Healing of the Nations

The book of Revelation provides glorious pictures of Heaven, describing the kind of life God desires for His people. There is no clutter, confusion, or distraction, for He is the center of everything. There is no sin or darkness, for God illuminates every moment and every event.

In Heaven, God rules supremely, and His Word sets every standard. And Heaven is filled with people who delight to worship and serve Him.

Central to this picture, we see a picture of “a river of the water of life” that flows from God’s throne. It is a river of pristine clarity for it is “clear as crystal.”

On the banks of this river we see the “tree of life,” the same tree that had been planted in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9). When Adam and Eve sinned, they no longer had access to that tree (Genesis 3:22-24), but in Heaven our access will be restored.

Symbolizing its nourishing character, this tree bears “twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.” This is a picture of God’s constant care, in every season, no matter what happens.

The leaves of the tree were for “the healing of the nations.” The Greek word for “healing” here is the source of our English word “therapy.” This is wonderful news, for people everywhere need to be healed—in mind and body, emotions and thoughts. God wants to heal us from diseases, free us from the impact of sin, and enable us to experience complete health.

Remember this picture of God’s desire for your life. Seek to serve Him. Let Him reign in every area of your life. Ask for more of God’s wisdom, so you can think His thoughts and experience the total health He desires for you.