Summer 1985
The Tree of Life
Wade E. Taylor

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of this tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Revelation 3:7

“For whoso findeth me findeth life . . .” Proverbs 3:35

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8

Many have searched for the tree of life, thinking to gain for their own ends, but the Lord in His infinite wisdom has hidden the tree of life from their view and grasp.

After man had partaken of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, an angel with a flaming sword was set before the tree of life “lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever. (Gen 3:22-24) Note that the tree of life was not removed from the garden; instead, access to it was restricted by a flaming sword. This flaming sword speaks of “Shekinah,” the manifest, or visible glory of the Lord. Later, this same Shekinah is again seen in the Cloud over the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies.

When Jesus was crucified, the veil in the temple was rent, providing a way of entrance into the Holy of Holies, the place of His abiding Glory. Thus, a means of access to the tree of life, through the flaming sword, had been made by the rending of the veil.

But, there are “conditions” to be met. Only those with a sincere motive and purpose will be enabled to find the tree of life. The Word says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8 Again, the Lord has hidden the tree of life by making it available in a form whereby only those with a keen discerning eye and a willingness to enter therein will be enabled to find it.

Now, the tree of life is to be found in a new form, a cross, which we are to take up in identification with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, that we through Him might partake of life.

A battery, in order to be effective, must have a positive and a negative pole. Both poles of the battery must be operative in order for the battery to function. The positive, in itself, can do nothing. The negative, in itself, can do nothing. Both must be inter-related for the power of the battery to come into operation.

Our Lord said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matt. 16:24-25 Much has been taught concerning the cross. Many have been willing to die upon the cross in identification with the death of their Lord, but have been unable to experience resurrection life with Him.

Taking up our cross is to die to our “self life” (the negative), so that “resurrection life” (the positive), may come forth. To be continually dying accomplishes nothing in itself, it is the negative pole of the battery. The positive, resurrection life, is to follow so that the full work of redemption may be accomplished in us.

The Lord has many wondrous things for His people, but there has to be a capacity for them. Therefore, the Adamic must be thoroughly removed that there may be room for the purposes of God. Thus, there are cycles of death and of resurrection. A death, and then, resurrection. But the negative, “death,” often seems to overshadow in importance the positive, “resurrection life” coming forth.

However, there is a turning point where our spirit truly takes control and our self life is submitted to the new resurrection life that is in us. This turning is an entrance upon the cross that brings an end to the process of death and releases us into the full power of life.

This path is blind, except to those who have come to a place of discernment and see beyond the death aspect, the negative of the cross. These see that resurrection is the next step and that this resurrection is accomplished through the same cross that once brought death, but now has become an instrument of life. How manifest and glorious are the ways of our heavenly Father.

Then, a revelation of the love and mercy of the Father will flood in upon us and the cross becomes a tree, the “tree of life.” No longer is there a continual emphasis on dying; but life, the positive dimension of the cross seen as the tree of life will begin to unfold and flow forth. As we keep ourselves in identification with our Lord upon the cross, the Adamic nature remains in a state of death and the beauty of the resurrected Christ life begins to blossom forth. The cross of death has become the tree of life.

Now, the life of the last Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, a “quickening” or life giving Spirit will begin to flow forth through us to others. (Note I Cor. 15:44-45) From this tree grows leaves for the healing of the nations; life issuing forth to all those crossing the path of this resurrected one. (Rev. 22:2) Many will desire to know the secret of this transformed life, as the tree of life brings to a multitude, healing and refreshment.

If you have truly embraced the cross of suffering and death, now look up to a loving heavenly Father, who has predestined each of us to be brought forth in the image and beauty of the resurrection life of the Son and allow that cross to become the tree of life to you. Look beyond the ugliness of the scarred wood and see the beauty that is available.

Embrace this cross and receive strength from the tree of life. Allow the leaves to form and come to full maturity that many may come and pluck them off and receive of life. Truly the ways of God are past finding out.

The word of creative life lays dormant because so few have perception and are looking in so many external forms and ways to find the secret of the tree of life. Turn back, and look to the cross, for life is hidden there.