Living the Christian Life Magazine
The woman was deceived but the man sinned willingly. (1 Tim. 2 14-15) Both lost their innocence, became sin and shame conscious and tried cover their guilt and nakedness by some form of human effort of works.
God’s Sabbath rest of creation was broken by sin, and yet He took the first steps in His work of redemption. To rescue fearful, ashamed alienated fallen man.
In the story of the lame man, the Lord Jesus presented proof of His Messiahship. That He Himself was the True Sabbath in which God rested.
Not only was God’s Sabbath rest broken. But also that perfect creation was now under the bondage of sin.
The whole creation groaned, and travaileth in pain together until now. Rom. Ch.8:18-23.
Genesis Ch.3 records for us two distinct activities. First it tells of the attempt of fallen man to make himself fit for the presence of God and secondly the activity of God’s work in redemption, of making man acceptable for His presence, so that He Himself could not find a flaw.
The Lord Jehovah provided a sacrifice by which the first man and woman were clothed with coats of skins.
This portrays that the work of redemption whereby God clothes the guilty sinner in the robes of His own righteousness.
It also in theses verses that we first promise of a Redeemer made, this predicted that He would be of the human race
It includes prophecies concerning Christ which were fulfilled in His birth and works at His first advent. But ultimately the prophecy will have its fulfilment in Revelation.
It was the God-man who had the credentials to open the Seals. The seven sealed book was the judgement upon this world system. The Book is the title deed to forfeited inheritance of the earth lost by Adam when he fell
Because the inheritance was lost by human design, therefore the title deeds had to be man to open it. Not by Adam’s descendent because they are all sinners. Only one could open the seals the God-man. He has prevailed (overcome)
The death of Christ is the basis of the redemption, not only of sinners, but also of creation and of the earth itself. (Rom Ch.8 v18-22)
3. God’s Eternal rest.
The tree of death appears at the opening of the Bible (Gen 2:17)
The tree of Calvary in the middle of the Bible (1Pet.2:24)
The tree of Life at the end of the Bible (Rev.2:7)
“The tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God”
The tree of life has many allusions in the Revelation to Genesis, In order to keep fallen man from eating of the tree of life, God drove them from Eden.
The tree of life appears three times in Revelation, where, the new paradise is described. It is through Christ’s death on the tree that mankind may have eternal life. He bore our sin in his own body on the tree.
In Hebrews Ch10:22-23 we are reminded - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for he is faithful that promised)
The tragic fall of Genesis three, has some lessons to be learned, that there is an adversary who is going about like a roaring lion. Ephesians Ch6 makes us aware that we do wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers, of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The act of obedience placed on Adam, could only be attained only by man being placed in moral conflict with the possibility of yielding to evil. Only in a conflict could he conquer; only so could he obtain the crown of the overcomer.
For Adam not eating the fruit would have been victory in the temptation. Each victory over temptation would have ripened and deepened his inner life.
More and more he would have recognised the good and seen through the evil, and would have grown out of the condition of childlike innocence into one of adult ripeness of victorious
On the other hand Satan, the adversary of God, would not allow the work of his enemy, this man created pure and good to go unattacked. Thus at the very beginning, there opened up a highly significant struggle.
And still today there is still this great conflict between Satan and the believer. That is why Paul reminds us to take on the whole armour of God, which ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Adam and Eve were banished from Paradise, but we have the immense privilege of entering into His very presence. Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)
The final history will return to the opening history, and at last, Paradise will be restored on a new earth and heavenly Paradise (Rev. 22:1-5)
God’s Covenanted Rest - Scripture reveals the revelation of God and His eternal purposes The whole of Scripture is a revelation of Jesus Christ
God’s Covenanted Rest Part two