Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Genesis 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 2:9 And [in that garden] the LORD God caused to grow from the ground every tree that is desirable and pleasing to the sight and good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the [experiential] knowledge (recognition) of [the difference between] good and evil. [Rev 2:7; 22:14, 19] |
Subject: The fruit and leaves of the tree of life |
Bible Note: Hi Brian, I can clearly only deal with your question quickly but the answer is simple. The prophecies cover three periods. Firstly the time when God brought Israel back to its land and gave them prosperity, secondly the period of the Kingly Rule of God established by Jesus over the new Israel of God (Galatians 6.16; John 15.1-6), and thirdly the period of the everlasting kingdom, given in language that the people at the time could understand. Thus Joel 2.21-27 comes BEFORE the pouring out of the Spirit which Peter applied to Pentecost in Acts 2.18. In Joel 2.20 we are told that 'Judah will be inhabited for ever, and Jerusalem to all generations'. That requires everlastingness. Isaiah 35.1-2 was fulfilled prior to the coming of Jesus while verses 3-9 are fulfilled in the coming of Jesus (compare Matthew 11.3-5), and verse 10 refers to the everlasting kingdom, the only place where everlasting joy could be obtained. Isaiah 2.2-4 was fulfilled in the coming of Christ and the sending out of the Gospel. It was describing how Jerusalem would be the place where God revealed His blessing, followed by the new Temple of God's people becoming the source of life to the world. Acts 15.16-18 demonstrates the fulfilment of Amos 9.9-12, while the remainder speaks of the everlasting kingdom in idealistic terms. Note again 'they will never again be plucked up out of the land'. That requires everlastingness, not just a millennium. Micah 4.17 is not in my Bible :-)) Isaiah 11.4-10 is again describing the everlasting kingdom (do you really think it could happen at the same time as blood offerings were being made in the Temple?). Compare Isaiah 65.25 which is specifically in the new heavens and the new earth (65.17). Zephaniah 3.20 was partially fulfilled when Israel was restored prior to the coming of Christ, verse 19 in the coming of Christ. Habakkuk 2.14 is in process now, and will receive its final fulfilment in the everlasting kingdom. Haggai 2.7-9 had a partial fulfilment in the Temple of Herod, and a final fulfilment in the new Temple of God composed of His people, followed by the Temple in Heaven. Zechariah 8.3-5 is pictured in a slightly different way in Revelation 21.22-27. Zechariah 14.16-21 is a picture in terms in which the people could understand of everlasting worship, stressing why it will be universal. Jeremiah 31.31-34 speaks of the new covenant made by Christ and fulfilled in the Kingly Rule of God. Jeremiah 33.12-26 cannot possibly refer to a period that will end for it promises 'there will NEVER lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel', while the covenant with David is so everlasting (compare Isaiah 55.3) that it cannot ever be broken. This requires an everlasting kingdom. Ezekiel 36.33-38 took place during the restoration period. Ezekiel 37.24-28 (why omitted?), 'David my servant will be prince for ever' and 'my sanctuary is in the midst of them for evermore' again requires an everlasting kingdom. Revelation 20.4-6 refers to Christ's victory in the present age. I will later post evidence of this if you wish. Meanwhile you must be careful not to just ignore the significance of everlastingness. The answer to the remainder lies in the establishment of God's Kingly Rule in the church followed by the everlasting kingdom. Running out of space Best wishes Jonp |