In the beginning there were two trees and a snake. The Tree of Life represents trusting God, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, personal choice, i.e. religion. In the end there are two trees, “make the tree good and all it’s fruit good (righteousness) or make the tree corrupt and all it’s fruit evil” (lawlessness) Matt 7:17-19, 12:33. Good or evil are our only options initially but eventually (yet still in this present life), if we make wise choices (Christ): We receive Life … but still, the snake.

 

The Tree of Life was not forbidden at that time, however, the tree of self-knowledge (pride) was commanded against. After vanity motivated trusting the snake over God, the two were banished from the garden and the Tree of Life but, not being able to undo eating the corrupt fruit, took the knowledge of good and evil with them passing it on to their progeny …along with the snake.

 

Today after all this time, and nearing the end of all things, the snake is still saying “hath God said?” (law) and: “if you eat this fruit (annul God’s law and decide for yourself or allow another to determine for you what is good and what is evil, i.e. antinomianism), your eye’s will be opened (to deception and counterfeit spirituality) and you will be like God” discerning good from evil apart from God’s law (“every man doing what is right in his own eyes”).

 

Having a form of godliness (religion) but denying the power thereof (Life), compromised “Christians” and other theists are still trusting in their own resolve and/or the resoluteness of their procurators rather than trusting that God has already made all the right decisions for us (law) and dealing with the snake as an adversary rather than a “god” …until the snake and all like minded are removed forever.