Jerusalem  'comes down out of heaven from God.' - REVELATION 21:2.

This is not the first that life-giving water has been offered to mankind.  When he was on earth, Jesus spoke of water that imparted everlasting life.  (John 4:10-14; 7:37, 38)  Further, John is to hear  the loving invitation:  "The spirit and the bride keep on saying: 'Come!'  and let anyone hearing say: 'Come!' and let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water  free."  (Revelation 22:17)  This invitation is being sounded even now, indicating that a measure of water of life is already available.  But in the new world, those water will flow from God's throne and through New Jerusalem as a veritable river. 

What is this "river of life"?  Literal water is a vital element for life.  Without food a man can survive for a number of weeks, but without water he will die in about one week.  Water is also a cleansing agent and vital for health. Thus, the water of life must represent something essential for life and health of mankind.  The prophet Ezekiel was also granted a vision of this "river of life," and in his vision, the river flowed out from the temple and down to the Dead Sea,  Then miracle of miracles!  That lifeless, chemically saturated body of water was converted into freshwater teeming with fhish!  (Ezekiel 47:1-12)  Yes, the visionary river brings back to life something that was previously dead, confirming that the river of water of life pictures God's provision through Jesus Christ for restoring perfect human life to the "dead" human race. This river is "clear as crysta;," showing the purity and holiness of God's provisions. It is not lile bloodstained, death-dealing "waters" of Christendom. - REVELATION 8:10, 11. 

Next time: The Resplendant City - The River of Water of Life

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