Tree of life.

The tree of life, mentioned in the books of Genesis and Revelation, is a life-giving tree created to enhance and perpetually sustain the physical life of humanity. The tree was planted by God in the Garden of Eden: “The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.

In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9). The centrally located tree of life would have been easily accessible to Adam and Eve from any point in the garden.

Revelation 22:2 - "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

In Revelation 22:2, it is described that in the heavenly city, there is a tree of life standing on each side of the river. This tree bears twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of this tree are for the healing of the nations. It’s a beautiful image of abundance, nourishment, and restoration.

Revelation 22:2 describes a vision of the heavenly city. It says, “In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” . This beautiful imagery portrays a place of abundant life and restoration.

Can you explain the symbolism of the tree of life?

Certainly! The tree of life appears in various religious and mythological traditions, often symbolizing different concepts. Here are some interpretations:

Christianity: In the Bible (Genesis and Revelation), the tree of life is associated with eternal life and divine presence. It was present in the Garden of Eden, and its fruit granted immortality. In Revelation 22:2, it represents healing and restoration.

Judaism: The tree of life (Etz Chaim) is a central symbol in Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah). It represents the interconnectedness of all creation, divine wisdom, and the path to enlightenment.

Ancient Mesopotamia: In Sumerian and Akkadian myths, the tree of life stood at the center of the world, connecting heaven, earth, and the underworld. It symbolized cosmic order and fertility.

Norse Mythology: Yggdrasil, the world tree, binds the realms of gods, humans, and giants. Its roots extend to different worlds, emphasizing interconnectedness and stability.

Other Cultures: The tree of life appears in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Celtic traditions. It often signifies growth, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence.

Remember, interpretations may vary, but the tree of life consistently embodies vitality, wisdom, and unity across cultures.

How does the tree of life compare to the forbidden fruit?

The tree of life and the forbidden fruit have contrasting symbolism in religious narratives:

Tree of Life:

Represents eternal life, divine presence, and healing.
Found in the Garden of Eden (Genesis) and the heavenly city (Revelation 22:2).

Its leaves heal the nations.

Symbolizes vitality, wisdom, and interconnectedness.

Forbidden Fruit:

From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17).

Brought sin and separation from God.

Symbolizes disobedience, curiosity, and moral choice.

The tree of life embodies positive aspects, while the forbidden fruit led to humanity’s fall.

John sees additional images of New Jerusalem. The city's depiction stands in contrast to the ruin experienced during the tribulation, and evokes comparisons to the garden of Eden from the book of Genesis. After this, John relates several commands and messages from Jesus Christ. Among these are a dire warning not to manipulate the words of this message. Revelation, along with the canon of Scripture, ends with a benediction and prayer for Jesus to return.

The river in New Jerusalem flows down the city's main street. It may divide and flow around the tree of life. Or perhaps a row of trees flanks the river on each side and produce twelve kinds of fruit, a different fruit each month. There is great meaning attached to the use of a tree: this evokes images of the garden of Eden, where God had originally placed mankind and a tree of life.

The leaves of this tree possess medicinal properties that benefit the nations. If this depiction includes part of the millennial reign of Christ, then earth's regenerate rulers likely shuttle to New Jerusalem to acquire these leaves and carry them back to earth.

That would coordinate with the longevity which characterizes life in the millennium. Isaiah 65:20 indicates that a person who dies at age one hundred during the thousand-year reign is young.

Early in human history longer life spans were the norm (Genesis 5), but the advance of sin in the human race and the curse on mankind reduced the life expectancy. With the curse removed by Christ's victory and sin held in check, food will be nutritious, disease will be infrequent, and longevity will return.

In eternity, of course, there will no longer be any death, at all (Revelation 20:14).

Revelation 22:1–5 provides further details of New Jerusalem, which was introduced in the preceding chapter. Based on the language used, some interpreters debate whether New Jerusalem will exist during the thousand-year reign of Christ, providing sustenance for those who live on the earth; or, if it will only appear after the end of the millennium. Either way, in New Jerusalem eternal conditions exist in perfection and peace.

More details concerning the tree of life come after Adam and Eve’s sin: “The LORD God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever’” (Genesis 3:22). In his disobedience, Adam lost his eternal life.

The tree of life in Eden must have had some role to play in maintaining the life of Adam and Eve (and possibly the animals).

Adam would “live forever,” even in his fallen condition, if he had eaten the tree of life after his sin. God placed a sword-wielding cherub at the entrance to the garden specifically “to guard the way to the tree of life” (verse 24). It seems access to the tree of life would have prolonged Adam’s physical life indefinitely, dooming him to an eternity in a cursed world.

It was a mercy that God kept us from the tree of life. By barring access to the tree of life, God showed compassion in His omniscience. Knowing that, because of sin, earthly life would be filled with sorrow and toil, God graciously limited the number of years men would live.

To live eternally in a sinful state would mean endless agony for humanity, with no hope of the relief that comes with death. By limiting our lifespan, God gives us enough time to come to know Him and His provision for eternal life through Christ but spares us the misery of an endless existence in a sinful condition.

In His great love, God provided One who would redeem fallen mankind. Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world, but through another Man, Jesus Christ, redemption through the forgiveness of sin is available to all (Romans 5:17).

Those who avail themselves of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross will be resurrected to see the tree of life again, for it stands in the middle of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, where it bears “twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2).

In the eternal state, the curse will be no more (verse 3), access to the tree of life will be reinstated, and darkness will be forever banished (verse 5). Eden will be restored.

Revelation 22:2 ESV "...the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

The holy city of Rev 21:2 is holy so could anything needing healing enter it?

Rev 21:4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes." This sounds like tears and their causes entering the city where they will be healed.

Rev 21:5 "I am making all things new." Could making all things new be a reference to healing which starting [Acts 3:21] in this world continues after "the first earth had passed away"? [Rev 21:1].

The healing that the Tree of Life provides, which is for the nations, occurs simultaneously whenever and, more specifically to the point of your question, wherever the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 is successfully declared (understanding that success is defined by actual making of disciples, coupled with a baptism, followed by proper observation of all that the Lord Jesus commanded His Apostles through their teaching).