Much of what we read in the Scriptures is there to make us think.  The tree of life, just like other Biblical concepts requires understanding from outside ourselves. This tree is not the Olive tree, even though the Olive tree contains those having this life. 

This Tree of life has an eternal consequence and a different location at times. Is it in some God way pointing to Jesus Himself?  Our understanding of this tree comes to us in only two chapters of the Bible.  They are the two books that bookend the scriptures (Genesis and Revelation). 

Revelation 2:7  ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’ (NASB1995)

So if the tree of life in some sense represents our eternal well being, and it does; then what does being an overcomer represent?   It seems that this is one, who is apparently brought out from within the churches, but why are they being separated from the churches?  I hesitate to say it but it’s true, the churches are not The Church. 

First we must see that the eating of the fruit of the tree yields eternal life according to Genesis 3, but the eating is a continuous act for one’s sustenance, not just a one time act.  

God placed guards around this tree almost immediately after the fall into sin, so that Adam and future mankind could not eat thereof, at least not while we are in our sinful state.  To allow us access would yield our living forever in sin. Yet, Jesus is going to — one day again grant this eating for our eternal sustenance, but to only the overcomers from within the churches. 

How then can this be rectified with Christ, who is the life?  He is the way to God; the Truth of God and the life eternal with God.  So why the tree?

Does this tree of life symbolize Him in this earthly life in some way?  I think that it does. Because just as this tree with its twelve kinds of fruits (Revelation chapter 22) does give us sustainable energy for eternity; so does being in Jesus, committing to Him daily our desire and our intent to follow Him in the battle for our present spiritual purity, also allow us to be seen by Him as one who has overcome.  It is because of this one thing: our endurance in Him.  

Eating of the tree of life is not to be a one time thing; neither is coming to Christ to partake of Him to be a once and done thing. 

Jesus makes clear that those individuals from within the churches around this world will not be allowed to partake of the tree of life unless they are overcomers, even as was Jesus Himself.  He purchased for us the righteousness that only comes from God.  F

Thus, for us to be accepting of and to continue our walk in our own sin is not to be following Christ, as is intended.

For me to say that God made me an Adulterer would be no different than for another to say that God made me a homosexual, and then for us both to continue in those sins is not walking in Him. Though it is true that we can mollify ourselves and sear our conscience and yet remain in any one of the churches described in Revelation 2 and 3; or the. churches of this present day world. This is nfortunately a present condition of many, who do openly exonerate sin or the actions of sins.   But know this: none of this would be equivalent to overcoming.

Revelation 2:7  ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’ (NASB1995) 

We can’t allow ourselves to be deceived for God is not mocked. No one will be what they claim, that God made them to be, when eternity arrives. You can only be an overcomer if you overcome.  That is, if you admit your sins as they arise and turn them individually over to God, allowing Him to place them upon the Christ, who voluntarily took them all to Calvary’s cross. 

Our overcoming requires our patience, because as pastor Tom pointed out in this weeks sermon, the cry: How long oh Lord?  It is a legitimate question.  Overcoming is trusting, because His promises are sure. I have learned to understand that “soon” with the Lord has a completely different connotation in His language.  But our trust must follow His lead and never fail Him, no matter when “soon” actually occurs. One day unto the Lord is as a thousand years to us.  Overcoming involves enduring until the end. Overcoming involves admitting sin and turning it over to Him.

My continuing prayer is that the Holy Spirit would feed His Word into these posts, even as I have seen Him do so many times. Endure, my brothers for it has eternal consequence.  Trust only Him.