Heaven Series #19
“The Tree of Life”
Probably, the first great act of mercy shown to mankind from God was when He shut Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden saying, ”He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the TREE OF LIFE and eat, and live forever.” (Gen. 3:22, 24) Had God not done this, mankind would have been “locked in” to our sinful condition for eternity… a horrific thought.
Quite amazingly, the TREE OF LIFE shows back up in the book of Revelation, as does Paradise (Eden) as well. This time there is no cherubim or flaming sword guarding it from God’s children. On the contrary, the very One who paid the price to give us access… is also the One who says, “To him who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the TREE OF LIFE, which is in the Paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7)
Some have speculated that since approximately 6,000 years have passed since the Garden of Eden was removed from this earth and transported to Heaven, that possibly the TREE OF LIFE has continued to grow. Unhindered by the restrictions of the curse, it may be growing throughout the whole great city of New Jerusalem. I suppose we really won’t know until we get there.
John writes in the last chapter of the book of Revelation, “On each side of the river (of the water of life) stood the TREE OF LIFE… “bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the TREE are for the healing of the nations.”
John’s description of the tree of life here in Revelation 22 is almost identical to what is spoken by the prophet Ezekiel in the Old Testament: “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing” Ezek. 47:12
Imagine that… a tree that produces a different fruit every month… Heaven fruit… Even the leaves have some special power and purpose. This majestic tree is unlike any tree we have ever seen on this earth.
God has chosen to only give us glimpses of the Heavenly City… just enough for us to know that it is going to be spectacular in every way… just enough to know that whatever we must endure here, it will be worth it.
Friend, if you will search your own heart, I believe you will sense a drawing, even a deep longing within yourself… to go HOME… to your real home… and this is not it. We were made for Heaven and Heaven was made for us. This life is just a breath and will soon be over.
Our purpose here is to draw as close to God as we possibly can… and then as His ambassadors, to bring others with us to Heaven.
We’ll have eternity to enjoy the pleasures our Father has prepared for us. (Luke 12:32) The great TREE OF LIFE in the Paradise of God… is just one of those countless pleasures.
Blessings, Mike
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