I agree with John B.: there is no "imitation" to it, and no "mystical aspect" to becoming a different tree altogether upon rebirth (with a promise of physical change later). Perhaps that is where the rub is for you MM. The churlish replies to those who do not agree with your convey a contridiction in profession..at least they certainly come across as peckish, to put it politely.
Whether you wish to make the "tree of life" a rallying cry for yourself is up to you; but it is another example of a 'tempest in a teacup' and certainly bends your theology into a topiary creation.

I find no heavy importance of the "tree" in the earthly of heavenly Sanctuary....so I will let it rest in heaven till I get there.

Just exactly how unlike Jesus are we the moment we are born again of the Spirit? "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6. And, what did Paul and Ellen White mean when they wrote:

Romans
8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
8:10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.

3T 518
We are required to imitate His example. {3T 518.1}

5T 466
If you are Christians you will imitate His example. {5T 466.3}

EV 641
Jesus is a perfect pattern, and we must imitate His example. A Christian is the highest type of man, a representative of Christ. {Ev 641.2}

2T 628
We cannot equal the example, but we should copy it. {2T 628.1}

2T 549
He is a perfect and holy example, given for us to imitate. We cannot equal the pattern; but we shall not be approved of God if we do not copy it and, according to the ability which God has given, resemble it. {2T 549.1}

Obviously Paul says nothing about “imitating”

Imitate is by very nature an outward action. It means to copy someone’s actions. As salvation is a heart-spirit matter, here only genuine reality can exist. Nobody can imitate spirit, character, and heart.

Importantly, “Imitate” is not a scriptural thought. The word/thought is not used in the scripture.

Imitate, in Victorian terminolgy, was used to mean "follow the example" in actions and carries no suggestion that that is the fullness of our christian experience.

It is not like "imitation vanilla".
It is more like an apprentice imitates his master in the workshop.

EGW is showing the Role Model, as our acid test, not suggesting that rebirth is aping Him.

I am surprised that one who advocates perfection in the style that you do, MM, seems to not comprehend the need for a replacement of a sin diseased mind with His Mind.

This is way more than being a good boy or attempting to obey the Law on your own steam, convicted of It's worth or not!

I agree with Tom. I am surprised by the strong reaction against Sister White's insight regarding copying and imitating the perfect example of Jesus.

Tom, it appears that we got off topic. Did we adequately study the glory of God in the context of your header post?

1 Peter 2:21, 22
Christ [left] us an example, that ye should follow his steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

Sorry, MM but after the Tree sidetrack, and all of your questions being answered, you just never somehow got around to the original problem: Can you please address this simple, direct EGW quote about the glory of God, without just asking more questions?:

"This is not an act of arbitrary power on the part of God. The rejecters of His mercy reap that which they have sown. God is the fountain of life; and when one chooses the service of sin, he separates from God, and thus cuts himself off from life. He is "alienated from the life of God." Christ says, "All they that hate Me love death." Eph. 4:18; Prov. 8:36. (DA 764)

To help the topic along, I submit these clear statements:

"Had He appeared with the glory that was His with the Father before the world was, we could not have endured the light of His presence. That we might behold it and not be destroyed, the manifestation of His glory was shrouded. His divinity was veiled with humanity,--the invisible glory in the visible human form." {DA 23.1}

"But wherever men came before God while willfully cherishing evil, they were destroyed. At the second advent of Christ the wicked shall be consumed "with the Spirit of His mouth," and destroyed "with the brightness of His coming." 2 Thess. 2:8. The light of the glory of God, which imparts life to the righteous, will slay the wicked." {DA 107.4}

"In that thick darkness God's presence was hidden. He makes darkness His pavilion, and conceals His glory from human eyes. God and His holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son. Yet His presence was not revealed. Had His glory flashed forth from the cloud, every human beholder would have been destroyed. And in that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the Father's presence. He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him." {DA 753.4}

Hope this is brought to the heart by the Holy Spirit.