26:12); but as a source of joy, holiness and happiness, it is a living stream whereof all may partake.  While this symbol meets an appropriate fulfilment in the present dispensation, yet salvation will also be the eternal possession of the saints in the world to come, when “they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb, which is in the midst thereof, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”  Chap. 7:16, 17.

In a most appropriate place, upon the banks of the river, grew “the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month:  and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”  The tree of life in the garden of Eden was a symbol of man’s immortality or incorruption, or rather the means of it; for after his fall it was securely guarded and he driven from the garden, “lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Gen. 3:22) and thus frustrate the decree of God just uttered—­that he should return unto dust and corruption.  In the New Jerusalem, however, that tree of life blooms again and bears fruit abundantly, yea continuously, as symbolized by “every month,” and no cherubim with flaming sword are placed to guard all approach to it.  The privilege is open; for it is added immediately, “There shall be no more curse.”  This, then, symbolizes the removal of spiritual death and the impartation of everlasting life in this world and immortality in the next.  The tree of life grew on both sides of the river.  On this side of the line of mortality we have access to it in one important sense, while those in the future world are preserved also by its healing benefits.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit abide in this city.  God reveals himself, not to a few chosen priests only through the Shekinah of his presence, but to all his servants—­“they all see his face.”  As in the ancient tabernacle he manifested himself by “the glory of the Lord,” or the Shekinah, which was represented as “seeing his face”; so, also, the “glory of the Lord” abides in the New Jerusalem, filling the entire city with the holy manifestation of the divine presence.  His people are “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,” by which they possess the name of their Father—­not the name of the beast nor of his image, but the name of the Father.

“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:  and they shall reign forever and ever.”  This city has no need of natural or artificial light, “for the Lamb is the light thereof.”  Chap. 21:23.  The light of the sun stands connected with the light of a candle and both are represented as unnecessary, which denotes that “there shall be no night there,” but one clear eternal day.