The Tree Of Death That Brings Life | Jonathan Cahn Sermon

The story of humanity’s fall begins with an act of eating—a fateful bite into forbidden fruit. Similarly, the path to redemption commences with another act of partaking—at the Last Supper, where the Messiah shared a cup of wine. Just as Adam consumed the fruit, the Messiah partook of crushed fruit, symbolizing a profound reversal. Today, we will uncover one of the richest mysteries of God and salvation. Focus deeply, for we are about to explore spiritual truths that may spark divine revelations in your heart and mind.

The Lord invites us, saying:
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Notice, this passage doesn’t merely promise to remove sin—it speaks of transforming sin into purity. This demonstrates the power of God: to turn evil into good, to bring redemption using the very instruments of sin and death.

In Exodus, God commanded Moses to throw down his staff, which transformed into a serpent—a symbol of evil. Yet, this serpent devoured others, symbolizing victory over evil by confronting it directly. Similarly, when serpents plagued the Israelites in the wilderness, God instructed Moses to craft a bronze serpent. Those bitten who looked upon it were healed. In this way, the very form of the serpent, representing death, became a tool of healing.

The sacrificial system of Israel reinforces this principle. The Hebrew word for the sin offering, chattat, is the same as the word for sin itself. Thus, the sin offering, called “sin,” was used to atone for sin. Likewise, the guilt offering, asham, means both “guilt” and “offering.” The offering, labeled as guilt, removed guilt. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest’s hands, covered in blood—a symbol of guilt—were used to sprinkle the mercy seat, bringing forgiveness and freedom. God uses what was intended for evil and transforms it into good.

In Daniel 9, the prophet is given a remarkable prophecy about the coming of the Messiah, explicitly naming Him and linking His mission to the resolution of humanity’s transgression. The NIV translation of Daniel 9:24 states:
“Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for wickedness, bring everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the Most Holy Place.”

However, the Hebrew text reveals a deeper insight. It doesn’t merely speak of “finishing transgression” in general—it specifies the transgression. This refers not to any isolated sin but to the original sin in Eden, the root of all humanity’s sins.

The Messiah, often referred to as the “last Adam,” is intrinsically linked to the first Adam. His mission to conquer sin and death mirrors and redeems the events of Eden. The fall of humanity began with the partaking of forbidden fruit, but the Messiah’s act of redemption involves partaking in a different fruit—symbolically crushed and poured out as wine.

In the grand narrative of salvation, God consistently takes what was used for evil and repurposes it for good. Through the Messiah’s death, the signs of Eden’s tragedy are transformed into symbols of redemption and new life. The fall began with a meal, and redemption unfolds at the Lord’s Table, inviting us to partake in eternal life.

Let this profound truth inspire reflection and gratitude for the intricate and loving plan of God.