Living Water #602

LIVING WATER – EPISODE 602 || 27TH JANUARY, 2026

By Solomon Uwumbolibe Mensah

THE RIVER OF LIFE AND THE END OF THE CURSE

Scripture Reading: Revelation 22:1–3

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. 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. No longer will there be any curse.”

Yesterday, we glimpsed the external glory of the New Jerusalem, its open gates and the honor of the nations. Today, John’s vision takes us into the very heart of the city’s life-source. Having seen the architecture of eternity, we now see its anatomy: a river, a tree, and the total removal of the curse. This is the ultimate "Eden Restored," but it is far greater than the first garden. It is a picture of divine provision, perpetual health, and the final victory over the consequences of sin.

1. A River from the Source of Sovereignty

“Flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Life in the New Jerusalem does not come from a natural spring or a man-made reservoir; it flows directly from the Throne. This teaches us that life is a continuous gift from God’s sovereignty. The water is "clear as crystal," signifying absolute purity. There is no pollution, no stagnation, and no scarcity. Because the throne is shared by God and the Lamb, we see that our eternal life is inextricably linked to the sacrifice of Jesus. The cross purchased the flow that the throne now provides.

2. Provision Without Interruption

“Bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.” On earth, we are subject to seasons of famine and cycles of growth. In the New Jerusalem, the Tree of Life is in a state of perpetual harvest. "Twelve crops" signifies completeness and variety. There is never a month of lack. This represents the total satisfaction of the human soul; every spiritual and emotional hunger we have ever known is met with fresh, unending provision. In God’s presence, the "off-season" is abolished forever.

3. Healing for the Nations

“The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” One might wonder why "healing" is needed in a perfect city. This does not imply sickness in heaven, but rather the presence of health-giving wholeness. The Greek word for healing, therapeia, suggests a "service" or "nurturing" that preserves well-being. It signifies the final mending of the fractures between cultures and peoples. The leaves represent the application of God’s peace to the scars of human history. The wounds of war, racism, and division are not just ignored; they are eternally healed.

4. The Final Reversal: No More Curse

“No longer will there be any curse.” This is perhaps the most profound sentence in the passage. Since Genesis 3, humanity has lived under the shadow of the curse, toil, pain, decay, and death. Every hospital, every grave, and every tear is a result of that ancient shadow. But here, the "No Vacancy" sign is hung against the curse. The presence of the Throne (Rule) and the River (Life) means that the legal ground for the curse has been permanently revoked. We return to a state of perfect harmony with God, where nothing is broken and nothing is "under the ban."

Living as Heirs of the River and the Tree

Revelation 22:1–3 calls us to evaluate what we are drinking from today. Are we trying to satisfy our thirst with the "broken cisterns" of this world, or are we looking toward the Crystal River? We are called to be people of the "leaves", ministers of healing and reconciliation in a world that is still very much under the curse.

If the curse is gone in the future, we should not live as slaves to it today. Because the Lamb is on the throne, we have access to the "Water of Life" even now through the Holy Spirit. Let us live with the joy of those who know that their future is not one of decay, but of flourishing; not of bitterness, but of crystal-clarity.

Prayer Heavenly father, I thank You that the curse has no final word over my life. Thank You for the River of Life that flows from Your throne. Wash away my impurities and heal the broken places in my heart. Help me to be a source of healing to those around me today, reflecting the peace of the New Jerusalem. Keep my eyes fixed on the Lamb, who has turned my desert into a garden. In Jesus’ name, Amen.