“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ”

— Revelation 22:1,2

The Bible mentions the Tree of Life (at least) thirteen times—very important. We’re told some of what it looks like, this marvellous reward that gives life, that lasts forever and holds healing for the nations, but not much about what it looks like.

Both the prophet, Ezekiel and the apostle, John, saw it in heavenly visions as “bear[ing] fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12

The River of the Water of Life—Indian ink on gold leaf—excerpt from painting by Joan C. Thomson

Painting process of the Tree of Life surrounding the River of the Water of Life

“On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ”

— Revelation 22:2

People have speculated as to whether there is a singular tree straddling the river or multiple trees lining each side. Since the Bible interprets itself, I’ve taken my cue from Ezekiel and painted multiple trees on each side of the river. Superabundance!

There are twelve crops of fruit, so I painted a sampling in four colours. Part of the idea of the twelve crops is that the fruit will never run out. And God loves variety!

The leaves are wonderful means of healing for the nations! Anything I could say about how much that is needed today, would be an understatement! We’re not told how that works or what the redeemed nations on the new earth could possibly need healing for. Neither are we told what the leaves look like, so I asked God, “What do they look like—standard fruit tree-shaped? Deeply lobed, slightly scalloped? How do the leaves grow on the trees, straight across, alternating or cascading from the top like a palm?” I haven’t yet gotten a direct answer, but I prayerfully settled on a shape that can represent them for now.

Drawing excerpt of Tree of Life by joan C. Thomson

I traced my drawings onto the green “grass” background then painted the trees with sizing (special gold leaf adhesive). After the sizing became the right level of tackiness--about an hour, I gently laid in the thin sheets of artificial gold-leaf (it’s actually copper since real gold would cost about twenty US dollars per five-and one-half inch square sheet! It does have to be varnished to avoid oxidation), and lightly brushed away the excess with a soft brush.

Excerpt of Tree of Life painting process

When I previously gilded (applied gold-leaf) the River of the Water of Life (in the centre of this painting), I happily discovered that the Indian ink I had on hand, poured beautifully over the gold-leaf. I had just the colours for the fruit too! Unfortunately, though I don’t know why, the ink beaded up on my golden trees. I had to trace the tree drawings on top of the gold, so maybe the graphite caused the ink to roll up. Plan B. I chose the most transparent acrylic paints I had, to repaint the trees and fruit; the beaded ink below showed through a bit, making more dimension. I applied several thin layers to cover the gold yet let it shine through.

The completed painting—The Tree of Life Surrounding The River of the Water of Life by Joan C. Thomson

The Tree of Life on either side of The River of the Water of Life. Jesus is about Life—he is the Life.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.””

— John 14:6