This third passage in our Biblical family series reveals the fall of mankind. God did not hide the fact that Eve was deceived by the serpent -she sinned by directly disobeying God's command-, and then Adam followed by listening to his wife -He also sinned by disobeying God-. Eve's curiosity about the tree created a severe crisis between God and mankind. God's judgment delivered a curse that involved- the serpent -physically and spiritually-- the woman -physically and spiritually-- and Adam -physically and spiritually-. Finally, God provided the cure for man's sin through- Eve -children would be born-- clothing -the sacrifice of an animal-- and death -God would not allow mankind to live forever in their sin-

This passage describes critical details that occurred on the sixth day of creation, specifically involving the needs of Adam and the creation of Eve. God gave Adam both responsibilities and limitations as He placed him in the garden- his profession -cultivating and keeping the garden-- his provisions -eating freely from all trees but one-- and his prohibition -avoiding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil-. God acted in the best interests of Adam- He determined that it was not good for Adam to be alone before Adam realized the problem- He helped Adam to see that he was alone through a unique process- He performed supernatural surgery to provide Adam his partner- and He instructed the first man on his role as a husband in order to set up a permanent pattern.

This foundational passage contrasts the creation of animals with the creation of humans on the sixth day. Animals were created after their kinds -according to fixed boundaries in reproduction- and God's creation was good -excellent-beneficial-. They had been given a special, purposeful and limited role on planet earth. Humans were created in God's image -focuses on their position as His representatives-, according to His likeness -focuses on their partnership with God, having specific responsibilities-, They were given a special, purposeful and leadership role on planet earth, which cannot be -marred-, but is being disregarded. Regarding man's role of reproducing -being fruitful-multiplying-filling-, people are resisting God's commands by seeking to destroy the family -roles of father-mother, one or two children, abortion, infanticide, etc.-. Regarding man's role of ruling -subdue-rule over-, people are restricting these commands by requiring total submission to the earth -worship of Gaia, environmentalism, halted logging-use of oil-recreation, etc.-. Finally, the full out attack on God's creation of male and female -passive men, women's lib, homosexuality, lesbianism, transgender, etc.- is total rebellion against God's authority - it is futile and leads to death-

One of the seven angels -connected with the seven bowls of judgment- continues to talk with John. This final message began in 21-9, but now includes quotes from Jesus Christ Himself. The angel's words are faithful and true because they come from God the Son -3-14- 19-11- 21-5-. Three times in this two-part closing message Jesus declares that when He comes it will be swift-hasty and expeditious-efficient -22-7,12,20-. John once again falls at the feet of the angel -see 19-10- with the intent to worship him, but the angel commands John to worship God, not a fellow created servant. Contrary to the prophecy of Daniel -12-4,9- John is told to not seal up his words of prophecy, because the opportunity to apply his message is at hand for his readers. They were commanded to make up their minds - do they choose to live unjustly or righteously- Their choice will reap eternal blessing-reward, or it will reap eternal cursing-loss. Those who wash their robes -in Christ's blood- will have authority to eat from the tree of life and enter into the new Jerusalem, but those who reject His offer of salvation will never eat from the tree or enter the city.

One of the seven angels -connected with the seven bowls of judgment- continues to give John a -tour- of the city, the holy Jerusalem, which is the bride-wife of the Lamb. John sees the city as it descends from the sky, displaying the glory of God. His recounting of God's holy city, the wife of the Lamb, is in obvious contrast to the harlot, unholy Babylon -described in 17-1ff-. We see John explaining more details as he describes the city's river, tree of life, the elimination of the curse, God's throne, and the presence and glory of God. His bond-servants will serve Him, receive His mark of ownership on their foreheads and reign with Him forever and ever.

Once again John simply states, -I saw...I saw...And I heard...- He does not tell us when these visions take place, only that they do -the implication is that this change takes place at the coming of Christ-. The new heaven and the new earth are renovations of the old -destroyed in the day of the Lord- - God refreshes His original creation. The old heaven and earth do not disappear, but they are completely changed by God. Too many verses in the Bible clearly state that the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars and the heavens are eternal -Psalms 78-69- 89-36-37- 104-5- 148-3-6- Eccles. 1-4- Jer. 31-35-36- Daniel 12-3-. With the coming of Christ, God dwells among men - the presence of God is the highlight of this passage. Those who desire the water of life will overcome, inherit God's refreshed earth-sky and joyfully dwell with God Himself- but those who refuse God's offer will have great sorrow, continue practicing their sins and end up in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone - which is the second death.

After his vision of all believers in the first resurrection -on thrones, involved in judging - even the martyrs who come out of the Great Tribulation-, John now describes the judgment of unbelievers. These unbelievers are made up of all those who have died without faith in God-Christ, since the beginning of creation. This resurrection of judgment -John 5-25-29- will include both death -physical bodies- and Hades -immaterial souls-. These unbelievers will be judged and cast into the lake of fire forever and ever -Revelation 14-9-11- - which is the second death.

After his vision of the incarceration of Satan for a thousand years, John now describes his vision of believers who are on thrones, who are involved in judging - even including the martyrs who come out of the Great Tribulation. These believers are made up of all Old Testament saints, as well as the New Testament church, all the way up to the return of Christ. This raising up of all believers is called -the first resurrection-. These redeemed believers are both blessed and holy - they will have been delivered from the second death, serving as priests and reigning with Christ.

A new MP3 sermon from Cascade Bible Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details:

Title: The Apparatus

Speaker: Brian Lemos

Broadcaster: Cascade Bible Church

Event: Sunday Service

Date: 4/15/2018

Bible: 1 Peter 2:4-5

Length: 34 min.