God’s promises to us are yea and amen. One such promise given to those called the over-comers is that we have the right to eat of the tree of life. Scripture reveals for man that this “tree” is in the Paradise of God.
Rev. 2:7,
“… To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
To overcome suggest for man a combat against the forces of an adversary. While all believers can be over comers, this verse speaks especially of those who remain faithful in the midst of persecution and doctrinal error, giving proof to their faith. The tree of life symbolizes, for us, the spiritual sustenance needed to receive and maintain eternal life. The Paradise of God, which contains the tree of life, was the dwelling place of Adam, which speaks of the perfect fellowship that God and creation enjoyed in the realm of Eden before the fall.
This same enjoyable fellowship is declared to be for man today, How? Because Christ Jesus became the door for us to enter through that man might again eat of said tree of life. By remaining in Christ, we can eat of that same tree of life within this place called Paradise. Where is this Paradise? With Paradise being the realm of Christ, and with Christ dwelling within forgiven man and we dwelling in Him, we have within us the portion of Paradise and the life that God purposed for us. In this place, we can freely eat of the fruit of the tree of life. What then is the fruit that grows on the tree of life? Is it not the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit?
Rom. 5:5,
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Thus, through Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit we have access to the “tree.” Therefore, eat, receive of His love that you might live.
In Christ Jesus, we can become all that He’s made available. This promise, this hope is that which God has extended to us with these instructions.
John 15:5,
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.”
To “abide in” speaks of “being or remaining within.” A requirement that suggest for us a position needed to bring forth fruit. By remaining connected to the vine, all that is produced from the vine, by the maturing act of God, is fruit of the vine. This is speaking of a visible manifestation of all that is in and of the vine. What kind of life is it that comes from the vine? This speaks of eternal life that brings forth the fruit thereof through all who abide in the vine. This speaks of the whole man, the spirit, soul, and body. The curse of death that is upon fallen man is the results of Adams sin and is no longer to abide in this abiding people.
When was it that God broke the results of the curse? When Jesus was slain and buried, but then He arose. When Jesus declared, “it is finished,” a debt was paid, the veil was rent, and the invitation was extended to all who would receive and believe in Him. (Read John 21:15-25). Note in verse 19, when Jesus said “follow me”; He was referring to the act of glorifying Him. With man glorifying God in the form of a death, it is not speaking of going to a “six-foot hole” in the ground but is referring to living. This living is the life which comes from abiding in the vine, bearing the fruit and manifesting the nature of Christ, made available in the here and now. This is not referring to that day of physical death when you might die and go to heaven, but a living in heaven now. “Follow Him” where He now abides and as the resurrected one He is seated on the Father’s right hand. How, by letting all that is available in Him completes its course until it is finished in us.
Our place, while abiding in Him, speaks of victory wherein we partake of the “pure waters of life.” This is a place where He removes the curse and we begin to see His face continually.
Rev. 22:14,
“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.” Rev. 22:3-4, “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads [mind of Christ, His nature].”
Herein a people walk in the divine government of God while delighting in serving Him. They enjoy perfect fellowship with God and the Lamb. These are those who manifest, who become the reflection of the character of the Christ.
While it is recognizable that death is the wages or fruit of sin, it is also true that the full measure of life is the gift or fruit of abiding in Christ. Rom. 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” A wage is payment for work done. This infers that sin is work, a labor for hire. Sin is a battle against Godliness and is a slave-driving taskmaster that demands total commitment and ultimate death. Eternal life is a “gift” given by God. A “gift,” suggest a divine gratuity of deliverance from danger or passion. Specifically, it is a spiritual endowment. It is a divine influence upon our hearts and its reflection is life. Thus, while sin works us, righteousness rewards us. Therefore, the power of righteousness promoting life eternal is greater than the works of sin.
1 Cor. 15:22,
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
“In sin” brings forth fruit. “In Christ” also brings forth fruit. Sin is death while Christ is life. Each, whichever man chooses, will bring forth a full measure of its fruit. Therefore, those who abide in Christ have the God given right to bring forth the fruit of that which Christ is, the resurrected one abiding in the throne room of God. This present tense abiding in the fullness of Christ makes itself available to those who believe, now. A life lived in a full measure is a life so separated from the realm of death, the carnal man, that all the former things have passed away.
Rev. 21:4,
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
This speaks of an unbroken fellowship between God and His people. If these things were true, that a full measure from God is available through Christ Jesus, why is it that we do not seemingly behold that full measure today? Could it be that we are looking in all the wrong places? Consider the dealings of God through Daniel when God revealed to him a prophecy of the end time. Daniel’s response, much like the Christians of today, was Dan. 12:8-9,
“Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, My Lord, what shall be the end of these things. And he said, go your way Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”
Mysteries, made so by God, until a preordained time for the fulfillment of those mysteries. The time of fulfillment speaks of “till the time of the end.” When is the time of the end? When did it have its beginning? God reveals that from the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, humanity entered into the last days. This means for those of us living during this season, all that God has made available for and during the last days is ours to receive and manifest. (Read Acts 2:16-21). Note verse 21,
“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
This word “saved” above means much more than forgiveness of past sins. It speaks of healing, to cure, to preserve, to keep safe and sound and to rescue from danger. It also means saved from physical death by healing through change and from spiritual death by forsaking sin and its effects. It also means “to give new life” and “to cause to have a new heart.” Because forgiven men are of the vine, Christ Jesus, we, chosen by Him to become the fruit bearers, shall establish on this earth the kingdom of God. The kingdom is not patterned after the last two days of God (2000 years), but shall manifest the divine government of God as it now exists in our risen Christ.
This kingdom reveals the life of Christ, not only in spirit but also in the soul and body, which is the removal of all darkness. Darkness is gone because the life of God as pure light is manifesting itself through each vessel.
John 15:16-17,
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name [nature] He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another”.
Love is the basis of all that is of the Father.
Many Christians have fallen into a trap, a snare set for them because carnal minded ministries encourage a people to put the things of God into a far off future. They are saying that these things of God are for another time and season or no longer apply to today’s modern church; meanwhile God would encourage Christians to stand still before God and truly see.
Rom. 1:20-21,
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead [divine nature], so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened”.
Every person has the ability to see the abundant evidence of God’s existence and power. Nevertheless, because of foolishness they become empty, vain, useless and confused, unable to accept and receive the “gift” which God freely gives.
What is God’s promise and provision for those who do believe?
Matt. 5:48,
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
“Perfect” as used in this verse speaks of a people who have reached an end, which is, made finished and completed according to God’s purpose for them. Perfect also speaks of an all-conclusive love that seeks the good of all. Instead of following the example of sinners who love only those who love them, we are to be like the Father in also loving those who do not love us. Does not the above scripture declare that a people, in coming to the maturing end of the call upon their lives, they shall manifest the same? This means the whole man (spirit, soul and body), a vessel that is filled full of the Holy Spirit of God.
This includes the soul (mind, will, desires and emotions) changed and ruled over by the nature of God. It also speaks of the body that has put off corruption and put on incorruption. It speaks of a mortal body becoming immortal to manifest the greater works of God in the earth.
John 14:12,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works that these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
These works include the preaching and teaching of the gospel, which results in the blessings of the gift of the Holy Spirit, of sanctification, of justification, and of reconciliation. These works also include the Holy Spirits coming and being available to all receiving humanity, which also includes all post-resurrection manifestations of Christ’s reign.
Many of the parables were spoken by Jesus for the season of our birthing and fulfillment, with one such parable being the parable of the wheat and tares spoken of in Matthew the 13th chapter. An awakening is now taking place. Many of those mysteries that God had once hide from man, are now revealed that he might manifest them through His people. With each mystery He reveals, God also gives the power to become the fulfillment of said mystery. Such power is now at work, as God purifies completely those who are willing to see Him. God is faithful and willing to enlighten these vessels of righteousness to become that complete man in Christ. Therefore, let us eat. Let us be filled and let us become, for this is the day of God’s completion in a people.
Matt. 13:37-43,
“He answered and said to them: He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels [messengers], and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [snares, obstacles], and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He, who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Are we willing to hear and see that God does not want us bound to a mind-set that puts God and His kingdom afar off, a God separated from us? Deliverance is ours for He is a God working in the now even as His kingdom is here in the now.
(Read Eph. 3:14-21) Here God is speaking to His people of today that we should allow the Holy Spirit to deepen His work in our lives. In this, God desires to “be at home” in our hearts by moving us from being an acquaintance only, to Him being the center of our lives. God’s desire is for us to grasp His love at a spiritual level, He becoming our reality beyond intellectual or theological knowledge. God desires to reign in the whole person that we, filled with God’s fullness begin to achieve God’s fuller work in each life. This releases a people to go forth and do God’s greater works. Herein we are to eat and become and the world shall begin to see Him in us.