Forward To Eden

[dave c]

HEALING SHELTER MINISTRIES #131aam Re-Written 01JUL09

Save Me Today—Part Sixty Five: Forward To Eden

by rev dave c

As we read through the Bible we see that God repeatedly provides symbols of our possessing the gift of volition; that is, the ability to choose between returning His love by our obedience to the written and living Word, or to separate ourselves from His presence by our disobedience. These symbols are manifested in the reality of, firstly, ‘the tree of the knowledge of good and evil’ in the center of the garden of Eden (Ge 2:17); secondly, in The Law as given to Moses (Ex 20:20); and finally, in the cross of Jesus Christ (Ga 3:13&14). Where Adam failed to submit to the Lord’s command regarding the forbidden fruit (sending all of humanity down the road of sin and death), and Israel repeatedly prostituted herself with foreign gods; Jesus, as the second man and last Adam, opened the door to reconciliation with God for all humanity through the propitiating sacrifice of His body and blood (1Co 15:22). Christ was the first to be bodily resurrected and He established the path of eternal righteousness through the seal and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for all those who believe and have faith in His promises.

Likewise, and running parallel to the necessity for us to choose either submission or rebellion, we find symbols of God’s presence and provision as rewards for obedient faith in the realities of the tree of life (Ge 2:9), the golden lampstand (Ex 25:31), and the body of Christ (Ro 7:4). As a friend once summarized, God the Father reveals His presence and nature in the Old Testament, God the Son reveals Himself in the Gospels, and God the Holy Spirit reveals Himself during this, the age of the Church. It is our triune God’s heart desire that we come to know Him intimately, not just as a God Who is disinterestedly far away. It is not by accident that we’ve found no surviving material evidences of Noah’s ark, the ark of the covenant, or the cross upon which Christ died. Far too much of the devotion of the Church is invested already in people, programs, and property instead of in the person of Jesus. Sure as the world (literally) we would be worshiping such wooden artifacts as sacred relics and praying to them in our need for blessings and miracles instead of praying to the one true God.

On the other hand, Scripture tells us that the tree of life still exists and will be available to the redeemed in the next life: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Re 2:7; NIV). The Book of the Revelation makes no mention of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because, not only will there be no more sin and death in New Jerusalem, there will be no further temptation to disobey God’s will. For me, this is unimaginable—glorious, but at this point in time, unimaginable.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him (Re 22:1&2; NIV). Perhaps the river of life is symbolic of God the Holy Spirit (Jn. 4:10-14) with the two trees of life representing God the Father and God the Son, Who are one (Jn 10:30). The twelve crops of fruit that yield it’s fruit every month would be, on the one side, the twelve tribes of Israel from the Old Testament, and, on the other, the twelve Apostles (Re 21:9-14). The leaves of the trees that bring the healing of the nations could represent the faithful of God throughout time, Jews first, then Gentiles (Ro 1:16/2:10)—those who withstood the temptations, the trials, and the tribulations of this life in order to gain the glory of God’s presence in the next (Is 61:3; Je 17:7&8; Ez 47:12; Rev 7:9&10).

Occasionally I hear statements, songs, or prayers asking, in effect, for God to take us back to Eden, or back to Paradise. We cannot go backwards to the Garden—we must go forward (Ph 3:10-16). The way to the tree of life is blocked by Cherubim and a flaming sword (Ge 3:24), but Jesus tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (NIV). The flaming sword that blocks the way to eternal life is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ep 6:17; NIV) and we know that the Word is the Second Person of the Godhead, Himself (Jn 1:1). The Truth that stands between the way and the life is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is the only way forward to Eden, the Garden Paradise of God, and the tree of life (Jn 14:6).

Please read with me Second Peter Chapter Three: 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation…(NIV). Yes, Lord, thank You. Please save us today. Amen.