RIVER OF LIFE AND TREE OF LIFE (REVELATION 22:1-5)

REFLECTION River of life and Tree of Life is the theme for our reflection. The Revelation of John was meant to encourage and hope to Christians who were being persecuted on account of their faith. Their reward will be the New Jerusalem which has the life-giving river and trees. Dear friend, we live in a…

Jean-Paul Agidi

May 3, 2025

2 minutes

REFLECTION

River of life and Tree of Life is the theme for our reflection. The Revelation of John was meant to encourage and hope to Christians who were being persecuted on account of their faith. Their reward will be the New Jerusalem which has the life-giving river and trees.

Dear friend, we live in a world where water from our rivers is increasingly becoming unsafe for drinking unless it is treated with chemicals. Due to the irresponsible use of our rivers and other water bodies for illegal mining activities especially in some parts of Africa, water which ought to be healthy has become poisonous and detrimental to human health. Again we see the wanton destruction of our forest and the extinction of valuable trees. In the new Jerusalem, we are promised the river of life and trees that give life and healing. The New Jerusalem reminds us of how God intended the Garden of Eden to be but for the disobedience of mankind. The new Jerusalem offers us another opportunity to experience the perfect creation of God where river brings us life and accompanied with life-giving and fruit bearing trees. John said, “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 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-2).

Dear friend, Jesus and His Father are the source of the river and trees that gives life and healing, you need not do anything extraordinary to access this gift of life and healing. All you need to do is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and be counted among the citizens of the New Jerusalem. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, we thirst for water that comes from the river of life and yearn for healing that comes from the leaves and fruits that comes from the tree of life. May You strengthen us to cherish and hold onto our salvation in Christ so that we may become citizens of the New Jerusalem. Amen.