Healing Leaves in Heaven? Why? Who Gets Sick? Revelation 21:2

 

22 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. ² In the middle of its street and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Previously, we paused our picnic by the River of Life, to look upstream and see Him who sits on the throne, and there we noticed, the only man-made thing in heaven.

Let’s pick up our picnic where we left off. Sitting beside the beautiful river, flowing from the throne of God, with trees of life on either side. The trees bear a dozen different kinds of delicious fruit, every month.

Even the leaves are lovely; and they have a purpose too—healing.

But wait. What? Healing? Why? Why do we need leaves for healing in heaven? Who gets sick? That makes no sense.

Good questions. It does seem out of place to have hospitals in heaven, right? Since nobody gets sick, or hurt, or dies. Revelation 21:4.

Remember, the best commentary on the Bible, is the Bible.  

We were introduced to the tree of life way back in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:8-9.

It makes sense that we see trees of life in heaven. I mean, it wouldn’t make sense if the tree of life…died. Afterall, God’s first command to all living creation, was to be fruitful and multiply. So, just seeing the tree of life, alive, and multiplied, makes perfect sense, and aligns with God’s Divine design and character.

But what about the healing leaves?

Well, the tree started out on earth, with man, in the garden. Man was created in the image of God, but he was still human. Even before “the fall” he could fall. If he tripped on a twig, he could skin his knee, or bump his head. He was still fallible, still fall-able—which we all know, all too well.

So, of course, God would have a tree in the midst of the garden that would have, not only great fruit for nourishment, but leaves for healing. Just like any good parent (or grandparent) keeps food in the fridge and band-aids in medicine cabinet.

Now, that we’re in heaven, God’s not going to strip the leaves of their original healing purpose and properties—just like He won’t strip you of your gifts and callings.

Furthermore, it was an act of compassion to wait until the end of the story (Revelation instead of Genesis) to mention that the leaves were for healing. To mention it up front, in the beginning, would be like rubbing salt on a wound. “See, I made this tree with healing leaves, but you screwed it all up, so now you just have to suffer through sickness and disease, and pain…” God is too merciful and kind to write HIStory like that. He waits, until all sickness and disease and pain are gone, and then, says, oh, by the way, see those leaves, they were for healing.

 

Dear Lord,

You are so awesome.

Thank You for making provision for us, all of us, body, soul, and spirit. Our hope, trust, and faith, is in You, and You, alone.

We love You. Can’t wait to see You, face to face.

Come quickly, find us faithful, ready, watching, waiting.

See You, soon.

Amen.