Revelation 22:2

in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

In the midst of the street ... "This may be taken, not as the end of the first sentence, but as the beginning of the second."[11] As a matter of fact, the phrase may be applied: (1) to the river of life; (2) the throne of God; or (3) the tree of life. It does not make the slightest difference which view is taken. No literal description of heaven is here intended. These are symbols, not literal thrones, rivers, streets, and trees. Note too that "street" is not a reference to one street but to all streets. See comment under Revelation 21:21.

The tree of life ... This is not one tree, but stands either for many trees of one variety, or even many varieties of trees.[12] "The tree of life is apparently used collectively to include a number of trees."[13] "Tree seems intended to be understood generically of that whole class of trees."[14] We still use this idiom, for example, when we remark that, "The date palm grows in southern California." Lenski correctly observed that all these terms: avenue, river, and wood (tree) are comprehensive and collective."[15]

But what does it mean? The tree of life has the same inherent meaning as the "river of life." Those who have access to it will enjoy all the rights, blessings, and privileges of eternal life. The words of Ezekiel 47:12 are used here almost verbatim. The account in Genesis shows that Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden deprived them of access to the tree of life; but in heaven redeemed mankind shall have this privilege restored. Could this be some literal tree with visible fruit? We believe it to be a beautiful symbol of a far greater reality.

Bearing twelve manner of fruits ... every month ... This should take care of any notion that this is a literal tree.

Leaves ... for the healing of the nations ... Here, too, literalism is impossible. "Healing, of course, implies disease;" but, "That will be one of the things that will be unknown in heaven."[16]

As throughout the vision, John uses present terminology to describe future conditions. In a spiritual sense, the leaves of the tree of life, in this present age, are the healing of the nations. The realities of the word of God always bless and honor the peoples who receive and obey it. What our world needs now is to catch a new vision of the realities of the Christian gospel; and, if it should happen, "the leaves of the tree of life" would indeed be the healing of the nations.

[11] William Barclay, The Revelation of John (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1976), p. 221.

[12] John Wesley, Notes on the New Testament (London: Epworth Press, n.d.), in loco.

[13] Martin Rist, The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. XI1 (New York-Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1957), p. 542.

[14] A. Plummer, The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 22, Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 545.

[15] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John's Revelation (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Publishing House, 1943), p. 650.

[16] John T. Hinds, op. cit., p. 308.