Keraia
Revelation 22

Revelation 22:2

The River of Life · Revelation 22:1–5
Read Revelation 22

Translations

Modern
…down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Traditional
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.
Literal
In the middle of its street and of the river, on this side and on that side, was a tree of life, producing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit according to each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Latin
In medio plateæ ejus, et ex utraque parte fluminis, lignum vitæ, afferens fructus duodecim per menses singulos, reddens fructum suum et folia ligni ad sanitatem gentium.

Original

Greek
English
…down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Notes

Revelation 22:2

After humans sinned, they lost access to the tree of life (see Genesis 3:22–24), but now it is freely available. The tree stands on each side of the river (compare Ezekiel 47:12), showing there is no wrong side of the river in heaven. The tree produces fresh fruit every month, demonstrating God's constant provision.

Revelation 22:1–2

This part of John's vision of the city shows how God provides water and food for his people (compare Exodus 16:4, 22–24; Ezekiel 47:1–12; John 4:10; 6:32–35). God first created a "garden of delight" (Eden) for Adam and Eve, but they disobeyed him and lost it (Genesis 2–3). Now, Eden is remade and joined with the heavenly city as God's wonderful gift for his faithful people.

Revelation 21:1–22:9

The final scenes of the new heaven and earth show a new community and home for God's people, created and given by God. These scenes uplift persecuted Christians. John shares his main vision (Revelation 21:1–8) and expands on it in two parts:

  1. In Revelation 21:9–27, he describes the new Jerusalem as a place of holy perfection;

  2. in Revelation 22:1–5, he portrays the new Jerusalem as the ultimate garden of Eden, which Adam and Eve could have experienced if they had not sinned.

Glossary

Beauty Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Book of Revelation Heaven Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven New Creation, New Creature New Jerusalem Paradise Place of the Dead Tree Tree of Life Water Worship Zion

Topics

Cannabis Healing the Nation Heaven: God's Dwelling Place Heaven: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Medicine: General Scriptures Concerning Months: The Year Composed of Twelve Righteousness: Symbolized River of Salvation Select Readings: The River of Life Symbols and Similitudes: Trees of Life and Knowledge Tea Tree of Life Trees of Christ Types of Christ: Tree of Life Types of the Saviour: The Tree of Life Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Tree of Life