The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
The tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil could also be called the Tree of Death, in contrast to the Tree of Life. It could also be called that because the wages of sin is death. Where did the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil come from?
“And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:9
So, where did the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil come from? God created it. What was its purpose while on the newly created Earth?
“Our first parents, though created innocent and holy, were not placed beyond the possibility of wrongdoing. God made them free moral agents, capable of appreciating the wisdom and benevolence of His character and the justice of His requirements, and with full liberty to yield or to withhold obedience. They were to enjoy communion with God and with holy angels; but before they could be rendered eternally secure, their loyalty must be tested. At the very beginning of man’s existence a check was placed upon the desire for self-indulgence, the fatal passion that lay at the foundation of Satan’s fall. The tree of knowledge, which stood near the tree of life in the midst of the garden, was to be a test of the obedience, faith, and love of our parents. While permitted to eat freely of every other tree, they were forbidden to taste of this, on pain of death. They were also to be exposed to the temptations of Satan; but if they endured the trial, they would finally be placed beyond his power, to enjoy perpetual favor with God.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 48
Here we see that God’s purpose in putting this tree in the Garden was to test the faith and will of the newly created man. But God did not put it there without a warning. In Genesis 2:17 He said, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” In Genesis 2:16 God said that they could eat freely of every tree of the garden but yet still Adam and Eve fell to Satan and sin. They had such a variety of trees to choose to eat from. God said that all the trees were theirs except one which belonged to Him. It took just one tree, one fruit and one bite to bring the downfall of mankind.
God has created many other worlds inhabited by other beings. These unfallen worlds are not tainted by sin. You may think that they were created perfect but they weren’t. They were tested just like mankind was tested. God gives everyone the choice of being good or evil.
“The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes; they were noble, majestic, and lovely. They bore the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was, “We have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth.” Then I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the city. The fruit of both looked beautiful, but of one they could not eat. They had power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one. Then my attending angel said to me, “None in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree; but if they should eat, they would fall.” –Early Writings, p. 40
In the new worlds that will be created there will be a Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil but none of those new beings who are created will touch it. When God sees that they are faithful to Him He will take the tree away. Although man has fallen into sin we can still be holy by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. It is my wish and prayer that we may ask Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins so that we may be perfect and go to the new earth where we will never be tempted to eat the forbidden fruit again.
Michael.C.Newby
Gopher wood
Gopher wood is only mentioned once in the Bible, in Genesis 6:14. “Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.”
God told Noah to build an ark to save them from the flood that God would send to destroy the earth, because the people were sinning too much.
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5. God saw the wickedness of man and wanted to wash the world clean of it. He told Noah to make an ark of cypress/gopher wood.
Sister White writes that gopher wood could be untouched by decay for hundreds of years. The race of men then living were of very great stature, and possessed wonderful strength. The trees were vastly larger and far surpassing in beauty and perfect proportions than anything mortals can now look upon. The wood of these trees was of fine grain and hard substance—in this respect more like stone. It required much more time and labour, even of that powerful race, to prepare the timber for building, than it requires in this degenerate age to prepare trees that are now growing upon the earth, even with the present weaker strength men now possess (From Eternity Past, p. 51, 53).
“Every piece of timber was closely fitted, and every seam covered with pitch. All that men could do was done to make the work perfect; yet, after all, God alone could preserve the building upon the angry, heaving billows, by His miraculous power.” –The Story of Redemption, p. 64
Did you know that Methuselah and his sons aided Noah in the building of the ark and then God laid them to rest before the flood came? Then the flood came. Noah remained in the ark for forty days and forty nights. On the last day, the water dried up and land appeared once again. Noah then got off the boat, praised and thanked God for guiding them through the flood. Amen.
Stephen Newby
The Tree of Life
What is the tree of life?
“And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis 2:9
There were two special trees in the Garden of Eden—one was the tree of life, and the other was the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
When Adam and Eve sinned, God said man had become like one of us, knowing good and evil. God did not want Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of life because they had eaten from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
What happened afterwards?
“So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the Tree of Life.” Genesis 3:24
God sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden so that they would not be sinners forever.
If we obey what will happened?
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7
The tree of life is in heaven; if we obey, we will eat of the fruit of the tree of life.
What does the tree of life look like?
“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” Revelation 22:1–3
The tree of life is on the two sides of the river. It bears twelve fruit and every month it gives a new fruit. The leaves are for the healing of the nations.
Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. This is my wish and prayer. Amen.
Sarah Newby