A heavenly garden (Dan Wells)

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“On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2)

The Bible is sixty-six books, but one story. It is a grand narrative that starts in a garden, and ends in a city. In Revelation we read of the city of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. The people of God live there in joy and safety because God is there with them.

The Bible may end in a city, but it is also a garden – it is a garden-city. For there in the same picture is a river, flowing through the very streets of the city from the throne of God in the centre. Alongside the river grows the tree of life. This tree produces fruit, not annually but monthly, giving life for the people of God. Even the leaves of the tree are productive, healing the nations.

Gardens are about growth and life. That is where we are heading in the big story of God’s purposes. If you are a keen gardener, this should fill you with great joy and excitement. Even those of us who have very few gardening skills should also be filled with joy, since God the gardener will be there with us. There are no more weeds or unwanted intruders, but good fruit and wonderful beauty.

God gives us a life-giving garden. God the heavenly gardener is preparing a place for us. He is cultivating and planting, he is tending and pruning. All so we can be at home and at rest. That is what God is like. That is what God is doing.

Gracious God, thank you that you have a city and a garden waiting for us. Fill us with joy for what lies ahead, and fill us with joy as we wait for that day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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