The Importance of Symbols

What are symbols? Let's take a look at one. "To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God" (Revelation 2:7). First, the tree of life and the Paradise of God remind us of our promised future life in heaven with God. John says, "Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb... On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations... Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city" (Revelation 22:1-2 and 14).

The tree of life is a symbol of life. In the picture, the tree receives life from the river coming from the throne of God. The tree gives life through its leaves and fruit. The tree is therefore symbolic of life with God and life given by God. This is a picture of the consummation. This is Paradise with a capital P. The tree of life is therefore a symbol of heavenly consummate life with God.

Symbols are pictures. Symbols involve pictorial language. This is the idea of the metaphor. The metaphor is an implied comparison in which we get a picture. Jesus said, "I am the door" (John 10:9). Jesus is not actually a door. Figuratively speaking He is a door. We enter life and heaven through Him. There is an implied comparison. We gain access to an area through a door. We gain access to heaven through Christ. The use of the metaphor gives us this comparison.

Allegories are extended metaphors. Judges 9:8 begins such a story, "Once the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us!'" This is metaphorical language. Trees don't talk. Similes, parables, and types go together. So too, metaphors, allegories, and symbols go together. They are of the same character. There is an implied comparison. The tree of life fed by the waters of life and bearing fruit and leaves to give life symbolizes God-given heavenly life.

John's reference to the tree of life in the Paradise of God also reminds us of Genesis and Eden. "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" (Genesis 2:9). Here we see an earthly paradise. Once again, the tree of life is a symbol. If we interpret it properly just above, the tree of life points to life with God in heaven. If this is true, God presented Adam with the prospect of heaven while he and Eve were yet dwelling in Eden, the earthly paradise. Adam therefore had an expectation of a higher life and more intimate fellowship. The tree of life was the symbol of this higher life and more intimate fellowship.

This accentuates the import of symbols and their proper interpretation. Jesus Christ provides us access to the tree of life. This is no mere return to an earthly paradise. We are not journeying back. God is taking us forward into His heaven and presence to bask in the sunshine of His face. We do not yearn to return to paradise lost. We look forward with expectation and hope to Paradise gained by Christ.