The Conditions of Blessedness
R. Green Revelation 22:1-6 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. These must be thought of as first on earth, afterwards in heaven. The river of the water of life must be the life giving and sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. It is life - life indeed and of a truth. But man has no life apart from God, and most truly no spiritual and blessed life. "The fountain of life is with thee." It would not be improper to include here the idea of "the Word of life;" for by the Word only are the seeds of life sown in the heart, and by the Word the ever present Spirit refreshes and revives the weary and dying. This life giving Word, made powerful by the heavenly life giving Spirit, spreads healing and joy, loveliness and verdure, wherever it comes. But we cannot separate these elements; they are one. And beautiful is the figure of the life giving river, "bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb." But the issue of the above is presented to us in the following verses. I. IN THE UTTER DESTRUCTION OF THE CURSE AND CONSEQUENCE OF SIN. The first and last, the complete idea of the evil results of sin, is to be found in "the curse." It is now removed. Blessing prevails. Happy they over whom the shadow of a curse falls not! So far of the negative results. The positive follow; and the blessedness of the righteous is set forth - II. IN THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE MOST HIGH. In obedience is life and blessedness. His laws are holy, just, and good. The perfectness of life is reached when God reigns perfectly in the hearts of his people; when there his throne is set. III. IN THE UNVARYING OBEDIENCE OF THE HOLY PEOPLE. "His servants shall do him service." IV. IN A GRACIOUSLY PERMITTED APPROACH TO GOD. "They shall see his face;" they know him. It is the approach of love. It is the child before the face of the Father. V. IN THE SIMILARITY OF NATURE. The Divine Name is on the forehead. This is at once an attainment and a reward. VI. IN THE DISPERSION OF IGNORANCE AND THE DECEPTIONS OF ERROR. No night. No mere earthly illumination. The Lord God himself, by his own direct illumination, giveth them light. They who follow the light of life walk not in darkness. VII. IN EVERLASTING EXALTATION AND HONOUR. "They shall reign forever and ever." - R.G. Parallel Verses KJV: And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. WEB: He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,