Revelation 22

First, eternal life is the present possession of every true believer the moment they believe (Jn. 5:24; 11:26).

Second, the tree of life is composed of fruit that one may eat (Rev. 2:7) and leaves (Rev. 22:2).

Third, in the new creation there are two classes of "saved" people! There are the nations of the "saved" who dwell outside the New Jerusalem on the new earth (Rev. 21:24) and the "leaves" are for them (Rev. 22:2). Then there are the overcomers (Rev. 2:7) who live inside the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1-3) who "eat" of the the fruit of the tree. Neither the eating of the fruit or receiving the leaves of the tree obtain eternal life for either as they already are in the new heaven and earth when they partake of the tree.

Fourth, eating of the tree are for those who are the faithful that compose the bride of Christ (Rev. 2:7; 21:14) as the tree resides in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:2). There are "saved" dwelling on the new earth that do not eat of the tree and yet have eternal life (Rev. 21:24). However, they dwell OUTSIDE the New Jerusalem on the new earth and are ruled over by "kings" (Rev. 21:24) because they were not faithful in their previous life and reception of the leaves indicate they were not faithful.

The tree of life first existed in the garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve lived in the garden they were not "saved" because they had no sin. They were safe and they had access to the tree of life. However, when they sinned and God faced them with their sin, they had covered their shame with "leaves" and were cast out of the garden but nevertheless God provided salvation for them outside the garden through the shedding of blood signified by clothing them - covering them in the skins with the gospel preached to them (Gen. 3:15). Likewise, the "saved" living outside the New Jerusalem (paradise of God) on the new earth are given "leaves" to heal their shame while those who have been faithful live inside the city (the paradise of God) with the tree in the midst and have access to the fruit!

Partaking of the tree, whether the leaves or eating the fruit does not convey eternal life but does convey what status (faithful/unfaithful) and where the "saved" live in the life to come (inside or outside the New Jerusalem).


A. The nations of the Saved OUTSIDE the City on the New Earth

Rev. 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Rev. 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.



B. The Overcomers inside the City


Rev. 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.


C. Conclusion

The tree of life has nothing to do with obtain spiritual life but is for those who have already obtained spiritual life. The leaves are given to those "saved" who dwell in the new heavens and earth upon the new earth OUTSIDE the city due to previous unfaithfulness and the "leaves" are given to them to heal their shame.

The fruit of the tree is given to the saved "overcomers" (Rev. 2:7) who live in the city (the bride) because of their previous faithfulness (Rev. 22;14).

The Tree of life is for all the saved but eating of the fruit and living in the city is for the Bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:6-8). The REWARD of faithfulness to the Lord's New Testament congregation here and now - living in obedience to the Great Commission.

 

The Ten commandments were given to restrain the fallen nature and that is why the word "not" is repeated in each command. There is no "not" in the commandment of Christ because the regenerated nature delights in God's law.

The Ten commandments are GENERAL principles that underlay the ceremonial and civil lawthat deal with every aspect of human life. The civil and ceremonial laws are morally based or grounded in moral law. Every ceremonial and civil law reflects a moral principle. The civil and ceremonial observance is abolished by the cross but not the moral principle found in each ceremonial and civil law.

The moral law is reflected in the conscience of all mankind (Rom. 1:20; 2:15) and therefore both Mosaic and Natural law reflect the standard of God's moral righteousness.

The life of Christ is the fullest revelation of the righteousness of God and is revealed in the gospel (Rom. 1:17; 3:21-22, 24-26) and the only righteousness that satisfies that standard and therefore Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe (Rom. 10:4).

Outside of Christ there is no righteous man on earth (Psa.14:2-3; Rom. 3:9-11) and only those "in Christ" are righteous in God's sight and you must be "created in Christ Jesus" and that comes through faith (Eph. 2:8-10) BEFORE any of your works are even considered as "good" (Eph. 2:10b).

Hence, Commandment keeping does not get one "in Christ" and therefore commandment keeping does not get one into heaven. However, commandment keeping gets one into the New Jerusalem while other "saved" people are in the new earth beyond the white throne judgement but outside the New Jerusalem - Rev. 21:24!

Therefore, the commandment keeping in Rev. 22:14 does not gain entrance into the new heaven and earth but only into the New Jerusalem as their home. This is the description of the Bride who dwells there in (Rev. 19:6-8) but not of all the saved who dwell in heaven but on earth outside of the New Jerusalem (Rev.21:24).

 

Do I understand you right, Dr Walter, therefore, that the 'New Jerusalem' is metaphor of the Church on earth, and the 'New Earth' metaphor of the New Earth?

 

GE:

Chowman, ever thought of taking EVERYTHING in this Scripture, strictly for what it says? That "Hope" is Christ; and that Christ is our "Desire"; that Christ is "Life" and the "Tree of Life" from which all living branches do grow;
that Christ is "The Word"; and that he that "feareth", "feareth" CHRIST THE LORD; that Christ “The Command(der)” is the Rewarder of them that do good; because Christ "God, only is good", "wise" and "the Fountain" and "Water of Life"— "Life" even "eternal Life" : the "Saviour" and "Redeemer" from the "snares of death"?

 

GE:

Yes, the Ten Commandments, and each and all Law which is the Scriptures are found in and are founded upon Jesus Christ; He is the personification as well as PERSON of the whole Word of God. He is The Ten but not as the Ten, but as the ONE "WORD" of, synonymous and identical with, GOD. God's Law is INFINITELY ABOVE OUR COMPREHENSION because it is "our LIFE", and, "is HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD".

It is impossible to divide or to separate the Law and the Life of God; man cannot be the keeper of God; so he cannot be the keeper of God's Law. All attempts must be futile.

 

Unglorified New Testament congregations, such as the one at Corinth are metaphorical brides in the sense of an espoused wife not yet presented (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 22:16-17). The New Jerusalem is literal and is the dwelling place of the glorified congregation of Christ (Rev. 22:1; 19:6-8). There are "saved" who dwell outside the new Jerusalem and therefore salvation does not equal "bride."

 

Not that I understand, but thanks, anyway.

 

GE:

Ah! You have struck at the HEART!!

 

This illustrates your problem. You pit scripture against scripture rather than seeking an interpretation that harmonizes scripture.

The New Earth is also outside the gates of the New Jerusalem, hence, according to your logic, the new earth is outside and therefore must be evil or hell itself. The "saved" nations live outside the New Jerusalem upon the new earth (Rev. 21:24).

You have no answer and therefore you pit scripture against scripture.

 

Good questions.

Thanks for asking -- I believe Paul's answer would be --
1Cor 7:19 "But what matters is keeping the Commandments of God".

No wonder that is what the saints are doing in Rev 14:12.

in Christ,

Bob

 

GE:

I believe Revelation 14:12 IDENTIFIES "the Faith of Jesus" and "keep the commandments of God" in the Greek,

'tehrountes tas entolas (mark the Plural --- not only 'entoleh' for the TC) tou Theou _KAI_ tehn pistin Iehsou.'

In other words, "the Faith of Jesus", DEFINES the concept of "the keeping the LAWS of God".

The Conjunctive 'kai' - "and" - functions strongly like were it the Verb, 'to be'. The passage is faithfully rendered, "Here are they that keep the Laws of God _EVEN_ the Faith of Jesus."

 

GE would you consider Iehsou an objective genitive? "the faith which has Jesus for its object"??