The river of life – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The river of life symbolizes God's eternal provision and spiritual sustenance. In Revelation 22, it originates from the throne of God and is depicted as bright as crystal and flowing through the new heavenly city. This river nourishes the tree of life, which yields fruit for healing and sustenance. In both the Old and New Testaments, the river of life represents God's continuous presence and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The river of life signifies God's provision of spiritual refreshment, healing, and eternal fulfillment for all who partake in His presence.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Some have compared Genesis 1—2 to Revelation 21—22. A river originally was mentioned as flowing out of Eden to water the garden (Genesis 2:10). The water of the river of life in Revelation comes from God Himself and not only nourishes the tree of life but provides life to all who live with Him.
• Old Testament Scriptures refer to the idea of rivers of living water. For example, Isaiah 44:3 speaks of God's promise to provide spiritual refreshment and blessing. The "water" symbolizes the outpouring of God's Spirit that will bring life and vitality to those who are spiritually thirsty.
• In Isaiah 55:1 God invites all who are spiritually thirsty to come and receive sustenance without cost. The "waters" represent the abundant and free provision of God's grace and salvation. In Isaiah 58:11, the promise for those who obey Him is that “the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”
• Zechariah 14:8 describes a future time when "living waters" will flow from Jerusalem, symbolizing the continuous and life-giving presence of God to all nations. The fact that it continues in both summer and winter indicates the perpetual and unwavering nature of God's sustenance.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• John 4 describes the living water. Jesus told the Samaritan woman, "Everyone who drinks of this water [regular water drawn daily from a well] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13–14).
• In John 7:37–38, God reveals Himself as the living water: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"
• The river of life is discussed in the final chapter of the Bible. Revelation 22:1–2 says, "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."
• The second half of Revelation 22:2 notes, "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." This source of life, flowing from God, will bring forth nourishment and healing for the people.
• The writer was so overwhelmed by the greatness of this future vision that his response was, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20). He understood that the Lord was the source of eternal life and that this eternal future state will be an amazing one worthy of high anticipation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Reflecting on the concept of living water helps us recognize the continuous and life-giving presence of God available to us. Just as God promised spiritual refreshment and vitality in the Old Testament, we can experience His abundant grace and salvation today. By seeking God, we find our deepest desires satisfied and our spirits continually nourished, much like a well-watered garden. Jesus permanently satisfies our spiritual thirst, unlike every other proclaimed source of water in this world. As we are satisfied in Him, we are transformed into sources of life for others. Knowing this, we are encouraged to live out our faith with renewed purpose and to share His love and grace with those around us, becoming conduits of His life-giving presence in the world.

UNDERSTAND

• Described in Revelation, the river of life flows from the throne of God.
• In passages like Isaiah and Zechariah, "living waters" symbolize God's spiritual refreshment and ongoing presence.
• God is the living water, offering eternal life and spiritual nourishment to believers.

REFLECT

• How does the imagery of the river of life in Revelation impact your understanding of God's eternal provision and spiritual sustenance?
• Reflect on Jesus as the source of living water in John 4. How has encountering Him satisfied your spiritual thirst unlike any worldly source?
• Consider Isaiah 55:1. How can you actively seek God's abundant grace and salvation in your daily life?

ENGAGE

• Some teach that the river of life is not an actual body of water because there will no longer be any sea (Revelation 21:1), nor moon or sun necessary for a hydrological cycle (Revelation 21:23). However, this description of the New Jerusalem would likely include known elements familiar to John such as water. Whether literal or figurative, the river of the water of life represents the eternal life flowing from God to all of His people.
• How do Old Testament passages about "living waters" prepare us to understand Jesus' declarations about living water in the New Testament?
• How does the image of the river of life in Revelation shape our hope for the future and influence our mission as believers today?