22:2 tree of life. The cherubim had once been directed by God to prevent sinful men from eating the fruit of the tree of life and living forever in their sins (Genesis 3:22-24). In the New Jerusalem, however, the tree of life will always be freely accessible to all; it will probably also grow alongside the river wherever its distributaries flow throughout the whole earth.

22:2 twelve manner of fruits. Herein is a marvelous thing! Instead of twelve different kinds of fruit trees, each bearing its fruit only in its particular season, God has programmed this tree to bear all of them, each in its proper time.

22:2 every month. There will still be a flow of time in the new earth, and some means (perhaps astronomical, as at present) of measuring time. Even though there will be no night in the city itself, since the glory of God perpetually illumines it, the sun and moon will still be in the sky, and may well continue the normal procession of days, months and years which God had originally established in His “very good” creation in the beginning (Genesis 1:14,31). It is not that time will cease, as some teach, but just that time will never end, “throughout all ages, world without end” (Ephesians 3:21).

22:3 no more curse. The primeval curse (Genesis 3:17-19) will be completely lifted from the new earth (see notes on Revelation 20:11; 21:1,4-5).

22:3 serve him. Life in the new earth will be far more than mere rest and fellowship. There will be ample time for these also, as well as for harps and singing, but there will also be work to do. This work will no doubt be referenced in some appropriate way to our service here in this life (note Revelation 22:12), but will surely be satisfying and fruitful work. In an infinite universe, with an eternity of time, we can never run out of something to do!