The garden of Eden: Gen 2:8
The Hebrew word גַּן gan refers to an enclosed garden.
The Hebrew word עֵדֶן ʿēḏen generally means
"delight," "pleasure," or "luxury."
The LXX uses παράδεισος paradise meaning a walled enclosure.
The Garden of Eden more than being a place of material
delight was where God and humans enjoyed a personal relationship. The material
splendour and duty of care of the garden supplied Adam and Eve’s every human
requirement. The personal relationship with God filled their spiritual need.
Because of sin Adam and Eve
were banished from paradise. Humans endured banishment until God sacrificed his
son to redeem all who believe in Jesus. To those he gave the promise of
everlasting life. Through faith believers are reconciled with God, they are
God’s children assured of eternal life. Jesus prayed that God would protect his
disciples from the evil one saying that they “do not belong to the world.”
Jesus continued saying “I
ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe
in me through their word.” Paul’s use of the Greek word πολίτευμα citizenship stresses that
the allegiance of believers is to the kingdom of heaven, not to an earthly
state.
The promise came through Abraham: Gen 12:1ff, 22:16ff
Now
the LORD said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your
father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a
great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will
be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses
you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be
blessed.' So Abram went, as the LORD had told him…
'By
myself I have sworn, says the LORD: Because you have done this, and have not
withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make
your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on
the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their
enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain
blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.'
Reconciliation came through Jesus: Rom 5:16ff
For
if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the
grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ,
abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one
man's sin. For the judgement following one trespass brought condemnation, but
the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because
of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more
surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of
righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus
Christ. Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all,
so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for
all. For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners,
so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
This world is not paradise, but the personal relationship with
God and the promise of eternal life is.
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