THE TREE OF LIFE.

[Alex2165]

THE TREE OF LIFE.

In Genesis the Tree of Life was mentioned in the Garden of Eden together with the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil perhaps was set to test first humans if they would obey command of the Lord not to eat forbidden fruit from that Tree.

But what was the purpose of the Tree of Life?

Genesis 2.9
9.And out of the ground the Lord GOD caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food, the Tree of Life also in the midst of the garden, and the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil.

According to Genesis 3.22 the Tree gives eternal life. After Adam and Eve lost their immortality GOD decided to guard the Tree of Life from Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3.22
22.Then the Lord GOD said, "See, the man has become like one of *Us knowing good and evil, and now he might reach out his hand and take also from the Tree of Life and eat, and live forever."

*Us - We - (Genesis 1.26, 3.22, 11.7, 18.1-8.22) (Isaiah 6.8, 41.22-26)

Interesting to notice that the Tree of Life already existed before Adam and Eve lost their immortality, and if the Adam and Eve were immortal then why they would need the Tree of Life?

Adam and Eve were physical beings and so all their generations after them. So perhaps the Tree of Life had purpose to heal injuries and even resurrect the dead. It looks like that the Tree of Life was able to regenerate human cells, and even if a body has mortal injury no longer compatible with life, it seems that the Tree of Life has ability not only to restore dead cells but even bring the spirit back into the body.

Such assumption goes parallel and consistent with other passages of the Bible.

Ezekiel 47.7.12
7.Now when I had returned, on the bank of the river there were very many Trees on the one side and on the other.
12."And by the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of Trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail, they will bear every month, because their water flows from the Sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing."

Revelation 2.7
7."Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give permission to eat from the Tree of Life that is in the Paradise of GOD." (Paradise of GOD: Luke 23.43, 2Corinthians 12.2-4, Revelation 2.7)

Revelation 22.2.14.19
2.In the middle of its (Jerusalem's) street, and on either side of the River was the Tree of Life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month, and the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the nations.
14.Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter by the gates into the city (Jerusalem).
19.if anyone takes away from the words of the Book of this prophesy, GOD will take away that person’s share in the Tree of Life and in the holy city (Jerusalem), which are described in this Book.

According to the verses above, the Tree of Life will return back, it will be in the paradise of GOD, and also in the holy city of Jerusalem. It will be available to all the nations of the world to heal.

So, the nations of the world not only will come to Jerusalem to pay homage to the Lord GOD, but also will bring their sick, ill, and injured to be healed.

The Tree of Life also mentioned in other places of the Bible, but mostly metaphorically.

Psalm 1.2-3
2.But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night.
3.And he will be like a Tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does he prospers.

Proverbs 3.18
18.She (wisdom) is a Tree of Life to those who lay hold of her, those who hold her fast are called happy.

Proverbs 11.30
30.The fruit of the righteous is a Tree of Life, but violence takes lives away.

Proverbs 13.12
12.Hope deferred (delayed, late) makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a Tree of Life. (KSB)

Proverbs 15.4
4.A soothing (calming) tongue is a Tree of Life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. (KSB)

Jeremiah 17.7-8
7."Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.
8.He will be like a Tree planted by the water that extends its root by a stream, and will not fear when the heat comes, but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought, nor cease to yield fruit."

GOD bless.

 

[Deacon]

You might like the parallels noted in the passage here.

Rob


“While humanity remained banished from Yahweh’s life-giving presence in paradise, Israel was given mediated access to Eden through the gift of his dwelling. Such an understanding arises from a variety of parallels between the tabernacle and the garden of Eden narratives, long noted by commentators on the Pentateuch. Some have compared, for example, the lampstand, a stylized almond tree, with the tree of life. Lushness and life associated with God‘s presence in the holy of holy‘s is comparable to the descriptions of paradise, and Ezekiel even sees a river of life flowing out of the temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12; compare with Genesis 2:10-14; Revelation 22:1-3).“

Exodus Old and New, A Biblical Theology of Redemption. By L. Michael Morales.
Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), volume 2, edited by Benjamin L. Gladd. IVP 2020, pp. 98, 99.

 

[Alex2165]

Thank you Deacon for comments and pictures. Yes parallels are very interesting, and pictures relatively accurate if compare to other sources.

"Some have compared, for example, the lampstand, a stylized almond tree, with the tree of life.."

According to Jewish and even some Christian traditions, the Lampstand represent 7 Days GOD'S creation and the Rest Day.

According to Halley's Bible Handbook, location of Garden of Eden was on the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, at their junction with the Pishon and Gihon (Genesis 2.10-14). The Pishon and Gihon have not been identified.
The Euphrates and Tigris rise in the Caucaus mountain region of southwest Asia, flow southwest and empty into the Persian Gulf.

 

[Quantrill]

You might like the parallels noted in the passage here.

Rob

“While humanity remained banished from Yahweh’s life-giving presence in paradise, Israel was given mediated access to Eden through the gift of his dwelling. Such an understanding arises from a variety of parallels between the tabernacle and the garden of Eden narratives, long noted by commentators on the Pentateuch. Some have compared, for example, the lampstand, a stylized almond tree, with the tree of life. Lushness and life associated with God‘s presence in the holy of holy‘s is comparable to the descriptions of paradise, and Ezekiel even sees a river of life flowing out of the temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12; compare with Genesis 2:10-14; Revelation 22:1-3).“

Exodus Old and New, A Biblical Theology of Redemption. By L. Michael Morales.
Essential Studies in Biblical Theology (ESBT), volume 2, edited by Benjamin L. Gladd. IVP 2020, pp. 98, 99.

That is interesting. Going east away from God. Going west toward God.

When Christ comes from the east, He will also be going west. (Matt. 24:27) (Is. 46:10-13)

Quantrill

 

[Quantrill]

THE TREE OF LIFE.

In Genesis the Tree of Life was mentioned in the Garden of Eden together with the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil perhaps was set to test first humans if they would obey command of the Lord not to eat forbidden fruit from that Tree.

But what was the purpose of the Tree of Life?

Genesis 2.9
9.And out of the ground the Lord GOD caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food, the Tree of Life also in the midst of the garden, and the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil.

According to Genesis 3.22 the Tree gives eternal life. After Adam and Eve lost their immortality GOD decided to guard the Tree of Life from Adam and Eve.

Genesis 3.22
22.Then the Lord GOD said, "See, the man has become like one of *Us knowing good and evil, and now he might reach out his hand and take also from the Tree of Life and eat, and live forever."

*Us - We - (Genesis 1.26, 3.22, 11.7, 18.1-8.22) (Isaiah 6.8, 41.22-26)

Interesting to notice that the Tree of Life already existed before Adam and Eve lost their immortality, and if the Adam and Eve were immortal then why they would need the Tree of Life?

Adam and Eve were physical beings and so all their generations after them. So perhaps the Tree of Life had purpose to heal injuries and even resurrect the dead. It looks like that the Tree of Life was able to regenerate human cells, and even if a body has mortal injury no longer compatible with life, it seems that the Tree of Life has ability not only to restore dead cells but even bring the spirit back into the body.

Such assumption goes parallel and consistent with other passages of the Bible.

Ezekiel 47.7.12
7.Now when I had returned, on the bank of the river there were very many Trees on the one side and on the other.
12."And by the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of Trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail, they will bear every month, because their water flows from the Sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing."

Revelation 2.7
7."Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers I will give permission to eat from the Tree of Life that is in the Paradise of GOD." (Paradise of GOD: Luke 23.43, 2Corinthians 12.2-4, Revelation 2.7)

Revelation 22.2.14.19
2.In the middle of its (Jerusalem's) street, and on either side of the River was the Tree of Life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month, and the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the nations.
14.Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter by the gates into the city (Jerusalem).
19.if anyone takes away from the words of the Book of this prophesy, GOD will take away that person’s share in the Tree of Life and in the holy city (Jerusalem), which are described in this Book.

According to the verses above, the Tree of Life will return back, it will be in the paradise of GOD, and also in the holy city of Jerusalem. It will be available to all the nations of the world to heal.

So, the nations of the world not only will come to Jerusalem to pay homage to the Lord GOD, but also will bring their sick, ill, and injured to be healed.

The Tree of Life also mentioned in other places of the Bible, but mostly metaphorically.

Psalm 1.2-3
2.But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night.
3.And he will be like a Tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does he prospers.

Proverbs 3.18
18.She (wisdom) is a Tree of Life to those who lay hold of her, those who hold her fast are called happy.

Proverbs 11.30
30.The fruit of the righteous is a Tree of Life, but violence takes lives away.

Proverbs 13.12
12.Hope deferred (delayed, late) makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a Tree of Life. (KSB)

Proverbs 15.4
4.A soothing (calming) tongue is a Tree of Life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. (KSB)

Jeremiah 17.7-8
7."Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.
8.He will be like a Tree planted by the water that extends its root by a stream, and will not fear when the heat comes, but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought, nor cease to yield fruit."

GOD bless.

Your question, 'what was the purpose of the Tree of Life' is difficult. I have found that few commentators attempt to answer. I certainly don't think anyone can be dogmatic concerning it.

I do believe it has significance concerning the body more than the spirit and soul. But then in eternity, if you affect the body, how is the soul and spirit not affected? It is present in (Rev. 22:2) in the New Jerusalem, as you pointed out. This brings us again to a place where man is in a sinless state in eternity.

The best I can say at this time is, it is there and partaking of it ,both the fruit and leaves, (Rev. 22:2), will lead to health for the believers. Access to it is a good thing. Access denied is a bad thing. (22:14)

Quantrill

 

[Alex2165]

I agree with you thoughts Quantrill. The Trees of Life will deal only with physical issues of the physical body, the Jesus Christ is the Tree of Life of the Spiritual issues.

It seems like that everything will be renewed, the heaven and the Earth. And oceans and seas will disappear. And new Jerusalem will come down from Heaven!

Revelation 21.1-2.22-23
1.Then I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth, the first Heaven and the first Earth had passed away and the sea was no more.

2.And I saw the holy city the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from GOD, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.


Another mysterious item mentioned in Revelation is a certain "River of the Water of Life." And I have no clue what it means. Is it will be also some kind of Water that will renew life and regenerate physical body just like the Tree of Life does, or it will be something else?

Revelation 22.1-2
1.Then the angel showed me the River of the Water of Life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of GOD and of the Lamb,

2.through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the Tree of Life, with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month, and the leaves of the Tree are for the healing of the nations. (Genesis 2.9) (Psalm 1.3) (Jeremiah 17.7-8) (Ezekiel 47.7.12) (Revelation 22.2)


Also very interesting things was said about the Ark of the Covenant and the Temple.

Jeremiah 3.16
16."And it shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land," declares the Lord, "They shall say no more, 'The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord,' and it shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they miss it, nor shall it be made again."


But in Revelation the Ark of the Covenant will reappear.

Revelation 11.19
19.And the Temple of GOD which is in Heaven was opened, and The Ark of His Covenant appeared in His Temple, and there were flashes of lightning, and sounds and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.


Concerning the Temple, "the Lord GOD Almighty and the Lamb will be the Temple in Jerusalem.

Revelation 21.22
22.And I saw no Temple in it (in Jerusalem which came down from Heaven), the Lord GOD the Almighty and the Lamb Are its (Jerusalem's) Temple.

Yes, things will be very different in those days.