The Perfection of the Lamb
Part 2
This is the second and concluding section of an article by Mr. John Bramhall, of Charlotte, North Carolina on the Lamb of God in all His glorious perfection.
The Perfection of His Economy
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the LAMB” (Revelation 22:1). A phenomenal river issues from the eternal throne with crystal clearness that never can be defiled, flowing with exhaustless blessings for the inhabitants of the city. “A heavenly river, belonging to a heavenly city, and for the use and joy of its heavenly people.” The garden of Eden had its river for creation blessing (Genesis 2:10-13). Redemption’s blessings has flowed for all as a river from the smitten Rock (Exodus 17:5-6). Spiritual blessings in a present age flow from our glorified Lord in heaven as “rivers of living water” through the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39). Millennial blessings in the kingdom will be as a mighty river issuing from the temple, ever deepening as it flows, flooding earth with God-given prosperity and peace (Ezekiel 37:1-5). So the New Jerusalem will have its bountiful supply of living waters, unceasingly rolling from the living source, the exhaustless flow of the divine life “of God and the Lamb”. With blessedness and joy we shall drink of the river of God with its pure, crystal waters of eternal life!
There is also a phenomenal tree, “the tree of life” (Revelation 22:2), to beautify the city and supply it with perennial fruit. Shall we eat? Why not! Glorified saints may eat, although under no necessity. Jesus ate in His resurrection body (Luke 24:41-43). Angels ate of Sarah’s cakes and of Abraham’s tender calf (Genesis 18:6-8). Yet there is much more that is moral and spiritual connected with eating (see John 6:54-58; Matthew 26: 26-28; Revelation 2:7). In that realm of eternal economy we shall drink life water and eat life fruit forever. Even the nations below will receive beneficial “healing” from the “leaves of the tree”.
The Perfection of His Reign
“And the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it” (Revelation 22:3). The description of the city has been chiefly external until the throne comes into view in our chapter. Now John is brought to the throne, the heart of all the city’s glory, the eternal occupants—“God and the Lamb”. It is the throne of the eternal and absolute Ruler, One Who once was slain but lives to reign with His glorified saints unto the ages of ages. The universal administration will be shared by God, the Lamb, and His glorified saints also, for “His servants shall serve Him” as eternal joint heirs by His grace (Romans 8:17-18). From the external glories we are at last brought to the most intimate and greatest revelation—to gaze at last on the face of the Lamb, possessed of inexpressible beauty and love. The centrality of all the glory is this, “they shall see His face” (Revelation 22:4), transfiguring us eternally into His own glorious likeness. “And His name shall be in their foreheads.” The vision of His face will never be dimmed nor obscurred, for the Spirit again writes, “there shall be no night there” (compare Revelation 21:25). So the perfections of the Lamb shall be ours with everlasting joy and we shall “reign forever and ever!”
“The Bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom’s face.
I will not gaze at glory,
But on the King of Grace.
Not at the crown He giveth,
But on His pierced hands.
THE LAMB IS ALL THE GLORY,
Of Immanuel’s Land!”