Eden Restored


Revelation 22:1-6
1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. 6And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”



The last chapter of Revelation opens with a stunning description of our final dwelling place. We are taken back to the very beginning and the Garden of Eden that God created for Adam and Eve, complete with the river and the Tree of Life. Once again, the details in just a few verses can expand our vision of eternity and increase our hope.



At the center of the picture we find the Tree of Life, nourished by the River, just as in the original Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were graciously barred from eating the Tree of Life after their sin, but in God’s presence there will be no need for such banishment. We will be able to partake liberally and freely from this life-sustaining gift. King David and the prophet Jeremiah also referenced the benefits of being like a tree planted besides nourishing water. These foreshadowing passages carry the same vision as John sees in Revelation.



Psalm 1:1-3

1Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

2but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.



Jeremiah 17:7–8

7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

8He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”



 It is interesting that throughout this passage the reference is to God and the Lamb and yet the pronouns used for Him are first person, singular. God is One; another glimpse into that marvelous mystery that is the Holy Trinity. And what is our role in this vision? We are worshipers of this One Holy God. Here is where we need to expand our usage of the word worship. I doubt if this means well will just stand (or sit on clouds) with harps worshiping God all the time although that can certainly be a powerful experience (minus the harp). No, I believe we will work and accomplish things for the Lord because that is also worship. While work is rather a negative word for us, all of that will change and our “work” will bring us joy for we will be doing all of it to the glory of God. Work and worship will be synonymous.

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