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Bible passages:
Revelation 22:1 - 22:6
The image of the river runs throughout the Bible from start to finish: from the garden of Eden a life giving river watered the perfect creation of God, but following the fall of humanity through sin, the dominant image for the history of the people of Israel was the desert and wilderness. But at the last, when all is restored through the saving grace of God through Christ, the image of the river in Heaven is a beautiful picture that promises restoration and renewal for all God’s people.
(Read Revelation 22:1-6)
A river, however great it may become, starts as a tiny trickle. Where is the source of the river described here? What is the significance of this and of what we are told about the qualities of this unique river?
Take a closer look at this river of living water, see the
POWER OF THE RIVER:
(Look at Ezekiel 47:1-5) This vision given to Ezekiel, follows on from the memorable picture he was given of the valley full of dry bones (Ezek 37), representing the dead spirituality of Israel as a nation.
‘Can these bones live?’ was the question God put to the prophet, and if we answer in the power and the ability of man, there can be only one answer.
But if the life-giving flow of God’s Spirit were to flood each life, like a mighty river, what then? ’Can these bones live?’ The dry bones of your life, of the Church, of Gorgie, of Scotland?
Look at the power Jesus says He can give (John 4:14). Are you prepared to go out of your depth? Drink more deeply? What do you think that may require of you?
LIFE OF THE RIVER:
The waters flow from the altar, the place of sacrifice for sin. There is a wonderful sense in which the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, for the sins of the world, and the blood that flowed from His side, may be the source of life eternal for all who
believe (Look at John 7:38 & again at John 4:14)
How does the life Jesus talks of here become an ongoing reality in a person’s life?
SATISFACTION OF THE RIVER:
Surely we live in a dry and thirsty land? (Ps 63:1) What evidence do you see in daily life that there is an aching need for God? There can be satisfaction (Ps 63:5) and gladness (Ps 46:4) when God is worshipped and honoured. The river in Heaven produces the fruit that nourishes the soul and heals the spirit. Do you hunger for this in your life?
CLEANSING OF THE RIVER:
Washing is a feature of our society, but what about inner cleansing? Why is inner cleansing of sin, guilt, the power of death, the conscience, so much more important? (see Ps 24:3-4) What is the only flow that can bring this cleansing? (1 John 1:7)
The only limiting factor in the power of the river of God to cleanse, is your own will. Has the river washed you clean? Have you made a step into the water of His love?
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