Symbolism of the Cross

     Others have their non-scriptural "Tree of Life." My gift for you on this Good Friday is the Good News. I have identified the meaning of the Tree of Life which represents Jesus Christ who was crucified on a "tree" according to Acts 5:30, "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree." Obviously, the cross was called a "tree" and Jesus is the Tree who hung upon the tree. Jesus experienced death in our places. He didn't die because he lives this day in Paradise.
     Who died on a tree, then? The Serpent was alive in his tree when he deceived Eve, and died vicariously on the tree of Good Friday. What was so "good" about the crucifixion day? Satan - the Serpent - was made impotent. Sin was destroyed on that old tree. The Serpent is represented by the unrepentant thief who died for Satan. Jesus died for the repentant thief on the right. He represents Christians. Satan is a good as dead. That's why Friday before Easter is so good!
     I believe that Jesus created the heaven and the earth as he Is the Creator. He was in the Garden when it was generated. Jesus was there when one thief was regenerated. Jesus was as well; he gave up the Ghost as his soul was emptied by the loss of virtue. It took three days for the virtue to be restored. Jesus physically died, but his soul slept. He awakened on the third day with all the sin of all mankind of all ages dumped off in Hell. The cross symbolizes much. I did my best to identify the many things that happened and were represented by the cross. It may grow more, but below I have presented my thoughts on the cross. Note that it is empty as Jesus is in Paradise. His work was finished there, and he went to the place in Heaven which his Father had prepared for him.
     I believe that people can't find the Garden of Eden because only its foundation is there. It is the city of Jerusalem as can he deduced from the Bible and sacred literature. Jesus came home to die, it seems - from the Garden Paradise to the foundation of peace" which is Jerusalem. Heavenly Paradise is "up" from there, and the cross points toward Paradise. The cross itself represents a crossroads, a way less chosen. Now consider the graphic which I have provided.
    Imagine if you will, the blood stains on the cross. Jesus was crucified and lost much blood. Not sure that he was dead, a soldier pierced his side and blood and water ran out. That is symptomatic of dehydration according to physicians. Jesus thirsted to death as he gave up living water on our behalf. Salvation is by the blood and water - his blood and the experience of the Holy Spirit who became Jesus's Holy Ghost when it was finished: "(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:39).

Symbolism of the Tree of Life (Larry R. Herrin; April 19, 2019)