Even when we think about the Garden of Eden and try to experience a Garden Walk, there are ways in which our days fall short of that ideal picture. Even when we think about the Tree of Life in the same way as the writer of Proverbs, we still get reminders that we are not perfectly righteous and that our words are not always a Tree of Life, either. That’s when we start looking forward to the future.
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. (Revelation 22:1-3 NIV)
When God restores all of creation, there will be a new heaven and a new earth. This new earth is described in ways that seem eerily familiar. It’s almost like a hearkening back to the Promised Land. More than that, it sounds like the Garden of Eden. When God restores all things, it will be back to God’s original design for our lives. Once again, we will experience the Garden, the presence of God, and the Tree of Life.
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. (Revelation 2:7 NIV)
How about you? Do you look forward to the paradise of God?
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