The Tree of Life

In the garden of Eden the tree of life stood as a provision of eternal communion with God, its fruit freely offered before the fall brought separation and death. When sin entered the world access to this tree was barred by divine judgment, yet the promise of restoration echoes through the scriptures until it reappears in the new Jerusalem where its leaves bring healing to the nations. Those who overcome through faith in Christ receive the right to partake once more, signifying the full recovery of eternal life that was lost in the beginning and secured by the redemptive work of the Lamb.

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Symbolizes: Eternal life, paradise, God's provision for immortality

Old Testament Type

The tree of life in the Garden of Eden, access lost after the fall (Genesis 3:22-24)

New Testament Fulfillment

The tree of life in the New Jerusalem, bearing twelve fruits, with leaves for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2)

Key Passages

Tree in Eden

Genesis 2:9

A⁹nd 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.

Access Barred

Genesis 3:22-24

A²²nd the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

²³ Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. ²⁴ So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Tree Restored

Revelation 22:2

I²n 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.

Right to the Tree

Revelation 22:14

B¹⁴lessed 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.

Did You Know?

The tree of life was in the garden before the fall. After the fall, access was guarded by cherubim and a flaming sword. In Revelation, the tree of life reappears in the new creation, its leaves for the healing of the nations.

Jesus is the true tree of life. Those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst again. The cross is the tree on which the curse was broken and life was restored.

The tree of life is not a reward for the deserving. It is the gift of God to those who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Eternal life is a Person, not a fruit we earn.