The tree of life is very mysterious but if we study it in light of the rest of the Bible I believe its meaning becomes clear. It is mentioned explicitly seven times in the Bible. At first it was available to man in the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9) but once man fell he was cut off from the tree of life so that he would not live forever (in his fallen condition) (Gen. 3:22-24). The next time it is mentioned is when it is one of the promised rewards to the overcomers in Rev. 2:7. In the holy city is grows along both banks of the river of water of life (Rev. 22:2). Those who wash their robes have the right to eat of it (Rev. 22:14) but those who take away from God's Word will be cut off from it (Rev. 22:19).
If the river of water of life refers to the flowing Spirit (John 7:38-39) could the tree of life refer to another in the Trinity? The Lord Jesus said that he was the true vine (John 15:1) which would be consistent with a tree that could grow on both banks of a river (Rev. 22:2). He also said that whoever eats Him shall live forever (John 6:51) and abides in the Him (John 6:56). This is spiritual language about spiritual things (John 6:63) but the point is that whoever receives Jesus by believing into Him (John 1:12) receives eternal life (John 3:16; 6:54). Thus the tree of life refers Jesus Christ, the second of the divine trinity.
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