What would have happened if Adam and Eve ate from the tree of life?

They did, all the time. That's why God kicked them out of the Garden after the Fall, so they wouldn't be able to eat of it any longer.

Genesis 3 --

22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side[e] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Agree with wondergirl. But if they had continued to eat from the tree of life, they wouldn't have died. And we could take wacks at them to this very day. Ha

They only got one bite of the apple. :)

Mcsap,
I think you are thinking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Speaking of that tree, I heard a pastor once liken it to the law. The law showed man what was good and what was evil. I thought that was interesting... thought I'd throw that out there.

Agree with wondergirl.
Where's the parade? The marching bands? The baton twirlers? The big men riding on little scooters? The convertibles carrying the parade queen and the princesses?

CLASSYT AND I AGREE ON SOMETHING!!!!!!!

They only got one bite of the apple. :)
Wrong tree.

WG.

LOL... hey miracles happen everyday!

The entire Bible is narrative about God testing the moral judgment of our first parents on earth, and there poor judgment. God wanted Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of life which would have greatly changed everything on earth. Through out the Bible we see God's process of bringing restoration back to man so that once again man has the option of partaking from the tree of life.
What would have happened if Adam, and Eve did eat from this tree. It would be exactly the same thing that happens to us when we do partake of this tree. In the Book of Revelations it tells us what happens to a child of God after they eat from it.

Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

When a Christian does God's commandments it gives them the “right” to the tree of life. We of ourselves have no rights to this tree, we did not earn it, or even deserve it. The word “right” means “ability, and power”. If we do his commandments it gives us power and ability to eat from the tree of life! If Adam and Eve had kept God's commandment to guard the garden they would have eventually partook of life.
It is very interesting that the King James Bible is the only translation that says “ Blessed are they that do his commandments,” all other Bible translations say it this way “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life...” Doing God's commandments is the same thing as “washing of robes” How do we wash our robes?

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confessing our sins to God is washing our robes. First, God forgives us, and then he will cleanse us from all unrighteousness (the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin)!
Do you want the power and ability to eat from the tree of life right now? You must understand this to believe it, there is no faith without understanding. It requires Wisdom from God before this reality can become real to you.

Pro 14:33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Wisdom = understanding, understanding = Wisdom. This is why Jesus said “ he that heareth the word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, Satan steals the word, but he that heareth the word of the Kingdom, and understand it brings some thirty, sixty, one hundred fold return” (Matt 13:19) The only people who prosper in God's Kingdom are those who have understanding of it.
Are you hearing the word of the Kingdom right now? Are you understanding it? You my brothers and sisters have the power in you right this second, if you are understanding what is being said.
But eating from the tree of life is only the beginning, look at what happens after you do eat from the tree of life... ”that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” The purpose of the tree of life is give us wisdom of what God did in the beginning before the earth was ever created, way before Adam, and Eve. This was the hidden Wisdom that God never told anybody from the beginning. It could only be found by those who partake from the tree of life!
If Adam and Eve did eat from this tree of life, they would walked right through the gates of the Heavenly City that God had prepared before the foundation of the world!! Some might say this is only going to happen after we die, or Jesus returns, after judgment. Notice only Gods elect can enter as it is written.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie”
When Jesus said it was finished, he really meant it was finished.

Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Curtis :)

What would have happened if Adam, and Eve did eat from this tree.
They did whenever they wanted to. Once they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, no more eating from the Tree of Life.

We aren't told how long they lived in the Garden. It could have been thousands of years.

They did whenever they wanted to. Once they ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, no more eating from the Tree of Life.

We aren't told how long they lived in the Garden. It could have been thousands of years.

Adam and Eve NEVER ate from the tree of Life. That is why God kicked them out of the garden so they would not eat from it and live forever in a fallen state

Curtis

Adam and Eve NEVER ate from the tree of Life. That is why God kicked them out of the garden so they would not eat from it and live forever in a fallen state

Curtis
Of course they did! That was their gift from God, to be able to eat from that tree and live forever. Only ONE tree could not be eaten from.

In heaven, we too will eat from the Tree of Life.

Of course they did! That was their gift from God, to be able to eat from that tree and live forever. Only ONE tree could not be eaten from.

In heaven, we too will eat from the Tree of Life.

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Gen 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground whence he was taken.

Curtis

Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Gen 3:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

Curtis
Yes, AFTER they had sinned. He had to kick them out of the Garden so they could no longer eat from the Tree of Life in their sin.

BEFORE they had sinned, God told them to eat of all trees in the Garden except for ONE.

Gen. 2:16,17 (KJV): And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, 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.:

Gen. 2:16,17 (KJV): And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, 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.:

If Adam had eaten from the tree of life he would have eternal life at that exact moment onward. There were many trees in the garden, not just two. Only two were singled out to be of importance. No, not some day will we be allowed to eat from the tree of life. It is right now.. today... not someday. If you want to wait for some latter time, that's up to you. But I were you I would not wait, because you are missing out on some blessing indescribable.

The Lord said he (Adam) could eat from any tree in the garden, not just one.

Gen 2:16 The LORD God gave the man a command. He said, "You can eat the fruit of any tree that is in the garden.
Gen 2:17 But you must not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you can be sure that you will die."


Curtis

If Adam had eaten from the tree of life he would have eternal life at that exact moment onward. There were many trees in the garden, not just two. Only two were singled out to be of importance. No, not some day will we be allowed to eat from the tree of life. It is right now..today...not someday. If you want to wait for some latter time, that's up to you. But I were you I would not wait, because you are missing out on some blessing indescribable.

Only ONE tree was forbidden. They may have been enjoying the Garden for thousands of years, eating from the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life gives immortality. We do not yet eat from it.

You are very, very incorrect about the trees. Call any minister or priest in your town and ask. In fact, you are the first person I've met who ever had such a notion about the Tree of Life.

And now you are preaching to me?

Only ONE tree was forbidden. They may have been enjoying the Garden for thousands of years, eating from the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life gives immortality. We do not yet eat from it.

You are very, very incorrect about the trees. Call any minister or priest in your town and ask. In fact, you are the first person I've met who ever had such a notion about the Tree of Life.

And now you are preaching to me?

If Adam, Eve had eaten from the tree of life, they would have walked right through the gates of the City God had prepared from the foundations of the world. Even in nature we see the animal kingdom always prepare a place have there young, before they do. That is not fluke of nature, it was God designed. The Lord is no different, he has prepared a city for his children which we are. You can not enter through its gates until you eat from the tree of life! If God said,

Gen 3:22 The LORD God said, "The man has become like one of us. He can now tell the difference between good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick fruit from the tree of life and eat it. If he does, he will live forever." Gen 3:23 So the LORD God drove the man out of the Garden of Eden to work the ground he had been made of.

Who are we to call God a liar, if he said ,” He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick fruit from the tree of life...”!!! I choose to believe God.

"you are the first person I've met who ever had such a notion about the Tree of Life."

I do not believe in the traditions of man which makes the word of God ineffective, Wisdom can not be transferred from one man to another, it only comes down from above. Jesus had the same reaction to his message from the religious leaders of his day. They never heard this kind of doctrine before until Jesus came along. Yet he read the scriptures as they did.


Curtis

If Adam, Eve had eaten from the tree of life, they would have walked right through the gates of the City God had prepared from the foundations of the world. Even in nature we see the animal kingdom always prepare a place have there young, before they do. That is not fluke of nature, it was God designed. The Lord is no different, he has prepared a city for his children which we are. You can not enter through its gates until you eat from the tree of life!! If God said,

Gen 3:22 The LORD God said, "The man has become like one of us. He can now tell the difference between good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick fruit from the tree of life and eat it. If he does, he will live forever." Gen 3:23 So the LORD God drove the man out of the Garden of Eden to work the ground he had been made out of.

Who are we to call God a liar, if he said ,” He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick fruit from the tree of life...”!!! I choose to believe God.

Curtis
Your quotes are AFTER the FALL. We are talking about BEFORE the FALL.

BEFORE the Fall, they ate from the Tree of Life. The Garden of Eden WAS Paradise, heaven, perfection.

You are not thinking clearly or reading with discernment.

Curtis,

Hmmmm? I don't know Curtis, they could have partook of it before they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. I don't think you have enough scripture to back up your thoughts.

Curtis,

hmmmm? I don't know Curtis, they could have partook of it before they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. I don't think you have enough scripture to back up your thoughts.
And they may have been in the Garden for thousands of years before the Fall. They did have to name all the animals, and that certainly took a few years.

WG,

It is true.. we really have no clue how long they were there. ( OH LORD... I think I agreed with you again.) lol

WG,

it is true..we really have no clue how long they were there. ( OH LORD...i think i agreed with you again.) lol
I'm beginning to feel a bit dizzy. Does this mean I will be sending you a Christmas card?

WG,

Lets not press our luck. Ha ha... we will be at it again soon. I can feel it in me bones.

Curtis,

hmmmm? I don't know Curtis, they could have partook of it before they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. I don't think you have enough scripture to back up your thoughts.

Well, Those who believe that Adam did eat from the tree of life before his fall have no scripture to back up that claim, only assumptions. I have the testimony of God himself who said,

Gen 3:22 The LORD God said, "The man has become like one of us. He can now tell the difference between good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick fruit from the tree of life and eat it. If he does, he will live forever."

Can a Christian ever lose there salvation? no. Once you have life eternal it can not be taken away.no. Can death kill life? no. Can darkness overcome light? no. If Adam had eaten from the tree of life before the fall, he would not have died. The scripture tells us in Revelations 22 what happens to a person who eats from the tree of life, they are given power and ability to enter into God's Holy City which he prepared for man before time began. Adam never enter the gates of this Holy City, he only lived in the garden which is not that city God prepared for his Church.

Rev 22:14 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.
Curtis

Well, Those who believe that Adam did eat from the tree of life before his fall have no scripture to back up that claim, only assumptions. I have the testimony of God himself who said,

Gen 3:22 The LORD God said, "The man has become like one of us. He can now tell the difference between good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and pick fruit from the tree of life and eat it. If he does, he will live forever."
That was AFTER they ate of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. You have been given Bible passages that say they ate of ALL trees (including the Tree of Life) except for that one (the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil). Do I have to type them out again? Okay, I will.

Gen. 2:16,17 (KJV): And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of EVERY tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, 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.:

If Adam had eaten from the tree of life before the fall, he would not have died.
No, that is why he and Eve were kicked out of the Garden -- so they would STOP eating from the Tree of Life.

Curtis,

I follow your train of thought. I do. Going to study this a bit further today and get back with you. Notice in the verse Revelation that they had the RIGHT to eat of the tree of life. Adam had the right before he ate of the tree of knowledge but he lost the right. I will get back to you. I know you are on pins and needles awaiting my thoughts. ;)

Curtis,

I follow your train of thought. I do. Gonna study this a bit further today and get back with you. Notice in the verse Revelation that they had the RIGHT to eat of the tree of life. Adam had the right before he ate of the tree of knowledge but he lost the right. I will get back to you. I know you are on pins and needles awaiting my thoughts. ;)
If they hadn't eaten from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and thus sinned, they would have lived forever. How could that have happened unless they were eating from the Tree of Life? And you and I agree that they could have already been alive for thousands of years.

Eating from the Tree of Life is not a one-time event, a one-shot deal, then bingo! Bango! You live forever. It is a continuous privilege that we will enjoy in heaven, just as Adam and Eve had enjoyed doing that in the Garden.

No, that is why he and Eve were kicked out of the Garden -- so they would STOP eating from the Tree of Life.

I knew about a man name Adam who ate from the tree of life, and received life eternal, "what ever happened to him""? He died..

I knew about a man name Adam who ate from the tree of life, and recieved life eternal, "what ever happened to him""? He died..
He died because he ate from the forbidden tree and was no longer able to continue eating from the Tree of Life.

WG,

EXACTLY... it wasn't a one time event. It is a continuous privlege. Well stated.

Lets look at this from another perspective. What was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Was there a tree that had some kind of mystic powers that could kill people? The tree of knowledge of good and evil did not have any poison in it, it was just a plain fruit tree in the garden, it was not bad. We know this to be true because in the very last verse of Gen 1 it says,

Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Every tree in the garden was good!! The Lord just chose one tree out of many as an instrument to test Adam, and Eves moral judgment. When they disobeyed, it was not the fruit that killed them, but there own guilt and shame from knowing they had disobeyed God. Guilt, condemnation is a KILLER! That is why we read that there is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can take this guilt, shame, and condemnation away! Adam and Eve used all the technology they had available to them at that time in an attempt to get rid of it. Sewing fig leaves together, and hiding from God was all they had. It did not help them. The guilt and shame remained in them. They needed a Saviour.
What about the tree of life, what is it? What does it represent? We know Jesus called himself the true vine, the bread of life. All life flows from him. My words are Spirit, and they are life. I do not know if you have figured this out or not, but Jesus is the tree of life. It is where we gain Wisdom from.
Jesus was made to be our Wisdom from God. It is from him where we gain eternal life. When you read the book of proverbs you will discover that those who have Wisdom, it is a tree of life!

Pro 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Pro 3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Pro 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Pro 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Pro 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Pro 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

She Wisdom will give you lone life. How long? “Eternal”
She Wisdom is better than gold or silver
She Wisdom is more precious than ruby's, or diamonds
She Wisdom is a tree of life to them that l have lay hold upon her.
She Wisdom will make you very happy

Jesus said everyone the Father has given unto, I will lose not one,

John 6:39 And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day.

John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

When Jesus, who is the tree of life, gives life, he does not ever change his mind, it is for ever. No man, and that includes yourself can pluck yourself out of the Fathers hands! If Jesus had given life to Adam, he would never have taken it back!! Those who have eternal life will never die!!

Curtis

Lets look at this from another perspective. What was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Was there a tree that had some kind of mystic powers that could kill people? The tree of knowledge of good and evil did not have any poison in it, it was just a plain fruit tree in the garden, it was not bad.
And your point is what? No one is debating this.

And your point is what? No one is debating this.

It is impossible for Adam to have eaten from the tree of life (which is Jesus Christ) and then die. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He (Jesus) never gives life and then takes it away. He never allows those who are his to die.

Curtis

It is impossible for Adam to have eaten from the tree of life (which is Jesus Christ) and then die. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He (Jesus) never gives life and then takes it away. He never allows those who are his to die.

Curtis
Hmmmm. I've eaten from the tree of life (which is Jesus Christ) and I am going to die.

Jesus didn't take life away from Adam and Eve. They had free will and made that choice themselves.

Hmmmm. I've eaten from the tree of life (which is Jesus Christ) and I am going to die.

Jesus didn't take life away from Adam and Eve. They had free will and made that choice themselves.

That's exactly what I mean, Jesus did not take life away from Adam, because he never had eternal life! If he did he would never had died, and that was God's point in kicking them out of the garden!

So you don't believe the Bible? "He that believeth in me shall never die.." as Jesus said.

Thats exactly what I mean, Jesus did not take life away from Adam, because he never had eternal life!

So you dont believe the Bible? "He that believeth in me shall never die.." as Jesus said.
You are making the original question murky by bring in unrelated concepts.

Adam had eternal life until he ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then God told him and Eve they would have to die as a result of that disobedience.

You're not figuring you will die and leave this earth?

You are making the original question murky by bring in unrelated concepts.

Adam had eternal life until he ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then God told him and Eve they would have to die as a result of that disobedience.

You're not figuring you will die and leave this earth?

You are coming at me with logic, reasoning and tradition about the Holy Scriptures. I am coming at you in the realm of the spirit. I do not see scriptures from a physical or logical point of view. Because the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God, neither can he know them for they are spiritually understood. Mans mind is incapable of discovering spiritual truth, it only believes what to tell it.

You are coming at me with logic, reasoning and tradition about the Holy Scriptures. I am coming at you in the realm of the spirit.
No, you aren't. You are coming at me from the angle of someone who hasn't studied the Bible for very long, who has decided he is speaking truth, and who apparently has had no input from learned theologians.

I'm currently doing a phone survey of area ministers and priests. No one so far agrees with your take on the Garden and the trees and eternal life. I suggest you also do your own phone survey.

No, you aren't. You are coming at me from the angle of someone who hasn't studied the Bible for very long, who has decided he is speaking truth, and who apparently has had no input from learned theologians.

I'm currently doing a phone survey of area ministers and priests. No one so far agrees with your take on the Garden and the trees and eternal life. I suggest you also do your own phone survey.

This is why the Church today is not where it should be. Men trusting in the traditions of man and not in the anointing of God, which teaches us all things, and is true, and not a lie. The Word of God becomes ineffective by mans traditions. Cursed is the man to puts his trust in the arm of the flesh..

This is why the Church today is not where it should be. Men trusting in the traditions of man
I quoted the Word of God. You said it is not the truth and wiggled around God's very own words.

No, you aren't. You are coming at me from the angle of someone who hasn't studied the Bible for very long, who has decided he is speaking truth,.

YIKES!

I don't know how long he has studied the word but that's a little harsh. His posts are thoughtful and full of scripture. He doesn't sound like a new Christian to me. His heart is the right place. He is trying to back his thoughts up with scripture and I actually appreciate that.

I asked my sister over lunch what she thought and her answer off the top of her head was NO! They didn't eat from the tree of life. And I actually DO understand why Curtis believes it. It isn't far out there. In fact it is possible. But I don't think so... I mean if the Lord told me I could eat of the tree of lfe it would be my first pick even if I didn't understand what I meant. Regular trees.. vs. a special one... I'm thinking they headed toward that one. But I am reasoning

I believe the tree of knowledge represents the law... ( nothing wrong with the law but it can't make a man holy) and the tree of life represents grace which gives us life. I believe grace is a PERSON... Jesus Christ. I don't believe you can lose your salvation so I get what Curtis is saying.

I know where Curtis is coming from too, but he is not correct. The verses in Genesis say he is incorrect. And I don't appreciate being preached to like I am some pagan from a far-off uncivilized and unChristianized land.

I know where Curtis is coming from too, but he is not correct. And I don't appreciate being preached to like I am some pagan from a far-off uncivilized and unChristianized land.

WG,

Okie dokie. I don't like to be talked down to like I don't know anything or that my theology is completley out there... so I understand.

WG,

okie dokie. I don't like to be talked down to like I don't know anything or that my theology is completley out there...so I understand.
I'm sending you a Thanksgiving card too? ;)

Actually, I'd like to know how old Curtis is.

I do not see scriptures from a physical or logical point of view.
That's for sure, especially the part about logic, because there is no logic at all in your statements. You pull metaphorical statements out of poetry and try to make a theology out of it, somehow concluding that Jesus is this "tree of life." But you haven't made a case for that, you just claim spiritual superiority over those of us who actually wrestle with the language and all the rest. I find your whole approach offensive.

It's easy to toss a bunch of Bible passages around, and make it look as though they have something to do with your topic. But that's not being spiritual. It's being lazy. It's a cop-out. And I for one will not let that sort of thing go by unchallenged.

I believe the tree of knowledge represents the law ...( nothing wrong with the law but it can't make a man holy) and the tree of life represents grace which gives us life. I believe grace is a PERSON ...Jesus Christ.

So you accept that they probably weren't literal trees, then?

I'm sending you a Thanksgiving card too? ;)

Actually, I'd like to know how old Curtis is.

I am ONLY 60 years young. Got saved when I was 26. But from a young child I knew the Lord had a call on my life, but I didn't understand it until latter in life.
I do not belong to any organized Church. I don't believe they are preaching the Kingdom of God. I am not saying all Churches are bad. I think there are some doing the Lords will.

Dave,

I can see that the tree of life could represent or be symbolic of the Lord Jesus.
NOthing wrong with reading the OT and finding hidden truths of our Lord Jesus in them.

I do not belong to any organized Church. I don't believe they are preaching the Kingdom of God. I am not saying all Churches are bad. I think there are some doing the Lords will.
You are piecing this all together on your own?

I can see that the tree of life could represent or be symbolic of the Lord Jesus.
NOthing wrong with reading the OT and finding hidden truths of our Lord Jesus in them.

So you're finally starting to let go of your adherence to "literal interpretation," correct?

Dave,

Finally? No I have studied the bible looking for hidden truths and in the OT.. pictures of our Lord Jesus. I'm not a dunder head, I am not stupid and I am not nearly as simplistic in my studying as you think. I am just a student learning as we ALL are.

I believe the trees were really there and they ate from them. I just think there is a deeper meaning to them.

You are piecing this all together on your own?

No, I am never alone in learning scripture. I have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as my tutor. That's all I need. I never put my trust in man.

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.


Curtis :)

That's for sure, especially the part about logic, because there is no logic at all in your statements. You pull metaphorical statements out of poetry and try to make a theology out of it, somehow concluding that Jesus is this "tree of life." But you haven't made a case for that, you just claim spiritual superiority over those of us who actually wrestle with the language and all the rest. I find your whole approach offensive.

It's easy to toss a bunch of Bible passages around, and make it look as though they have something to do with your topic. But that's not being spiritual. It's being lazy. It's a cop-out. And I for one will not let that sort of thing go by unchallenged.

Jesus's greatest opponents were the religious leaders of his day, highly educated. They thought they
Knew the Holy scriptures. Yet they didn't even come close to understanding it. Even so it is today, no
Different. The Apostle Paul warned the Church about these people in (Col 2:8). Paul, even said every
Thing he had learned as a pharisee was but dung. Pretty strong language for his time. I find the Word
Of God very simple to understand. I hear the Father, He teaches me, then I go to the Word of God. That
Is the divine order in how God works. After I learn something from my Father, I than begin to compare
Spiritual to spiritual that I already know as truth. If you try any other method you will always get it
Wrong 100% of the time.


Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.


Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Every thing I have posted here is not something I learned on the Internet, or from any theological book, or tape, cd, or teaching book. I know it is true, Wisdom is justified by all her children!!
Jesus had problems with people understanding his word even though he was anointed with power of the Holy Spirit. The problem was they had eyes to see but could not see, ears to hear but unable to hear.
They all had eyes and ears, but he was referring to the eyes and ears of there spirit. What are you using to hear and see his word?

Curtis

Jesus's greatest opponents were the religious leaders of his day, highly educated.

This is a common cop-out by those who don't want to exert the effort to learn. You claim you have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit guiding you. How do you know? Because you prayed? Big deal. Every cult leader in the past 200 years has done the same, yet they came up with some pretty wacky stuff. What makes you different? (Hint: Nothing.) You don't have God guiding you. What you have are feelings. For all you know, that feeling that you call the Spirit of God was actually something you ate for lunch. Feelings are no criterion of truth. Only proper learning, humility before God's word, and the iron-sharpening activity of fellow believers will actually lead you into any truth.


Every thing I have posted here is not something I learned on the Internet, or from any theological book, or tape, cd, or teaching book. I know it is true, Wisdom is justified by all her children!!

The arrogance in statements like this is mind-boggling. Let me tell you something, Curtis. I'm also 60, and I've spent over 40 of those years studying, learning, getting knocked down, having my entire theological row of ducks blown away and starting over, and wrestling with the most difficult parts of the Bible, to discover what it meant to the people who wrote it, why they wrote it, who they wrote it to, and how it's supposed to be understood. That's HARD WORK, and it's work that you are clearly unwilling to do. You claim that you can have the Spirit enlighten you without all that. So you're spitting in my face and telling me my life has been worthless because I didn't take the easy route like you did. My skin is thick enough that I can brush that off, because I know for certain that you're full of something other than the Holy Spirit. But I will tell you this: a smug amateur like you has NO business trying to tell people like me, or Fr. Chuck, or WG, or ClassyT, or anybody else here what the real game is, because frankly, we've paid our dues. You haven't. You've chosen to cop out and blame God for the stuff you come up with. Guess what: God had nothing to do with it. It's all your own ego, nothing more.

I never put my trust in man.
But you are doing exactly that! You are trusting yourself to get it right.

This is a common cop-out by those who don't want to exert the effort to learn. You claim you have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit guiding you. How do you know? Because you prayed? Big deal. Every cult leader in the past 200 years has done the same, yet they came up with some pretty wacky stuff. What makes you different? (Hint: Nothing.) You don't have God guiding you. What you have are feelings. For all you know, that feeling that you call the Spirit of God was actually something you ate for lunch. Feelings are no criterion of truth. Only proper learning, humility before God's word, and the iron-sharpening activity of fellow believers will actually lead you into any truth.



The arrogance in statements like this is mind-boggling. Let me tell you something, Curtis. I'm also 60, and I've spent over 40 of those years studying, learning, getting knocked down, having my entire theological row of ducks blown away and starting over, and wrestling with the most difficult parts of the Bible, to discover what it meant to the people who wrote it, why they wrote it, who they wrote it to, and how it's supposed to be understood. That's HARD WORK, and it's work that you are clearly unwilling to do. You claim that you can have the Spirit enlighten you without all that. So you're spitting in my face and telling me my life has been worthless because I didn't take the easy route like you did. My skin is thick enough that I can brush that off, because I know for certain that you're full of something other than the Holy Spirit. But I will tell you this: a smug amateur like you has NO business trying to tell people like me, or Fr. Chuck, or WG, or ClassyT, or anybody else here what the real game is, because frankly, we've paid our dues. You haven't. You've chosen to cop out and blame God for the stuff you come up with. Guess what: God had nothing to do with it. It's all your own ego, nothing more.


It is interesting that you accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about. Yet I give many scriptures to prove what I say as true. Just because you don't understand them does that mean they are wrong? So far you have not quoted not even one scripture to disprove them, or are they only in you head and not in your heart were they belong? Which one do you accuse me of? You want to work for your salvation, and then boast about it in that you work hard to gain it. Sounds familiar to me...

2Ti 3:7 They are always learning. But they never come to know the truth.
2Ti 3:8 Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. In the same way, the teachers I'm talking about oppose the truth. Their minds are twisted. As far as the faith is concerned, God doesn't accept them.
2Ti 3:9 They won't get very far. Just like Jannes and Jambres, their foolish ways will be clear to everyone.

I can not claim my own abilities to know God's Word. I am not a very smart person, but I do know the
Voice of my Heavenly Father, in which you do not.


2Co 11:12 And I will keep on doing what I'm doing. That will stop those who claim they have things to brag about. They think they have a chance to be considered equal with us.
2Co 11:13 People like that are false apostles. They work hard to trick others. They only pretend to be apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 That comes as no surprise. Even Satan himself pretends to be an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 So it doesn't surprise us that those who serve Satan pretend to be serving God. They will finally get exactly what they should.

Curtis

It is interesting that you accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about. Yet I give many scriptures to prove what I say as true.
Even Satan quotes Scripture. It means nothing about faith.

WG

Seriously lets not compare Curtis to Satan. The Lord Jesus didn't die for satan, Jesus isn't interested in Satan's faith.

Listen, I think Curtis means well. Time will tell and I could be wrong. I think he wants to get conversations going and lets give him credit for that.

I am not put off by him NEARLY as much as I am someone who puts down the Christian faith and the belief the bible is the Word of God without error. He isn't on this board with contempt for christianity. We tolerate OTHERS who are clearly not interested in seeing people come to Christ Perhaps we can cut curtis some slack.

Curtis, curtis, curtis. I THINK I get you. I think you are on this forum to create discussion. That is a good thing. You are just not going about it in the right way. Those are my thoughts.

WG

seriously lets not compare Curtis to Satan.
I'm not equating them, just sayin'.

YIKES!

I don't know how long he has studied the word but thats a little harsh. His posts are thoughtful and full of scripture. He doesn't sound like a new Christian to me. His heart is the right place. He is trying to back his thoughts up with scripture and I actually appreciate that.

I asked my sister over lunch what she thought and her answer off the top of her head was NO! They didn't eat from the tree of life. And I actually DO understand why Curtis believes it. It isn't far out there. In fact it is possible. But I don't think so...I mean if the Lord told me I could eat of the tree of lfe it would be my first pick even if I didn't understand what i meant. Regular trees..vs. a special one...I'm thinking they headed toward that one. but I am reasoning

I believe the tree of knowledge represents the law ...( nothing wrong with the law but it can't make a man holy) and the tree of life represents grace which gives us life. I believe grace is a PERSON ...Jesus Christ. I don't believe you can lose your salvation so I get what Curtis is saying.

If the tree of life is not a type of Jesus Christ, which it is. Then why would we need Jesus at all. We should all go looking for a tree that gives us life eternal, and dump Jesus! Of corse that is dumb thinking. Jesus is the tree of life, and when he gives life to a person they will never die. He is not a indian giver :)

Curtis

IJesus is the tree of life
Which brings us around to the conclusion that the Garden of Eden story is an allegory.

Allegory is a device in which characters or events in a story, poem, or picture represent or symbolize ideas and concepts. Allegory has an immense power of illustrating complex ideas and concepts in a digestible, concrete way. In allegory a message is communicated by means of symbolic figures, actions or symbolic representation. Allegory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegory)