Revelation 22:1-6, 17
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
Tomorrow we celebrate Epiphany, representing the coming of the Wise Men to Jesus — the first non-Jews to encounter the Savior. Today we reflect on prophetic words from the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible. Throughout this series we have taken note of the fact that God dwells with us in a new way since Jesus’ time on earth through the gift of the Holy Spirit to each follower of Jesus. We have walked through example after example of God’s effort to dwell with his people, albeit imperfectly, while sin and death created separation from God. Of course we know that even with the Holy Spirit given to us, we continue to live in an in-between world, full of sin and brokenness. This passage from Revelation speaks of a completion of God’s mission — a time when we will fully dwell with him once again.
Here’s your freedom for today: God’s not done yet.
It’s easy to wonder where God is in this chaotic and fallen world. Why hasn’t he come to rescue us? Is he allowing suffering, or even worse causing it? These verses give us a sense of the bigger picture: God’s kingdom flows with medicine that will heal the nations. The curse will be over. All who desire to come will be welcomed. God’s kingdom has doors that are wide open, and Jesus himself is calling all who are thirsty to come. How spiritually thirsty are you? Have you responded to this invitation from Immanuel?