This chapter reminds me that one day we will experience paradise in an even greater way than Adam and Eve did in the beginning.
“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (v8-10,15)
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” (Rev 22:1-3)
The two major accounts of Eden (Gen & Rev above) sound quite similar at first – both have lush vegetation, rivers, a tree of life, and most importantly, the presence of God. The main difference however, is the first Eden here on earth was destroyed by the sin of mankind, and the second one which is in heaven (the New Jerusalem) will be untouched by sin.
The original Garden of Eden (or Garden of God) is referenced a few times in scripture (including Neh 2:8; Eccl 2:5; Sol 4:13; Isa 51:3; Ezek 28:13). The word “paradise”, or the Greek word “paradeisos” which literally translated means “an area enclosed by a wall” or “garden”, surprisingly does not appear to reference to the original garden at all. I could only find 3 uses of the word “paradise” in scripture, and all 3 times it refers to that second garden or heaven: 2 Cor 12:3-4; Rev 2:7; and most notably Luke 23:43 “And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ “
So despite that original garden being the most ideal earthly place of beauty and presence with God, the truest “paradise” will be in that new Eden, in God’s perfect presence, which is unreachable by sin and corruption.
Though today was more of a theological exploration into an ideal place to be in relationship with God, my prayer is that right here in this present moment I still recognize His presence and focus on knowing Him and following His will in this life. I know there are countless flaws and distractions in this world that detract from my relationship with Him, though I will strive to press onward and fight through those distractions until they are no longer a problem (in eternity). As Jesus says ” ‘To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ ” (Rev 2:7b)
~ Conqueror in Training