- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
The Blessedness of Cleansed Soul
By F B Meyer
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22 v14).
In the last chapter of the book of Revelation there is a very interesting change from the Authorised to the Revised Version, which highlights a line of thought which must be often emphasised. The Authorised Version reads “blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life”. The Revised Version reads, “blessed are they that wash their robes”. We should be thankful that this is the condition, rather than the keeping of His commandments, which might cause legalism in our character like the Pharisees. We are conscious of our sin day by day, but as we wash our robes and make them white through the blood of the Lamb, we can approach the tree of life and eat its fruit.
There are two other references to the tree of life in this wonderful chapter. In verse 2, we are told that it yields each month the food appropriate for the month. In verse 19, we learn that each of us has a distinct and individual part in that tree. Its leaves are for our healing, and its fruit is suited to every phase of human experience.
The tree of life was originally planted in Paradise together with the tree of knowledge (Genesis 2 v9). As the latter fed the soul of our first parents with knowledge of good and evil, so the former stood for the life of the spirit nurtured and fed by the Spirit of God. When we learn of its monthly yield, we are reminded that whatever each temporary experience of human life requires, it will be fully met out of divine supplies. January days with their new resolves and hopes. February days with storms and frosts. May days with the flowers of hope. June days with warmth and light. September days of completion. December days of sickness or old age. But whatever month or day, there is always a supply of grace to be obtained from fellowship with our dear Lord. He is the solution to every need, and perhaps we are led through these experiences in order to give us the opportunity of learning and utilising resources from our Saviour, otherwise we would learn nothing.
From “Our Daily Walk”.