Genesis 2:9 “Out of the ground made the Lord God to grow…the tree of life”.
1. THE GOODNESS OF GOD
Genesis 3:22 “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: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden.”
Adam and Eve had rebelled against God by eating the forbidden fruit. They were about to eat the fruit of the tree of life. If they had been allowed to do this they would have lived forever - but in the misery and pain sin brings. How good was God to intervene and stop them.
2. THE CURTAIN OF CHERUBIM
Matthew 27:50 “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”
According to Exodus 36:35, the veil (curtain) of the temple had cherubim (angels) embroidered on it, a reminder of the cherubim who had blocked the way to the tree of life in Eden. When the Saviour died the veil was torn in two. Paradise had been regained. Man would one day eat of the tree of life.
3. THE PROMISE OF PARADISE
Luke 23:43 “Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The Saviour promised the dying thief that he would be with Him in paradise the moment he died. The use of the word “paradise” is significant. According to Revelation 2:7, the tree of life is in paradise. Jesus was promising this poor wretch that he would soon taste the fruit of the tree of life.
In the misty days of yore
Jesus’ precious blood had power
E’en the thief upon the cross to save;
Like a bird his spirit flies
To its home in paradise
By the power of Calvary’s crimson wave.
And the blood has never lost its power
No never...no never
Jesus’ blood avails for sin for ever
And will never lose its power.
