The Book of Revelation is filled with symbolic references that depict wonderful things. Chapter 21 begins by describing a “new heaven” and a “new earth.” And yet Ecclesiastes 1:4 says, “…the earth abideth for ever.” These more literal statements tell us to look for the symbolism when studying Revelation. A new earth means a new social structure governing mankind in God’s kingdom. A new heaven points to the spiritual influence that will come from God and His new arrangement for the world.
Chapter 21 continues by describing the Lamb’s bride as the New Jerusalem coming down from God. The Lamb’s bride will be comprised of those who faithfully followed Christ in this present life. Their role will be to work with Christ in helping the world return to God in the earthly kingdom. Verse 23 describes the Lamb as the light of the city. The work of Christ and his true church will enlighten the world and lead to verse 24. “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.”
Continuing into chapter 22, we see a river of water that brings eternal life. This, again, is not literal. Water is a symbol of truth. When Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman, he asked for a drink of water. She was surprised he would speak to her since Samaritans were not held in high regard by the Jews. After some discussion he said, “…Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). Jesus then spent two days in Samaria and the people there said, “…we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” (verse 42). The water he gave them was the message of salvation, that faith in him would result in eternal life.
We take that same principle to the river of water of life and see it is a picture of the time in God’s kingdom when the same message of salvation becomes available for all the world. Describing the river “as clear as crystal” depicts the purity of this message. There will be no corrupting errors or false promises associated with the truth then made known. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).
Revelation then says that on either side of the river are the trees of life. This recalls a literal tree of life that was planted in the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve sinned, they were cast out of the garden, lest they eat of the tree and live (Genesis 3:22). Now in Revelation, the trees of life return and “are for the healing of the nations.” It will be the truth of Christ’s ransom price that will redeem those who accept it and believe. It is a similar picture to eating the Passover lamb. The Lamb represents Jesus. Eating of that Lamb represents accepting his sacrifice on one’s behalf (See 1 Corinthians 5:7). So, the river of life and the trees of life are far more meaningful than drinking literal water or eating literal fruit. It points to the time Jesus mentioned in his model prayer, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let him that heareth say, ‘Come.’ And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).