Why did God not permit Adam and Eve to eat of the Tree of Life?

When they fell into disobedience, human beings came to know evil, fell under its authority, were afflicted with corruption, became susceptible to death, and were exiled from the Garden. God would not permit them to eat of the Tree of Life while they were in this state, lest they remain in a state of death and corruption for eternity. Therefore, the Lord said, “ And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever …” (Gen. 3:22). The word “ now ” here refers to the time after the fall, when human nature became corrupt and mortal. From another perspective, with the fall, humanity fell under the judgment of death, since they were deprived of life. Human nature became incapable of eating of the Tree of Life. So, God appointed the cherubim to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

Now, after the incarnation of the Word, we say with St. John the Apostle about our Lord Jesus: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life. The life was manifested, and we have seen, bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1 John 1:1–2). Thus, humans had their ability to eat of the true Tree of Life restored once more through the sacrament of the

Eucharist, in which we eat the body of our Lord Jesus and drink His blood which was shed for us and are given salvation and the remission of sin and eternal life .

The Son, the incarnate Word, came so that you could hear Him along with John and the rest of the disciples, calling sinners and tax collectors by name; having compassion upon them without blame or reproach. You can hear Him with pure ears, forgiving your sins, reconciling you with His Father, and paying the price of reconciliation with His precious blood. You see Him searching for you, as the Good Shepherd and true father. By His own will He comes to the cross and opens His side in which you find refuge and security; you see that He burns within with love for you. You see Him risen from the dead, ascending to heaven, and your heart ascends with Him and by Him, to rest in Him, that where He is seated, you may be also. And with His mother the Virgin Mary you touch Him and yearn for Him, offering yourself to Him as a bride, a pure and chaste virgin. You also touch Him with Thomas confessing His divinity and lordship. You touch His feet with the adulterous woman and wash them with your tears. He never looks down on you but blesses you and makes you happy. He does not draw back from the touch of your hand nor belittle your tears but cherishes them as precious jewels. He has become for us the Tree of Life.

It says in the book of Revelation: “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Rev. 2:7). Also: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (Rev. 22:14–15). Thus, the book of Revelation affirms that none shall eat of the Tree of Life but those who are victorious, who held fast to God’s commandments in their lives on earth, who partake of eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. But the heart that is lukewarm in its love hungers, and needs to be fed from the Lord, the Tree of Life .