DISCOURSE: 2531
THE TREE OF LIFE
Revelation 22:2. 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.
THE Scripture represents divine truth to us in terms accommodated to our low and carnal apprehensions. We know nothing on earth so attractive to the eye as pompous palaces, fraught with exquisite workmanship of every kind, and especially of rare and precious stones, and enlivened with the gayest scenes which art and nature can produce. On this account St. John adopts these images to convey to our minds an idea of all that is great and glorious in heaven; having described which as a city unparalleled for beauty, he proceeds to tell us of a river, clear as crystal, that waters it; and of a tree of most wonderful qualities that adorns it.
It is our intention to shew,
I. What we are to understand by the tree of life—
It should seem that the tree mentioned in the text alludes to the tree of life which was created by God in Paradise—
[Some have thought that St. John alludes to the trees which are mentioned in Ezekiel’s vision [Note: Ezekiel 47:12. Dr. Kennicott’s Dissertation on this subject is extremely ingenious; but one of his strongest objections to the Author’s view of it seems wholly obviated by the explanation of Genesis 3:22-24, given in this Discourse. The Author does not judge it necessary to assign all his reasons for differing from such great authority, though he did not think it expedient wholly to omit them.]: and it must be confessed that there is a striking coincidence of expression in the two passages: but the river of which Ezekiel speaks, and the trees growing on either side of it, represent the Gospel, producing life and fruitfulness wherever it flows: whereas the tree, mentioned in the text, is expressly called “the tree of life;” and is spoken of as growing in the midst of Paradise. Now this is the exact description given us of the tree of life which was formed in Eden [Note: Genesis 2:9.]: to that therefore we rather suppose the reference to be made; and this idea is confirmed by various other passages, which we shall have occasion to notice.]
In this view Christ himself is intended under this figurative representation—
[The tree of life in Paradise may be considered as typical of Christ. It was a pledge to Adam, that, if he continued obedient to the end of the time appointed for his probation, he should live for ever. And the reason of his being driven afterwards from that tree by cherubims with fiery swords, was, that he might be compelled to seek those other means of acceptance which God had ordained, and which were shadowed forth by the tree of life [Note: Genesis 3:22-24.]. As God in later ages destroyed Jerusalem, that his people might not be able to offer their former sacrifices, and might thereby be shut up, as it were, to that great Sacrifice which the others typified; so God dealt with our first parents in the instance alluded to. Christ is to fallen man, what the tree of life was to man in innocence; he is, under the covenant of grace, what that was under the covenant of works; that ensured life to obedience, and Christ secures it to faith in his name. He is God’s pledge to us, that, if we believe on him, we shall be saved [Note: John 11:24-25.]: yea, even to those that are in heaven he must be considered as the pledge of their everlasting stability, since it is of his fruit that they eat [Note: Revelation 2:7.], and their life is altogether bound up in him [Note: Colossians 3:4.Ephesians 1:10.]
That all may be persuaded to pluck the fruits of this tree, we proceed to shew,
II.
Its transcendent excellence—
It is not in beauty only that this tree excels, but in usefulness. It surpasses all others,
1. In its fruits—
[So abundant are its fruits, that all in heaven, and all on earth, may eat of them; yea, if there were as many worlds as there have been, or ever shall be, individuals in the world, there would be sufficient for them all. But its fruits are also various: other trees, however fruitful, bear but one kind of fruit; but this bears “twelve manner of fruits:” whatever is suited to our different appetites, is to be derived from him: pardon, peace, love, joy, holiness, and whatever else a devout soul longeth after, it is all to be found in him, and to be enjoyed through him. Besides, it has this surprising quality, that its fruitfulness is continual: “In every month” we may behold him laden with fruit, as well in the depths of winter, as in the midst of summer; in seasons of the deepest adversity, as well as under the sunshine of prosperity: there never is a moment wherein we shall meet with such a disappointment as Christ experienced [Note: Matthew 21:19.]: we may at all times go and “sit under his shadow, and find his fruit sweet unto our taste.”]
2. In its leaves—
[The leaves of other fruit-trees are, for the most part, worthless: but those of this tree are medicinal, and of most astonishing virtue; they are designed on purpose “for the healing of the nations.” There is no wound, however deadly, but the application of a leaf from this tree will heal it instantly. As a sight of the brazen serpent cured the wounded Israelites, and a touch of our Lord’s garment the diseased woman [Note: Numbers 21:8-9 and Matthew 9:20-22.], so will the efficacy of these leaves be made apparent, whensoever they are applied. Nor is it one single wound that they will cure, but the whole soul, however infected in every part: as the tree, cast into the waters of Marah, healed the fountain itself, and rendered all its streams salubrious [Note: Exodus 15:25.], so will a single leaf of this tree restore the most diseased soul to purity and peace. To every believer God will surely make known himself by that name which he has assumed for our encouragement, “I am the Lord that healeth thee [Note: Exodus 15:26.].”]
From hence we may learn,
1.
What use we should make of Christ now—
[We cannot but feel, if we be not altogether “past feeling,” that we stand in need of a Saviour. And behold, what a glorious salvation God has raised up for us! Should we not then apply to this Saviour? Has the Sun of Righteousness arisen with healing in his beams [Note: Malachi 4:2.], and shall we not go forth to his light? Is there balm in Gilead, is an almighty Physician there [Note: Jeremiah 8:22.], and shall we not seek the healing of our wounds? Shall the tree of life be accessible to us at all times, yea, shall the flaming sword be driving us to it instead of from it, and we not go to apply its leaves and eat of its fruit? Let us, whether dying of the wounds of sin, or agonizing through the fiery darts of temptation, go to Christ without delay; for surely virtue shall come forth from him, and heal us all [Note: Luke 6:19.]. If he submitted to suffer for us that he might “heal us by his stripes [Note: Isaiah 53:5.],” and reconcile us to God by his death, “much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life [Note: Romans 5:10.].” We may consider him as God’s pledge to us, that, where he is, there shall also his servants be; and that, because he liveth, we shall live also [Note: John 14:19.]
2. What enjoyment we shall have of Christ hereafter—
[The words immediately following the text further confirm the sense given to the text itself. Sin entered into Paradise, and a tremendous curse followed it: but into heaven no sin, and therefore “no curse shall ever come:” nothing shall invade the peace, nothing disturb the security, of those who inhabit that glorious city: while the tree of life continues there, all that eat of its fruits are kept from a possibility of falling. O blessed state! All feasting upon the glories of Jesus; and eternity the duration of their bliss! May we all arrive at that Paradise of God, and unite with all the choir of heaven in singing, “Salvation to God and to the Lamb for ever and ever.”]