Genesis chapter two tells the story of how God planted a garden in the “east” for the first people to ever live on earth, Adam and Eve. God named it the Garden of Eden. I would imagine it was a lush paradise that supplied the inhabitants’ every need. The Bible tells us God placed all kinds of trees in the garden, trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.
One tree in particular He called The Tree of Life. Another was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned Adam and Eve they could eat of any except that one. Unfortunately, Eve disobeyed God and tasted a piece of fruit, giving some to her husband, Adam. Because Adam and Eve defied God, the first two people were cast out of their perfect world. Now, every human born is plagued with the sinful nature they inherited. We no longer live in a paradise, but a sin ridden world where murder, lies, and selfishness reign. That sounds pretty dismal.
But wait. I have good news. Though we die externally, those who trust Jesus as Savior can dwell with Him eternally in the next life.
And there’s more good news. In Revelation 21, the Bible tells us God will create a new Heaven and earth, one where there is no more death, mourning, crying or pain. Revelation 22:1-5 gives us a glimpse of the glorious days in store for Christians. The passages promise that there will come a time when man will no longer live under the curse we inherited from our ancestors, Adam and Eve. We will have the distinct privilege of serving the Lord forever and will proudly display His name on our foreheads. Basking in the perpetual light of God’s face, we won’t suffer from pain or disease or shed any more tears.
But the last part of verse 2 stood out. “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.” Could that be the same tree of life God originally created in the Garden of Eden? Whether it’s the exact same tree or one patterned after the original, the mention of the tree leads me to believe that God is restoring all that we lost in Eden.
When Adam and Eve first sinned, Satan appeared to have won the battle. But not so. God will make everything new someday. The devil didn’t win!
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'” Revelations 21:5
Dear Lord, my heart’s desire is to spend all eternity with You. Thank you for redeeming sinful man. You will gather us to Your throne someday where we will have fellowship with You forever. Amen.