The River of Life, the time is near, and a Warning

V 1. "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." 

No more pollution! JESUS offered the woman at the well this same water of life. The throne of GOD is His mercy seat under which are the 10 Commandments [see Heb 8:1-5, 10,;10:4]. This throne in the temple of GOD the Father will remain in heaven when the city of the New Jerusalem descends to earth. Some among the redeemed did not perfectly understand the plan of salvation. CHRIST will lead the redeemed ones beside the river of life, and will open to them that which while on earth they could not understand.

V 2. "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." 

No more sickness! "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of men, the things which GOD has prepared for them that love Him." Here on earth we have known what it means to partake of the bread of life. He who receives into his heart the words of CHRIST knows what it means to eat the leaves of the tree of life. The Word of GOD is our sanctification and righteousness, because it is spiritual food. To study is to eat the leaves of the tree of life! 

V 3."And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:" 

No more curse! JESUS is GOD, but the throne here on earth will have no need for a temple any more. From one Sabbath to another will all flesh come before GOD to worship [Isa.66:22,23] and no more controversy with a false Sabbath

V 4. "And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." 

A name in the Bible declares its character. We all will have a holy and righteous name.

V 5. "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." 

No more night or shady deals. GOD'S light, the shikinah glory of holiness.

V 6. "And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done." 

Here again the often repeated phrase, that which shortly must come to pass. The word angel, angelos in the Greek, tells us that it is a message from heaven.

V 7. "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." 

Just as in the beginning of this book, so in the ending, a blessing is promised for keeping the sayings of this prophetic book in mind.

V 8. "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things." 

After 22 chapters of visions, John was overwhelmed and worshipped.

V 9. "Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." 

The angel which showed John theses things refused to accept his worship. The angel assured him that he is part of the brethren the prophets or preachers that are keeping the sayings of this book of Revelation.

V 10. "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand." 

Seal not this book like the book of Daniel was sealed until knowledge and travel increased [Daniel 12:4]. Yet, it is the symbols in Daniel that unlock the mysteries of Revelation. Revelation however, began with the church of Ephesus [ch.2:1] 31-100 AD.

V 11. "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." 

Soon as JESUS finishes his ministry in the heavenly Temple of the investigative judgment, He will announce "It is done" and He will come quickly.

V 12. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

V 13. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." 

This is an often repeated statement in the book of Revelation. GOD wants us to know that JESUS has always been and will be.

V 14. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

 Whose commandments? It only can refer to GOD'S because we are no longer under the law or commandments of Moses and the sacrificial system. Some preach an easy salvation that saves them in a few seconds by accepting JESUS into their lives. But according to this verse above, not so. Some modern translations do not like the word commandments and have omitted them.

V 15. "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." 

This is outside the new city and outside of salvation!

V 16. "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." 

obviously the angel of verses 8 + 9.

V 17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." 

All are invited while probationary time remains open a little longer!

V 18. "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:" 

No one is to add or alter anything in this prophetic book of JESUS!

V 19. "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things, which are written in this book." 

Many clergy are guilty from taking away this prophecies from their flocks!

V 20. "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

On rocky Patmos the beloved disciple hears the promise, "Surely I come quickly," and his longing response voices the prayer of the church in all her pilgrimage, "Even so, come, Lord JESUS." 

V 21. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Grace is an attribute of GOD exercised towards undeserving human beings. We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us. GOD rejoices to bestow His grace on us, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our only claim to His mercy is our great need.