The Third Tree

By Craig Christian

There are two creations mentioned in God's word: the first described in the book of Genesis, and the second being the natural world all around us. What is man's relationship to these creations, and how do these relate to the Creator? There are two trees in the Garden of Eden: The Tree of Life, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. What were their purposes then and now? Examine the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation with Craig Christian, as he embarks with readers on a journey of discovery that reveals a third and final tree that connects many of the mysterious dots that we have all wondered about. Pairing humor with deep and fresh perspectives on creation, the fall, and salvation, readers will gain a greater understanding of the perfection of God, man's inseverable ties to creation, and awe-inspiring evidence that no detail of creation was ever completed outside of the Creator's purpose. Above all, The Third Tree contrasts God's ways with man's ways directly and simply, while demonstrating the consistency of his eternal word. When we broaden our understanding of God's perfection as expressed through his creation, and the manner in which salvation has been provided, we can only be awestruck. We can only give him glory and praise. This book will sharpen your vision and appreciation for God, his creation, and the salvation he freely offers to all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781643006208

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The Third Tree

Craig Christian

ISBN 978-1-64300-619-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64300-620-8 (Digital)

Copyright © 2019 Craig Christian

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

The Third Tree: Why?

Creation Speaks Out

Worship That Comes from All of Creation

Noah and the Ark

Object Lessons

Unending Recycling

The End Is Near—Somewhat

What if?

No Sacrifice As Great

What Are We To Do?

About the Author

PREFACE

All design has a purpose and is often defined by such. A luxury car will have detailed design in every component and in every part. Some are for safety, some for performance, some for enjoyment, others are for comfort. Some parts will have a multitude of visible purposes while some parts will never be seen by the owner. Unless the unseen part breaks, then suddenly, even an obscure part that is never thought of will become the center of attention.

So it is also with creation. To say that creation is part of a design and just leave it there without discussing the purpose stops short of the best part of creation. The purpose of creation includes many things, some of which overlap. For example, if a volcano erupts suddenly, that part of the Earth which man was not aware of, makes the news around the world as it becomes the center of attention. Understanding the purpose of creation gives us purpose as well, because we are part of it. I hope this book reveals parts of creation that you have not encountered before, and that it will give you a more blessed outlook on God who creates, designs, and gives purpose. To understand creation is to better understand our giving Creator.

There are two creations. The first is God’s act of creating the world and the infinite universe in the beginning, as shown in Genesis 1. The second creation is the natural world that around us and is God’s creation that we are part of. In this book, I will refer to these creations separately at different times. These two creations overlap and can best be defined within the context they are used.

My hope is that you are blessed and inspired to appreciate and praise our Creator as a result of what I have shared in this book.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

— II Corinthians 5:17

Chapter 1

The Third Tree: Why?

The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. 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.

–Genesis 2:8-9

It began with a question. I had been studying the above passage in the Book of Genesis, about the Garden of Eden where God had planted two trees in the middle of it. One was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which most everyone is familiar with, and the other was the Tree of Life. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is associated with mankind’s fall into sin, which resulted in death. Adam and Eve were told and warned by God not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, because if they did, they would die. But the presence of the Tree of Life is actually what caused Adam and Eve to be kicked out of the garden. Putting it another way, had the Tree of Life not been planted, Adam and Eve would have been allowed to stay in the garden for as long as the garden would have lasted, and the garden would have continued to provide food for them. I believe that, because God had planted the garden that he likely planted both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The trees had unique abilities and powers that were bestowed by God. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was there to give mankind a choice, and man continues to have the choice today. The choice is whether or not to follow God. But what was the purpose of the Tree of Life? Had Adam and Eve not eaten from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they would have not suffered death but would have lived forever. They would not have had need for the Tree of Life, because without sin, they would have lived continuously in the Garden of Eden, as they had incorruptible bodies. Yet, the Tree of Life was there. It was not needed then, but then after they had fallen and needed to be restored to life, the Tree of Life was not permitted. So why have it at all? What was God’s purpose?

Then the Lord God said, Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever— therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

–Genesis 3:22-24

Although God is sovereign, and we often do not understand why he allows some things to happen, he is not impulsive or moody. God does not behave rashly as we do at times, but rather, has a time and season for every purpose under Heaven.¹

I asked my pastor at the time when I was doing the study in Genesis as to why the Tree of Life was planted, expecting some deep answer I had never thought of and a new insight into God’s omniscience. My pastor was honest and stated that there are some things in the Bible that we simply do not know yet. I was surprised; I thought there was at least a theoretical reason, but there was nothing.

There was another godly man in the church, who also had a doctorate in Theology, along with other numerous qualifications, and had a lifetime of ministry experiences. Amazingly, when I asked him the same question, I got the same answer. Nobody knows why. In my 40-plus years of being a Christian, this was the first time I could recall getting an answer like this. Yet, God placed the Tree of Life not only in the garden, but in the Word as well, and more than once. God will reference the Tree of Life again in the Bible, as we will see further into this book. God even placed an angel at the entrance to the garden afterwards, so no one could steal back in for a taste. There is a way back to God, but God alone decides the way, and no man can circumvent that, though many try.

That does raise a different question. Both trees were planted in the middle of the Garden of Eden, indicating they were in close proximity with each other. Instead of using their time to sew fig leaves together as Adam and Eve did and then hide right after they had sinned and their eyes were opened, why didn’t they then go to the Tree of Life and take some fruit? This is a question regarding humanity, and fallen humanity at that. It shows how we miss opportunities all the time and perhaps just how blinding our sinful choices can be.

However, even if we understand Adam and Eve’s failure to eat of the Tree of Life after the fall, that still does not answer why it was there in the first place. God could have kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden when he cursed them for sinning, but he did not do that. It could have been part of their punishment, but it was not. First, he clothed them, and later, though likely not much later, God drove them out as a separate choice that had to be made. God knew that although Adam and Eve did not take the fruit at the time, eventually they would figure it out. I would imagine when they began to experience growing older and the pains that go with it, they would think of the tree. Today, the pharmaceutical industry, one of the largest industries in the world, is continuously playing on our desire to find the fruit from the Tree of Life by creating all kinds of medications to reduce pain and extend our lifespans. If they could only work as well as promised and were free for the taking.

Several weeks after I got the second We do not know why God planted the Tree of Life, I let it go. I accepted the fact that God decides when we discover what truths he allows us to know and when; I decided that when I see him in heaven, I can ask, and God will let me know. Respecting God’s right to say no is paramount to recognizing he is God, and we are not. It allows us to move on, not get stuck in a rut, and also increases our faith and trust in him. Would you really have faith and trust in God if you understood everything he does? It’s not possible. Man’s reason and effort fall short when it comes to understanding spiritual things, and we are dependent on God and his Spirit for certain revelations. God’s Word is full and provides rich insight, which is why we have it and need it.

I was content to wait and decided to move on in my personal Bible studies to other things in his word. This is where it gets hard to explain. A couple of weeks later, the answer came to me. I cannot say how it works, it does not come through a voice or voices; my Bible did not just fall open to some passage, and no one came to me with the answer or idea. There was no vision. The idea came inside my head, but I knew it was not my own idea. I do not have charismatic leanings; quite the opposite, actually. Does a person have to be charismatic to be inspired? The answer to that is simply, no. I believe I have heard many messages from the pulpit and lessons in other venues that were inspired as they touched my heart and affected my life. Being inspired does not put a sermon on the same level as Scripture, as I believe only the Holy Bible is inerrant.

What I have to share, I received by inspiration, but similarly, I would never put it close to the level of God’s Word. Rather, I share this because it has led me to a much deeper appreciation for the perfect salvation that God has provided through Jesus Christ his son, and how from the very beginning, salvation was planned to a level of detail that was surprising and unexpected. God’s perfection goes to the minutest level beyond what we may know to be possible. That is why there is only one God, and there is no one like him. The details of our perfect salvation show that it is only something God can orchestrate and goes well beyond the discovery of the Third Tree. It was not the Tree of Life in the garden that was meant to return our lives back to us, but rather, it was a symbol and a sign of the Third Tree that would later accomplish that. And as an added benefit, it has also enhanced my appreciation and understanding of creation, which I will get to later.

The Third Tree simply is, and some may have already correctly guessed, the cross that Jesus died upon. The fruit from the Tree of Life would have restored life to mankind, was not allowed by God, but eternal life is now given freely through the fruit of the Third Tree. This was done because the fruit of the Third Tree satisfied the justice of God that the fruit from the Tree of Life could not. The symbolism can be taken literally to the ends of the universe. As it was through a tree