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This is the living water promised by our Lord: "He that shall drink of the water that I will give him, shall not thirst for ever: but the water that I will give him, shall become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." [1]

2. The tree of life stands in the midst of the city on either banks of the river at the disposal of all and to all it gives eternal life. Its twelve fruits ripening every month symbolize the happiness of heaven which shall be without interruption for all eternity. In this life the fruit of the tree is the Holy Eucharist, and its leaves the teachings of Christ and His Church. In heaven the fruit is the glory of the Beatific Vision; and the leaves, the accidental glory of the saints. [2]

3-5. Sin shall be no more, and the saints shall serve and glorify God whom they behold face to face. "We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known." [3] The name of God written upon the foreheads of the saints is a mark of their adoption as children of God by Baptism and Confirmation. "Be hold what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called, and should be the sons of God." [4]

Night shall be no more; the saints need not the lamp

  1. St. John iv, 13, 14; Psalm xxxv, 9, 10.
  2. Cath. Encyc., vol. viii, p. 174.
  3. I Corinth, xiii, 12.
  4. I John iii, 1.