The Spirit tells us to “go” and “preach”, but does the Spirit also tell us “to heal”?

Today I want to say something about Jerusalem, because in it grow trees and fruit for the healing of the nations (Rev. 22:2). Jerusalem, heavily claimed as the city in Palestine, while the Spirit teaches us that it is being built world-wide of living stones.

A Living Jerusalem⤒🔗

Actually, this claim is incomprehensible. As in Scripture a verdict is being made about the city of God. It says very plainly that from the present earthly Jerusalem, we must expect nothing.

As it has, with its children, gone into slavery (Gal. 4:25). Characteristic of this is that the people reject Jesus as Saviour and hold on to the laws that he has fulfilled. So, the new dispensation passes by this Jerusalem, while the old dispensation is robbed of her fulfillment.

Now also among us there are differences of opinion about the question whether the Jewish people still occupy a special place today? That question I leave alone for now, I will only say that I think this is to be considered separately from the position of Jerusalem in Palestine.

Even when you very much hold them dear, the fact is that the Spirit speaks in this new dispensation of the only true heavenly Jerusalem (Gal. 4:26), for Jews and Greek.

God himself introduces this spiritual city to us as the continuation of the community he started in the Jerusalem of David. That is why the name is the same!

This is a threat for the city that wants to maintain being Jewish, but it is very clear to the peoples who come from everywhere to the age-old covenant. Since Pentecost it holds that believers everywhere in the world are as equally children of Abraham as Isaac is— his natural son (Gal. 4:28).

Whoever belongs to Christ, has Abraham as father (Gal. 3:29). By placing their faith in God, people are no longer even foreigners or sojourners, but they are equally at home in the city of God as the Israelite born there (Eph. 2:19-22, Ps. 87:6).

The blood-ties are not decisive anymore, what matters is the ties we have in faith. The heavenly Jerusalem is being built of living stones.

This is remarkable imagery, and surprisingly clear. For God, it was never about the silver and gold in the temple, but about his dwelling among the people. Precious metals can be stolen; the congregation herself is God’s house, built on the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as cornerstone (Eph. 2:19-22).

Believers are encouraged to let themselves be used as living stones (1 Peter 2:5). This heavenly Jerusalem gets her existence through the river with water that gives life (Rev. 22:1).

This river starts at the throne of God and flows right through the city. That is why we see the growth and flourishing with healing results.

Imagery←⤒🔗

But there is still another complication. The Lord uses imagery, but not everyone always notices it. This gives peculiar effects. And so, there are people who literally see Jerusalem as a city of stone, of precious stone. A city which cannot be found anywhere currently, so it will be in the future. Does it not also say that she will come down from heaven?

No, it does not say that. That “will” has been smuggled in (Rev. 21:2). It is especially the beautiful composition of the Revelation to John that the complete history of the Old Testament is summarized in the construction of two cities: Jerusalem the bride and Babylon the harlot.

Now about Babylon there is less difference of opinion: she is the city of man, not a city you can point to on a map, but a spiritual community where man determines what goes on.

No one perceives that this Babylon is in the future. Well, in the same way, the heavenly Jerusalem is now being built.

“Heavenly” by the way, does not mean that it is only in heaven. It shows where it comes from, just as we can speak of wine from the Cape, or Gouda cheese. This Jerusalem is from heaven being built on the earth, it will not come down, but it is coming down. Today it is our calling to enter her gates with the keys that we receive and so to leave Babylon.

Now it is true that in John’s Revelation also the future of both cities is shown. As Babylon is shown to be a mess, and Jerusalem as a city that radiates. That helps today in choosing. But it does not mean that the cities themselves are just in the future.

This literal reading which expects a Jerusalem of stone in the future, destroys the message of the imagery. For God wants to show what is essential of the heavenly Jerusalem, what her source is, how life is rendered here in communion and how we are healed in such a way here that we in due time will shine as precious stones! Yes, when sin is removed from us we will completely be in the image of God’s glory. This is characteristic of the living Jerusalem, to hold dear, even when all her glory is not to be seen yet with our eyes (see 1 John 3:2).

In her is contained all history. On her gates are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, on the foundation of the wall are the names of the apostles of the Lamb.

While the whole view, equally long and wide as high, makes us think of the prophesy of Isaiah.

He saw the mountain with the house of God becoming the tallest of all mountains, the top reaching to the heavens, the gates of the city resting on earth, and nations entering through them (Isa. 2:1-5).

Healing Water←⤒🔗

The artery of this city is the river; imagery for the Spirit and the Word of God. The river’s source is at the throne of God and of the Lamb, and thus the water flows to the people.

It is remarkable that we see an agreement with the vision that was shown to Ezekiel, that among us has become known as the new temple with the temple river (Ezek. 47). Also that small brook is called a river in the new translation. But the meaning of it has remained the same. A small stream of water came from the temple, it flowed along the altar and over the land, flowing eastward, to the Jordan which empties in the Dead Sea. That stream fast became wider and deeper and everywhere the water flowed, life became healthy. Even the salt water of the Dead Sea was healed by it. It was suitable for all kinds of fish, it turned many things to life in the sea of death.

This image contains a tremendous expressiveness. “So everything will live where the river goes” it says in Ezekiel 47:9. That is not just about fish, this is (also) about people. The image continues: “And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing” (Ezek. 47:12).

John writes about the heavenly Jerusalem in much the same words. On both sides of the river he saw a tree of life, with fruit for each month. “The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2).

So, this is not to be taken literally, this vision is imagery, just like the living stones are. We will not be eating leaves from the trees. What matters is the essence: nations find healing in the city of God, by the river of God.

It is also not the future, for later there will not be anything to heal. The Spirit and the Bride are now inviting us: “Come! And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Rev. 22:17).

All together, we see the image of source and river, of drinking and coming to life and receiving healing. The trees receive their fruitfulness from the water. It could be that image refers to us, just as with the stones. Think of Psalm 1, where the righteous person is like a tree, planted by a river. Then the imagery runs into itself somewhat, but the essence remains the same: through the Word and the Spirit of God, there is an abundance of life and healing.

Those who are in Jerusalem enjoy this, they glorify God. And they invite the nations!

The nations may come and receive their share from the trees of life. It will be for their healing.

Ezekiel as well as John write about this, this is not a small matter. This is something that we should clearly see and realize.

This is how it becomes clear that if in church we do not speak about healing, we short-change the essence of Jerusalem. And that there indeed is a command here to be a healing for the nations. That is the meaning of this Jerusalem in this time in this world.

Visions are Like Parables←⤒🔗

Of parables, it is known that the sword is two-edged. The people who did not want to think about it, could not do anything with it. The message passed them by. Others were touched indeed by the sharpness of the imagery through which the Word of God came to them.

That was also the intent. The image wants to make an impression in the heart that never leaves again. Think of the father of the lost son. Think of the good Samaritan. Think of the invitation to the wedding feast. Think of the talents. Think of the girls with and without oil.

One by one concise characterizations of central moments in the relationship with God. To always keep in mind!

Visions are just like parables. They are three-dimensional, but other than that there is little difference. Also here, the image is like a sword, which is sharp on both sides, piercing deep into our hearts (Heb. 4:12).

Think of the Lamb as sacrificed, but very much alive. Think of the horses which go throughout the world. Think of the two witnesses. Think of the beast, his threat, and his destruction.

One by one concise characterizations of this time under the reign of Jesus Christ. See the two cities as summary of the complete development on earth.

Whoever does not think about this, puts it aside as a tricky theory. Others are touched by the sharpness of this imagery, their eyes open for the reality as she is. See Jerusalem, city of God and of people. Recognize her in every place where two or three are gathered in his Name.

There flows the river, apparently a small stream, but in reality, the water for the world.

This gives a tremendous dimension to the church, this image is to be in everyone’s mind.

To truly be there, as today’s fulfillment of what God began in Israel a long time ago. As a place of forgiveness, healing, and justification. As a city that will not be lost. As a river, full of life-generating water with plenty of growth and bloom.

Whoever sees this, will begin to enthusiastically sing:

Jerusalem! We stood in awe
when we your strength and beauty saw Psalm 122, Book of Praise.

Go, Preach, and Heal←⤒🔗

Jerusalem is not being built to then withdraw; on the contrary. She is the only alternative for Babylon. This is how she rises throughout the centuries. When Jerusalem fades, ever more people will get lost in Babylon.

“The Spirit and the Bride say: Come!
Let those who listen, say: Come!” Rev. 22:17.

Whoever drinks of the living water, himself becomes a source for someone else. Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water, says Jesus (John 7:37-38). Very surprising, as directly as this is being spoken. What applies to the big, living city, God applies to everyone who lives there.

“Go, preach, and heal” summarizes in a good way what matters in our lives, in this Jerusalem.

The Lord records as he registers the peoples,
“This one was born there.” Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.” Ps. 87:6-7.