The Tree of Life!

The story of the Bible begins and ends with the 'Tree of Life'! It is amazing to see the 'Tree of Life' in the first creation story and the New Creation! Tracing the tree through the Bible provides us with the opportunity to reflect on God's unfolding plan to restore his creation and our place in it. The 'Tree of life' is mentioned four times in Revelation, three of which are in the final chapter. In the book of Genesis, God placed the 'Tree of Life' in the midst of the Garden of Eden.  It was guarded from Adam and Eve but did not disappear after the fall.  Instead, it was safely relocated to the Paradise of God.  After challenging the church at Ephesus, the Bible says in Rev 2:7, "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." When New Jerusalem comes down, the 'Tree of Life' also comes down (Rev 21:2). 

In Genesis, God did not prohibit Adam and Eve from eating from the 'Tree of Life. But after the fall, Lord God put cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the access to the tree lest they eat of it and live forever (Gen 3:22).  I believe there is one tree in your life and mine that assures us of eternal life! Christ has given each one of us access to eternal life through the Cross!  At the Cross, our sins are forgiven, and we are given new life and a new beginning in this world.  The Bible says in 2 Cor 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  John 3:15 says, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." For you and me, the Cross of Christ is the tree of life!

My friend, there is life after death.  Do not be deceived. We will spend eternity depending on whether our sins have been forgiven and removed from our life because no one can go to heaven with sin!  To enjoy the freedom and joy that comes from having our past sins forgiven is only through the Cross of Christ for Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)  This is the choice facing us today!

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