Apocalypse Revealed # 934
934. That fruits symbolize the good works that a person does out of love or charity is, indeed, something known without confirmation from the Word, for no one who reads the Word interprets fruits to mean anything else.
Fruits symbolize the goods of love or charity because a person is likened to a tree and is also called a tree (nos. 89, 400).
That fruits symbolize the goods of love or charity, which in common speech are called good works, may be seen from the following passages:
...the ax is laid to the root of the tree. Every tree... which does not bear good fruit shall be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:10, cf. 7:16-20)
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree rotten and its fruit rotten; ...a tree is known by its fruit. (Matthew 12:33, cf. Luke 6:43-44)
Every branch... that does not bear fruit (shall be taken away); and every branch that bears fruit (shall be pruned), that it may bear more fruit... He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit... (John 15:2-8).
...bear fruits worthy of repentance... (Matthew 3:8)
He who received seed on the good ground is someone who hears the Word and heeds it (and) bears fruit... (Matthew 13:23)
(Jesus said to His disciples,) ."..I chose you... that you should... bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain... (John 15:16)
A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; he came seeking fruit on it and found none. He said to the keeper of his vineyard, ."..Cut it down; why should it render the ground fruitless?" (Luke 13:6-9)
...a certain householder... leased (his vineyard) to husbandmen..., that (he) might receive its fruit. But the husbandmen (killed) his servants (that he sent to them)..., and last of all... his son... (Therefore he) will lease his vineyard to (others) who will render to him the fruits in their seasons... Therefore... the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it. (Matthew 21:33-35, 37-39, 41, 43)
And so on in many other places.
Revelation 22
1
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,
2
in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3
There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him.
4
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5
There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.
6
He said to me, "These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon."
7
"Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
8
Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.
9
He said to me, "See you don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
10
He said to me, "Don't seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11
He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still."
12
"Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.
13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14
Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15
Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star."
17
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him Come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.
18
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
19
If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20
He who testifies these things says, "Yes, I come quickly." Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.
21
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.
