Healing - Revelation 22 | Daily Devotion
Read Revelation 22
We are sojourners, walking through this life on earth for a season, taking steps toward heaven every day—1 Peter 1:17. As we walk in the fear of the Lord we know this life is not empty, but abundant, because God paid a ransom for our sin, with the precious life-blood of Jesus Christ—1 Peter 1:18-19; assuring us eternal life in heaven – home with Him.
In Revelation 22, the angel showed John a pure river of water of life, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb; signifying eternal life in God’s presence. The tree of life grew on each side of the river, bearing twelve fruits, with fresh fruit born each month; with healing in its leaves, curing the nations. See, the tree of life symbolizes eternal life and the abundant nourishment and healing found in eternal life. Pastor Greg Laurie has said, in heaven we will continue to learn. Thus, our continual growth in our knowledge of God will feed our soul, healing us with complete understanding. But know this, we will only experience the abundance found in heaven’s eternity because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, for glorious riches are given to us in Christ alone—John 17:24, Philippians 4:19.
Sin can no longer separate God’s people from Him and His promised rest, as the curse brought on by the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden was judged with finality by the throne of God—Revelation 20:11-13. In heaven, the people will be face to face with God, loving Him with their mind; serving Him with undivided attention—Revelation 22:3-4. There is no night and no need for a lamp or sun; as the Lord God is their eternal light, shining on them—Revelation 22:5. And there the people will reign forever and ever, accepted in the Beloved—Revelation 22:5; Ephesians 1:3-11.
In Revelation 22:6 NKJV, the angel told John, “These words are faithful and true.” Everything John had heard and seen and was told to write were true; out of His love for His people, the Lord God sent His angel to show His servants what will happen—Revelation 22:6b; 1:1. The time is near for its fruition, and in this the people witness how God’s mercy endures forever—Psalm 136. God is so faithful and compassionate toward His people – He not only warns of the coming judgement for all who refuse to believe in Jesus Christ, but He assures a blessing for all who read and hear the words of this prophecy and obey its decrees—Revelation 22:7; 1:3.
As Jesus, who is endless inspiration, says in Revelation 22:7, “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”
John then begins speaking again and admits his humanity, stating that when he saw and heard these things spoken by the angel he fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, who gave him this revelation of Jesus Christ—Revelation 22:8. And the angel corrected him, saying, “Do not worship me. I am just a servant of God, like you and your brothers the prophets, and all who obey the words written in this book. Worship God!”
See there are times when people have a misplaced devotion, they worship the one who delivers the message, they are idolizing the one who is simply relaying the words God spoke to them. And in this, we all need to remind ourselves that the deliverer is not God, they are not to be worshipped, they are simply a messenger. They are God’s servant relaying what He has spoken. We’re to worship God alone.
Worship is an act of reverence, adoration, honor. It’s a place where we experience joy – complete satisfaction in God’s presence. It’s an act of gratitude given to the one who has saved us and who sustains us. He seriously is the one who completely satisfies us.
There are times today, though, when people idolize. They are greedy, looking for things to satisfy them but they are never satisfied, so they want more and more. And sometimes people covet what others have, thinking that what that person has will satisfy their needs. They want it so much they are manipulating or coercing to obtain it but that’s not of God. That’s a controlling mindset, not submitted unto the One who is in control. We are to worship God alone.
The angel then instructed John to not seal up the prophetic words in this book for the time is near. “Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy” – Revelation 22:11 NLT.
Here, control issues are dealt with. Many seek to control the way people live, but the angel emphasizes God’s freewill given to mankind. We, Christians, are to love our neighbors as ourselves, inspiring people to live righteous, holy lives for the glory of God – we’re not to seek to control to rule their direction, we are to obey Jesus Christ who guides them.
After this, John shares Jesus’ words to the church, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last”—Revelation 22:12-13 NKJV.
I love these words. Jesus rewards His saints according to the work they do in His name – it’s encouraging so as to not lose heart. God sees your heart, mind and soul behind your work. As 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong, immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
Nothing you do for Jesus Christ is useless, for He is the One who burdens you – He is the One who inspires you and gives you the passion for the work. He will take the work to those who need it and will bring the increase. It’s not about us influencing others, it is about us glorifying God, fulfilling the will of the Father with this gift of life.
Then John says, all those who accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, forgiven of sin, and sanctified by His teaching that purifies a heart – access the tree of life, entering the gates into the city, beholding the glory of the Lord—Revelation 22:14; John 15:3; 17:17, 19, 24.
John then shares Jesus’ words, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright and morning star.”
Jesus wanted the Christian church to have this message, for He is the God-Man, preparing a way for His people. His presence is clearly witnessed throughout history, shining bright, opening eyes. Promising hope.
In response to Jesus, John says, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who hears this say, ‘Come.’ Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life” – Revelation 22:17 NLT.
Anyone who desires Jesus Christ is welcome to drink freely from the water of life – Jesus Christ, the everlasting well, the One who is the water sustaining God’s holy people for eternity.
The apostle John ends his revelation of Jesus Christ with Jesus’ words, “He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon!”
Here we see Jesus Christ’s agape love expressed in His assurance.
To which John responds, “Amen! Come Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with God’s holy people.”
A heart of love responding to his best friend. A heart of love experiencing the eternal truths of faith, hope, and love found in Jesus Christ.
And so while we are waiting for these things to happen, while we wait for our best friend to return, may we all live a pure and blameless life and be at peace with God – 2 Peter 3:14.
Will you pray with me?
Abba, thank You for this revelation of Jesus Christ and what’s to come. Your agape love is witnessed in these words as you give us a foretaste of coming victory in Christ. We praise You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.