In the Paradise of God John saw three things, which summed to be the center and source of all life, happiness, and worship in the City of God. He describes them for us in Revelation 22:1-2.
1. "He showed me a pure river of the water of life.""There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High" (Ps. 46:4). It is from this river that God graciously makes his people drink. And drinking from this river, our souls are abundantly satisfied (Ps. 36:8). This river is the everlasting love of God in Christ. It is a river broad and deep, a river to swim in, a river of infinite love, immeasurable love. (Eph. 3:19).
2. John saw this mighty river of God's love "proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.'
God's love for sinners is infinite and immeasurable. It is free and unconditional. But it is sovereign love, particular love, special love, distinguishing love, directed by the sovereign will and purpose of God (Rom. 9:13-18).
God's love is never spoken of in general, ambiguous terms. His love is directed toward his people. God's love for us is –
God loves us because he wills to love us. Having loved us from the beginning, he will love us to the end. And having once set his heart upon us, he will never cease to love us.
3. Then "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 yield her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." This tree of life is the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
You will remember that in the Garden of Eden there was a tree of life in the midst of the garden. (Gen. 2:9). When Adam sinned against God, he was driven out of the garden, and the Lord set cherubims with flaming swords at the gate of Eden to keep Adam from eating of the tree of life (Gen. 3:24). It appears that the tree of life in the garden was intended to be a source of life and immortality in innocence. Had Adam not sinned, he would have been allowed to eat of the tree of life. And he would have lived forever. But as soon as he sinned he forfeited life, and God drove him out of the garden away from the tree of life.
But in the Paradise of God there is another Tree of Life, from which we shall never be driven. And the Tree of Life is the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Savior (Rev. 2:7). Christ is to fallen man what the tree of life was to Adam in innocence. He is in the covenant of grace what the tree of life was in the covenant of works. In the Garden of Eden the tree of life provided life for the obedient. But Jesus Christ, The Tree of Life, promises life to faith. He is God's pledge to us that if we believe on him we shall be saved.
Proposition:Christ is called "The Tree of life" because the life of God's elect is found in him and comes from him – (Ps. 1:1-3).
Divisions:
1. Christ Became The Tree Of Life To Us By His Death Upon The Cursed Tree.
2. As The Tree Of Life, The Lord Jesus Is Exactly What We Need.
3. Come, Eat Of The Fruit Of Christ The Tree Of Life.
I. The Lord Jesus Christ Became The Tree Of Life To Us By His Death Upon The Cursed Tree.
In order for the Son of God to be planted in the City of God as The Tree of Life, he first had to suffer and die in the place of sinners, under the wrath of Almighty God. You will never be able to eat of Christ The Tree of Life until you are able to see Christ crucified upon the horrible tree of death at Calvary.
Let me show you seven things about the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A. It was a Substitutionary Death (Isa. 53:4-8).I wish I had the power to set forth Jesus Christ crucified before your very heart! God help you to see the crucified Savior and trust him now. The crucified Christ is the only hope your sinful soul has of eternal life and salvation. Look to him and be saved. Trust him and live. Because he died as the sinner's Substitute upon the cursed tree, Jesus Christ is now the tree of life in the paradise of God.
II. As The Tree Of Life The Lord Jesus Christ Is Exactly What You And I Need.
I am not a botanist, so I do not know for certain, but I am told that the palm tree is one tree that is useful from it's root to its fruit. The root, the bark, the wood, the sap, the leaves, and the fruit of the palm is supposed to be useful. I do not know about that. But I do know that Christ The Tree of Life is entirely useful. There is nothing in him but what we need and must have.
A. Christ The Tree Of Life Is A Tree Of Transcendent Excellence.In beauty and in usefulness The Tree Of Life, our Lord Jesus Christ exceeds all others. None can be compared to him.
1. As The Tree Of Life Christ Is A Very Fruitful Tree.This is a tree "which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month."
a. Here is Abundant Fruit – All the Israel of God in heaven and in earth eat of the fruit of this tree.
b. Here is Multiple Fruit – Other trees, no matter how fruitful, only produce one fruit, Christ bears twelve manner of fruit – Whatever our souls need Christ provides! I need –
Everything I need Christ is, and everything I need Christ gives (Eph. 1:3).
c. Here is Continual Fruit – "In every month" – Behold the Tree of Life, always loaded with the fruit of grace! In the cold of winter, in the heat of summer, in the springtime of youth, in the fall of old age, in the deepest adversity, in the sunshine of prosperity, Christ is all I need! At all times we may come to the Tree of Life and "sit under his shadow, and find his fruit sweet unto our taste."
2. As The Tree Of Life Christ Jesus Has Healing Virtue In His Leaves – The leaves of the tree of life are the blessed doctrines of the gospel which we preach for the healing of the nations.There is no wound so deadly but what one leaf from the tree of life will heal it immediately. As the sight of the brazen serpent healed the wounded Israelite, as the touch of the Lord's garment healed the diseased women, so the Lord Jesus Christ, by the gospel of his grace, heals every sinner who looks to him in faith.
Illus: The waters of Marah – "I am the Lord that healeth thee" (Ex. 15:25).
B. And Christ The Tree Of Life Is As Useful As He Is Excellent.
1. The Tree of Life is a tree for Food – His Life.
2. The Tree of Life is for Drink – His Blood.
3. The Tree of Life is for Clothing – His Righteousness.
4. The Tree of Life is for Shelter in the Time of Storm.
III. Come, Eat The Fruit Of Christ The Tree Of Life And Find Healing For Your Soul In The Leaves Of His Grace.
It will do you no good to see that Christ is the Tree of Life. It will be of no value to your soul to admire the allegory. You must eat the fruit of the tree, if you would live. You must be healed by the leaves of this tree, or you must die. Let me tell you plainly how to get the fruit and the healing of The Tree of Live.
There is only one way to get the fruit of the tree. There is only one way be get healing by the leaves of the tree – You must believe on the Son of God, if you would live. Faith is the hand that plucks the fruit from this Tree. Faith is the hand that applies the healing leaves.
Illus: "It's alright Mr. Fuller, sir. Your horse will keep his footing. He can carry you through."
If at first you do not get the fruit from the tree, then shake it by earnest, importunate prayer, and the fruit will fall.
Application:I have been primarily addressing lost sinners tonight. But, Child of God, Christ The Tree of Life is a tree of life for you. The tree is for you. The fruit is for you. The leaves are for you. Use him at all times, Feed upon him. Take shelter in him.
1. The Fruit of The Tree is for Your Life.
2. The Leaves of The Tree are for Your Soul.
3. The Shade of The Tree is for Your Safety.
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