The Tree of Life

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17

Genesis 5:9

“The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed THE TREE OF LIFE and THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL.”

Genesis 5:15-17 “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

The first man’s existence started with access to THE TREE OF LIFE because he was blameless. God told him that if he obeyed Him, he would live, but if he disobeyed God, he would die. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and obeyed the serpent. Their deaths were spiritual, as their physical lives continued.

Romans 6:23 “FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

SIN = DEATH

When they sinned, their spirits died, and they lost access to THE TREE OF LIFE.

Their physical lives on Earth were no longer blessed but cursed. They no longer belonged to God but to Satan, whom they obeyed.

THE TREE OF LIFE 

GUARDED BY A “BOUNDARY” AND A PROMISE.

Genesis 3:22-24

“Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. WHAT IF THEY REACH OUT, TAKE FRUIT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, AND EAT IT? THEN THEY WILL LIVE FOREVER!” So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After sending them out, the Lord God stationed MIGHTY CHERUBIM TO THE EAST OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN. AND HE PLACED A FLAMING SWORD THAT FLASHED BACK AND FORTH TO GUARD THE WAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE.”

EXPLAINED:

➡️ THE EAST IS THE DIRECTION OF THE MORNING

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I AM THE BRIGHT MORNING STAR.”

2 Peter 1:19 “Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until THE DAY DAWNS, AND CHRIST THE MORNING STAR SHINES IN YOUR HEARTS.”

➡️ A FLAMING SWORD = THE WORD OF GOD = JESUS CHRIST

Luke 2:33-35 “Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. HE HAS BEEN SENT AS A SIGN FROM GOD, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. AND A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR VERY SOUL.”

Hebrews 4:12 “FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE AND POWERFUL. IT IS SHARPER THAN THE SHARPEST TWO-EDGED SWORD, CUTTING BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT, BETWEEN JOINT AND MARROW. IT EXPOSES OUR INNERMOST THOUGHTS AND DESIRES.”

➡️ MIGHTY CHERUBIM GUARDS THE WAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE

JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY!

John 14:5-6 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so HOW CAN WE KNOW THE WAY?” Jesus told him, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE CAN COME TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.”

Acts 22:5 “The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring THE FOLLOWERS OF THE WAY from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.”

SIN SEPARATES PEOPLE FROM GOD

Adam and Eve’s bad choice caused them to feel guilty and ashamed, so they didn’t want to be seen by God. 

Genesis 3:8-10 “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

Later, God banished them from His presence, “the Garden of Eden”

Ezekiel 39:24 “I TURNED MY FACE AWAY AND PUNISHED THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR DEFILEMENT AND THEIR SINS.“

John 8:58-59 “Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus WAS HIDDEN FROM THEM AND LEFT THE TEMPLE.”

SEPARATION IS A TWO-WAY STREET! But the choice to sin belongs to humans, NOT GOD! GOD IS HOLY AND ALWAYS FAITHFUL! 

1 John 3:5 “And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.“

James 1:13-15 “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

Proverbs 13:3 “People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.”

➡️ “WHAT IF THEY REACH OUT, TAKE FRUIT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE, AND EAT IT? THEN THEY WILL LIVE FOREVER!”

THIS IS GOD’S PROMISE OF RESTORATION from sin defilement (guilt and shame), and the return to “the Garden of Eden”—God’s presence! The reward for obeying this instruction is Eternal Life! 

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I WILL MAKE THEM AS WHITE AS SNOW. Though they are red like crimson, I WILL MAKE THEM AS WHITE AS WOOL.”

Malachi 3:2-3 “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For HE WILL BE LIKE A BLAZING FIRE THAT REFINES METAL, OR LIKE A STRONG SOAP THAT BLEACHES CLOTHES. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.”

THIS ALSO IS A TWO-WAY STREET! And that choice also starts with humans!

Isaiah 30:18-22 “SO THE LORD MUST WAIT FOR YOU TO COME TO HIM SO HE CAN SHOW YOU HIS LOVE AND COMPASSION. FOR THE LORD IS A FAITHFUL GOD. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIS HELP. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious IF YOU ASK FOR HELP. HE WILL SURELY RESPOND TO THE SOUND OF YOUR CRIES. Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. YOU WILL SEE YOUR TEACHER WITH YOUR OWN EYES. YOUR OWN EARS WILL HEAR HIM. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Then you will destroy all your silver idols and your precious gold images. You will throw them out like filthy rags, saying to them, “Good riddance!”

Psalm 32:2-5 “Yes, what joy for those whose record THE LORD HAS CLEARED OF GUILT, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude FINALLY, I CONFESSED ALL MY SINS TO YOU AND STOPPED TRYING TO HIDE MY GUILT. I said to myself, “I will CONFESS my rebellion to the Lord.” AND YOU FORGAVE ME! ALL MY GUILT IS GONE. Interlude”

CONFESSION IS WHEN WE STOP HIDING FROM THE LORD, like Adam and Eve!

If done by genuine FAITH: The Lord will welcome you with open arms! “YOU WILL SEE YOUR TEACHER WITH YOUR OWN EYES. YOUR OWN EARS WILL HEAR HIM.”

John 14:15-21

JESUS PROMISES THE HOLY SPIRIT

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. HE IS THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO LEADS INTO ALL TRUTH. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now AND LATER WILL BE IN YOU. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I WILL COME TO YOU. Soon the world will no longer see me, BUT YOU WILL SEE ME. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I AM IN YOU. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and REVEAL MYSELF TO EACH OF THEM.”

Hebrews 12:14 “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for THOSE WHO ARE NOT HOLY WILL NOT SEE THE LORD.”