why

In Revelation 2:7 the Tree of life is associated with "eternal life" also. In the new heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1-22:3) will there be those who need eternal life and healing???? Remember the great white judgement scene is past (Rev. 20) and a new heaven and earth have been created and the new Jerusalem has come down (Rev. 21:1-5) and there is no more sorrow, sickness and death in Rev. 21:1-22:3!!

The key here is the symbolism of the tree of life and where it is found. It was first found in the garden of Eden on earth (Gen. 2-3) where it was a PRIVILEGE for sinnless Adam and Eve and their posterity. After the fall, this PRIVILIGE was removed from disobedient humanity and fig "leaves" were their covering for their shame. However, in the garden mankind was SAFE and outside the garden mankind was SAVED by the blood of the lamb and so the tree with its fruit and leaves did not provide salvation from sin in either case. The tree was a PRIVILEGE for sinless people in a PRIVILEGED PLACE while the "leaves" were the symbol sinful people OUTSIDE that priviledged place.

In the new heaven and earth there will be a "saved" people OUTSIDE the priviledge place of New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:24-25) and there will be a saved people dwelling in the priviledged place - the Old and New Testament Brides (Israel, the New Testament Congregation - or the faithful in this life. The leaves symbolize the unfaithfulness of the "saved" nations in regard to THE WAY of service here and now although they were "saved". In spite of their unfaithfulness and thus OUTSIDE God's way of Service here and now they are "saved" but will remain OUTSIDE the priviledge of the faithful way of service then and thus called "nations" (ethnos - gentiles, etc.). Hence, there is no LITERAL healing but only a SYMBOLIC healing signifying they are "saved" in spite of their unfaithfulness.

There is no salvational "eternal life" provided by the tree of life in the New Jerusalem then as we NOW have spiritual eternal life in our spirit (Jn. 11:26) and at the resurrection will have eternal life in our body (1 Cor. 15:53-57). It symbolizes the "eternal life" of the bride in regard to a restored place of PRIVILEGE for the faithful for eternity.

 

So in the first Garden of eden, God banned all from getting those life substaing leaves, while now under new eden, all can freely come?

Like contrasting ruined paradise estate with new and permanent one?

 

Those who claim they have an exhaustive inventory of all that can happen i the New Earth - have yet to go there.



My guess is that God "knows what He is doing" when He tells us that the Tree of Life is "needed" in that New Heavens and New Earth. We need not water it down - nor must we imagine that we will be subject to the same disease and sickness ridden problems of this fallen world.

Yet I am sure that if you decide to drop a rock on your foot in heaven - you will say "ouch!"

in Christ,

Bob