Revelation 22:1-5 The river & tree of Life

The river flowing from the throne was previously described in Ezekiel 47:1-12. The tree of life, from which mankind was barred (Genesis 3:22-24) has now reappeared, growing beside the river of the water of life, which Jesus had promised would flow from the innermost being of those who believe (John 7:38) as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit. The tree bears fruit monthly. Even though there is no more moon in the new heavens, events are still chronicled by time units based on it. What does this fruit do but nourish the eternal life of God's people? The leaves also have medicinal function, healing the nations. Perhaps this deals with the physical healing of those peoples outside the gates of the holy city. Or perhaps the leaves somehow bring peace and security to the governments of these nations, so that they no longer need to war or plunder others.

          The curse of Genesis 3:17-19 has been lifted. As far as believers go, the curse was broken at the cross (Galatians 3:13).  But the curse on the ground has now been lifted. Fertilizer and pesticides may no longer be needed to mitigate the consequences of the curse. Even more, the ground yields fruit of itself, of which the sabbatical year was a foreshadowing. (Lev. 25:5)

          The Lord had told Moses that no one could see His face and live. (Exodus 33:20) Things have changed! His face no longer means death, but life.  Instead of the mark of the number of the wildbeast, God's people will have His name written on their forehead for all to see. Not that it is needed to buy and sell, but as a badge of honor. Symbolically, the wildbeast wanted his world-system to own and control the thoughts of everyone on earth. In the new earth, God's people voluntarily submit their thoughts and their thought-life to Him. And the repetition of the light coming from the Lord reminds us of His continuous omnipresence in the new earth with His people.

          It is probably idle speculation that the reason for the banishment of those who reject the lordship of Jesus to the lake of fire or the outer darkness is that being in His presence would be pure torture for such people. Everyone says they want to go to heaven, but most do not understand what this means. There is a vague belief that it is a place of perpetual pleasure and happiness. And that is accurate for those who enjoy the Lord's presence and want to do His will. But those who reject these things perhaps have the mistaken belief that they will be able to do what they want, on their own, irregardless of its consequences for others or impact on God's creation. That is not heaven, but closer to the hell that the devil seeks to turn the earth into. Being in God's presence and doing His will would be torture for these people, so in mercy God sends them to a place where they will be far from Him, and their misbeliefs will be exposed and burned away. That is apparently as much mercy as they will receive. They are mentioned briefly in 22:15, but are otherwise ignored in the new earth.