Living Water and the Tree of Life, pt 2

The remainder of Jesus’ ministry is well documented in the Gospel records. Of particular interest in the present context of ‘living water and tree of life’ was an event occurring immediately after Jesus’ death.

“Therefore…that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath…the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken…But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”
John 19:31-34

It is significant that the blood issued first and then the water. The redemptive price was required before the living waters could appear. The Old Testament tree of cursing became the New Testament tree of life.

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’)… that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Galatians 3:13-14

Now we can look forward into future history so see how the restoration of the original garden with the living water and tree of life is progressing. Following this present time period where God is calling out His Church, will be the tribulation period. That seven year tribulation period will come to a close with the return of Christ to destroy His enemies and establish His earthly kingdom headquartered in Jerusalem. The Bible has much to say about this 1000 year kingdom period.

“In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity… He… set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city…and behold, there was a man…and the man said to me, ‘Son of man (Ezekiel) look with your eyes…and fix your mind on everything I show you…declare to the house of Israel everything you see…’”
Ezekiel 40:1-4

And then the millennial temple is described in great detail. Of particular interest in the context of living water and tree of life is found in the 47th chapter of Ezekiel.

“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple… there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees… ‘Used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.’”
Ezekiel 47:1-12

Future recorded history reveals that after the millennial kingdom, the earth will be completely purged of sin and its affect, making way for renewed heavens and earth.

“…the day of the Lord will come…in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”
2 Peter 3:10

The passing of the old allows for the new as witnessed by the Apostle John.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.”
Revelation 21:1

Then John heard a loud voice from the throne in heaven saying:

“Behold, I make all things new…It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts…”
Revelation 21:5-6

Well, we began with the first chapter of the Bible and we will conclude with the last chapter of the Bible. One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues talked with John.

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations…”
Revelation 22:1-2

Recall that the living water is the Spirit of God and in New Jerusalem the living water once again proceeds from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Particularly note several of the most powerful words in the Bible.

“And there shall be no more curse…”
Revelation 22:3

Then Jesus Himself reaffirmed His deity and His intentions.

“‘And behold, I am coming quickly…I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.’ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life…”
Revelation 22:13-14

The words of the prophet Isaiah are then fulfilled and reaffirmed by the Spirit of God and His redeemed church.

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And buy…without money and without price.”
Isaiah 55:1

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come…Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
Revelation 22:17

Yes, free to us who had a debt we could not pay, but at a great cost to Him who paid the debt He did not owe.

So we are back where it first began when God looked over all He created, and proclaimed that it was ‘very good.’ Where the tree of life was/is and the living waters flow freely.

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