REVELATION 22 by S. N. H.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 14, 1901

By S. N. H.

S. N. H.

The first five verses are a continuation of the description of the heavenly Jerusalem. “In the midst of the street,” or, as others render it, the “broad place,” is the river of life, and on either side of it is the tree of life. The tree of life is “in the midst of the paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7), or the garden of Eden. Gen. 2:9. The garden of Eden was taken from the earth before the flood, and will be found in the heavenly Jerusalem, with the river of life in the midst of it. The throne of God is at the end of the park in the midst of the city, from which the river of life flows. This is a relic of the earth as it first came from the hand of its Creator.

From one Sabbath to another and from one new moon to another all flesh will come and partake of the tree of life. Isa. 66:23. The leaves of the tree possess those qualities that will enable the righteous to grow up as calves of the stall (Mal. 4:2) until they attain to the stature they would have had if man had not sinned. This must have been from twelve to fifteen feet or more in height, and perfect in every respect. Deut. 3:11. The reader is referred to the last chapter of “Great Controversy” for a description of the glory of the city. The prophet became so enraptured with the glory of the scene that he fell at the feet of the angel to worship him, but the angel refused worship, assuring him he was only his servant, and the servant of all the prophets, and also of those who keep the sayings of this book.

The same angel who appeared to Daniel (Dan. 8:16) appeared to John, and through the Spirit of Prophecy will also appear to the remnant (Rev. 12:17) who keep the sayings of this book. This book was never sealed; but it covers the history of the Roman kingdom from the time of Christ. It was, however, to be understood when the sealed book, the prophecies of Daniel, were opened. Revelation 10. The eleventh and twelfth verses of chapter twenty-two state positively that there will be a period of time called “quickly.” After that he who is holy will remain holy, and he who is filthy will so remain. When this time comes, the righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal state. Men will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. Before the flood, after Noah entered the ark, God shut him in, and shut the ungodly out; but for seven days the people, not knowing that their doom was fixed, continued their careless, pleasure-loving life, and mocked the warnings of impending judgment. “So,” says the Saviour, “shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Silently, unnoticed, as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour that marks the fixing of every man’s destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy’s offer to guilty men. “Watch ye therefore; . . . lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.” Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure-lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments, it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” See “Great Controversy.”

Again Christ assures the prophet that He is the beginning and the ending. In the infinite purpose of God, “before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge was fulfilled when, upon the cross, he cried out, ‘It is finished.’”—“The Desire of Ages,” trade edition, page 1001. It was then the price was paid; Christ had woven the garment of righteousness without one thread of selfishness. At that time mercy and truth met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. But now the earth is arrayed in living green, as it would have been if man had never sinned. The same number that would have peopled the earth if sin had never entered are now saved as the trophies of divine grace. The earth blossoms as a rose. The people of God are now and evermore privileged to hold communion with the Son and the Father, with no dimming veil between.

The heavenly benediction has been pronounced upon those who kept God’s commandments, and they have a right to the tree of life. The dogs and sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and whosoever loveth or maketh a lie will have received their portion outside the city. Some will tell a lie, who would not make one. But the lover of a lie and the maker of it will perish together. Those who thirst after righteousness, whose hearts long for salvation, are invited by the glories of the earth made new, and by the glories of the city of God, to come and partake of the waters of life. Here, we take of them spiritually by faith; there, in reality. Now is the day of mercy. The invitation has gone forth, Whosoever will, let him come.

It is well for all to ponder the closing words of this book. They are spoken in direct reference to the book itself. If in the past we have had no interest in the books of Daniel and Revelation, now is an opportunity to redeem ourselves. These words are full of solemnity; for if we do not read or study the words of the book of this prophecy, how do we know whether we have added to them or not? How do we know whether we have taken from them or not?

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Thus closes this wonderful prophecy. It will not be long before the truthfulness of these words will be realized.