In the beginning, God made a garden. Yahweh Elohim (יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים) caused every tree that is pleasant to look at and filled with healthy food to spring up out of the newly created earth. In the middle of the garden were two trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowing Good and Evil. From the garden, called Eden (עֵדֶן), which means "pleasure," a flowing river divided into four ancient rivers that flowed in all directions and contained gold and precious stones.
At the end of time, as humans understand time, there is another garden. That garden also has a river, one that flows in a tremendous torrent of life for all who wash themselves in it. That garden also has a tree, the Tree of Life that produces fruit for the healing of the nations. There is no Tree of Knowing Good and Evil because there will be no evil in that new garden.
Two gardens mark the beginning and end of human time. The first garden was called "Pleasure"(עֵדֶן) The last garden, growing from the river of God's own throne may be called "Magnificence or Preeminence" from the Greek, Doxa (δόξα). The first garden revealed the free will of humanity, willing to succumb to deception and temptation for a taste of power. After the sin of Adam and Eve, the first garden was closed to all, sealed and guarded by cherubim and a flaming, whirling sword. The final garden will be accessible to all who claim the name of Jesus, those who praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Messiah whose first appearance as the Son of Man made possible redemption from death.
Before the final garden opens to followers of the Lamb, final justice for all evil will be meted out by Christ the Righteous King. No one will strive against him and succeed; all who come against Jesus on that day will be eternally separated from the glory of God, permanently lost to their own devices and depravity, without hope and without end. It is indeed a fearful thing to try to stand against the Holy One in his full unbridled power!
Advent prepares believers for that Magnificent garden both by remembering Christ's first coming and by reminding us that there is a great and glorious eternity when time is no more. What joy shall be ours as we sing with the vast multitude in heaven, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to out God, for his judgments are true and just! Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory!"
Of The Father's Love Begotten - Matt Riley - ft. Deborah Klemme (Violin) / NHC Orchestra
O ye heights of heav'n, adore Him;
angel hosts, His praises sing:
pow'rs, dominions, bow before Him
and extol our God and King;
let no tongue on earth be silent,
every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
Righteous judge of souls departed,
Righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted
None in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive,
Evermore and evermore!
Resources:
Blue Letter Bible; Bible Gateway
Scripture: Genesis 1- 2; Revelation 19-22