For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
mary h
The tree of life contains the spirit of God, thus giving life. The fruit is the word of God which God gives once you eat off the tree of life. The tree of knowledge of good and evil contains the the wrong spirit and not only knows good but shows you evil also. God doesn't show you evil. That comes along with satan and that's why its the tree of knowledge. It knows both right and wrong! So from it comes temptation! God doesn't tempt us, he brings us life!
Nils Jansma
What is the meaning of the Tree of Life? To answer this question, I will give my opinion regarding what I think the Tree of Life did when eaten.
As has been mentioned, apparently, the Tree of Life (TOL) extended life indefinitely when eaten on a regular basis, possibly even monthly. (Revelation 22:2) How did it do this? One theory is that when eaten, it contributed to the DNA structure of our body cells just like what happens when we eat anything. Only, in the case of the TOL, it did not just provide nutrients for the body to utilize, it also could have performed the specific function of extending the Telomeres in our cells along with other genetic functions. What is the significance of that?
At the end of every DNA molecule in our cells there are what can be termed genetic “caps” consisting of a single sequence -TTAGGG- repeated over and over again up to a thousand or more times. The Telomeres act as an expendable region of DNA that protects the internal regions of the chromosomes because it’s end is shortened with each cell replication. Why this happens is complicated, but research seems to indicate that aging and death results when all the Telomeres are consumed by this shortening process. It is the length of the Telomeres strand and other factors that determines how long we live.
Therefore, if the TOL was capable of providing the means of extending the length of the Telomeres, one could theoretically live indefinitely. That is probably the reason why Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:22) It prevented them from eating of the TOL with eventual death to follow. During the Millennium reign of Jesus Christ, the TOL and its leaves will be made available for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2; 2:7) If the process is the same as with Adam and Eve, then the aging process will cease indefinitely so long as the TOL fruit is consumed regularly.
As an aside, it is interesting that the body itself is actually capable of extending the DNA molecule with each division, but this feature is only found operational in our germ cells (the cells that make sperm and eggs) and some adult stem cells and unfortunately in cancer cells. These “germ cells” need to undergo many divisions without degradation because they give rise to a new organism with its telomeric “clock” reset to allow the life span of the subsequent offspring to be unaffected.