After seeing the church in her glorified completion, John is shown the new creation in which the church will dwell. And like the vision of the church, the new Jerusalem, this vision of the new creation is highly symbolic. It draws heavily from the vision of the prophet Ezekiel.

In his vision of the new eternal paradise, John is shown a river, a tree, and a throne. Each of these images play a vital role in the eschatological vision of life in the age to come. From the throne John sees a river clear as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In Ezekiel’s vision, a river flows from the temple (47:10-12).  This harkens back to Eden – the first temple – from which a river flowed (Genesis 2:10). Being the source of a river demonstrates abundance and life.

The river flowing through the heart of the new earth is surrounded by the tree of life which takes root on both banks. This tree(s) is portrayed in Ezekiel’s vision as well (47:12). In Genesis, we read of the tree of life in the garden which stood as a reminder of the Lord’s covenant (2:9-10). The tree of life is symbolic of the healing, abundance, and eternal life found in God’s gracious salvation.

Finally, John’s vision is bracketed by mention of the throne of God and of the Lamb. The prominence of the Lord’s throne reminds us of his proximity to his people. There will be no need for a temple for the whole of the new creation will be the temple of the Lord’s glory, just as the first creation was intended to be. Together we will dwell in God’s blessed presence, along with all of those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.