Running to the River of Life

“Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life’.”

~Revelation 21:6 (NRSV).

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city.”

~Revelation 22:1-2a (NRSV).

Just ponder the wondrous imagery that’s set before us... take some meditatively-conscious shut-eye and just think on it... this just has to be one of the most soothing concepts that could ever touch our inner-most souls.

In it is one main premise: HOME.

This is simply no starry-eyed slant on dreamy religion; it’s the prophetic fact of John—the vision given to him as Revelation ends.

The End is Nigh

Not that we need to be the least bit bothered about the timing and circumstances of Christ’s return, we sure are running toward that direction—indeed, it’s blatantly inescapable for all.

As we reason with death this side of that tremulous event—perhaps in light of close ones that make that journey before us—maybe we can ponder even more what the destination is actually like. It has to be incredible; so unlife-like in terms of this worldly reality. It is a paradox of majesty; pure life-in-the-matter-of-physical-death itself.

But, then there is the Parousia—the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Either way we’ll know God. We’re running fast in that very direction. Our destiny is assured.

More on That Vision

Can we for a moment gaze into the future, now with knowledge of that resplendent vision of John’s?

As the thirsty, we stand to be gifted water from the very river of life.

We can perhaps also gaze back at the vision of Ezekiel (chapter 47) where that water flowed fructifying the entire land. We imagine this river running right through the middle of the New Jerusalem.

In such a City of God’s, there is no darkness and no sun—just light from God (Revelation 22:5). This is one profound clue to the absolute other-worldly reality that will exist for us in eternity at the behest of God Almighty alone.

Walking through the ‘streets with no name’ we’ll be captivated in ways that cannot compare with the captivation that often ensnares us of this world. We’ll be captivated in genuine wonder, excitement and in the uttermost purity. No captivation will hold us against God.

It will be a completely worshipful captivation—and it will last forever!

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.

General Reference: Christopher C. Rowland, The Book of Revelation: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections – New Interpreter’s Bible (Vol. XII) (Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 1998), p. 724.

Graphic Chosen from: blingcheese