The first time the Tree of Life is mentioned in Scripture is in Genesis 2:9. It reads, “And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the Garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
God created the Tree of Life to sustain Adam and Eve’s physical bodies on the earth for eternity. However, after they sinned, God expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden, removing their access to this life-giving tree (Genesis 3:22-24).
Ultimately, the Tree of Life was destroyed by the worldwide flood. However, it reemerges as a component of the New Jerusalem God creates after He destroys the present heavens and earth.
Revelation 22:2 says, “In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Revelation 22:14 states, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”
As initially intended, this Tree will serve to sustain and preserve the health and eternality of born-again believers in the New Heaven and New Earth. The tree is not a single unit but encompasses multiple trees, each one bearing fruit monthly.
How it all precisely works is yet to be seen since Scripture does not provide detailed information. However, we can be assured that it will make perfect sense to us when our eternal home is completed, and we reside there with God forever.
