Shalom Partner and Friend of Israel,

What is this “Tree of Life” and the “Tree of the knowledge of good and evil” that the Bible speaks of? And, is there a message God wants us to learn from it today? We found this “tree” very interesting for the times that we are living in! “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…" – Genesis 2:9-17. The “Tree of Life” is first seen in the Bible in Genesis and is associated with Adam and Eve, and, the sin that separated them from God! The “Tree of Life” is also mentioned in other Bible passages and from them we can also draw some conclusions about the value of this “tree” and its properties! Could it be that we would make better life choices if we understood what Adam rejected? So, let’s look at the earliest account of the “Tree of life” in the “Garden of Eden” where God planted a garden and filled it with a variety of plants to supply the needs of man. These were; (1) “pleasant to the sight and good for food” and (2) that the “Tree of Life” was “in the midst of the Garden” and that it was “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil!” (Genesis 2:8-9). The Bible does NOT say that these were NOT trees that produced fruit but rather that could be used as food. In fact, we later find Eve reasoning that the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” was “good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise!”

What was the purpose of these two trees? And, why are they singled out and why were Adam and Eve given special instructions about their use? Notice: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die!” - Genesis 2:16-17. It is clear that this was the only forbidden tree, or what is commonly called the “forbidden fruit.” The life-giving tree, by contrast, was free for the taking! It should be plain, therefore, that the “evil” was not in the fruit itself, but in the choice to eat it, against God’s clear command; “You shall NOT eat of it!” God had placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, knowing full well that Satan, the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), would attempt to bring them under his influence and control. God wanted Adam and Eve to remain loyal and faithful to Him, in order that He might give them every good thing and including eternal life if they accepted His rule over them. His intent was to bring them into His spiritual family in due time.

God gave them a choice between the “tree of life” and the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Can we see how these two trees represented a choice between obeying God’s command …or ignoring God’s authority in order to pursue the false goal offered by the devil? In rejecting God’s instruction and taking of the forbidden tree, they surrendered their fate to Satan and took themselves out of God’s protection and provision. In short, they chose Satan’s way of life …which is the opposite of God’s way!

We can easily see that these two trees were also fruit trees and they had special importance to our first parents (Adam and Eve) and the future of humanity. In fact, the choice that Adam made to “eat of the forbidden fruit” has a far-reaching impact on our world today! A brief review of the Scriptures shows that; “sin is the transgression of the law” - 1 John 3:4 …and that “the wages of sin is death” - Romans 6:23 …and that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” - Proverbs 14:12. When God commanded Adam not to take of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” - He was showing him what choice he should make. God wanted him to choose life, NOT death! Much later, when God brought Israel out of Egypt, He gave them a similar choice; “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” - Deuteronomy 30:1.

Why did God call one of these trees “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” instead of just calling it the tree of death? Clearly, it was the opposite of “the tree of life!” Still, using this name gives us insight into how God thinks and how He works with mankind. He gives ALL men the choice of whom to obey …whether Satan or God! When Adam and Eve ate the fruit in defiance of God’s command and warning, they declared themselves independent from God and His law. They proclaimed by their actions that they would decide for themselves what is good and what is evil. It is evident that the tree did NOT contain any knowledge at all. Rather, the very act of eating from it was a choice to trust in themselves, though in reality they were enslaving themselves to Satan the devil. Adam and Eve accepted Satan’s lies and influence. They apparently believed that God was keeping something from them. Yet their action cut them and their descendants off from God, the only source of true knowledge and wisdom. The long-term result was the proliferation of sin and death. Later in man’s sordid history, wise King Solomon, inspired by the same God, again expressed the choice put before man through all time. He tells us; “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil” - Proverbs 3:5-7. The key to successful living is to look to our Creator, Almighty God, for guidance and strength to live according to His Will – not ours. The life-giving tree surely must have represented God’s Law and His Holy Spirit, which Yeshua (Jesus) said; “will guide you into all truth” - John 16:13. How many of us today are rejecting God’s wisdom and leaning on our own understanding, just as Adam and Eve did?

A natural question is - “What would have happened if Adam and Eve had eaten of the other tree?” Again, the Bible gives the answer - Yeshua (Jesus Christ), the Son of God, who came to save man from sin, made some powerful statements about our choices; “It is the Spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” - John 6:63. Here Christ’s commands and His Spirit are shown as the source of life! Would we not conclude that they are represented in the tree of life? Yeshua also said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life” - John 14:6. So the tree would have included Christ’s words, which are the truth that leads to life. Had Adam and Eve NOT eaten of the life-giving tree, they would have been granted God’s true knowledge of right and wrong and a reliance on God to teach them how to live! One of the most profound lessons given by our Lord came during His confrontation with the devil during His 40 day temptation in the wilderness …and gives this powerful instruction in defense of His refusal to compromise; “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” - Matthew 4:4.

The “Burning Bush” also represents the “Tree of Life” - a surprising co-incidence? The emergency symbol for “fire” – “esh” is the same as the Hebrew letter for “shin.” This letter actually represents fire in Judaic traditions. It can have either a “hissing” sound (like in the word history). Or, it can have a “sh” sound (as in the word, short). The difference depends on the placement of a vowel dot. Both sounds imitate fire’s sound.  This letter is most sacred, as it represents two names of God and they are; “Shaddai” which means “Almighty” and “Shalom.” “Shalom” unlike Shaddai, can have multiple meanings which include: peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquillity. It can also be used to mean both “hello” and “goodbye.” We can readily see how life’s fulfilment comes with “Shalom!” To acquire “Shalom” is to reach the top of the mountain-just like Moses. It becomes all the sum of all the desirable fruits of life that we live for. Hebrew is written from right to left.

Try the following meditation: slowly, repeat “sha” 5 times. The “ah” sound releases the tension of the “sh.” Meditate on this release. The ending “om” sound of “shalom.” Repeat this sound five times. Then say the entire word five times. May all the blessings of “shalom” be with you! 

The second major point is about the “Tree of Life” – letter “Shin” and “the burning bush” are symbols for this tree. Its depiction also provides a format for meditation. It too, has the overall shape of the letter – “shin.” You can see the 3 vertical pillars. Horizontal and diagonal paths connecting them become illuminations.“And behold the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed." - Exodus 3: 2. It was a sharp descent for Moses from Pharaoh's palace to the wilderness, and 40 years of a shepherd's life were a strange contrast to the brilliant future that had once seemed so likely. But, God tests His weapons before using them ...and great men are prepared for great deeds by great sorrows!

Solitude is the mother-country of the strong, and the wilderness with its savage crags, its awful silence, and the unbroken round of its blue heaven, was a surer place to meet God in than the heavy air of a palace or splendours of palace court. So, Moses, as the lonely shepherd was pacing slowly in front of his flock, he saw a strange light that asserted itself even in the bright desert sunshine. “The bush” does NOT mean a single shrub …but implies a little cluster or copse of the dry undergrowth, characteristic of the desert, over which any ordinary fire would have passed like a flash, leaving it grey ashes. But, that steady light persisted long enough to draw the attention of Moses and to admit of his going some way before reaching it. And, then …and then -- the Lord spoke! 

What did the unconsumed bush mean? It’s generally understood as symbolic representation of the preservation of Israel …even in the “fiery furnace” of Egyptian oppression. But, beautiful as that explanation is - it seems to break the law that applies to all other symbolical complement of divine appearances. Throughout Scripture, “fire” is a symbol of that nature …as in the smoking lamp and the blazing fire that Abraham saw …or the pillar that lighted the darkness over the sleeping Israelites camp …or as in; “The light of Israel shall be a flaming fire.” - Isaiah 10:17 …or as in the baptism “in the Holy Ghost and in fire” (Matthew 3:11) …or as at Pentecost with its fiery tongues (Acts 2:3) …or as in the great saying; “Our God is a consuming fire.” - Hebrews 12;29; Deuteronomy 4:24. In almost everything on earth a sacred significance attached to “fire.” That significance is NOT primarily of destruction, as we sometimes suppose which is an error that has led to misunderstanding of some Scriptures …and of the God whom they reveal. When, for instance, Isaiah asks, "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?" – Isaiah 33:14 …here Isaiah has been supposed to be asking; “what soul can endure the terrors of God's consuming and un-ending wrath.” But, a little attention to the words would have shown that "the devouring fire" and the "everlasting burnings" mean God …and not hell! God’s “divine” nature is represented as - ‘too fierce’ to be approached! God is holy and heaven is the true dwelling-place of men, which indeed only the holy can inhabit and inhabit that which is eternal life! Precisely parallel is the Psalmist's question; "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, and who shall stand in His holy place?" – Psalm 24:3. 

Elijah saw the devouring fire - flames of God as it consumed in front of His enemies! (1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10). Fire is the source of warmth, and so, in a sense, of life. It is full of quick energy; it transmutes dead matter into its own ruddy likeness, and changes gross earthly dullness into flames aspiring towards the skies! Therefore it is fit symbol of creative and cleansing power. God is the “fiery Spirit of the universe” …a spark from whom irradiates and vitalises every living thing - along with blessed thoughts of life-giving and purifying, it also suggests potentiality of destructive energy. The same God is the fire to quicken, sanctify and bless …and if rejected, to consume! “If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell (sheol) – You are there!” - Psalm 139:8.

The burning bush - burned and was NOT consumed! That undying flame teaches the same great truth as the accompanying words of God; “Moses asks what he is to say to the Israelites when they ask what God has sent him to them, and Yahweh replies, "I am who I am," adding, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I am has sent me to you.'" - Exodus 3:14. "I Am who I Am!" It burns and does NOT burn out, it has NO exhaustion waiting on its energy, and is a symbol of the “One Being” - whose being is its own law and its own source. God gives and is none the poorer …He works and never wearies …He “operates unspent” and He loves and loves for ever! We are that which we become, God is that which He is. We die because we live …but God lives by His own life! That fire burns, and needs no replenishing, and knows no extinction. Surely that great sight, which startled and strengthened Moses, the shepherd, for his tremendous task, may well evoke our faith. Surely, in our fleeting days, the one means of securing for ourselves blessedness, rest, strength, and a life that, like His, can never die into cold ashes, is to grasp this great truth, and to knit ourselves to Him who lives for ever …and whose love is as lasting as His life (Isaiah 40:28).

The lowly thorn-bush as an emblem of Israel… Which unquestionably it is - though the “fire” be the symbol of God, in the fact that it’s preserved - it by its burning, there is a great and blessed truth! It is the same truth which Yeshua (Jesus) with a depth of interpretation that put to shame said to the sneering Sadducees, who like all other sneerers, saw only the surface of what they were sarcastic about; “Did not Moses teach you in …the section about "the bush, that the dead rise, when He said; I AM the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob." - Matthew 22:32. Here Yeshua confirmed that God is His God and cannot die. Such a bond can never be broken! The communion of earth, imperfect as it is …is the prophecy of heaven and the pledge of immortality. And, so from that relationship which subsisted between the “Fathers of our Faith” and God …and Christ infers the certainty of their resurrection. It seems a great leap, but there are intervening steps NOT stated by our Lord, which securely bridge the distance between the premises and the conclusion. Such communion is, in its very nature, unaffected by the accident of death. Therefore, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are still living, “for all” …those whom we call dead, as well as those whom we call living - "alive unto Him," …and though so many centuries have passed, God still is, NOT was - their God.

The relation between them is with the “Eternal, and guarantees their immortal life. If the dead live still, there must come a time when the whole man shall partake of redemption; and in body, soul, and spirit, the glorified and risen saints shall be for ever with the Lord. That is but the fuller working out of the same truth that is taught us in the symbol - "The bush burned and was not consumed." God dwelt in it, therefore it flamed! God dwelt in it, therefore though it flamed, it NEVER flamed out. Or in other words, the Church, or true believer in whom He dwells, partakes of the immortality of the indwelling God. "Every one shall be salted with fire…" Mark 9:49; fire which shall be a preservative and is NOT destructive! Or, as Christ has said; “…because I live you shall live also" - John 14:19. Humble as was the ragged sapless bush, springing up and living amidst the desert sands, it was not too humble to hold God; it was not too gross to burst into flame at His touch; it was not too fragile to be gifted with unconsumed life, like His that deigned to abide in it. If He dwells in us, we shall live!

How does this affect us living in dangerous and evil times where persecution on Jew and Christians are becoming daily occurrences? Anti-Semitism along with lawlessness is rapidly on the rise likened to just before WW11. At the same time we are witnessing the rise of the soon to be revealed “Antichrist” and his army through Liberalism, Communism and Socialism in Western Nations who have today embraced radical Islam! These are all anti-God, anti-Bible, anti-Jew and anti-Christian ideologies fuelled by hatred. With the sad, tragic and senseless murder of 11 people simply because they were Jews at the “Tree of Life” (“Or L'Simcha”) Synagogue in Pittsburgh, America, on the 27th October 2018 shows the that the times that we are living in are dangerous especially as Jew or Christian!

You see, it’s all about who we WORSHIP! Satan rebelled against God and was thrown out of heaven …and HATES everything that God has ordained - whether Jew or Christian. Many may not understand that God has plans for both Jew and the true believing Church during these End-Times. Satan continues to deceive unbelievers who are NOT grounded in God’s Biblical Laws and Truth. Sadly, this includes nominal Christians too. Today’s society has moved far away from God by lusting after the things of the world. Satan has baited them as he wants them to “worship” him and NOT “worship” the God of Israel – the God of the Bible! Remember that even Yeshua (Jesus) was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Why? Satan wanted the Lord to “worship” him instead! But, what was our Saviour Yeshua’s answer; “…Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only!” We must pray for and stand with the Jewish people and Israel who are the Lord’s brethren! We must at the same time NOT be fooled or blinded by Satan and the things of ths world! Obedience to God may even cost us our lives …but we REFUSE to bow to nobody or anything except our God! What Biblical truth can we compare our generation to….? In these Last days we will ALL face persecution for believing in the God of the Bible. Will we still stand strong in the face of evil? Our lives are just a vapour and while on earth we have to make a choice between obedience to God or follow the world’s way even if it means that it will cost us our lives.

Let’s look at Daniel 3:1-17; King Nebuchadnezzar made a graven image and the height was 60 cubits and the width was 6 cubits. What do we see here 60 and 6! In the Bible, the number 6 symbolizes; man and human weakness, the evils of Satan …and the manifestation of sin. Man was created on the 6^th day; Men are appointed 6 days to labour; a Hebrew slave was to serve 6 years and be released in the 7th year; 6 years were appointed for the land to be sown and harvested; the number 6 is also associated with Satan in His temptation of Yeshua (Jesus). The bringing together of three 6's (666) is the number and “mark” of the End Time beast of Revelation 13. As such, it represents the very best system of governance that mankind can produce WITHOUT God under the constant influence of his chief adversary - Satan. Man's system on earth made up of 3 parts; economic, religious and governmental all of which are influenced and led by Satan. When 666 is multiplied by 7 it equals 4662, which depicts man's total imperfection under Lucifer. When added across; 4 + 6 + 6 + 2 = 18; and 18 divided by 3 = 6. Well the positive side of the number 6 is “grace!” God’s grace is available to a sinful a wicked world! The number 7 represents - “completeness and perfection” (both physical and spiritual).

We read in Daniel 3:1 - that King Nebuchadnezzar set up the “golden image” in the plains or valley of Dura, in the Province of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was testing God’s “grace” and sent word to gather together all the rulers, judges, magistrates, treasurers and officials under his command to come to the dedication of the “image” that he had set up. So ALL these leaders in the regime of the government HAD to come to the dedication. Then the Chaldean - “Announcer” or “Herald” (“KARUZ” in Hebrew) called out in a great voice the commandment that was given. We will all be given “Commandments” from the day we are born - until the day we die! Some are “godly” and some are “ungodly” and we have to choose which ones we will follow! However this Commandment was an “ungodly” one commanding “worship of the image” and was given to ALL peoples, nations and languages …and, there were instruments involved! Now see, here comes the “worship part!” These instruments purpose were for making music, and all the people had to fall down and “worship” the image! This “image” and all the End-Time Empires that Daniel saw represented “Evil” and were Satanic! There is going to be one who is raised up in the Last Days and it’s going to be about worshiping him and NOT God! You see, the real battle is going to be in the End-Times about who will be worshipped!

The worship of Satan is something that WILL characterize the End-Times! We read in Daniel 3:6 that those who refused to worship this Satanic “image” were IMMEDIATELY cast into the “fiery furnace!” When ALL the people heard the sound of the horn, flute and lyre in symphony and ALL kinds of music instruments …ALL the people, nations and languages, fell down upon their face and “worshipped the “image!” You see ALL the peoples and nations simply just went long with the flow to avoid persecution! In Daniel 3:8 we see during that time men from the Chaldeans approached with one purpose …to accuse the Jews! Interesting! They didn’t come just to condemn Daniel and his three friends (Shadrack, Meshach and Abed-Nego) …but with another purpose! And, in this sudden change we see that they NOT just speaking about the four Jewish men. Why? They came to accuse the Jewish people! Satan wants to exterminate the Jewish race! It hasn’t changed over thousands of years. It doesn’t matter what good Israel does for the world – the world is out to get them! The Holocaust, Pogroms and many evils of before are begging to be re-acted and will even worsen as we get closer to our Lord’s Second Coming. That’s what we are seeing more and more happening - in the Middle East, Europe - even in South Africa through BDS and in America.

They came to King Nebuchadnezzar to accuse the king himself who had commanded that all who did NOT obey his command must be cast into the fire if they did NOT worship the “image” …and so they accused Daniel’s three friends (by name) stating that they had refused to worship the “image!” Why did they NOT mention Daniel? Perhaps they though that he was too powerful or simply they didn’t notice him! However, they were focusing on the three Jewish men who were leading them in their provinces in Babylon (Daniel 3:13). Notice how Nebuchadnezzar changed his tone as he realized that he wasn’t the only king in authority …but that there is one whose name means; “God is my Judge!” This was the meaning of Daniel’s name! You see we have a choice too - do we recognize that, “God is our judge?” Nebuchadnezzar did NOT want to push the issue and was ready to forgive! However, he realised that he had made this commandment and gave Shadrack, Meshach and Abed-Nego another chance to fall down and worship the graven “image” …BUT, they refused and then Nebuchadnezzar said to them; “And, who is the God who will deliver you from my hands? – Daniel 3:15. Who was going to be the KING? Who was this God of the Hebrews that would save them from his hand? Who was it going to be God? God or Nebuchadnezzar? “They answered and said to the king, we have NO need to answer you in this matter; our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the “fiery” furnace and he will deliver us from your hand.” – Daniel 3:17. What a statement to make!

They literally said to the king, He WILL deliver us BUT if He doesn’t we will still NOT serve you or bow down to your golden “image!” They did NOT serve a pagan god and knew that by bowing to this “image” was against the God that they served – The God of Israel and the Bible! We have that same choice today - stand up for what we believe and face a “fiery” furnace! It’s that same confidence and boldness that Peter and John had in the book of Acts. They too were brought before the government and people in accusation! This answered the question that even if Daniel’s three friends had eaten the pagan food and bowed down to their mage - they still would have been persecuted! Why? Because, they stood strong and refused to bow down to false gods of their time and believed wholeheartedly that Almighty God would be with them. God did deliver them from the FIRE …and the Lord Yeshua (Jesus) Himself was with them in the fiery furnace!

In Jewish tradition there is a connection between food and worship; Deuteronomy 8:10; “When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good and that He has given you!” You are to eat and be satisfied and then bless the Lord! Most people miss this connection between the chapters Daniel 1 and Daniel 3. These men were not going to compromise their faith! Daniel 3:19 says the king was filled with anger and heated up the furnace 7 times more. What is the meaning of the number 7 in Hebrew here? It also means - “purpose!” It would take time to heat up the oven 7 times more …and here we can gather that Nebuchadnezzar wanted to delay their punishment in order for them to rethink and to submit to him! They were given more time to choose between good or evil! Nebuchadnezzar was NOT in charge but God Almighty was! Who’s in charge of our lives? We have that same choice to make today!

The choice is clear! The separation of “sheep and goat nations” as well as “Good verse evil” has already begun! Satan is called “the prince of the air” …and a good example today is how he controls the corrupt and dishonest Liberal Media as they lie, deceive and slander to achieve power and are against everyone who want to persue truth or live righteous and godly lives. There are only two choices; either we will worship the father of all lies, deceit, deception and author of adversity who is Satan …OR Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah and true living God. There simple are NO other alternatives …it’s either the God of the Bible or Satan!

What about the future…? Will this “tree of life,” from which man was banished, appear again? YES! The book of Revelation contains prophecies of the End of this Age. It points to the presence of a “tree of life” among the righteous who yield themselves to God’s authority; “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” - Revelation 2:7. And in the final chapter of the Bible it says, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” - Revelation 22:14.

The “tree of life” never died. Humanity was cut off from the tree because they chose the other and could not have both. The knowledge and Spirit represented by the life-giving tree are available to us today in the words and power of Christ our Saviour. Will we make the same old mistake our ancestors have made down through the centuries and choose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Or will you search out the tree of life and eat of it, that we may have eternal life? To do so, we must ask God to reveal His ways to you and commit to following them when He does. Once again the choice is ours - to choose life!

Will the “tree of life” re-appear, in one form or another, in the future? The Biblical answer is yes! It is directly mentioned three times in the Book of Revelation… the first reference occurs when God promises access to it to any of those in His Churches that are faithful to Him (Revelation 2:7). The Eternal God then promises that His creation of a New Jerusalem, which will become the new location of His throne and will have within its walls the “tree of life” (Revelation 22:1-2). And, the last mention of this unique tree …which will bear fruit during each month of the year (Revelation 22:2), is found in the final chapter of Scripture. Revelation 22:2:14 states; “Blessed are those who keep His Commandments, that they may have the right to eat of the tree of life …” This shows, beyond a doubt, that God's Commandments not only are in affect today …but also will continue to be the standard the righteous will live by for all eternity!

The healing of the nations… “In the midst of the street of it, and of the river, on one side and on the other (was) a tree of life, yielding twelve fruits, according to each month giving its fruit; and the leaves of the tree are for healing of the nations.” – Revelation 22:1-5. This amazing promise of God is also repeated in other Scriptures: Ezekiel 47:12; Zechariah 14:8. Why will the nations need healing in the “New Jerusalem?” One of God’s amazing promises concerning our “Eternal” home is that the nations of the world will have healing! The question is why exactly is it needed? The promise of “the healing of the nations” after the creation of the “New Heaven and New Earth is “the river of the water of life,” which is as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. Note: 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. WHY? Because; “…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. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And, they will reign for ever and ever!”  The healing of the nations is linked to “the tree of life,” as God re-establishes Eden. It is the leaves of this tree that are said to be “for the healing of the nations! It is possible that “the tree of life” in the New Jerusalem is literal and that its leaves and various fruits will somehow enrich our existence in the Eternal new Garden of Eden. All the nations represented there will be healed of their division and strife in their equal access to “the “tree of life!” It is also possible that “the tree of life” in the New Jerusalem our eternal home is symbolic and that its “healing” signifies the “eternal life” that all WILL enjoy there!  The different fruits it bears could represent the unlimited variety of our existence in heaven. The clear flowing river that waters could picture the spiritual life of God’s redeemed – the “living water” Yeshua (Jesus) promised in John 4:13-14. The healing the tree of life’s leaves WILL provide is not the “healing” of the wounds of battle as ALL warfare will have ended! The healing is NOT needed for combating sickness since there will be NO MORE - sickness, death, or pain (Revelation 21:4) No, the “healing” is a reference to the perpetual blessing of the New Heaven and Earth and …never again will the world be plagued by physical disorders or spiritual despair or worldly corruption. There will be NO more wars, strife, and conflicting factions! God will heal all that ails His Creation and there will be NO longer any CURSE! In the “New Jerusalem”, everything will be blessed, and “the tree of life” represents that “blessedness.” There will be No sin! It will have a perfect government, perfect service to God, perfect communion, and perfect glory. It is impossible for us to imagine being totally separated from sin and living in a glorified state before God …but, the Lord assures us that “these words are trustworthy and true” How amazing it will be!

His Land and chosen people. God’s Word is true! He is watching to see how the nations are treating His people. God will have mercy on Israel through Gentile believers acting as mediators towards them. This is one of the most amazing revelations ever given to the church – an opportunity to do something that carries the highest priority in the heart of God. Yet, sadly, so few have seen the potential and the rewards of serving God in this manner - as agents of mercy to Israel and the Jewish people! Israel was and still is despised today and a despised nation continually turning away from God BUT nothing ever altered the purpose of God for that nation. The despised element is always a noticeable element in the purpose of God. When the Saviour of the world came, He came of that despised nation; like Israel… He Himself was “despised and rejected by men,” …and there is that despised element; “…things that are despised God has chosen,” 1 Corinthians 1:28. Now, more than at any time is the time to support Israel and the Jewish people - the Lord’s Brethren! We are witnessing the nations and people turning their backs on Israel. Thank you once again for your prayers and generous support!

We hope that you enjoy and become more informed by our work. We serve an awesome God and we are humbled by this opportunity to bring you this information. With Shalom to you and your family always,

Alf & Julie Saunders

01^st February, 2019

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