I see the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and Eve/Adam interaction as a doorway to the physical plain.

Yes. Illusion. Duality as compared to the oneness of our real non-physical, monadic existence. Illusion of separateness.

God clearly stated, "If you eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, you will die." The Knowledge.

They did gain this knowledge and came to this earthly physical illusory existence. It was not God punishing them, because you don't ever really die, it was God giving them, and us, a duality/physical plain to play with. And to let us develop an understanding of our Greater Existence.

In my own personal view, we will remain here until we desire (de-sire = of the Father) that Unity with God, that Unity means no longer putting anything between us and our Source, our Divine Source.

You want to know if your mission on earth is finished? If you are still here, it is not yet finished. --- Richard Bach

EDITED: In light of @Wade Casaldi's spot on comment I would like to add

There was some consternation when it was shown that the Hebrew name for Serpent was the exact same numerological value, thus the same vibration as the Hebrew name for Messiah.

When I speak of numerological values, I mean the Gematria in which the Old Testament was written. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gematria

This numerological/vibrational match could be interpreted as the Serpent that brought us into manifestation has the same vibration as the Messiah who brings us back to God.

Parts of the same two Trees. Same coin, different sides. To me this is all in our choices. We each made the allegorical decision to come here and experience duality and play with the physical plain.

One day we will make the choice that being one with God, is where we really want to be.

We will stop asking Santa to bring us gifts and we will ride Home with him.