Revelation 22:1-6 (NLT)
1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.”

These verses are a part of the single revelation made known to John by an angel sent from the Lord. A paradise is described, one which replaces the paradise lost by man to sin. Here in this paradise exists not only the tree of life, but a river of life; eternal life never ending. The original paradise also included the tree of life, which God had to guard man against so that he would not live eternally with sin. God and Christ are present. They are served and worshiped by those who bear their name. It is those who faithfully trusted God and His plan for the salvation of man from sin. Their service is given in freedom and honor; fully illuminated by the Lord.

When man fell to sin the tree of life was secured by God such that man could not return to it. The words “tree of life” was used seven times in the Old Testament. Three times it was mentioned as the tree in the Garden of Eden. Four other times it was mentioned in proverbs as the fruit of a righteous and holy life. The remainder of the references is found in the book of Revelation. Revelation 22:14 says, “Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.” The tree of life was so precious God had to protect man from it once he fell into sin. Yet here we find God saying those who have washed their robes; those who have taken on the blood of Christ; those who have placed their trust in Christ; those who bear His name; those, yes those will be able to take from the tree of life.