Death for All Humans

Romans 8:20-22

20.  “For the creature was made subject to vanity not willingly, but by reason of him hath subjected the same, in hope” (KJV),

21.  “Because the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (KJV)

22.  “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travalleth in pain together until now” (KJV).

            The peaceful world of Adam and Eve was tarnished because of the original sin.  How we wish there were not any disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and blizzards.  How we long for days when we do not have to face bone chilling cold and searing heat.  If the original sin did not occur, we would be in Eden now without any type of wrong going on in this paradise. 

            Even though God appeared to be harsh to Adam and Eve, he was also merciful.  He could have killed them immediately.  He could have cursed the ground where no food grew at all.  Yet, he still provided food for them, even though Adam would need to work day in and day out to provide food for his family.

God’s mercy to Adam and Eve shows to us that God is a gentle and loving God.  He could have allowed both of them to eat from the Tree of Life.  However, by barring the way, he was protecting them.  Imagine having something on your conscience and it causes you emotional pain throughout your life.  If they ate from the Tree of Life they would live forever feeling guilty about the sin they committed.  It is true that they would live forever; however all their days would be full of despair.

            After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they did not die.  Does this make God a liar?  It certainly does not!  God did not tell Adam that he would die as soon as he ate the fruit.  The final curse God put on Adam and Eve was death.  They would not live forever; they would die after a specific time-God is the only one who knows the precise moment an individual is going to die.  Whether it is a plant, animal or human, everything that is alive will eventually die.  However, do not despair.  Everybody will have the opportunity to be with God in the new world.

            While Eve had listened to the serpent and took the fruit and ate it, Adam took the responsibility for sinning.  He was not angry with his wife; he loved her.  Even though they were cursed, Adam knew the world would become populated with their offspring.  There was hope that one day they would return to Eden.

1 Corithians 15:22 reads, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (KJV).  Since he was the father of the human race, when Adam sinned, we all fall victim to sin and death.  This is the consequence of sin.  While this seems devastating, God appointed his Son Jesus as the head of the Church.  According to 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are put away: behold, all things are become new” (KJV), we do not have have to suffer eternally because Jesus was obedient and we can live a life of righteousness because of his sacrifice on the cross.  When we have faith in Jesus Christ we are moved from the sin of Adam to the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:15 “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift.  For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (KJV).

Romans 5:17  “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (KJV).

Roams 5:21  “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (KJV).

            Some may wonder how any of God’s children can return to the Garden of Eden if it was wiped out during the flood of Noah’s time.  Take a look at the last book of the Bible.  Revelation 22:2 states “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was where the tree of life, which bare twelve manners of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month:  and the leaves if the tree were for the healing of the nations” (KJV).   God has already made plans for a new world.  He is the only one who knows when the precise time it will be created.

Hebrews 10:22  “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” (KJV).

God make me more aware of the temptations that are introduced to me.  They may be so small, that I may not recognize them for what they are.  I realize that Satan is a big deceiver and will not know when I am being tempted.  These temptations interfere with you and allow me to give them priority over your Word.  Make me more discerning and give me the grace and desire to live a life for you.  Amen!

References:

The Holy Bible King James Version