Paradise Restored

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Scripture

Rev. 22:1   Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Observation

This is the concluding vision of the city of God and it looks surprisingly like the paradise of Eden. While there was an earthly river flowing through paradise, now there is the eternal flow of the Holy Spirit in and through God’s people and the church. This Spirit runs through the center of paradise, feeding the tree of life which has been hidden since the fall of humanity. Now the tree perpetually produces fruit, providing for every need and/or taste. The leaves of the tree are taken and used as a medicinal balm to bring about healing for the nations. This is paradise restored where the effects of the curse are now completely overcome. 

Application

This beautiful description of the new Jerusalem is an inspiration. This vision of the beauty of paradise is a little glimpse of the kingdom of God which is already present, but not yet a complete reality. We are privileged to be invited into citizenship in this kingdom and to already become partakers of eternal life because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Once we breathe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit we already begin to experience victory over sin and death. No longer are we destined to die in our sins, but we are already participating in life eternal and partaking of paradise restored.

How is this possible if it has not all yet come to completion? As we step into the flow of the river, the Holy Spirit begins to work on us. The Holy Trinity invites us into the flow of holy love found in koinonia with God and humanity. We have already partaken of the tree of life and the healing effects of salvation are constantly at work, setting aright the corruption found because of sin. It is a healing for the individual but for all of humanity. Death is no longer victorious but life is being restored. Paradise is little by little coming back to life as the kingdom continues to grow and expand in the here and now. 

The fruit of the tree may be seen in the fruit of the Spirit. What flow is love and joy, bubbling out of the new city. Where there have been tears, they are wiped away and joy fills our hearts. Peace rules the day as God’s people live in patient obedience, filled with kindness and goodness. There is no desire to turn back or leave paradise restored. The fruits are sweet to the tongue and therefore one lives in faithful fidelity to this holy relationship with God. Finally, gentleness and self-control are visible signs of this fruit. Month after month these fruits continue to be produced in the lives of those who are being watered by the streams of God. 

The people of paradise restored become agents of healing in the world. The leaves of the tree become tools for God’s people to go forth as ambassadors of peace and healing to a world in great need of the living water. 

We don’t have to live in the fallenness of the world. The effects of the fall of humanity have already been reversed in the works of Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit. We are invited to step into that paradise restored and begin to enjoy what that means for all of us. We can begin now and remain in the garden until the restoration has come to perfection. Why wait?

Prayer


Lord, there are times that I keep myself from your restored paradise. Please, help me to dwell in that sacred space. Amen. 

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