To Glimpse Heaven and All Its Power

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 ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³ No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22:1-5)

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It is the reminder that what God began in the Garden has always been in existence and there will be a time when we, as humans, will once again realize ALL that God has for us. It is the reminder that the phrase “circle of life” isn’t just a good song from The Lion King.

The city of God flows with life. It flows with healing. It is bathed in light. My God… to dwell with YOU in that city!

My deepest prayer is that I truly walk in the power of the Lord’s Prayer: Your kingdom come, your will be done… on earth as it is in heaven because that is what this scene from John’s vision demonstrates. The river of life IS flowing. It is not reserved for when it’s all over. It flows NOW.

The leaves of that tree are for healing and that healing is available NOW.

When I ask for his kingdom to come, I can picture that river… those trees… and the King.

LIGHT.

As I end this year I end it will all the emotions. We’ll have a phrase to describe chaos and craziness: It’s been SOOO 2020 today!

I have had so many good things happen. I have also felt loss. There has been deep joy AND deep sorrow. Deep hope and deep despair.

This year ends with all the mixture of emotions as well. It ends with this vision from Revelation and joy I can’t describe. This passage brings out deep emotion for me. A longing. Intense joy and hope.

And this year ends in deep prayer because I need the healing leaves of those trees to touch my mom. I found out yesterday she has tested positive for COVID and she is feeling symptoms. She has serious underlying health issues and will now struggle with this sickness on top of it all. My dad has tested negative to this point, for which I give thanks. And I sit helpless at this point because protocols kick in and that sidelines me at this moment.

Yet, I am not powerless. I look to that City. I look to those trees and that river… and to my King. The nature of the kingdom is to ask, so I ask. I have hope. I know my Redeemer lives.