Genesis 3:22-24

The First Sin

There is punishment and protection in these 3 verses. Yes, Adam and Eve are not allowed to live in the Garden of Eden because they sinned against God. But did you notice the reason that God gives for why they must leave the garden? Because they might eat from the Tree of Life and live forever. Why would that be a problem?

This is where protection comes in. When one eats from the Tree of Life, they will live forever. The Tree of Life shows back up in Revelation 22 when all the nations are able to eat of it in the new heavens and earth. The tree has healing qualities for the nations in Revelation 22. This is a good thing, but it is only good because the people have been perfected and cleansed of all unrighteousness. Adam and Eve were sinful creatures at this point. If they had eaten of the Tree of Life in that state, they would have lived forever as imperfect creations. This is not God’s desire or design. So, to protect Adam and Eve, God removes them from the garden and blocks the path to the Tree of Life so that no sinful human can eat of it. God protects humanity from a terrible fate: living forever in sin.