Journal Rev 22 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life—bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb—through the middle of the street of the City.
Also, on either side of the river, the Tree of Life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” Rev 22:1-5
Observation: The last chapter of Revelation should be comforting. But comforting in what sense? This comes to mind:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Cor 5:17
Analysis: The description of the finish line, is that what Chapter 22 is? Yep, partially, or fully, that is exactly what it is.
However, is this picture of Heaven the vision that consumes me? Is it what I think about, pray about, long for? No, it is not—not even as old as I am, it is not. Why is that?
I can be distracted easily. I have nemeses: TV is a big one. Another is anything that tempts me to disengage from folks. As a youngster, I was a bookworm. Older, less so, only because my eye prescription disallows it—but it doesn’t stop me from trying.
Ok, what’s the point? I am committed to keeping my eye, my mind, my thoughts, and reasonings on Jesus alone. Does that mean that I don’t pay attention to heaven and such? At times, yes. I am not equipped to give everything in the Bible equal attention—I must tackle something here, and then something there, so that I can adequately integrate what I learn.
There are times that I let my imagination go. The “river of the water of life.” What a phrase!! It continues, “…crystal clear, flowing from the throne of God AND of the Lamb.” Even as I write this my thoughts soar trying to construct a picture in my mind that would do the words justice.
I am inadequate…and I appreciate that John, through the Holy Spirit, succeeded where I would have failed.
Prayer: Father, these last few days it seems that I am focused on keeping the eyes of my heart stayed on you—that is what I want, that is what I long for.
Help my friend, Oskar, in his troubles to be firm and faithful in you.
Bring revival,
AMEN