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Tree of Life

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by webdog, Jun 22, 2009.

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  1. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    How anyone can read 1 Corinthians 15:42ff and deny the bodily resurrection is a mystery to me. In fact the entire 15th chapter supports a bodily resurrection unless one denies the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
     
    #21 OldRegular, Jun 23, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 23, 2009
  2. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    I've not done enough study to have a firm opinion on this question, but I'll throw this out to see what everybody thinks.

    In the garden of Eden, eating of the Tree of Life provided physical life only as long as they kept eating from it. Once God cut off access, Adam and Eve would eventually die.

    The picture of the Tree of Life in Revelation suggests that all saints will have access to it--and we will have eternal life.

    Is this symbolic in some way? I sorta think so. I can't see all the saints in heaven trooping over to the tree periodically to get another shot of eternal life.

    Y'all take a shot at this idea, please, and tell me what you think.
     
    #22 Tom Butler, Jun 23, 2009
  3. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    #23 Grasshopper, Jun 24, 2009
  4. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    Which is why how you define Adam's death in Genesis is so important.
    .
     
    #24 Grasshopper, Jun 24, 2009
  5. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    #25 Tom Butler, Jun 24, 2009
  6. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    #26 Amy.G, Jun 24, 2009
  7. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Good point. The TOL may have been the instrument God intended for man to live eternally. If Adam lived 900 years without the tree of life, maybe it only needs to be eaten from once every 1000 years or so. Who knows...
     
    #27 webdog, Jun 24, 2009
  8. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    I think you had it right. Grasshopper is starting with the presupposition that man would have needed to be created mortal in order for the TOL to sustain eternal life. God created man immortal with the TOL as the means to this immortality.
     
    #28 webdog, Jun 24, 2009
  9. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    #29 Grasshopper, Jun 24, 2009
  10. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    If man was created immortal, he doesn't need the Tree unless your definition of "immortality" is different than mine.
     
    #30 Grasshopper, Jun 24, 2009
  11. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Immortal simply means to live forever. It doesn't state how.
     
    #31 webdog, Jun 24, 2009
  12. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    Then both lost and saved are immortal.
     
    #32 Grasshopper, Jun 24, 2009
  13. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Very true...both the lost and saved will be resurrected.
     
    #33 webdog, Jun 24, 2009
  14. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    So the Tree of Life gave what? Physical immortality?
     
    #34 Grasshopper, Jun 24, 2009
  15. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    Grasshopper I say both physical, and spiritural.
     
    #35 ituttut, Jun 24, 2009
  16. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    So how does the lost man who never partakes of the Tree of Life exist in hell forever?
     
    #36 Grasshopper, Jun 24, 2009
  17. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    It would have to be as Christ gives spiritual immortality. Man was created in spiritual union, and spiritual death is separation from God. They didn't need the TOL for spiritual life...they were never separated from God pre-fall.
     
    #37 webdog, Jun 24, 2009
  18. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    He exists forever but it is not eternal life.

    I think the TOL is physical and spiritual life. We will see the Tree of Life again in heaven, because we will have eternal physical life there in our glorified bodies.

    Those who are not with God will have eternal death (i.e., separation from God), not life.
     
    #38 Marcia, Jun 25, 2009
  19. Grasshopper

    Grasshopper Active Member
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    Did God not want Adam to have "spiritual life" after the fall?
     
    #39 Grasshopper, Jun 25, 2009
  20. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I think I should clarify. In the Garden, I think the TOL is physical, but it is also a representation of spiritual life when we see it in Revelation, imo.

    Life, physical and spiritual, is through faith, from God. I think there is also a connection of the TOL to the cross.
     
    #40 Marcia, Jun 25, 2009
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