The promise that Jesus holds out to the overcomers of the church in Ephesus is to have the privilege of access to the tree of life (Revelation 2:1 – 7). This is a place of life in God that clearly had yet to be experienced by the Church, hence the promise “to those who overcome”
Of course, any experience of LIFE is an experience of Jesus for he said “I am the life” (John 14:6) and “I am the bread of life … the bread that comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die … he will live forever” (John 6:48 – 51)
Consider what was at stake in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22 – 24) - eating of the tree of life could ‘eternalise’ Adam in his present condition, i.e. knowing good and evil.
It’s virtually impossible for us to imagine what life would be like in the absence of the knowledge of good and evil – it’s what we know so well. This knowledge is the prime influencer of our decisions, judgements, opinions, views, actions and relationships. How on earth could society be ordered without this knowledge? We might well ask. How is mankind to function, protect himself and progress safely without the knowledge of good and evil?
I know the answer I offer you sounds altogether idealistic and utopian; but it is simply this – love, not knowledge, is God’s answer for a society that experiences the harmony, good-will, and order that mankind desires.
The very thing that the Ephesians had to overcome was ‘lovelessness’. Jesus said to them Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Overcome this and I’ll ‘eternalise’ you in this condition! Can you somehow imagine with me that if love not knowledge became the prime influencer on our decisions, judgements, opinions, views, actions and relationships what kind of world we might live in? Perhaps one day thinking to ourselves: how on earth could society be ordered without this love?
So Jesus is holding out to us the possibility of entering into a place of life with Him where love has prevailed over the knowledge of good and evil – a people who have at the very core been transformed by the Spirit of the Lord and are like Christ who is God and God is love.
That’s why the tree of life to this day is being guarded by cherubim . . . and a flaming sword which turned every way. Actually, I think at no point will God withdraw this terrifying obstruction to reaching the tree of life! Without even having to contemplate the presence of Cherubim, the only way through is to fall victim to the sword.
Paul explained God’s sword this way – To the Ephesians: The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. To the Hebrews: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart
In my mind’s eye, there’s this space between the flaming sword which turns every way and the tree – just a little walking distance. It’s filled with the walking wounded: severely mutilated (if not dead), showing one another their wounds. Listen to what they say to one another as they compare their wounds:
“This one hurt – love your enemies - pray for those who despitefully use you”
“You think that’s bad, look at this wound – if you have anything against anyone, forgive him”
“This one nearly killed me – Bring all the tithes into the storehouse that there might be food in my house”
Wow! That’s not unlike this killer – don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves together, and all the more so when you see the day approaching”
There’s no greater love than to lay down your life. But this is not emotionally driven – it’s a strong choice to obey the Lord without conditions. We know that ‘Agape’ (a Greek word translated in our Bibles as ‘love’) is the love of choice. And there’s a direct connection between love and obedience to God: (NLT) But those who obey God's word really do love him. That is the way to know whether or not we live in him (1 John 2). Loving God means keeping his commandments and his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5). Love means doing what God has commanded us. (2 John).
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)
So here’s the walking mutilated . . . no arguments left, no superior interpretations remain, no personal opinions (they’re the product of the knowledge of good and evil). His Word has slain me. I’m dead to what I think and know. I’ve come to end of myself. I’m ready for love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend. (Proverbs 27: 6 )
Job 5:17 – 18 Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.
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