THE TREE OF LIFE by J. O. C.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 18, 1916

THE TREE OF LIFE

By J. O. C.

Removed from Earth to Heaven—If Left on Earth for Man's Use, Would Have Immortalized Sin—The True Vine and the Living Word That Impart Life Now

THIS tree is first mentioned in the second chapter of Genesis, and is said to have been located in the midst of the Garden of Eden, the home of our first parents while they were yet in the image of their Creator. Indeed, it was intended to be the means of the perpetual existence of man as a "son of God." Luke 3: 38. But when, through disobedience, man lost God's image, access to the tree of life was denied him, lest he should eat thereof, and thus eternally perpetuate a life of sorrow and misery. Gen. 3: 22-24. While man, shut away from the tree of life, must weaken and die, the tree of life could not die. But to continue as a tree of life, it must of necessity perform the functions for which it was created. It could not do this by remaining on earth, since earth sojourners were shut away from it on account of sin. It was therefore removed to a holier atmosphere, and knowledge of it became so clouded that no direct reference to it is discovered until after the life-giving Christ came down to earth. By the touch of His life power, the very lowest in moral corruption will be permitted to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of heaven's pleasure ground, the Paradise of God. Rev. 2: 7.

NOW BY THE RIVER OF LIFE

From another beautiful reference to this tree of life, one knows that it now occupies a position on either side of the river of life, which proceeds out of the throne of God, and its leaves are for the "healing," or restoration, of the nations.

Faith easily grasps the thought of a redeemed people being privileged to partake of life's tree in the long hereafter; but the text conveys the idea that somehow its leaves have to do with the healing of the malady of sin in this present world. Then, too, by its close association with the river of God's pleasures (Ps. 36: 8), the water of life so freely offered to all, even in this stage of being (John 7: 37; Rev. 21: 6), one is led to think that some property of the leaves of the tree of life is available for the restoration of man's original right to Eden.

THE TREE THAT FAILED

The house of Israel was planted as a "choice vine" and a "pleasant plant." Isa. 5: 1-7. Later the Lord called it a "green olive tree," which was not only "fair," or beautiful, but bore "goodly fruit." Jer. 11: 16. This would seem to indicate that it was at first patterned after the Edenic tree; but failing to continue in goodly bearing, its branches were broken, thus making way for other branches to fill the vacancy. Rom. 11: 17-24.

But the newly grafted branches that are to take the places of those cast-off parts of the tree, can find their places only through faith in Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. Not only so, but the faith thus exercised must make the connection by which they become branches of the "true Vine." John 15: 1-5.

Thus united, the branches bear "much fruit." But of what nature will be the fruit of such connection? — It must be of the sort for which the tree can be responsible. Then since Christ, who is the life of believers in every nation, proclaims Himself the real Vine, from which the believing branches receive their life and productiveness, it follows that the fruit they bear must also be for the healing benefit of all nations.

But the leaves of this tree, with their healing power, may be compared to the word of God. It is by this Word that men are born into the kingdom of God. 1 Peter 1: 23. When this living Word is present in the citadel of man's affections, no request preferred at the throne of heaven will be denied. John 15: 7. It is therefore the only source of permanent satisfaction. This fact is clearly established by reference to its influence upon former heathen.

Dr. S. Reynolds Turner, writing of a converted heathen of Amoy, China, says: "We were standing on a hillside overlooking the sea, which at that part of the coast is dotted over with islands, and I was reveling in the beauty of the scene under a bright sun and clear skies. Suddenly he turned to me and said, 'Isn't it beautiful!' I agreed heartily, but added that I thought Chinamen did not, as a rule, pay attention to such things. 'Ah,' he said, 'I never saw anything about me, or thought anything beautiful or worth looking at, until I became a Christian. But since then, the world gets daily more beautiful; and the more I see of it, the more I comprehend our dear Father in heaven.'"

It would be the height of folly to declare that this man's heathen darkness had not been dispelled, and that his soul had not been under the healing process of the divine Word. But there is yet a more cheering view of this healing work, and that is the permanency of its operations.

SUPERSTITION GIVES WAY IN AFRICAN CONVERT

A single incident may be cited to illustrate this point. Bishop Tugwell, in an address in London, referred to a case in West Africa. After a certain service, He said to the Christian converts, "Now I want you all to come and preach in the open air." They followed him to the market place, where was assembled an unusually large congregation. The two classes, Christians and heathen, stood in separate groups. The contrast between these classes was remarkable. The Christians were bright, clean, cheerful, and happy, while the heathen looked degraded and miserable. Seven years before, all were alike heathen. A Christian woman was called on to speak. Stepping forward with her Yoruba Bible held aloft, she said:

"I want to tell you that if you once taste what is written in that Book, you will never forsake it. I will give you two illustrations. You remember that when the white man came and told you to collect rubber from the trees, you refused to do so, and said, 'If it falls on our skin, we shall have leprosy.' But when you saw other people collecting it, and found that they did not get leprosy, but that they got money, then you lost your fear, and now you are all rushing for rubber. Is not that so?" They said "Yes." She then said: "Can any one drive you from it now? — No. Why not? — Because you have found it a good thing. Now if once you taste the word of God, you will never let any one drive you away from it."

Following this argument, she said: "When the white man came and offered you silver, you said you did not want pan [that is, tin]. You said, 'We want cowrie shells' [their old-time currency]. But now, if any one offers you silver, will you throw it away?" — "No." "Why? — Because you have learned the value of silver money. So it is with the word of God; once taste it, and you will never let any one drive you away from it."

Who can deny that upon such people the "beauty of the Lord our God" abides? Are not such cases true examples of the healing power of the word of the living God? J. O. C.