From the opening chapters of Genesis to the closing verses of Revelation, the Bible portrays the tree of life. Before Adam and Eve were driven from the garden of Eden and the four-way double edged sword was stationed, a plan had been drafted to restore mankind to this tree.

Preparing a Wedding Feast

The tree of life is not a fanciful notion nor mythical fable. Fables and confusion are the genus of that other tree in the ancient garden. The tree of life is a very literal tree that we know exists now.

While standing upon the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, Jesus bids farewell to His tearful disciples. He is leaving them in the world for awhile, but He comforts them with His words:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3 listen

Now, when a man betrothed a woman in those days, it was customary for the groom to go first and procure a home and make temporal provisions before the wedding. The tree of Life is one of the provisions Christ has prepared for His bride. After the preparations were made, invitations were given. There was a wedding ceremony and feast. Those who had oil in their lamps attended. Finally, the groom carried home his bride.

Where is the Tree of Life Located Now?

And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. Genesis 2:8-10 listen

In the antediluvian world, there was an area of earth called Eden, a plain on the mountain of God. On the eastern side of Eden, God planted a garden. This concept of a garden, orchard, grove or vineyard is a common theme throughout the Bible. Integral to this theme is a mountain which generates abundant living waters from the channels deep within its bedrock.

On the western side of Eden's plain, a river was born and gently flowed eastward through the center of the garden. From here, the river divided into four river branches. Each branch further divided into branches above and below the ground until the whole land was watered unto the four corners of the earth.

Water flows downhill revealing that Eden was at a higher elevation than our planet at large, and western Eden sloped upward from the eastern groves. Upstream of this clear river, was an aperture connecting the garden to the western glory. Here, choirs of cherubim would counsel with man and lift their voices together with joy.

The garden was populated with an amazing variety of trees. In the center of the garden, along both banks of the river of life, stood the tree of life. Its two trunks, established in strength, were rooted deep on the north and south sides, and those golden branches, heavy with abundant fruit, lowered themselves to the reach of mankind.

The topography of our planet was radically changed by the destructive flood of Noah and the violent winds that followed. The windows of heaven were opened and the fountains of the deep burst forth from the depths of the Earth. Oceans changed their bounds and land masses were moved. By the time the great door of the ark was shut and sealed, the garden had been unoccupied, save by sword wielding cherubim, for more than sixteen centuries. Like the ark of the covenant of old, God has preserved His garden. God's preserves all things that are holy. The Bible is a fountain of knowledge on this topic and gives us a glimpse behind the veil at the mountain of God and His beautiful garden.

Because of broken law, the lands of our planet suffer from a curse. We toil under the heat of the sun and are encumbered by the cares and snares of daily living. We contend with the thorns and briers. East of the promised land, Satan has set up Nimrod's kingdom of Babylon on the physical spot where Adam tended to the trees. He has established his spiritual synagogue of Babylon's church as well, and the majority of the inhabitants of the Earth have enlisted into membership.

However, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Galatians 3:13 listen

There comes a day, even now, when Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55:13 listen

The tree of life is planted by the waters and golden city streets of New Jerusalem in heaven. The royal city is waiting to be occupied when kingdom comes. Yes, at the top of the hill far west of Babylon, inside that city sought for by Abraham, the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God, stands the eternal tree of life. The tree of life is based firmly upon twelve foundations of brilliant stone.

"Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."

Here is the Revelation to the disciple John several years after the ascension of Christ from the Mount of Olives. John sees the New Jerusalem descending from heaven adorned as a bride. These words give us a look into the lost Eden of creation and the new earth of re-creation. The revelation embodies the apex of seven thousand years of the human condition placing our feet on top of God's holy mountain and squarely under the tree of life.

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Revelation 21:10 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation 21:10-22 listen And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:1-2 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads. Revelation 22:1-4 listen

We see that the umbilical that tied our planet to God's throne was in western Eden. Here was the source of life. The crystal clear waters of life that issued from the ground sprang from God's throne and nourished the trees of His garden. From here, in the cool of the day, while the mist settled as a dew on the trees, God would meet with Adam and Eve and commune with them face to face.

Eden, at the center of the earth, was the capital of our planet, and Adam, the first man, was Earth's representative before the councils of God. To learn more, we are drawn to Jerusalem, the capitol city of peace that sat upon those fortified hills in the promised land and the temple that was a pattern of heavenly things.

What is the Meaning of the Tree of Life?

God created the tree of life and all vegetation as a service to man. He had a far-reaching lesson plan. By the cultivation of nature, eternal truths are opened to our inner hearts and mind. Those who have never opened a Bible have been spoken to by nature yielding good fruits of the spirit. Even though sin has entered the world, the lessons of biblical trees are not diminished. Sadly, however, the notion of a dead tree has been introduced which must be salvaged or cut down.

Two Pillars - Jachin and Boaz

He erected the pillars in the front of the temple, one to the south and one to the north. The one to the south he named Jakin and the one to the north Boaz. 2 Chronicles 3:17

The tree of life symbolizes our complete dependence on the creative power of God's Word for both (1) temporal and (2) intellectual (spiritual) development. The natural man is made from dust and has immediate physical needs. We are mere flesh. We hunger and thirst. Our senses crave comfort, beauty and the security of fine gold and silver. God has given us life and He will sustain us with nourishment.

However, our inner soul hungers and thirsts for something infinitely richer than mere existence. Intrinsic to the tree of life is an ever expanding source of knowledge, wisdom, intellectual development and satisfaction. And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. John 6:35. The tree of life is a literal tree. Those who can hear the Spirit, however, will understand that the tree of life is the voice of Jesus, the everlasting instructor. He has established us (Jachin) and He will add strength to what He has established (Boaz). This is an eternal unfolding and a continual blossoming. The tree of life is one tree. Both physical and spiritual aspects must be consumed to live.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh accomplishes nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63 listen

Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men

Looking to the West, we see God's tabernacle and throne towering before us. As we ascend upward to the door, the merciful trunk of Jachin abounds to the south and the mighty pillar of Boaz rises above us to the north. Their capitols bloom as the purest white lily sprinkled with scarlet pomegranates. We enter the sanctum boldly because we have been drawn by The Lamb and have been washed in the crystal river.

As we enter the door and stand in the threshold facing the throne, to our south is the golden-branched lampstand which is the light of the world blossoming as the almond tree - the first tree to blossom in the spring. Here we find Christ Himself replenishing the burning olive tree oil and wick during morning and evening worship. It is Christ who guides us. He provides a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths perpetually. The words spoken here are as the instantaneous bright flash along the edge of a two-way sword. There will be time for discussion later. The instructions received from here are to be executed speedily.

To our right is the bread and cup of the communion table - the word of God and bread of life. Here, we as fellows sup with Him and digest His words drinking deeply of His Spirit as one body. We discuss noble goals to achieve as a unit and chart ambitious heights to conquer by the collective skills of each individual member.

The world is a sea of people. The Bible spiritually defines a sea as "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues". Rev 17:15, but there is no sea here. All are of one accord. And Jehovah said, Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is what they begin to do: and now nothing will be withholden from them, which they purpose to do. Genesis 11:6 Here, we commune with God and His Son face to face and meditate more deeply on His ways reaching higher and higher levels of understanding at each and every gathering. And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:2

Between the lamp and the table, flows the water of the river of life issuing from the south side of the alter that is amidst the cherubim in the presence of The Lord.

Wherever we settle and build throughout the Earth, we always have an apartment in the New Jerusalem. Each Sabbath and each new moon, we return there to worship and to converse with our Lord. Wherever we are laboring, at the appropriate times, we all gather at the river and follow it to its source. Yes, each month there is a new variety of fruit to taste and a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the universe to drink in.

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Jehovah. Isaiah 66:22-23 listen

Eternal Life in Paradise And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 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. Revelation 22:12-14 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:12-20 listen