Healing the Nations 

Marilyn Appleby

One of our readings for this Sunday is from Revelation 22. It describes the restoration of Eden. I love the image of ‘the river of the water of life’, and the description of the tree of life bearing the crops of fruit.

Whenever I read this passage it reminds me of a holiday we had some years ago on the Oxford Canal. The reflections of the trees and bridges along the way brought about a calmness and sense of peace where the only disturbance would be the rippling of the water as water fowl swam by or dipped into the water, or birds calling out their heralding of the day or bird song that faded into the stillness of night.

In contrast the real world is far from this image, sadly. There is little peace, due to the presence of conflict, and little peace and quiet, because of every day noise that surrounds us, and worse, the lack of peace in our hearts (guilt) if we have not accepted Jesus as our forgiving Saviour.

However, just as the trees and the bridge in this picture are reflected in the water of the canal, so the words of Revelation 22:1-5 reflect an image of eternal life; something we can all look forward to as we place our trust and faith in Jesus.  

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations
Rev 22:2b