July 05, 2003(32)
THE TREE OF LIFE. Its existence spans the whole of the History of man, from garden (the garden of Eden), to the eternal garden of the Lord, found growing before the throne of the Lord. That the tree is a spiritual tree, there is no question. For, eating of it is granted those who overcome. It is situated in the everlasting paradise of the Lord. Rev. 2:7 The fruit of the tree belongs to the righteous, only to those who have the right and privilege of passing through the gates of the city. Rev. 22:14
I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. It is a mistake to expect the new works of the Lord to be like this world. As we delight in new things, so also the Lord. To begin with, He is even now creating a new people. If we are in Christ, the full potential of what that means will soon be made manifest to the body of Christ. The old must be laid aside, that the new, from the crown of the head to the souls of the feet, the resurrected, transformed body may be brought to pass. The changed, the resurrected body, while similar, in shape will be a spiritual body. A body without the limitations of our present natural bodies. The character, the nature, the attitudes, the thinking are all according to the pattern of the new man. Godlike and spiritual in nature. All new, completely, absolutely walking in, and motivated by the Spirit of the Lord. So drastically different that there can really be no comparison made. Rev. 21:5
AN ENTIRELY NEW DWELLING PLACE TO BE CREATED. The promise of the new heavens and the new earth came through the prophet Isaiah and includes the promise that the former things will never be remembered nor will they ever come to mind. The things of this life and earth will never be remembered again. Isa. 65:17 Beyond that, former troubles are forgotten and hidden from the eyes of the Lord. v.16 Our future status is determined by our surrender to the Lord, in the here and now. The past unrighteousness is completely obliterated, wiped out. Gone for eternity. That which is new will abide before the Lord, forever. The assurance of a continuous seed, a posterity before the Lord is given. Likewise the reputation given to the old has been defiled and polluted in many ways, both physically and spiritually. The new creation cannot ever be contaminated in any way. Everything about it from, its topography, to its city, to its people will be absolutely purity. Its atmosphere will be righteousness, purity and holiness. 2 Pet. 3:13 His interest and care is centered on the New Jerusalem, which is that heavenly city, the true eternal city of the living Lord. It is a city of joy and gladness. No sorrow, anguish or tears will ever be found there. It is His Bride. Rev. 21:2 NO MORE, will an infant die, nor will there be any who grow old and die. Isa. 65:20 The things of this life will not prevail in that blessed, everlasting city of great power and beauty. Inasmuch as there will be no sinners there the second half of this verse applies to the conditions of the now.