Christian Writers Circle

By Judy Hitson

Revelation 22: 2 NIV……………………And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Lush colors of autumn leaves display God’s glory. This vibrant transformation of nature is anticipated each year where we live. It’s a welcome surprise to see the array of trees with their leaves changing colors from green to shades of red, yellow, orange and brown. While thinking about this, my attention was drawn to our key Bible phrase, “leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Think with me about the glory of changing leaves on earth and God’s glory in heaven with the leaves of the tree of life. Perhaps the Lord wants to reveal a parallel between the natural and the supernatural. I trust Him to give us understanding.

From an earthly perspective, I’m reminded of childhood years in Pennsylvania. It was a treasure hunt to collect autumn leaves for a school project. In my adult life, I enjoyed adventures with our children and grandchildren helping them gather colorful leaves for their projects. Autumn is a magnificent season around our Tennessee home.

It was a different experience living in the tropical climate of Hawaii as a young adult. The rich green trees and foliage with colorful flowers year round were beautiful.  But when fall season came, I missed the changing leaves back home. Moving from Hawaii to Colorado, I anticipated a colorful display of green, yellow, orange, red and brown in the fall season. Co-workers talked about the beauty of the Aspen leaves changing at that time of year. When fall arrived it was a surprise to discover aspens are noted for the splendor of their golden leaves. My expectation of colorful autumn leaves wasn’t realized until our family moved to Tennessee. Here I enjoy one of my favorite hobbies in autumn, collecting all sorts of leaves on early morning walks. The beauty of God’s creation throughout our nation and the nations of the world is amazing. If you and I were chatting about the seasons, we may share differences of appreciation. Perhaps we’d have an interesting discussion on our topic of leaves.

Now about heaven where leaves are for the healing of the nations, I wondered, does this imply leaves have homeopathic benefits? Are we to eat leaves for healing? What does it mean? In my senior years, I continue to learn. After prayerful consideration and research about this portion of Scripture as to its meaning, I asked the Lord for revelation and understanding. Consider this with me to determine if the interpretation of the following Scripture I write is from the Lord.

Rev. 22: 1-2 NIV 1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Revelation 22 touched my heart. It seemed to shed light from the Lord. It helped me see the leaves for the healing of the nations will be a greater glory in heaven than the glory on earth with the colorful autumn leaves I anticipate each year. Think about the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God. It nourishes the tree of life which bears twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month and the leaves of the trees are healing for the nations.

Picture with me Christ as the river of life who nourishes us; the tree of life who sustains us. As we eat of the fruit, the leaves heal the nations. Remember the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5. Can you see the glory of heaven picturing the clear water and fresh fruit as nourishment from the LORD? On earth, streams can be muddy. In heaven, God’s stream is clear and refreshing.

There are questions. How can the tree of life stand on either side of the river? How can the river flow down the middle of the street? Do we assume the LORD is the answer? All is in the LORD. He is the river of life. He is the tree of life. He gives us to eat to live forever. Are the twelve fruits yielding its fruit every month, fruit of the Spirit? We read in Gal. 5: 22-23 a list of nine. Are we, the people of God, the leaves that are for the healing of the nations? In John 15 we see that Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches. We discover He calls us to abide in Him. Is it that we store in us God’s healing by His Spirit who resides in us? That’s what I see. Christ in us the hope of glory, Col. 1: 27. Christ is our life, Col. 3: 4. Let us press in to know the LORD in all His glory. Join me this autumn season to reflect on God’s glory on earth and in heaven.