Quick Return Home Page

Rev. 22:1:  And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb...
         This river is the grace of God that continuously flows from out of Him into souls. This river is the abyss where all souls are lost and sunk in His unity. It proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, because it is given by God Himself and by Jesus Christ.

Rev. 22:2: ...in the middle of its street. And on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
         The tree of life is perfect love in the Church and in the soul This love is burning, pure and always dwells in the soul This tree has twelve fruits which are fruits of the Holy Spirit appearing in their season and according to the soul's need. The leaves represent the most common graces distributed to men to heal them from their ailments. Oh Church, this tree is given you. Nevertheless the nations do not eat of it and this is why they are not healed. But as soon as the people come to you, they will be nourished, refreshed and healed. These fruits and this tree are ever in the Church.

Rev. 22:3,4: And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
         This sight of God's face may be taken for a close union.  When the soul has reached this intimate fellowship, it sees the face of the Lamb because of the deep knowledge of Jesus Christ given her.
         The name of the Lamb is written on their foreheads, means that their outward appearance is a proof of what they feel within. Their exterior even preaches and announces God.

Rev. 22:5: And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever.
         In this place, there can be no night because the light of the truth makes room for no darkness.
         This will happen for the Church of God. (Editor's note: The Church, if I error not, are the children of God, the "ecclesia," the out-called. Called out of religion into the Spirit Life, into God and His Son, Christ Jesus. The "Church" in this case is the corporate gathering of His children from what God has purposed, it does not depend upon anything man has done of himself. Truly this is the true Church, The Church of God. End of note). In proportion as the darkness of error and of falsehood passes away, truth will appear as it is and the light will scatter darkness.

Rev. 22:6,7: And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true;" and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must shortly take place. And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book."

         Oh God, this is the joy of the hearts that are wholly, unreservedly yours. Your inner and outward reign will come and these sayings are faithful and true. Oh God, You are going to reign in every heart and You already do in thousands of them. This is ignored by those who do not feel this way, but it is known to God and to the soul to whom He manifests Himself. Oh God of spirits, You gave Your inner Spirit to John so that he could clearly speak of inner things, Your general work in the souls You want to unite to Yourself forever.
         But oh, holy prophet, you say that these things must shortly be done. Alas! Seventeen centuries have passed since then!* The reign of Jesus has not yet come throughout the earth. There are more inner persons in this century than there ever were. You say, Lord, that You are coming. Alas, oh Lord, how long this waiting time seems! But for You centuries are a moment. Oh, desired of nations, You made Yourself to be longed for, for four thousand years. As the prophets spoke, Your day seemed near. However, how delayed it was! You make Yourself to be desired of so many souls who sigh after Your reign and You do not come! Pardon me, oh King, You are coming. You came to reign in thousands of hearts in an unknown way, and in eternity we will see how this inner spirit spread in every century and increased each day. But You have not come, oh Jesus, in all the extent of Your reign, to make Yourself known in this manner to all the earth. Oh God, this is Your way of doing, to intensify our desire and try Your servants' patience. (Editor's note. There are several references to our Lord's "coming" or "appearing."  1 Peter 4:7 states, "We are near the end of all things now, and you should therefore be calm, self-controlled men of prayer."  Peter also states, "The time has evidently arrived for God's judgment to begin, and it is beginning at his own household." 1 Peter 4:17. James states, "But be patient, my brothers, as you wait for the Lord to come...The Lord's coming is very near." James 5:7-8. Were the statements made because they thought the "end of the world was nigh," or because of their potential death due to persecution by the Roman Empire? We of the twenty-first century can see historical advents since these early writings of scripture; however, at the end of this past century, some of the same thoughts, expressions and fears were being declared. Many church groups were looking for the "rapture" of the church which was not expressed in these early writings. The "rapture " theory was not fully developed until 1926 and it embraces an anti-Christ view as it is believed that Christ shall return and gather up Christians, leaving only non-believers to suffer the wrath of God as pictured in the  Apocalypse futuristic interpretation. Jesus prayed to the Father, "I am not praying that you will take them out of the world but that you will keep them from the evil one." John 17:15. In The Book of Revelation these are promised: spiritual food; a new name; authority; robes of righteousness, a memorial pillar, enthronement and an eternal inheritance (Chapter 2:7; 2:17; 2;26, 3:5; 3:12; 3:21; and 21:7, to  "He or him that overcometh......"  To escape the trials and tribulation of this life is to not overcome. We conclude this note with these thoughts. First, we believe that The Book of Revelation is a "blessing " as it reveals or is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We view The Book of Revelation as "picture language " which is interpreted through and by the holy Spirit as it reveals Christ to the children of God and to the world. Our focus is Christ himself, the center of Creation as stated in Colossae 1:15-20. Scripture states that the kingdom of God is at hand: that is to say Christ Jesus "came." He has come in the spirit and resides, with God, in each and very child of God. Each child is offered the choice as "babes in Christ" to embrace a mature walk through spirit life or an inward spiritual  journey. Some are unable to except this path; however, this does not preclude a separation from the love of God. The Lord of lords, King of kings, sits upon his throne in his earthly tabernacle, his children. End of note).

  * Twenty centuries, now!

         As soon as God begins to come into a soul, He promises that one will be His Spouse. He has her desire this eagerly, as we see in Solomon's Song. It seems the marriage is going to take place at the outset, but alas! the nearer it seems, the farther it is. The soul, seeing the favors and kindnesses of the Bridegroom, believes she has only one step to take and she will be in the Bride's company. She thinks she has reached the height of perfection, yet she has hardly started. She realizes after a long and terrible experience that such a great attainment is not so close at hand. Then she says to her God: You promised to come just now and as soon as You promised, You fled farther than ever! Oh, how the moments spent before God become long and laborious years! Oh Love, You do not deceive. The creature deceives and believes she can be admitted to the marriage, without leaving the robes of her captivity. Oh, what a mistake she makes! And how foolish she is when she finds it so hard to let herself be stripped! This lengthens her torment and the greater the resistance to the Spouse's will, the harder, too, her sorrow. However, oh sacred Spouse, "You come soon" if we consider what You are and the vileness of this creature to whom You desire to unite Yourself. You do not delay this fine gift.
         "Blessed are those who keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book." How fortunate are those who fulfill these words though they are apparently met with many calamities.

Rev. 22:8,9: And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who, showed me these things. And he said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book; worship God."
         God took a delight in hiding His treasures in earthen vessels, so that the power may be regarded as of God and not of men. He knows the beauty and nobility of this soul covered with outward mud. God allows this to keep them in their purity and to prevent them from being overestimated if they were known. We should look to God alone.

Rev. 22:10,11: And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and let the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and let the one who is holy, still keep himself holy."
         Here two kinds of people are spoken of, those who are unrighteous and those who feel their own wretchedness. In the first case, sin and the punishment by more sin is being referred to. For the second, a state of distress and weakness is shown, God hiding man through these both from Himself and from others. Oh God, this man mourns his misery; he knows he can't help himself by his efforts and that You alone can heal him. He grieves, not only on account of his humiliation but also for fear of displeasing You.
         "He that is holy, let him be holy still:" that is, let him be transformed into the holiness of God, losing completely his own.

Rev. 22:12,13: "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
         Oh God, You come quickly because You are righteous and also because You are merciful. The works which are accepted are done in Your will. The work of a plain man in his shop who is united in God's will shall appear exceedingly more precious than many works which appear great before men and that have for principle only the love of glory, self interest, and the will of man. You do not look at the greatness of the action but at the intention with which it is done, and at the purity of man's love.
         "The Alpha and Omega" means the principle of the inner way and the consummation, the perfection of this same inner life. You are the principle from which everything starts and You are the end where everything ends. We begin and end by You. Some persons have thought that we must always meditate on Jesus Christ. They are mistaken. The point is not considering Jesus Christ, and discussing Jesus Christ, but being led by Him in every way, and being truly possessed by Him. Reasoning does not give these things. Abandonment does. A friend is not known by reasoning. You can never know someone as a friend and neglect associating with him!
         Jesus Christ is the great book written within and without. What is within is exceedingly more than what appears.
         He alone can manifest what He is to the soul. He does this not by reasoning but by the impression He gives the soul about Himself and His states. Paul expresses this when he says he bears in his body the marks of Jesus Christ. Paul does not say he reasons about Jesus Christ. He says, "I bear His state." Then he admits he does not live his own life but Jesus Christ lives in him because he denied himself, became nothing in the hands of God. He allowed Him to destroy his own self life to make room for the life of Jesus Christ.

Rev. 22:14,15: Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
         "Blessed are they that wash their robes," refers to the dear souls who, by a complete abandonment and trust, throw themselves in the arms of God, giving themselves to Him so as to be purified. These souls, who are persuaded of their extreme poverty and helplessness, throw themselves into this immense sea of the blood of Jesus Christ without any hesitation. Oh, how well purified are these!

Rev. 22:16: "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star."
         Oh Jesus, name that charms and stirs, name of joy and salvation, You always send Your angel before You "to testify" of You. This angel appeared, but it is not enough; Jesus Christ must appear.
         The Church saw this angel, and soon she will see her Spouse. As the morning star precedes the daylight and sunrise, so Jesus comes first to the soul as the bright and morning star before she is placed in the full daylight of Glory.
         When the soul seems to have lost sight of Him, being sunk in the immensity of God, then Jesus Christ springs forth and communicates Himself to the soul in such a wonderful way that she grows and is surprisingly fruitful.

Rev. 22:17: And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
         "The Spirit and the Bride say: Come, " to Jesus. This Spirit and this Bride are the Holy Spirit and the Church. The Church united to the Holy Spirit and animated by this Spirit asks Jesus Christ to come and reign quickly.
         The truth which is with the Spirit invites the Bridegroom to come; she cannot do anything after appearing on earth and wants to see the second advent that has been described.
         "The Spirit and the Bride say: Come." We must know that the soul in God has no prayer of her own any longer, but the Holy Spirit prays in her with inexpressible groanings. The Spirit and Bride, of one accord, with one voice and one prayer, invite Him to come.
         They invite Him much more to come to His Church and make Himself known in all the earth, possessing His reign, manifesting His truth. The Spirit and Church say: Come, oh the desired of nations, come, joy and satisfaction of people, come to put an end to their misfortune and to start their happiness. Come to reign as a Sovereign. Come to consummate Your marriage. Come, oh Jesus, come to be King!
         After the desire of the Spirit and the Bride has been expressed, Jesus, this Bridegroom of the souls, invites all thirsty souls to come and quench their thirst at these calm and quiet waters, to this water that nourishes and refreshes him who drinks. Oh Christians, my brothers, it is easier to have life than you realize. You only have to "come" to Jesus simply and trustfully, and He will give you the fullness of life. He says: Let him that is athirst come and rivers of living water will flow to everlasting life. The believer who gives himself to Jesus Christ, goes to Him, feels (after his thirst is quenched at this divine source) that he is made also a spring where others come to quench their thirst.

Rev. 22:18,19: I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
         John describes in this book all the states through which God brings the souls. He omits nothing. Anyone who would produce other states different from these would go astray. He who would certify that these states are not real would be presumptuous and not fit to feel such divine and real things. Some people condemn all they don't understand; but they do not judge God right by measuring His goodness by their reasonings! Let all who doubt put Him to the test and they will see that the goodness of God for souls goes beyond all that can be said.

Rev. 22:20,21: He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly."  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.  Amen.
         Oh Jesus, You promise it, You assure it is so. Yet though Your word is true, You delay Your coming so! Oh, how this delay is long for a heart who loves You, who only wants Your glory and who only wishes to see You reign in every heart and everywhere! Come, then, oh my King, come and begin Your reign. Do not delay any more! Come then, Lord Jesus! May the grace of our Lord prepare us all for this second advent. Amen!
 __________________________________________________________________
^{(1) Guyon, Mme. Jeanne, CHRIST OUR REVELATION, Gardiner, Main, Reprinted 1987 Christian Books Publishing House ( Book in now out of print)}

Return to top of page  Exit to Introduction Menu  Return to Revelation Menu Pg.
Back to Library List  Return to Book of Revelation Index - by Guyon