DRINKING IN HEAVEN

Rev.21:6 – Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost.”

This passage at the very end of the book of Revelation reminds us instantly of one of the themes found in the gospel of John. Twice John spoke clearly about Living Water referring to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In John 4 Jesus speaks to a desperate woman about the misery of her soul. Jesus told her, “If you knew the gift of God and who I am you would have asked me for Living Water”. He told her that this water would quench the thirst of her soul. In John 7 Jesus proclaimed that anyone who is thirsty can come and drink this water and it would become a river flowing out of their belly. In Revelation John again speaks of this water and describes that this will be our nourishment throughout eternity. Here is how Albert Barnes describes it.

“Jesus here refers, without doubt, to his own teaching, his grace, his spirit, and to the benefits which come into the soul that embraces his gospel. It is a striking image, and especially in Eastern countries, where there are vast deserts, and often a great want of water. The soul by nature is like such a desert, or like a traveller wandering through such a desert. It is thirsting for happiness, and seeking it everywhere, and finds it not. It looks in all directions and tries all objects, but in vain. Nothing meets its desires. Though a sinner seeks for joy in wealth and pleasures, yet he is not satisfied. He still thirsts for more, and seeks still for happiness in some new enjoyment. To such a weary and unsatisfied sinner the grace of Christ is as cold waters to a thirsty soul.”

Today we are offered this Living Water which is a foretaste of the life we will enjoy in heaven for eternity. If the foretaste is amazing how much more will the fullness be as we step into the atmosphere of heaven? When you drink this Living Water a strange contrast appears. We are satisfied with this water of life and at the same time our thirst increases. I am not sure how this happens but is true, we become satisfied but thirstier than ever. That will only intensify in heaven, there will be no lack because we will drink of Christ’s sufficiency freely, at the same time we will still be thirsty for more of Him.