Now here is a remarkable saying indeed. Of all the outstanding men and women of God of history, the least individual in the Kingdom of God is greater than that person!

The reason is, the prophets were conduits of the Glory of God. But every member of the Kingdom of God is a life-giving spirit, a tree of life. The Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest by far of all the trees of life.

So also it is written, The first man, Adam, became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (I Corinthians 15:45—NASB)

There is a big difference between a conduit and a tree of life. A conduit is a pipe through which something is conveyed. A tree of life is a continuing source of nourishment and healing for all who partake. The Kingdom of God consists of trees of life.

There are allusions in the Old Testament to the idea of God's elect becoming trees of life.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:3)

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who is wise wins souls. (Proverbs 11:30—NASB)

The meaning of the preceding verse seems to be that the righteous, wise individual turns others to righteousness and wisdom. He is a tree of life for those who are nourished by his personality. When we live for God we influence more people than we know.

We find in Ezekiel that after we go through the four levels of the water of the Holy Spirit we become trees of life planted by the River of the Spirit. Then out from us will flow the Spirit of God that will bring eternal life to the dead sea of mankind.

Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh. And it will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there, and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. (Ezekiel 47:7-9—NASB)

Compare:

Now on the last day, the great day of the feast (the eighth day of the feast of Tabernacles [Simchat Torah], Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:37,38—NASB)

To be continued.