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SUBJECT: Trees in the Garden of Eden
QUESTIONS: What is the difference between the two trees
in the Garden of Eden? What is the Spiritual meaning or
symbolism of each tree? What would have happened if Adam
and Eve did not eat from either tree?
ANSWERS
Now regarding Adam and Eve:
They were made physical. Therefore they could only have two
outcomes:
1) death (by whatever means)
2) be changed to Spirit form prior to dying.
If 1) death, then just like now, there could be resurrection
to the first resurrection (Spirit)
or second resurrection
(physical) which
is followed by opportunity at Eternal Life.
I say this WITHOUT REGARD to the two trees in question.
Now let us discuss the trees.
There were two trees:
1) The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
2) The Tree of Life
There were instructions regarding these trees:
1) The Tree of the Knowledge
of Good and Evil.
Genesis 2:17 Do not eat of this tree or you will die. The
commentary in the Hebrew-Greek Study Bible and others says
that the reason for this tree was to test their obedience to
the commandments of God. God gave a command, "Do not eat of
it". They did and it set off what we refer to as the "sin
unto death” process (James 1:14-15).
2) The Tree of Life
Again to the commentaries: This tree represented a right
relationship with God. Have one and clearly you will have
eternal life. Eat of this tree while not eating of the tree
of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and you will have both
long physical life and eventually Spiritual life.
Notice Genesis 3:22-24
Genesis 3:22-24
22 And 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.
Note: These
verses make it clear. Eat the tree of Life and live
forever. He had to put a guard on the Garden of Eden and
the tree of Life lest Adam and Eve get to it.
Clearly if one has sinned, he or she cannot have eternal
life. Of course, God makes it possible to repent and have
these sins forgiven.
Now specifically to the question, "What would happen if Adam
and Eve did not eat of both?" Answer: This is impossible.
It is not an option. The whole point is that God made
mankind for a purpose. Notice:
1 Timothy 2:4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the
knowledge of the truth.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance.
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun
a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ:
Note: God did
not make mankind only to let them flounder without working
some sort of plan. We know what the plan is. It is about
bringing mankind to salvation and eternal life. In the
verses above, God is saying that He wants all of mankind to
know the truth. He wants us all to repent of sin. He
promises He will continue to work with us until that happens
(eternal life) or
until we reject it (second
and eternal death).
This is why we have a second resurrection in which everyone
who has ever lived and never knew the truth will be
resurrected to physical life and given that truth (the
3 verses above, again coming into play).
Therefore the question is null because God has as His
purpose to lead us to the tree of life. Notice that the
tree of life is in the New Jerusalem prophesied in
Revelation. Notice the wording; the purpose of the tree of
Life is made clear.
Revelation 22:2
In 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.
Revelation 22:14
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.
Now some have asked if Adam and Eve EVER had the opportunity
to eat of the Tree of Life. Yes, they did but they did not
obey God and partook of the wrong tree. When they did this,
they could not take of the Tree of Life anymore.
Notice especially this last verse. When Adam and Eve failed
to keep the commandment about the trees, they lost the right
to the tree of life. God put an angel between them and the
tree of Life and God put them clear out of the Garden. Lots
of symbolism there. Notice Revelation 22:15
Revelation 22:15
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and
murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a
lie.
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