What Is the Tree of Life?

The tree of life first appears in Eden: 'The tree of life also in the midst of the garden' (Genesis 2:9). After Adam and Eve sinned, God prevented access: 'Lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever... he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword' (3:22-24). This was mercy — eternal life in a fallen state would mean eternal suffering. The tree reappears gloriously in Revelation: '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' (Revelation 22:2). Jesus promised, 'To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God' (Revelation 2:7). Proverbs uses the tree of life metaphorically: wisdom is 'a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her' (3:18), and 'the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life' (11:30). The Bible's narrative arc is Eden to New Jerusalem — from lost access to restored access. What sin destroyed, Christ restores. The tree of life represents God's gift of eternal, abundant, healed life.