Are We Back in the Garden? Part 11
November 21, 2004
Dear Friends,
Although we could continue on this subject for a long period of time, we want to draw our thoughts to a close on the subject “Are We Back in the Garden?” Any who wish to correspond further on the subject, please feel free to do so.
The central idea that we have been trying to convey in this series is that we are reconciled to God in Christ. The spiritual effects of Adam’s transgression have been removed from us although we wait for the physical aspects to be removed in the Kingdom of God. It is not works that saves us because we cannot save ourselves anymore than Christ has saved us when we became a part of his sacrificial death in baptism. Although works do not save us “lest any man should boast,” “faith without works is dead” so that anyone who does not have an active faith has no saving faith at all. To lose faith is to stop doing good works. To lose faith is to lose salvation.
In this last installment on this subject, we wanted to consider the use of the Tree of Life in Revelation 22. “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 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.” (1,2) In this passage we have a vision of New Jerusalem. Although we believe New Jerusalem will be a literal place in the Kingdom Age, we believe aspects of this are more symbolic than literal. For example, we have the Tree of Life “in the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river.” Unless this tree outside of anything presently known to man, the Tree of Life here is a symbol. If so, what does it represent? I would suggest that it represents the immortalized saints. Fruit is always associated with good works. The number twelve represents governmental perfection. Healing represents spiritual healing. We would suggest then that what we have before us is a vision of the immortalized believers performing their priestly function in the Kingdom Age. This is born out in verse 3 — “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.”
If we have correctly interpreted the above passages, we metaphorically become a part of the Tree of Life in the Kingdom Age. This means we are performing those functions that are attributes of the tree – preaching to the nations and performing good works. My question for each of us to consider is: If we are not doing those things now in this life, what makes us think we will want to do them in the future? If our joy is not preaching and doing good works now, why do you think that will change in the Kingdom Age? You see to be a part of the Garden in the Kingdom Age is to be a part of it now. Sure, there are differences. In the Kingdom, we will be immortal. We will have the powers of the Kingdom. However some things will not change that much at all. We will love our Lord. We will love our brethren. We will desire to serve him by preaching and doing good works. We will seek to impart that Good News to all who will hear.
In the end, I believe God gives us what we want. For those who seek a life of sin which leads to death, God will give it to them. For those “who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality,” God will give it to them too.
The real question for each of us is “What do I want?”
“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.” (Rev. 22:14)
Have a great week!
