Yes, we have changed chapters, but the theme remains the same, Heaven.
All 27 verses of Revelation 21 tell us, in every increasing specificity, about the thrilling traits of that City. But Revelation 22 adds even more detail!
Let’s listen to John tell us more: “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.”
In New Jerusalem, a River!
And it’s unpolluted, “pure” being in Greek “katharos,” physically clean! Actually, clean in every way!
Not a river of fire or mud … but “water!”
Water of “Life!” Reminds us of John 7:38, doesn’t it? Where Jesus said: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of LIVING water.”
The adjective “clear” translates “lampros,” our word “lamp,” literally meaning “giving light, lustrous, shining!” Once the King James Bible expresses this word as “gorgeous!”
“Proceeding out” has the idea of going from point “A” to point “B,” all the way through something! Our future Home, the Holy City … has but one Street, brilliant gold. And then one River, 100% pure and glistening! Constantly flowing too, no dry seasons there!
And the word “throne” simply means “seat,” where God rests! (I’m thinking of the Mercy Seat!) He does not sleep, no beds there. At least, no record of any.
One Throne, yet it’s occupancy is dual! “God” and The “Lamb.” We Trinitarians would say this is the Father and the Son! Yes, Jesus is the Lamb, John 1:29. John the Baptist, first time he ever saw our Lord, proclaimed: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Looks like everywhere God lives, there is a river flowing from His Presence. Remember Eden, the Garden there. “And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.” Genesis 2:10
And Ezekiel says in the Millennium, such will be the case. “Afterward he (an angel) brought me again unto the door of the house (the House of God); and, behold, waters issued out (a river) from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.” Ezekiel 47:1
And now we’ve learned in New Jerusalem as well, for all eternity!
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
No wonder Isaiah wrote: “For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her (Israel) like a river …” Isaiah 66:12