The tree of life no longer grows on our planet, but it once did in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were there. It was located in the center of Eden next to the forbidden fruit growing from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil:
And 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. (Gen 2:9)
God banished Adam and Eve from Eden, after they sinned and died spiritually, so they couldn’t eat from the tree of life and live forever. God then placed cherubim with a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen 3:24). Man has never had access to the tree of life since then, but one day the overcomers will:
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Rev 2:7)
The tree of life will be in the paradise of God, where the overcomers will also be. The tree of life will bear twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Rev 22:2). According to Rev. 22:14, to have access to the tree of life you must have a washed spiritual robe. There is only one way to get a washed robe and it is stated in Rev. 7:14:
… They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Scripture teaches, narrow is the way to the paradise of God where the tree of life is. The overcomers will have their robes cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Such will enable them to get to the tree of life, but that privilege can be negated by a unique type of sin. Here’s the warning:
And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Rev 22:19)
If you don’t enter Paradise, where the tree of life is, you will be outside the city of New Jerusalem and in the lake of fire (Rev. 22:14,15 cf. 21:8). It is an all or nothing issue which will extend throughout eternity. That reflects how important eternal life is. If you know him now, you must continue to be saved (Mt. 10:22; Heb. 3:14). There is no once saved always saved. Will YOU eat from the tree of life?
Angel drawing is copyrighted by Evangelical Outreach and used by permission.
