“. . . the ‘tree of life’ itself probably was the model for the lampstand placed directly outside the holy of holies in Israel’s temple: it looked like a small tree trunk with seven protruding branches, three on one side, and three on the other, and one branch going straight up from the trunk in the middle.” “Israel’s tabernacle and temple were a miniature model of God’s huge cosmic temple that was to dominate the heavens and earth at the end of time. That is, the temple was a symbolic model pointing not merely to the present cosmos but also to the new heaven and earth that would be perfectly filled with God’s presence.” (G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology, pages 619 & 627).

Quotes from the reflection for July 23, 2017.