Eating the Leaves of the Tree of Life

Must we wait until we are translated before we eat of the leaves of the tree of life? He who receives into his heart the words of Christ knows what it means to eat the leaves of the tree of life….

The knowledge that comes from God is the bread of life. It is the leaves of the tree of life which are for the healing of the nations. The current of spiritual life thrills the soul as the words of Christ are believed and practiced. Thus it is that we are made one with Christ. The experience that was weak and feeble becomes strong. It is eternal life to us if we hold the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end.

All truth is to be received as the life of Jesus. Truth cleanses us from all impurity, and prepares the soul for Christ’s presence. Christ is formed within, the hope of glory….

It is essential that those who pledge themselves to keep God’s commandments have an intelligent knowledge of the Scriptures. Thus we learn to deny self and to be strictly honest with God in using His goods. It was in order that we might understand the divine will that God gave us the Bible. We cannot obey His commandments until we know what these commandments are.

Parents are without excuse if they fail to obtain a clear understanding of God’s will, that they may obey the laws of His kingdom. Only thus can they lead their children to heaven. My brethren and sisters, it is your duty to understand God’s requirements. How can you educate your children in the things of God unless you first know yourselves what is right and what is wrong, unless you realize that obedience means eternal life and disobedience eternal death?

We must make it our lifework to understand the will of God. Only as we do this can we train our children aright. Your every word and action is to be in accordance with the will of God, irrespective of the opinions and practices of those who refuse to obey God….

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7). The Lord has kept back nothing that is necessary for the enlightenment of His children. No one can plead in excuse for transgression that he was left in ignorance, that the way to heaven was not clearly marked out. We have not been left to serve God in a vague, uncertain way.—Manuscript 103, July 29, 1902, “Doing God’s Will.”
The Upward Look p. 224
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray again for my friend Kerry. He’s deep in addiction and depression. Jodie
—-PLEASE pray for my prayer partner and best Friend who has some physical issues which could be very severe. Ann
—-Please, help me pray for Pastor Eric who is hospitalized in Florida and for his family! Y
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Dear Friends,
I miss some of the songs that were in the old hymnal that for whatever reason was not included in our church’s new one. One such song pointed our thoughts to our Heavenly Home. I’d like to share it with you today. Beautiful Valley of Eden by W.O.Cummings
Beautiful valley of Eden, Sweet is thy noontide calm; Over the hearts of the weary, Breathing thy waves of balm. Beautiful valley of Eden, Home of the pure and blest, How often amidst the wild billows, I dream of thy rest, sweet rest.
Over the heart of the mouner Shineth the golden day, Wafting the songs of the angels Down from the far away.Beautiful valley of Eden, Home of the pure and blest, How often amidst the wild billows, I dream of thy rest, sweet rest. There is the home of my Saviour; There, with the blood-washed throng, Over the highlands of glory, Rolleth the great new song. Beautiful valley of Eden, Home of the pure and blest, How often amidst the wild billows, I dream of thy rest, sweet rest.
In vision, John saw that wonderful place. He writes, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” “And he showed 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: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” “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.” Rev 21:1-7;22:1-5,14 It is so comforting to read both chapters in their entirety often as it brings to our hearts a longing for that glorious land where we will “follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.” Rev 14:4 Our Dear Saviour promises, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3
Think of it! Jesus has promised to take us to His Heavenly Home! He has assured us of the realities of His Kingdom where all is joy and happiness and peace. There will be no sickness there, no injury, no death. We can see through the eye of faith that glorious day! Jesus, Himself, will lead us to living fountains of waters. We will drink deeply of its clear unpolluted refreshment. As we sit under the shade of the tree of life, a lion walks over and lays down at our side. We reach over and pet him and he purrs in contentment. A huge elephant lumbers by and we go over to him. He allows us to get on his back and we take a ride along the river. From our vantage point, we look in every direction and what meets our eyes sends a thrill of joy to our heart. All creation is at peace. The beautiful flowers are sending forth their sweet perfume. The leaves of the trees will never die and fall to the ground as they do now. The various creatures are happily playing together without even a trace of fear. The redeemed are shouting praises to the One Who gave His life that they could be there As great as all these things are, the greatest will be the privilege of worshiping the Almighty King of the Universe face to face!
May we look away from this sinful world and let our minds dwell upon the Kingdom of Heaven. May we allow the Holy Spirit to fit us to dwell in that fair land. May we soon enjoy all the wonders of the Universe where “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Cor 2:9 Rose