Notes of Faith October 15, 2025

Tree of Life

In the middle of [the New Jerusalem’s] 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.

Revelation 22:2

God forbade Adam and Eve from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they disobeyed. Once their eyes were opened to their sin, they were banished from the Garden so they could not eat of the tree of life and live forever (Genesis 2:9; 3:22-24). Physical death for humanity was the result but with the possibility of resurrection unto eternal life.

While the image of a “tree of life” is used metaphorically in the book of Proverbs, the tree of life from the Garden of Eden does not appear in Scripture again until it is found in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14). There it is described as a source of life for all who eat of its fruit. Mankind was banned from eating of the tree of life after the Fall but is welcome to eat of its fruit in the eternal city.

Praise God today that He has made provision for not only the forgiveness of sin but also for eternal life in His presence.

We have been created for eternal life.

Alister McGrath

Mankind was the only thing God created in His image. God is eternal and it would seem that man was created to be in relationship eternally when he was created…until sin entered the world and through it man reaped death. Only the saving grace and mercy of God in sending His Son Jesus to die as a substitute for our sin made it possible for man to be redeemed to eternal life through faith in the work of Jesus. Let us leave behind the sin the so easily entangles us and pursue intimacy with God in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit given to live within the believer in Jesus will guide, direct, encourage, and hold onto us for God’s sake for all eternity. Praise the Lord!

Pastor Dale