What is it like after death? This is one of life’s greatest questions. Some will ignore the matter, as if it has no relevance. They will live for today and fail to prepare for that great Day of God’s reckoning. Others will seek to know about life after death but only out of a carnal curiosity. Yet not a few people will seek to consider the revelation of God on the matter. And here we find the glorious answer. God has been gracious enough to give a revelation of life after death. It is of vital, indeed eternal, importance to read, mark, and learn from his truth.

In these articles on Revelation 21-22, we have been considering some of these great realities. In the book of Revelation the veil is lifted and God graciously reveals some of his activities throughout history (in earlier chapters), and at the end of history as we know it (in these final chapters).

Mighty truths have been considered by us in chapter 21. We have this wonderful new order as the old things are passed away. John was shown, and we are shown, the Bride, the Holy City, the corporate people of God, saved and now glorified. We made a specific point of the fact that what is shown here and spoken of as a city, is not the place where God’s redeemed live in heaven, but rather is the people. This great city, vast, cube-shaped, beautiful, pure, costly, radiant, is a picture of the whole people of God in living unity, and in living communion with God.

But as we come to chapter 22, we are shown the surroundings and even something of life within the city. We are thankful to God that he shows us this. Living in the day of shadows, with the limitations of our finite language, and finite comprehension, we are encouraged to have a glimpse of the eternal and the glorious, the state and surroundings of believers after their death. We are shown Life in the City.

What is it like to live and work in a city? I must admit I would find it hard to live in London. What is life like in that city? What is it like to live in New York or Washington? In such cities the pace of life and the concrete jungle would seriously damage my health!

I think we can say clearly that life in this heavenly city is completely different. In these verses we have a city that is like a garden. This is no concrete jungle. There is no pollution, smog, or fast pace of life. This city has a garden! There are no clouds. It is never overcast. (That comes as a relief to people in Northern Ireland!) The picture is of bright and glorious day, and much greenness. (That comes as a delight to those who love the Emerald Isle!) Joking aside, how different is that to our grey cities? But these are figures of things even more wonderful and refreshing.

Hendriksen has a lovely way of speaking about this garden/city scene. He says that ever since Genesis 3, “the City, as it were, has been crying for the Garden, and the Garden for the City.”

Man was banished from the Garden for his sin, yet was promised a saviour. Genesis brings us those necessary words of curse and dismissal from the Garden, but also the promise of one who would bring the city of God’s people back to their Garden of fellowship with God. In parallel with the first book of scripture, the last book brings us the fulfilment of this promise. The city (God’s people), is brought back to the Garden of communion with the Creator and Redeemer, and take note: this Garden has no serpent!

We shall look at some of the things that are in this garden, and learn about life in this city.

1. A River⤒🔗

We may not appreciate the significance of a river today in our society when we can go to the tap and turns on the water for a drink, or to wash or bathe. It is such a simple operation for us and we rarely consider where our water comes from.

But for first century readers a river was a vital thing. Indeed “river” signified LIFE. Often in the scriptures “river” is used to signify eternal life.

From Genesis to Revelation, this river of God’s grace flows through scripture. God is gracious in dealing with his people from the beginning of time to its conclusion. It flows through human history. It is life giving. It is God’s providential activity in the saving and keeping care for his own. And it does not cease in glory – Hallelujah.

Its Source←↰⤒🔗

And he showed me a pure river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Rev 22:1

There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God ... God is in the midst of her ... God shall help her. Ps. 46:4, 5

In this life dear Christian friend, he is engaged for you. He is ever near, and ever present. Read the surrounding verses in Psalm 46, and see that even when all around us is caving in, there is a river, whose streams make glad the city of God. His love, immense unsearchable, is being poured out upon you, day and daily, to gladden your heart. This is his ceaseless activity from this river of grace.

Its Flow←↰⤒🔗

And notice particularly it flows down the middle. This river of grace has direction and purpose. As it comes from the throne, so we learn that his sovereign will is directed to the heart of his people. He is well disposed to us now, and will be so then, eternally.

Do you know this? Do you know the joy of this? Do you presently enjoy the effect of this life giving stream, and ultimately long for this reality?

From before the foundation of the world this river of God’s outpoured love has been flowing. The very plan of creation, redemption and providence, is this river of grace and love. This river is not a motionless stagnant pool from a cold, distant deity. It is an ever flowing, purposeful, fruitful river that is bringing life to men and women today, and unto eternity.

Its Purity←↰⤒🔗

There is nothing impure in this city. There is nothing impure about God’s plans and purposes. They are all just and holy. And while we may see things a little dimly in this life, yet the pure life giving purposes of God will be crystal clear to us then.

Its Necessity←↰⤒🔗

In him we live and move and have our being. We cannot draw another breath unless he gives the power. We are utterly dependent upon him. So too in glory. But who would we desire more to be dependent upon?

In marriage there is a dependency by the two persons. Dangers may arise if husband or wife sees no need of the other. It is not good for man to be alone. Man is drawn to a certain dependence upon his wife, and the wife to her husband. So in glory, shall we be independent of our Husband Christ? Would we desire to be?

Then also, graciously he makes himself dependent upon us, unbelievably calling us his Body. He, as the head calls us, his “fullness”. Life, in glory, will be wonderfully dependent upon our Saviour Christ. His necessary river of grace will ever flow to satisfy, refresh, and invigorate.

2. The Tree of Life←⤒🔗

Notice that this tree is the fruit and produce of the river. From the life giving purposes of God, comes a wonderful tree – a tree of life.

In Genesis chapter two we read of the tree of life in the Garden. But after the Fall, Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden and prevented from reaching out and taking of the tree of life. If they had done so, they would have lived for ever in their post-fall state. But this was not the fruit of God’s river. The tree of life would be given to those who were pure, and to be so eternally.

Hendriksen helpfully points out that tree of life is the same as “wood of life”. It is the same term as is used of “the cross”. Scripture teaches us “Cursed is anyone who is hung on a tree”. Thus we see that Jesus Christ became that curse for us, so that the river of God’s grace may produce a tree of life, eternal life in him.

Do you remember the incident of Moses in the desert with the people, finding water, but it was bitter? They had come to Marah. The Lord showed Moses a piece of wood (a piece of a tree). He threw it into the water and it became sweet.

The river of God’s grace has the roots of the Life giving tree of Calvary in it. We are sustained now, and in glory by the saving activity of the Lamb. His death is our life. His cross, his tree, is to us the tree of life, eternal life. We are ever dependent upon it, and upon God’s life giving “river” purposes.

Furthermore, this tree bears fruit and leaves (Rev. 22:2b). Do you remember Jeremiah crying out, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Why is there no healing for the wound of my people?” Well we know there is! The fruit of Christ’s tree, is for the healing of ALL God’s people – and wonderful news for us, healing for the nations.

Does this not also stir us to bear his fruit now, and to bring his healing message to the nations. Did this not give to the early disciples a missionary zeal, which is largely lacking among us?

3. The Purity of our Worship←⤒🔗

What is to be our life in the city? – ever thankful service, and joyful rule. His servants will serve him. They will reign forever and ever.

Without Curse←↰⤒🔗

There is no more curse for the old order has passed away. Let us reflect upon this again. No curse, so no death, or mourning or crying or pain. No curse, so no need of closed gates in this city; the inhabitants, the people of God are secure. The life giving river flowing from eternity to eternity is through the centre of this city, through the centre of His people. None shall snatch them. They are his; he is well disposed to them, in Christ, by that tree of life, and now in this place of purity and peace, there is no curse.

Won’t it be our delight that our worship of him and our service to Him is without curse, without sin, without sorrow to ourselves, and without grief to our Father in heaven? – presenting pure unalloyed worship.

With Perfect Sight and Given Light←↰⤒🔗

1 John 3:2 –

Dear friends, now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.

Only perfect purity permits such a sight and such a sight will inspire perfect worship.

Our sight is now dim and so our worship so poor and unworthy. But then we shall have the light of God directly upon us. Now we know in part, but then, face to face.

How we need stirring, even with these thoughts and words. Isaiah 33:17 – “Your eyes will see the king in all his beauty.” Song of Songs 3:11 – “Come out, you daughters of Zion, and look at King Solomon wearing the crown – on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced.”

Is it not that day we long for? Is it not that sight for which we breathe? Is it not in that hope which we shall breathe our last?

When we face that last enemy, and in Christ, defeat him, and awake – what is our joy? – our glory? – our life, in that city?

Ps. 17:15 – “And I – in righteousness I shall see you face; when I awake I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness.”

The Bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom’s face.
I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of grace;
Not at the crown he giveth, but on his pierced hand:
The Lamb is all the glory Of Immanuel’s land.