**The River of Life and the Tree of Healing**
In the final vision of the Revelation given to John, the apostle found himself standing before a breathtaking sight. The angel who had been guiding him through the wonders of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, now led him to a place of unparalleled beauty and divine promise. Before him flowed a river, crystal clear and radiant, like liquid light. It shimmered with a purity that no earthly stream could ever possess. This was the River of Life, flowing from the very throne of God and of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Its waters sparkled with the glory of God, and its gentle current seemed to sing a song of eternal peace and restoration.
The river flowed down the middle of the great street of the city, its banks lined with trees of life. These trees were unlike any John had ever seen. Their leaves were a vibrant green, shimmering with a divine glow, and their branches stretched wide, offering shade and fruit in abundance. The trees bore twelve kinds of fruit, one for each month of the year, and their leaves were for the healing of the nations. John marveled at the sight, for it was a vision of perfect provision and eternal sustenance. No longer would there be hunger, sickness, or death. The curse of the old world had been lifted, and here, in the presence of God, all things were made new.
The angel turned to John and spoke with a voice that resonated with authority and grace. “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” John fell to his knees, overwhelmed by the majesty of the vision and the weight of the angel’s words. But the angel gently lifted him and said, “Do not worship me! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
The angel continued, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the one who is holy continue to be holy.” John understood that the time of decision was now. The call to repentance and faithfulness was urgent, for the return of the Lord was imminent.
Then the angel spoke again, saying, “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy in this scroll.” John, still trembling with awe, looked up and saw the figure of Jesus Christ himself, standing in the midst of the vision. His face shone like the sun in all its brilliance, and his eyes were like blazing fire. He spoke with a voice that was both tender and commanding, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
Jesus extended his hands, and in them, John saw the marks of the nails, a reminder of the sacrifice that had made all this glory possible. “Come!” Jesus said, his voice echoing with an invitation that stirred John’s soul. “Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” John felt an overwhelming sense of hope and longing, knowing that this invitation was not just for him but for all who would hear and believe.
As the vision began to fade, John heard the Spirit and the bride—the church—calling out together, “Come!” And he knew that this call was for all who would listen. The invitation was urgent and universal: “Let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” John understood that the time was short, and the need for response was great.
With a final warning, Jesus spoke again, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” The gravity of these words settled heavily on John’s heart. The revelation was complete, and it was not to be altered or diminished.
As the vision concluded, John heard Jesus say once more, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Overcome with emotion, John responded, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” He knew that this was not just a promise for the distant future but a living hope for every believer. The grace of the Lord Jesus would be with all God’s people, now and forever. And with that, the vision ended, leaving John with a profound sense of awe and anticipation for the day when all would be fulfilled.
