26/05/2026
Ep 184 – The Revelation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Last Days
Outside the Holy City
Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
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.
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:
4 And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.
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.
This is now the last chapter of the book of Revelation. When God made a new heaven and a new earth, there was no more sea, and the new Jerusalem, the holy city, descended out of heaven, called the bride of the Lamb. In the holy city, God wiped away all tears from their eyes, and there was no more death, sorrow, or crying. All former things passed away, replaced by an eternal peace found only in His presence.
Let us emphasize the words mentioned, “was there,” “there,” and “no night there.” These testify that the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise is inside the holy city. And there are five things first mentioned from within the holy city: first, the river of pure water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Second, the tree of life bearing twelve fruits, yielding fruit every month, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. Third, the absence of any curse within the city. Fourth, His name upon the foreheads of His servants. And fifth, the glorious presence of the Lord, who is the everlasting light.
For what purpose is the river and the tree of life, if it is said that all men shall die no more?
This is also the reason why in my previous explanation concerning those outside the city, they continue to live, multiply, have children, and the cycle of life continues under His care. As our Lord Jesus declared in John 4, the water that He gives shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Though that passage refers to the Holy Spirit, this river is a symbol that life flows from the presence of God, and there is no life apart from His presence in every heart. They need this living water.
To His servants, as we read, the temple of God is in them, and they bear His seal upon their foreheads. This seal is not only a mark of identity, but a pledge of protection and promise that they belong to His holy household, within the holy city.
Second, the tree of life. It bears twelve fruits, yielding fruit every month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. The tree of life was present in Eden and is mentioned again in the new heaven and new earth, within the holy city. It bears diverse fruits each month. Here we see that if there is no sun or moon outside, how shall men know that a month has passed? Moreover, its leaves are for the healing of the nations, implying that outside the city there is sickness that needs healing.
Third, it is said that there shall be no more curse. The curse is the fruit of sin that separated man from God, but within the holy city there is no curse. This implies that outside there is curse upon those who do not follow the will of God. (Isaiah 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.) This verse gives a clear picture of the state of those who rejected God’s grace, but for those who enter and worship Him in the holy city, when they go forth, they shall behold the fruit of rebellion—eternal suffering.
Fourth, all the servants of the Lord bear His seal and shall see Him upon His throne. Those outside do not yet have this seal, but if they depart this life without rejecting the everlasting gospel of Christ, they shall receive the seal and be numbered among His servants.
Fifth, there shall be no night there, and all the servants of God shall reign forever and ever. This was once my question: if all who enter the new heaven and new earth shall reign, whom shall they reign over? If man has direct communion with the Lord, is there need to reign over him? Thus my view was strengthened that there are people outside the city to be ruled, guided, and taught in the goodness and grace of God. This agrees with the statement that they shall reign forever and ever, signifying a continuing mission of service and stewardship under the Lord’s dominion. This is not a reign of oppression, but holy governance founded upon love and justice, wherein the servants of God mediate His light to those outside. In this way, the glory of God flows throughout creation, and every soul is gradually brought to fullness of knowledge of Him, proving that the plan of salvation does not end in the new heaven and new earth, but continues as an eternal expansion of His love.
Let us continue our study of this last chapter tomorrow by the grace of the Lord. For now, my prayer is that we remain faithful in the life entrusted to us by God today. This is training for the stewardship we shall exercise with Him. May every action and decision we make reflect His holy will, preparing us for the greater responsibility that awaits in the future. In every trial and triumph, let us learn to regard our life as a sacred trust, an opportunity to prove our faithfulness in the midst of a world seeking light. Let us remain watchful and loving, for in the small steps of obedience today, we are gradually shaping our character for eternal service unto Him.
Luke 16:10–12 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
Shalom.
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