Sharper Iron — Come Lord Jesus! The River of Life and the Tree of Life Aren’t Boring

Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 22:1-5.

John sees the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb; this heavenly reality is brought near to us even now in Holy Baptism. John sees the tree of life with enduring fruit; this heavenly reality is brought near to us even now in Holy Communion. The leaves of this tree bring healing that undoes the shame that attacked Adam and Eve in Eden; this heavenly reality is brought near to us even now in Holy Absolution. The Lord dwells among His people in this holy city; this heavenly reality is brought near to us even now in the Church. Even as we see these realities with the eyes of faith right now, we long and pray for that Day when we will see these realities with the eyes of sight in the resurrection.

“Come Lord Jesus!” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Revelation given to St. John. Although some look at Revelation with fear, it is a book of supreme hope in our crucified, risen, and ascended Lord. The book of Revelation gives a heavenly perspective on our earthly circumstances so that the Church in every generation is challenged, comforted, and assured of final victory through Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Revelation 22:1-5

The River of Life

22 Then the angel^[a] showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ²through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life^[b] with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. ⁴They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

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Footnotes

Revelation 22:1 Greek he
Revelation 22:2 Or the Lamb. In the midst of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).