Tree of life, Book of life?

Strickalator · Aug 14, 2011

Ok in the New Living Translation it says the following:

Revelation 22:19
And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.

And in the King James Version it says:

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

So is the tree of life and the book of life the same thing? Why such a different translation?

Strangelove · Aug 14, 2011

I think its coz the word 'book' properly means papyrus which is the bark of the tree.

I think book of life makes more sense.

G976
βίβλος
biblos
bib'-los
Properly the inner bark of the papyrus plant, that is, (by implication) a sheet or scroll of writing: - book.

loveschild · Aug 14, 2011

Strickalator said:

Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight or to be desired--good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life also in the center of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of [the difference between] good and evil and blessing and calamity.
Genesis 2:8-10 (in Context) Genesis 2 (Whole Chapter)
Genesis 3:17
And to Adam He said, Because you have listened and given heed to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, the ground is under a curse because of you; in sorrow and toil shall you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of your life.
Genesis 3:16-18 (in Context) Genesis 3 (Whole Chapter)
Genesis 3:22
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man has become like one of Us [the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit], to know [how to distinguish between] good and evil and blessing and calamity; and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever--
Genesis 3:21-23 (in Context) Genesis 3 (Whole Chapter)
Genesis 3:24
So [God] drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep and guard the way to the tree of life.
Genesis 3:23-24 (in Context) Genesis 3 (Whole Chapter)

loveschild · Aug 14, 2011

Strickalator said:

Psalm 69:28
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living and the book of life and not be enrolled among the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those upright and in right standing with God).
Psalm 69:27-29 (in Context) Psalm 69 (Whole Chapter)
Psalm 139:16
Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:15-17 (in Context) Psalm 139 (Whole Chapter)
Philippians 4:3
And I exhort you too, [my] genuine yokefellow, help these [two women to keep on cooperating], for they have toiled along with me in [the spreading of] the good news (the Gospel), as have Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the Book of Life.
Philippians 4:2-4 (in Context) Philippians 4 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 3:5
Thus shall he who conquers (is victorious) be clad in white garments, and I will not erase or blot out his name from the Book of Life; I will acknowledge him [as Mine] and I will confess his name openly before My Father and before His angels.
Revelation 3:4-6 (in Context) Revelation 3 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 13:8
And all the inhabitants of the earth will fall down in adoration and pay him homage, everyone whose name has not been recorded in the Book of Life of the Lamb that was slain [in sacrifice] from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:7-9 (in Context) Revelation 13 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 17:8
The beast that you saw [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is going to come up out of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and proceed to go to perdition. And the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they look at the beast, because he [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is [yet] to come.
Revelation 17:7-9 (in Context) Revelation 17 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 20:12
I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [ their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books.
Revelation 20:11-13 (in Context) Revelation 20 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 20:15
And if anyone's [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14-15 (in Context) Revelation 20 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 21:27
But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Revelation 21:26-27 (in Context) Revelation 21 (Whole Chapter)
Revelation 22:19
And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these predictions relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.
Revelation 22:18-20 (in Context) Revelation 22 (Whole Chapter)

loveschild · Aug 14, 2011

Strickalator said:

Jesus is the tree of Life. The book is what is written in and it has your name if you believe and obey God. There is also book of what you do on this earth.

Revelation 20:12
I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [ their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books.
Revelation 20:11-13 (in Context) Revelation 20 (Whole Chapter)

loveschild · Aug 14, 2011

Strangelove said:

Strickalator · Aug 14, 2011

Ok but no one has really explained to me why the different translations use book or tree. Is it in fact the same thing> my pastor says it is but I need more input

zone · Aug 14, 2011

Strickalator said:

In the Book of Revelation, a Koine Greek phrase xylon zoës (ξύλον ζωή&#962

is mentioned 3 times. This phrase, which literally means "wood of life" is translated in nearly every English Bible version as "tree of life", see Revelation 2:7, 22:2, and 22:19.

Strickalator · Aug 14, 2011

Ok so then book and tree are the same?

loveschild · Aug 14, 2011

Strickalator said:

The books are the books. Did you read any of the verses I put? The word of God is the bible that is a book. God is not a book. God is a Spirit.

The books that are written in are books in heaven that are written in. A follower is written in the book of life. There name is in the book. There are books that are being kept of the good you do while on earth.

The tree is Jesus. Follow Jesus and you have life.

Cobus · Aug 15, 2011

Strickalator, check this verse and see what Revelation means...
The Word says clearly ...do not leave words out...
Now compare the two verse of 2 Peter 1:21...
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Many translations leaves the word Holy out! I ask why? what is difficult understanding the word holy, or better yet two words explaining the condition of the MEN... HOLY MEN!...
The differance between MEN and HOLY MEN is ....Jesus Christ!
The MEN has their own spirits making them do the things they want to do, and the Holy Men has the Holy Spirit moving them doing what GOD WANTS!
The only reason some person would leave out the word holy in this verse has to be the reaon that person does not believe man can be holy, moved by the Spirit of God. I see no other reason.
Now the book and the tree... No my friend there is a huge differance....The tree of Life is Jesus Christ, He says so in John 17. And the book of life is the book that will only be opened AFTER the tree of life does not give life to people any-more. But then He will reveal the ones that was hid in God with Christ... The ones He did give life too!
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
I hope this helps..

AnandaHya · Aug 15, 2011

book of life: talks about being saved and being written in the Lamb's book of life so that you will be pardoned of all your sins

Tree of Life: refers to JESUS who is the VINE and the ROOT of David and we are the branches either grafted (gentiles) or natural (jews)

does it matter which you use? if you are removed from the Lambs book of life you will be cast into Hell. IF you are cut off as dead branches you will be bundled with the thorns and tossed into the eternal fire, so does it matter which phrase you use since the end result is the same?

perhaps the author refers to both but due to our lacking in the English language we only get the illumination of one due to the lack of language we are using to communicate at this moment?

Digital_Angel_316 · Aug 15, 2011

loveschild said:

Nice going oveschild -- may I add a few more verse for completeness:

"Tree of life" is mentioned 10 times in the King James Version of scripture. Three in
Genesis, Four times in Proverbs (and really are not referring to THE tree of life; rather
they are comparing something else to a tree of life), and Three times in Revelation
(Revelation 2:7, 22:2, 22:14).

Proverbs 3:18 compares wisdom to a tree of life, although you have to read verse 13 to
fully grasp what is being compared.

Proverbs 11:30 states that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.

In Proverbs 13:12 a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 15:4 makes the comparison of a tree of life to a healing tongue.

Proverbs 3:13 -18 states, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that
getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than merchandise of silver, and
the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou
canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in
her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are
peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that
retaineth her."

Proverbs 11:30 states, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life."

Proverbs 13:12 states, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire
cometh, it is a tree of life."

Proverbs 15:4 states, "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a
breach in the spirit."

The tree of life is first introduced in the Garden of Eden along with the tree of knowledge
of good and evil -- as already posted by Loveschild ...

I don't want to muddy the waters, so will just mention in passing, that there is an esoteric
"Tree of Life" model in the Kabbalah that is sometimes referenced in meaning a Path of
Enlightenment to Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom. Most don't go there ...

Jesus revealed a key characteristic of those who will be able to enter into eternal life. He
said, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree
of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

Jesus instructed, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the
gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware
of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves.” (Matthew 7:13-15).

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but
he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

These references allude to the concept of the "Tree of Life" Model and the paths that can
lead to life, or to destruction ... nuff sed

Digital_Angel_316 · Aug 15, 2011

Strangelove said:

The phrase tree of life appears seven times in the Old Testament and three times in the
New Testament. In these verses we are told we will be able to eat of this tree, and that
this tree of Eden will reappear in Eternity.

Other than in Phil. 4:3, The phrase "book of life" appears only in the book of Revelation
the New Testament (Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; and 21:27). In each case the book of
life either contains or does not contain names, or names are blotted out of it. Therefore,
the phrase, "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life," appears to be consistent with the
biblical texts.

There is a debate that goes something like this:

The Textus Receptus (TR) text stands alone having Book of Life. The MT and NU texts
have tree of life. It appears that the word Book is an artifact reflecting the reliance of
Erasmus on the Latin Vulgate for the last six verses of the book of Revelation.

Deficiencies other than typographical are not all Erasmus’ fault, or only partly so. He had
the use of less than twenty manuscripts and used mainly only two or three. His only
manuscript of Revelation lacked its last page; so Erasmus himself translated the Latin
Vulgate back into Greek for the last six verses.4

Instead of ἀπὸ τοῦ ζύλου [apo tou zylou] (from the tree),

the Textus Receptus (followed by the King James Version) reads ἀπὸ βίβλου [apo biblou]
(from the book),

a reading that occurs in no Greek manuscript. The error arose when Erasmus, in order to
provide copy for the last six verses of Revelation (which were lacking in the only Greek
manuscript of Revelation available to him), translated the verses from the Latin Vulgate
into Greek. . . . The corruption of “tree” into “book” had occurred earlier in the
transmission of the Latin text when a scribe accidentally miscopied the correct word ligno
(“tree”) as libro (“book”).5

Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (Stuttgart,
Germany: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994), Rev. 22:19.

The rebuttal is that:

Codex 1r, which was used by Erasmus, was missing Revelation 22:16-21. The standard
teaching is that Erasmus went back to the Latin Vulgate for these verses and
re-translated them into Greek. However, Dr. H. C. Hoskier disagreed by demonstrating
that Erasmus used the Greek manuscript 141 which contained the verses. (Concerning
The Text Of The Apocalypse, London: Quaritch, 1929, vol. 1, pp. 474-77, vol. 2, pp. 454,635.)

and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take
away [fn] his part from the Book [fn] of Life, from the holy city, and [from] the things
which are written in this book. NKJV

Footnote (fn)
# (22:19) M-Text reads may God take away.
# (22:19) NU-Text and M-Text read tree of life.

See Link -->> Revelation 22 (Blue Letter Bible: NKJV - New King James Version)

Digital_Angel_316 · Aug 15, 2011

zone said:

* A BOOK is made from the bark of a tree*. A book is dead, a stack (or roll) of paper with
ink on it. Have you ever seen a "Family Bible"? they often have a "family tree" in it,
people's names were written into it. Sometimes the 'black sheep' were left out or later
taken out (blotted out).

* A TREE on the other hand is living, and scripture tells us --'a good tree bears good fruit'.

* Jesus tells us ... man does not live by "Bred" (Bread) alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God.

* Here "Bred" implies 'born into and brought up in' -- there goes predestination!
Whereas the 'Living Word' quickens the spirit, and tells us -- 'you must be BORN AGAIN' to
enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

* Then, think also in terms of contrast with 'Breed" and 'b_Read'. One can 'breed', but
that is physical, not spiritual life, not 'born again'. One can "READ" with a 'B' - (b_Read .. --
ok, ok, - it says BREAD, - I 'divided the word' and changed it's pronunciation and meaning
to give it another meaning), but reading (b-Read) alone will not save you ... we must be
born again, AND, we must speak the word to others (every word that proceeds from the
mouth of God(ly) [ones].

* The "BOOK" is important, but dead ... the "TREE" is alive, and if good, bears (not as in
lions and tigers and bears, nor as in naked or nothing - bares) fruit by which one may live.

Apologies for my taking Linguistic License and word play ...
(I hope that doesn't mess up your head (not your preacher-head, your head-head) too much)

* Note:
G976
βίβλος
biblos
bib'-los
Properly the inner bark of the papyrus plant, ...

Digital_Angel_316 · Aug 15, 2011

One last thought on ADDING TO or TAKING FROM the words of the book*1 - and adding
plagues and losing share in the Tree (book?) of Life ...

LITERAL: adding to and taking from the book was going on, inserting and deleting words
and phrases

FIGURATIVE: adding to by some religions goes on (SCRIPTURE - PLUS ... The Pope, the
Magisterium, Traditions) goes on all the time. TAKING FROM also occurs regularly by
preachers who say things like 'this doesn't apply to us, or it is all finished-rock on. These
are they who take the grace of god as licentiousness*2 (lasciviousness)

*1 Rev 22:18-19:
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any
man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in
this book:

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall
take away his part out of the book (Tree) of life, and out of the holy city, and from the
things which are written in this book.

*2 Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and
denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Tree of life, Book of life?

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