Yes, I do, in fact, understand your point, for it is a valid one. However, as you noted, death is not from the beginning, yet I must ask: was it not death which gave birth to God's plan of redemption for mankind?
I would also be quick to add that the relationship with God which Adam enjoyed in the beginning, is yet to be realized "in its fulness," for such will not be accomplished until we are truly reconciled with Him in the kingdom of heaven. That can only happen after death, our last enemy, has been defeated. While the death of Christ Jesus at Calvary made it possible for mankind to overcome the eternal consequences of death, nevertheless we must still experience its immediate effect, that is to say, the experience of the death of our earthly fleshly bodies. It is an indisputable fact that Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was not intended to do that.
I guess it would depend on how one viewed the relationship Adam had with God in the beginning. In my opinion, that was how God intended it to be. We as man with free will introduced rebellion which resulted in death. The rest of the Bible works toward restoring what we originally had with Him in the garden. Thats my personal opinion though. The second communion with God in the holy city will definitely be grand, but what would have happened if Adam had never sinned?
__________________ To be able to unite in difference carries more weight than all the opinions the universe can hold
what would have happened if Adam had never sinned?
Now that is a million dollar question! And the only answer I am able to even venture to give is this......... it would be a whole lot different than anyone could have ever imagined!
I'm certainly thankful to God for making it possible for that relationship which He once enjoyed with Adam to be restored, and that He has given me the assurance that I shall have it (if I remain faithful to Him unto death, that is).
But doesn't God know the end from the beginning? Don't you think God KNEW when He created this world how it was going to turn out right down to the end? He is the Alpha and Omega! That's why I am persuaded that the only way you can sum up the Bible in one word is LOVE.
But doesn't God know the end from the beginning? Don't you think God KNEW when He created this world how it was going to turn out right down to the end? He is the Alpha and Omega! That's why I am persuaded that the only way you can sum up the Bible in one word is LOVE.
In Post #19 I expressed the turmoil which I experienced as I sought to determine the singular word which I thought best portrayed the "Major Theme" of the Bible, describing how I struggled between the choises of LOVE and DEATH, and why I elected the latter.
Now the fact that I chose DEATH does not imply, or even infer in any manner whatsoever, that it is either the correct or only answer, but simply the one I selected. Saying this, I can certainly appreciate why you have chosen LOVE instead.
Should you read my previous posts carefully I think you will also find I have stated that, in my opinion, God's love for mankind was the "motivating factor" which prompted Him to do all that He has sought to do on mankind's behalf.
Even more basic than death, perhaps, is the reason for all that death (the death that we deserve, and the death of God's Son)? The thing we hope to escape? The reason we need redemption in the first place? How about WRATH?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
But doesn't God know the end from the beginning? Don't you think God KNEW when He created this world how it was going to turn out right down to the end? He is the Alpha and Omega! That's why I am persuaded that the only way you can sum up the Bible in one word is LOVE.
thats really Good, I myself would label the Bible redemption, cause through out it God was and is working to save People
Love. Without it, you have no true redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness, mercy, repentance, reformation, revival, salvation, restoration or life. Without love, all you have are counterfeit examples of the real thing.
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love.
There is no other theme in the Bible, just supporting ideas and examples to illustrate and reinforce the power, magnitude, and importance of love.
Last edited by stephenroehm; 01-06-2011 at 09:02 AM.
To say the kingdom of God is not here today is to deney what Christ did on the cross in my opinion. Our relationship with God was never intended to be after we left this life but in this life.
The Gospel was not Acts 2:38, the gospel is "the good news that the kingdom of God has come". This is what we are told to go into the world to proclaim. Jesus came to restore the the relationship lost in the garden. To say different would defeat the purpose God created the world and mankind.
Again the bible is a guide book to lead us to relationship with God, rules and regulations will not do that. As Jesus told the religious rulers of his day that had tried to define salvation in thier rules and regulations, Jesus said "you search the scriptures thinking you have found salvation, but those scriptures only speak of me"
We too have done what the religious leader of Christ day have done. We have searched the scriptures finding this work and that work from the words of God thinking we please him in these things. When we miss the whole point, we are not bound by the law (rules and regulations) those things do not bring or insure salvation. Salvation is through faith in the love and work of Christ on the cross.
Because when we were still in sin God loved us and gave himself for us.
Now that is Love.
__________________
Study the word with and open heart For if you do, Truth Will Prevail
Now that is a million dollar question! And the only answer I am able to even venture to give is this......... it would be a whole lot different than anyone could have ever imagined!
I'm certainly thankful to God for making it possible for that relationship which He once enjoyed with Adam to be restored, and that He has given me the assurance that I shall have it (if I remain faithful to Him unto death, that is).
actually God has done half the work in remaining faithful as he put within you the desire to do His Will, so really half the work is down
__________________ To be able to unite in difference carries more weight than all the opinions the universe can hold
Now that is a million dollar question! And the only answer I am able to even venture to give is this......... it would be a whole lot different than anyone could have ever imagined!
I'm certainly thankful to God for making it possible for that relationship which He once enjoyed with Adam to be restored, and that He has given me the assurance that I shall have it (if I remain faithful to Him unto death, that is).
No the million dollar question is: did not God restore the relationship with man that was enjoyed in the garden, after the cross? We seem to forget that when we leave this world the type of relationship Adam and Eve had will be lost as we will no longer dwell in a temporal body. The only difference we have that Adam did not have is that we still retain the knowledge of good and evil.
I have found in him (God) an increasing joy in this life, because of who he is, that I can only imagine, what it will be like when I leave this world. But while I am in this world I intend to get all that God intends for me to recieve of his Love.
The joy of raising a family, the joy of finding out all I can of this world God created just for me. The joy of fellowship with other Christians, the joy of sharing family time with God in our midst. I could go on the list is never ending, so I feel sorry for those that sit and look and wait for his second comming missing out on the joy God has for us today.
Now that is Love.
__________________
Study the word with and open heart For if you do, Truth Will Prevail
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