Study #25: AYIN
AYIN: THE 16TH LETTER OF THE HEBREW ALPHABET
THE AYIN WORD: ETZ (TREE) PART 5
THE TREE OF LIFE IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION
In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John describes the River of Life. Then he mentions another striking feature: “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2).
This unusual tree straddles both banks of the River of Life in our artistic imagination. It is more than an ordinary Tree!
From our earlier lessons, we learnt that the Tree of Life is presently in Paradise, the intermediate Heaven (Revelation 2:7). The New Jerusalem itself, also in the present Heaven, will be brought down including the Tree of Life, and placed on the New Earth (Revelation 21:2).
Just as the Tree of Life was apparently relocated from Eden to the present Heaven, it will be relocated again to the New Earth.
Since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden, death has reigned throughout history. But on the New Earth, our access to the Tree of Life is forever restored. There is no mention of a tree of the knowledge of good and evil to test us. The redeemed have already known sin and its devastation; they will desire it no more.
In the New Earth, we will freely eat the fruit of the same tree that nourished Adam and Eve: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
ABBA FATHER, once more human beings will draw their strength and vitality from the Tree of Life. This Tree will produce not one crop but twelve. The newness and freshness of the future Heaven on earth are demonstrated in the monthly yield of fruit. The fruit is not merely to be admired but consumed. Spiritually-speaking, “what we eat is what we become” and in this instance, we will resemble trees of righteousness which are the result of the planting of the Lord. Who else can the Tree of Life be but Jesus our Lord who is also our Bread of Life!
