Millennium Superworld
Chapter 13: Beyond the Millennium
Another—greater—source of water will also be present. Says the Revelator, “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1) — more water of life! The water will be everywhere!
“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (22:2). Such luxuriant growth suggests the spiritual properties of this water.
This “river of water of life” is like the fountain. The life-imparting wisdom that proceeds from God, from Christ and from the newly glorified faithful shall ultimately become a source of life and spiritual blessing to everyone on earth!
The Revelator sees this symbolic river as shimmering like crystal. This suggests its pure, living quality. He observes also that this river has great transforming power: It promotes such abundant growth that the trees along it (faithful children of God—Isa. 61:3) bear fruit continually.
It is the time of eternal growth, eternal expansion, eternal improvement, eternal productivity. There are no limitations; no shortages, no deficiencies; there is abundance for all. No longer are the blessings of the garden of God enjoyed by only a few. At the beginning of the Millennium there were only a small number of these “trees” (144,000) to impart spiritual life for the blessing of the nations. Now there is a vast number of young trees of life. All these trees will flourish together in the paradise of God forever. And their life-giving fruit and leaves will bless and heal far beyond the borders of this glorified planet.
The picture is enough to dazzle the human mind: a heavenly city, the New Jerusalem; fountains of life, streams of living water, trees of life, the paradise of God; no more sin, sorrow, sickness, pain or death, but praise and glory and honor and happiness and life forever, even forever and ever! Do we not feel like shouting with the “great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God”; and with the faithful co-regents of the King, “Amen; Alleluia”; and with the King Himself, “Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great” (Rev. 19:1-5).
What transporting joy! Is it not a message to
lift the gloom of these cool, closing hours of the day of salvation? We
are not walking blindly into an unknown future. We have been informed.
Great events lie ahead, everything of peace, joy, glory and victory.
Shall we let slip our opportunity to be part of all that the Millennium—and the Eternity that follows it—will bring to worthy earthborns? Shall we slight opportunities to be part of such supreme glory and life?
Let fortunes pass. Let earthly friendships fail. Let temporal comforts go. Cast the honors and ambitions, fame and pleasure of this old world to the moles and bats. But do not let go the opportunity of becoming an immortal being in that eternal world!
As John closes His Revelation, Jesus Himself intervenes with one final word: “Surely I am coming soon.” Does this not emphasize the urgency of the message — especially for us in this the final hour of the day? “Surely I am coming soon.”
Hear John’s expectant Answer: “Even so come, Lord Jesus.” He is ready; he is eager; he is willing. Are we?
Let us also conclude with John’s note of expectancy. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all”—until the King returns, and all these wonders become glorious reality!
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When the azure blue is riven in twain, And the Great King comes to the earth again, When the trumpets sound and the saints acclaim And they own and bless His sovereign Name, When the thunders roll and the heavens ring, Oh! I want to be there— | |
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When the angels sing.
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When He comes with power to reward His own, And the Great Judge sits on His great white throne, When the saints come forth from among the dead And the Court is set and the names are read, And the thunders roll and the heavens ring, Oh! I want to be there— | |
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When the angels sing.
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When the marriage feast for the Bride is set— A glorious Day they shall ne’er forget— When myriads of angels shout as one And praise the Bride for her work well done, And the thunders roll and the heavens ring, Oh! I want to be there— | |
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When the angels sing.
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When sin and sorrow are gone for aye And the night is lost in eternal day, When struggle and toil are forever done, All the earth is the Kingdom of God’s own Son, And the thunders roll and the heavens ring— Oh! I want to be there— | |
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When the angels sing.
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| —Contributed | |