Today we study the third verse of Revelation 22, the Bible’s last chapter. And it is associated with Revelation 21, a “block” of Bible Material describing a future City called New Jerusalem.
“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.” Revelation 22:3
“No more curse” (what wonderful words) means that sin is gone! All sin! The Greek for “curse” is “katanathema,” an intensive form of being “cursed!” It is built on the (heathen) idea of something being dedicated to a god, therefore designated to be sacrificed, killed, destroyed.” None of THAT in Heaven!
And for the second time in this chapter (Revelation 22, not Revelation 21) the expression “the throne of God and the lamb” appears! Look back at verse 1. Looks to me like this is just one Throne. Yet occupied by God … God the Father … and the His Son the Lamb, Jesus our Saviour!
God’s very Residence (“throne in Greek meaning “seat) will therefore eternally be in this City! That too is why there is no more curse! (Jesus removed our Curse, took our curse upon Himself, those of us who are saved. Who have by faith been washed in His Blood! It’s like Paul wrote in Galatians 3:13 … “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Amen to this glorious Truth!
But now look!
“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.” Revelation 22:3
Our eternal state, living in that Place called Heaven, the New Heaven, New Jerusalem (John uses all these terms at one time or another) … will not be a “lazy” state of inactivity, either!
“His servants shall serve Him!”
Surprisingly, the verb “serve” here is “latreuo,” meaning “to do something and be given a reward!” The noun “latris” is simply “a hired menial, a slave!” But with a package of handsome benefits!
The verb “latreuo” also means “worship” 3 times in the King James New Testament. But it implies activity, either way. BUSY for Jesus, BUSY around Jesus! This Place is NOT a retirement home!
And is serving the Lamb a chore, a drudgery?
NO!
It is an honor!
Revelation 7:15 may place a corollary instance of this idea. “Therefore are they (a group of saints) before the throne of God, AND SERVE HIM DAY AND NIGHT IN HIS TEMPLE: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.” Wow!
Indeed we have learned another fact or two about our future Home again this morning!
“Sweeter as the days go by,” New Jerusalem!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
.