There are two trees mentioned in the Genesis account. The tree of knowledge and the tree of life. We all know about the story of the tree of knowledge. Adam and Eve disobey God by eating from its forbidden fruit thus bringing sin into our world. The subplot in the Genesis account of the fall of man is the existence of the tree of life. Surprisingly many do not even know that there was a second tree mentioned in Genesis and what its significance is to our eternity.

In Genesis 2:9 we see the tree of life mentioned for the first time.  “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground, trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” God goes on to say in Genesis 2:16-17 “And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Now here is something really interesting that we can infer from this verse. The only tree that they were forbidden to eat from was the tree of knowledge. The tree of life was open for Adam and Eve to eat from its fruit.

After Adam and Eve disobeyed God we see that the tree of life is blocked in Genesis 3:22-24, ^“And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life”.

Adam and Eve were not allowed to take part in the tree of life anymore as they had sinned against God and we know from Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. The consequence of eating from the tree of life while they were still in their sinful state would mean eternal separation from God. Remember at this time that God’s plan to save mankind from their sin through Jesus has not yet been fulfilled. So God had to make sure to block their access to the tree of life by placing angles with swords there.

So does this mean that mankind cannot eat from the tree of life again and live forever? What happens to the tree of life after the Genesis account. We have to go all the way to the book of Revelation to find out. Revelation 2:7 says “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” The tree that was banned for Adam and Eve is the same tree that will give all mankind life forever. The right to eat from this tree of life is only for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 22:1-5 says “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.”

The bible says that the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of all nations. The tree that was banned for Adam and Eve due to their sin is now open to people from all nations. The only way to do that is to accept the Lamb that was sacrificed for our sins. His name is Jesus Christ!