Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

THE RIVER OF LIFE

This entry was posted on 07-06-2009 and is filed under HEAVEN.

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city" (Rev. 22:1 NIV).

William Barclay points out that thus far the description of Heaven has been the exterior of the Holy City. Now we are ready to move in and take a closer look. The first thing John shows us is the River of the Water of Life. Water has been called the artery of civilization. Without it no one lives. Even in Heaven there will be a need for water. Note that it is called the River of the Water of LIFE. Note too it's source - flowing from God's throne. It proceeds right down the middle of "Main Street" in Heaven. It is there, free of charge, for all to have. There will be no water bills in Heaven!

The Garden of Eden was watered by a river, making it flourish and grow (Gen. 2:8-16). Ezekiel paints a picture of a river flowing from the new Temple (Ezek. 47). David sang of a river that made glad the city of God (Psa. 46:4). Zechariah prophesied that living water would flow from Jerusalem (Zech. 14:8). Water is also mentioned in other places in Revelation (7:17; 21:6). It is hard to imagine life without water. Even in Heaven we will be blessed and nourished by the River of the Water of Life. Perhaps this indicates the continual presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Living water flows from Him to us and through us (see John 7:38, 39).

Hymn: "Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river, gather with the saints at the river, that flows by the throne of God" (Robert Lowry, 1984). This was the favorite song of the late Archie Word.