~ Paradise Lost > Search for Paradise > Paradise
Restored ~
There are a
number of fascinating parallels between the first three chapters of the Bible
(Genesis 1-3) and the last three chapters of the Bible (Revelation 20-22). In between we find 1,183 chapters which
record mankind’s struggles as well as instructions for the struggle. In this series each post looks at one of the
parallels—it is not an exhaustive
coverage of all the parallels.
The Beginning
~ God created man and woman and
placed them in the Garden of Eden—a true paradise. But they were tempted… they sinned… and that
paradise was lost. “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food,
that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she
took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he
ate. Then
the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and
they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings” (Genesis
3:6-7).
The Middle
~ Solomon,
reputed to be “the wisest man ever to live,” as well as one of the richest to
ever live, tried to find satisfaction in all that earth in its sinful condition
offers. He concludes as follows: “Moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he
still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in
order many proverbs. The Preacher sought
to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the
words of scholars are like well-driven
nails, given by one Shepherd. And
further, my son, be admonished by these.
Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the
flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His
commandments, for this is man's all.
For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret
thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14). Jesus Christ, the source of all wisdom, said: “For what will it
profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his
soul?” (Mark 8:36-37).
The End
~ There
is a time coming when all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal
Savior will enjoy an unending paradise.
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of
God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their
God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more
death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation
21:3-4). “And there
shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in
it, and His servants shall serve Him” (Revelation 22:3).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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