The Garden of Eden

In Bill Davis’ book “The Gates of Hell & The Prevailing Church” – you will find an amazing introduction to the Garden of Eden. I used this for part of a lesson I taught to reVerb at the binning of the year and I would like to relay some of this information to you.

The first man, Adam, had a great place in the Garden of Eden. Opportunity, beauty, and life. A God-given place. And that place could have been forever. Nevertheless, Adam and Even violated the rules! Maybe rules do matter. Maybe they are not there to be broken. And the first ground rules of the Garden are still in effect:

Genesis 3:1
1.    Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree in the garden.

He has thundered His word to all generations. And to every man, the issues are still the same. “Yea, hath God said…” The words were formed into a question by Satan to Adam and Eve. And by going down 2 verses we see something interesting.

Genesis 3:3
3.    Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it lest ye die.

Clear, direct, and to the point, and yet to these two people it was NOT quite clear enough to be honored. Hell’s Gates prevail against us when we stop listening to God. The first rule of Eden was clear: “Listen to God.” And this rule has not been revoked!

From Genesis to Revelation, the position is clear … “Ye hath God said…”

Revelation 2:7
7.    He that hath and ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

God planted a garden eastward in Eden. God created a perfect and beautiful environment for man. A garden of fruit, trees, and a river flowing out from the garden dividing into four rivers. A garden full of animals, birds, and life all around. And man was place there with full control and authority. And God was pleased for Adam and Eve to enjoy the world He created. He wanted them to enjoy a world dominated by His presence, sustained by His Word. A world full of His gifts and blessings. A world that He (God) was comfortable to dwell in. A world He and man could mutually enjoy and walk together in. A place well designed by a God if infinite wisdom and power and love. What a place for man!

In Eden, God came and walked in the cool or the breeze of the day. He came to talk, walk, and visit and to enjoy His creation. He desired to enjoy both man and His garden. But the gates of Hell were opened and an intruder eased into the garden. The dark shadow of Hell stretched across the world of Adam and Eve.

The big question is why? What caused the problem? Why or how were the first people so vulnerable? Such easy victims? Why did they allow the gates of Hell to prevail? Why does anyone all Hell’s gates to prevail? Why does anyone want the negative, the sad, and the miserable consequences of disobedience? “God said” – “Satan said.” Two voices, two forces were present, but the presence of Satan was not the major problem. The garden with the tree in the midst and the limits set on it were not the problem. The garden was not in jeopardy nor was it at fault. It was all about choices. It was ALWAYS about choices.

Isaiah 33:6
6.    And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation.

One may know what to do but lack the wisdom. Too choose is wisdom placed into action. Knowledge is what we know. Knowledge comes easy through study and teaching. But wisdom, well, that is different all by itself. True wisdom, heavenly wisdom comes from God.

James 1:5
5.    If any man of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

CONCLUSION: If there has ever been a time for us to reflect on the Garden of Eden and analyze today’s world, one must admit we need more wisdom. Wisdom to make the right choices, wisdom to choose the right paths, wisdom in raising children, wisdom in building a strong home, and wisdom with our relationship with Jesus Christ!