Why Banned from Eden…

 

Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22–24)

Joking, I say that “normal” is only a setting on the dryer, but reading this changes my understanding. God put humanity in a perfect place with a joyful task to take care of it and total innocence of guilt. Normal is Eden. Not anymore, but one day normal will be heaven. What keeps anyone out of both is lack of faith and disobedience to God. This is why Adam was sent out of Eden, no longer tending a perfect garden but working in an imperfect world, still with beauty, but marred by sin. Why? What is the reason for this consequence? 

God put guards at the garden gate because He didn’t want humanity to live forever in a sinful condition by eating from the tree of life. Instead, He sent them into a ruined world where they would learn how much they needed to obey Him. It took a long time, a lot of impossible rules, and a great deal of humiliation. Learning the way back would require the work of angels and a flaming sword, but becoming the people of Eden involved more, such as forgiveness, redemption, and the reverse of the curse of sin and its power. Sin messed with loving God and gave us a stubborn, “I can do it myself” way of life. Dealing with it required sending His Son and putting Him to death in our place, death on a Cross.

I’ve been a Christian for nearly sixty years and still fight that “I can do it myself” thinking. Even though it messes up life by putting wedges in relationships, robbing me of joy, and other undesirable events, sin’s power is persistent. Knowing better is not enough. I need the grace and power of the Holy Spirit every moment. New habits. Total and persistent obedience. Constant reminders of what God says vs. what I want. 

I can blame ADHD for being easily distracted to this DIY attitude, but the real reason is sin. I can say my ‘good’ deeds are “working the ground” but if they are not for God's glory but for my own needs and satisfactions. The Bible is clear: “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

Faith in Jesus Christ reverses the curse. It makes us citizens of Eden and even though we are not back there yet, we get glimpses, a taste of it: 

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:22–26)

Salvation from sin through faith in Jesus Christ changes the curse to an incredible promise and a future reality, not yet seen but nevertheless very real. Oh Jesus, what is abnormal now will become normal, life eternal with You — being in that perfect place for eternity. You could have banned us forever, but in mercy and grace You have become our living hope.

Before sin and its consequences…

The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:20–25)

In high school English, my teacher stressed looking for connections when the word “therefore” as used. It usually means “for that reason or consequently.” A few weeks ago, I read that it is used hundreds of times in Scripture, therefore is worth looking at. 

In the above passage, the Word of God connects why and how God made woman, and what He intended as the consequence. In thinking about it, an internet image came to mind. It was a mare and her foal trotting together, in step, side by side, with the older horse guiding the younger one who came from her body. The harmony was lovely. She nurtured and guided the foal and the perfect youngster was growing and happy as they moved together. 

This is not a perfect example because most people have trouble imagining marriage could look like that. And we are not horses. The bigger problem? In Genesis 3, sin came in. The results are described in one verse that she will desire her husband, but he will rule over her. Later God explained the struggle they would have with sin:

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7)

Other translations clarify that sin is the desire to run our own lives our way and not God's way. That rules out being in step with our spouse and having the harmony described in the NT:

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:22–33)

Even Christian women think “submission” is a bad word that robs her of her personhood, yet being a “helper” to her spouse is honorable. The only other use of that term calls God our helper. Wives travel in high and honorable company! 

Not only that, after years of us each trying to do our own thing, hubby and I are moving closer to the “therefore” description — only because Jesus is at work and insists on no other attitude. The surprise is the joy and peace of harmony rather than each of us desiring to rule and have our own way.

Therefore, keep at it, Jesus. The more we love and obey You, the more we love and make sacrifices for each other. Your way is always better!

The End…

 

How appropriate to read of the end of evil and the promise of a new life on the last day of a year. While the events seen by John in Revelation may not happen in 2026, just thinking about it builds anticipation in my heart.

Evil’s ending includes the final judgment on a ‘woman’ who represents immoral living. She “glorified herself” but “her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her” and those who profited from her will fear and mourn yet the “saints and apostles and prophets” will rejoice. 

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:1–2)

After (?) this, more celebration, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”. . . . These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:6–9)

Then a white horse ridden by the righteous Judge called Faithful and True, clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and named the Word of God, with the armies of heaven, following him on white horses. He strikes down the nations and rules. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Even so, the beast and the kings of the earth gather to make war against Him. They are defeated and thrown alive into the lake of fire or slain by His sword.

An angel binds Satan for a thousand years, shutting and sealing the pit, then allowing his release for “a little while.” Those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1–6)

Satan is released “to deceive the nations. . . .  to gather them for battle” against the saints, “but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Then John saw a great white throne with the dead standing before it. God opened the book of life and these were judged and, “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” 

Finally John sees a new heaven and a new earth, the holy city. . . . coming down out of heaven. . . . and heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. . . . It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:5–8)

Then he describes the Bride of Christ as a city of jewels without need of light “for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb . . . . But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

He saw the river of the water of life, the tree of life, knowing Jesus’ servants will reign forever and ever. And He says: 

Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. . . . I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. . . .  Let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17)

PRAY: Jesus, on the eve of a new year, prepare me for twelve new months of both groaning and growing in grace, yet glorify Yourself in all that will happen.

A Call to Endure…

 

Some fictional stories jump from scene to scene with events that overlap in time and are confusing to the reader or viewer. I’m not sure this was happening in John’s visions of the end, but it seems like it. He just announced the victory of Jesus, then tells of the activity of Satan. What came when? I’m not going to speculate. I just know that these things will happen, such as:

The whole world will worship “the beast” which was given great power by “the dragon” who seems to be Satan. This beast “opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God. . . . was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them” and had authority over all who worshiped it.

If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10)

Another beast shows up, like the first, and performs great signs even to making an image of the first beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived, even giving breath to it and allowing it to mark those who would not bow to it so they could not buy or sell.

Then John saw Jesus with the 144,000 who had His name written on their foreheads and he heard a new song. Another angel arrived proclaiming the gospel to all the people and the judgment to come. A second followed announcing the fall of Babylon, and a third saying those who worship the beast and its image will be tormented forever. 

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:12–13)

One like Jesus came to reap the earth, and throw those under His wrath into God’s winepress and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle. Then John saw seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. And a “sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name who were singing. . . .  Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!” (Revelation 15:2–3)

Seven angels with seven plagues appeared and were told: “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, followed by horrid images of the results, and then each of the seven doing the same and destroying everyone and all things. Still people cursed the name of God and did not repent or give Him glory. Demonic spirits  assemble leaders for battle and the seventh angel poured out his bowl as a voice said, “It is done!” 

Everything fell, cities, mountains, islands, hailstones — yet people still cursed God. Angels showed John the judgment of a sinful “prostitute” who was “drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” The angel told him what would happen to her and the beast and all that these evil entities represented. Eventually:

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:6–14)

PRAY: As I read this, Jesus, the details do not matter. You will conquer all evil for You are Lord of all. If I watch these events as a suffering martyr — no matter.  I am called and chosen, a redeemed and transformed sinner yet faithful because of all that You have done in my life. Holy God, I worship You!

Beginning of the End

 

There are many interpretations of Revelation and much disagreement. I have a commentary that looks at this last NT book through OT thinking. It helps with the symbolism. Also, someone recently pointed out that what John saw could be tanks, helicopters and other items that were not in existence at that time so he described them the best he could. 

However, God always reveals what His people need to know; therefore, I can trust Him to do that. He also says I will be blessed as I read this NT book. Today, it is chapters 7 to 12.

John saw 144,000, sealed from every tribe of Israel and then: 

A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 

One of the elders said: “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” My commentary says these were the martyrs of John’s time, but the text does not confirm this, only that they worshiped Jesus Christ.

Then an angel offered incense and prayers of all those before God’s throne and this rose before God. Then seven angels with seven trumpets begin to cry out. The first four told of woes that would destroy one-third of almost everything. Another angel cried, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” (Revelation 8:13)

The first of these last three woes is described with detail:

Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them. (Revelation 9:3–6)

The next woe was the release of four angels to kill one-third of humanity, but even those who were not killed “did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood. . . . nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” (Revelation 9:20–21) Such a horror!

Then, as John was about to write what he was seeing, he was told, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” 

There is more. Two witnesses show up “who will prophesy for 1,260 days” then be killed by “the beast that rises from the bottomless pit” and those still alive will, “make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.” 

Then an earthquake and more deaths, and the third woe soon to come, without any description, except the the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying: 

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

More severe cosmic events and a war in heaven follow as the angels fight the “dragon” and defeat him. Then Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, is thrown down with his angels. Then John hears this: 

Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:7–11)

PRAY: Oh Lord, after this, another war ensues, but its meaning and symbolism are not clear to me. What is clear is that those enemies — the world, the flesh, and the devil — are defeated and You win and all who trust You are conquerors also.

God reveals the things we need to know…

 

We woke this morning to a cold house. Our furnace quit during the night. It is -21o Celsius outside with a windchill and was colder than that all day yesterday. I’m thankful for wool sweaters and the promise of a repair person to come soon. 

I’m also thankful for a big-picture God. He gives me this to think about right now:

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:1–3)

Most people are fearful of this last book of the Bible. It begins with this promise though, so I will look for that blessing and even read it aloud. Here is more good news:

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:4–8)

Before writing anything, John heard a voice and saw Jesus:

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:17–20)

It gave me joy to realize that Jesus explained to John what he was seeing. This Jesus whom I trust does not always explain the things that I see or that happen to me, but what I need to know, He is willing to make known to me. 

For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. (1 Chronicles 17:19)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Some things that Jesus explains in today’s reading include a warning not to abandon the love I have for Him, but continue to love Him and show it in the way I live.

I’m also not to fear suffering, even being persecuted to death. I’m not to deny faith in Christ or fall into legalism or false teaching, but remain faithful to what I know and hold fast to Him, listening to His words and waiting for Him and whatever He invites me to do. 

John saw a scroll and many angels declaring only Jesus is worthy to open it because of His death and resurrection. He also heard all creatures worship Him. 

Next, Jesus releases riders on horses to conquer, to take peace from the world, to control food supplies, and to slay one fourth of the earth. He also revealed those slain for their faith, saying more would join them. A great earthquake follows with destruction and all crying that the wrath of God had come. 

PRAY: Jesus, the descriptions in this last part are not pretty, but my desire for justice feels an odd anticipation. You will deal with all sin and evil in those who call on rocks and mountains to hide them from You. No hiding. No one will stand unless they stand with faith in You. I feel sorrow for them, yet am at peace that Your holy plans will happen. 

I’m also thankful for the small stuff — a quick cleanup of a frozen vent and our heat came back on. I’m so thankful that Your will for our good also never changes.

All is calm…

Christmas has traditions for most families. We do the usual stockings stuffed with small surprises, gifts under a decorated tree, turkey and all that goes with it, and much joy that Jesus came. But one traditions is odd. Our daughter lives more than 3000 km from here but we and her brother get on the phone and play Boggle, amid a lot of laughter and threats of cheating. This year, our granddaughter got a day pass and spent twelve hours with us on boxing day. Part of that was helping her granddad begin a 3600 piece Lego castle. In all this, the joy of Jesus kept my heart lifted in the energy of His grace. 

Today I read and identified with these words: “I rejoiced greatly to find some of our children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father” (2 John 4) and “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

I tend to focus more on bad news than good news, so this passage also popped out:

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. (Jude 17–23)

The last few lines give me a sense of what God wants from me, but the Lord would not let me linger there. He gave me this to keep the joy flowing:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24–25)

And then this as if Jude needed an exclamation mark:

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30)

PRAY: Jesus, you have become wisdom from God for me. This is why I must boast only in you and not in myself or my so-called wisdom. Please reveal more and more of your glory and grace to my heart. I want to bow before You quicker, lower, and with more joy than ever before. You are my majestic and merciful King. Open the eyes of my heart a bit wider to behold the great hope to which you’ve called me in the gospel. Deepen my adoration of you, Jesus, and loosen my grip on my so-called treasures. What do I have that you have not given me? 

I praise You for coming into a world where everything is broken, but You came to make all things new, even me. I look forward to the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. It’s going to be a loud and large day. This Christmas I’m thankful I could say, “Be still, my soul” . . . and experience Your calm glory and quiet mercy, and worship You with quiet certainty that Your will is being done. This I pray in Your wise and worthy name. Amen.