Revelation 22:2

John also saw the tree of life. Several commentators take the reference to the "tree" (singular) as generic. They believe that John really saw many trees. [Note: E.g., Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 484).] I think it is better to interpret the reference as one tree since this is the normal meaning of the singular noun. When Adam and Eve fell, they lost their access to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (cf. Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22-24). In the eternal city the residents will have access to the tree of life there.

The description of this tree’s location is debatable, but perhaps John saw the river dividing and flowing on both sides of it. A tree surrounded by water is the epitome of a fruitful tree (cf. Psalms 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8; Ezekiel 19:10; Ezekiel 47:12). This tree was perpetually rather than seasonally in fruit; it produced a new crop of fruit each month of the year. Evidently the new creation will not have a lunar calendar, since there will be no moon (Revelation 21:23), but another type of calendar will define months. Most fruit trees in the old creation bear fruit only a few months each year at most. In contrast, God’s blessing of fruitfulness will mark life in the new earth. The tree of life in the Garden of Eden could perpetuate life forever (Genesis 3:22; Genesis 3:24). Evidently that will be the function of this tree in the new earth as well, to sustain immortality. "Healing" really means "health-giving" (Gr. therapeian). Since there will be no death in the new earth these leaves will evidently promote wellbeing. [Note: For an amillennial study of the symbolism used in Genesis 2-3 and Revelation 21:9-22:5, as ancient cosmography used the figures of a garden, a city, and a mountain, see Ken Olles and Warren Gage, "The City of God and the Cities of Men."] They will provide healing from the conditions of the old creation as the wiping away of tears removed the sorrows of the old creation (cf. Revelation 21:4; Ezekiel 47:12). The nations are groups of people in the new creation viewed according to their old creation divisions (cf. Revelation 21:24).

"It seems possible therefore to understand participation in the tree of life as a regular experience of fellowshipping with God, i.e., eating of this monthly fruit." [Note: Dillow, p. 474.]