INTRODUCTION - THE GRANDEST THEME OF SCRIPTURE IS THE PICTURE OF OUR BEING IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS OUR LORD

• A part of this grand theme is the mystery of the river of life, and the tree of life-
• God has given this to us in parable and picture form, but He is serious, we had better hear!
• This passage of scripture tells us again "Ever'body talkin' 'bout Heaven ain't goin there!"-spiritual

We had better examine carefully the joyful promise, and our claim to it!

I. THE TREE 0F LIFE - Rev. 22:2-

This theme is repeated often enough through the scriptures for us to see it is important- mark it in your Bible!

A. ADAM AND EVE WERE CAST OUT OF GARDEN OF EDEN TO KEEP THEM FROM THE TREE OF LIFE - Gen 2,3

1. The Tree of Life was a part of the Garden, Gen 2:9, and with no restrictions placed on it
2. But Adam was restricted from Tree of Knowledge- Gen 2:17, and violated the restriction-3:6
3. God placed a curse on them, & the earth,-3:17, and gave them exile to protect tree-life- 3:22

B.  GOD PICTURED TO MANKIND SOME GREAT SPIRITUAL LESSONS INVOLVING TREES

1. A man can be like a tree- planted by rivers of water with fruit in season-strong- Psa 1:3
2. We must judge a Tree by its fruit- Matt 7:17-19, and cut off for unbelief- Rom 11:23-
3. Isa 40:6 tells us our life is as grass- v.7 gone, I Pet 1:24 -an incorruptible seed-endures

C.  THE PROMISE WAS GIVEN OF A RIVER OF LIFE, AND A TREE OF LIFE FOR FOOD & HEALING - Ezek 47:1-

1. Beautiful picture-1 Water, 5 deep, 7 Trees, 9 full of life, 12 Good for meat & medicine-always
2. Men have longed for justice to eat the fruit of the trees they planted- Isa 65:22 -promised
3. But we are too much like the wild olive-so quickly to return to old nature-cut off-Rom 11:24

God is under no obligation to any individual man who has chosen his own destiny wrong!

II.  NO MORE CURSE! - Rev. 22:3a

Just as the scriptures tell of a curse on the earth- they tell when the curse is removed!

A.  IN GOD'S TIME, THE CURSE SHALL BE REMOVED. WE MAY BE IMPATIENT, OR UNBELIEVING Rev. 22:3a

1. God's people shall see His Face- not just by faith, not through glass darkly- but real - v.4
2. His name will be in our foreheads v.4b -no more prone to sin, evil thoughts, depravity
3. God shall give us Light- v.5 We shall have Knowledge of Good, but not bothered with Evil!

B.  THE 12 GATES, WITH 12 HIGHWAYS, and 12 RIVERS OF PURE WATER, AND 12 DOUBLE ROWS OF TREES OF LIFE

1. We have problems today-Rome, Jerusalem, -City Jams- need parks, clean water, traffic flow,-
2. God has His great City planned- and every problem cared for- no pollution, slums, or smog
3. Rev. 21:4 last week we mentioned no tears, no death, sorrow, crying, or pain - Heaven!

C.  THERE WILL BE NO MORE WAR, CRIME, INJUSTICE, OPPRESSION, CRUELTY, BUT ALL WILL BE GOOD

1. Blessed are they who have a right to the tree of life- 22:14a But Note- SOME DO NOT HAVE HIM
2. Plain & Pointed- v.15 some are refused admission- & these are common sins TODAY -note each
3. For these the curse is final- Rev. 21:15 and the lake of fire will be their eternal abode!

But thank God for the free invitation today- Come and drink-water of life-John 7:37,8

III.  THE TIME IS AT HAND Rev. 22:10b

God's promises are fulfilled in His Time schedule tonight- "Surely I come Quickly"-v20

A.  THE TIME IS AT HAND WHEN EACH SOUL HAS HIS DESTINY SEALED FOR ALL ETERNITY 22:11

1. The promise of Blessing is for those who keep God's Word- V.7 the Word of life means business
2. The Word is not sealed today- But Jesus says the Time is at hand- Repeated often- v.10
3. Suddenly God will seal each man's choice - each destiny will be frozen eternally- v. 14

B.  GOD'S BLESSINGS ARE FOR THOSE WITH A RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE v. 14 AND THERE IS NO APPEAL!

1. Rev. 2:7 promises the Tree of Life to those who can overcome -
2. The only ones who can overcome are those who are born of God by faith in Jesus- I John 5:4
3. The Bible is written to help us believe and be saved- I John 5:13 -Salvation by faith!

C.  BE CAREFUL HOW YOU HANDLE THE WORD OF LIFE, FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS -Rev. 22:18-19

1. The Tree of life is planted in hearts from soul to soul by passing on the Word of Life-
2. This is serious- Handle the word wrong- and you inherit a terrible curse- & pass it on
3. Keeping the Words is a blessing- 22:7 what a thrill to be a Sunday School Teacher- sing of it-

The time to seal your destiny is near - are you using God's word faithfully - deceitfully?

CONCLUSION - THE WAY TO THE WATER OF LIFE, AND THE TREE OF LIFE, IS OPEN RIGHT NOW, WHAT WILL YOU DO?

1. Believe in Jesus Christ- receive Him as your savior and be Born Again this morning
2. Let Him use you to sow the Seed of the Word of God- so that others can share Tree of Life
3. Make 1971 different- by handling the word of Life faithfully-as God wants you to!