Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
Excerpts taken from The Gospel 33 AD by Paul Lehr.
At the core of the need for the gospel message is a simple legal argument and matter. God made this very clear from the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden. Listen and obey God’s directions. “Eat all you want except for one.” There are consequences. Some consequences are good and some are bad.
Genesis 2:16-17 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
As time progressed, Moses was given the Law for the nation of Israel on Mount Sinai. God communicated His Law to Moses approximately 3,600 years ago. These directions were given to Moses approximately 1,600 years before Christ. In total, there were 613 laws given. This number includes the Ten Commandments. Jews have even broken down the number of negative and positive commands. 365 are negative commands and 248 are positive commands. Read the first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) of the Bible for these laws or mitzvoth (Hebrew term).
As far as God is concerned, there is no separation of moral and legal code. Culturally and legally the United States is different. We have a separation of church and state. That is not the intended case with God and His nation Israel.
Well so what if we break God’s Law? What is the big deal? Sin is a big deal to God. It does not matter the offense. If you break the law, the punishment is death. It does not matter if one steals, lies, commits murder or adultery, covets, or whatever. There are no “shades of grey” when it comes to sin. There is not a sliding scale for sin. One sin is not more condemning than another. If you break one, you break them all. That is God’s standard.
James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death…
1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law…
~
The critic often says, “Well, the Ten Commandments are in the Old Testament and we live during the church age in the New Testament. Jesus took care of the Law.”
A message for the critic, the Mosaic Law is still present whether you believe it or not. The issue is whether or not you have Jesus to cover your mess. The Mosaic Law and the Ten Commandments have not gone away. Jesus Himself made this very clear.
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Chief Justice John Roberts has confirmed the leaked “Opinion of the Court” from Justice Samuel Alito is authentic. The majority first draft by Justice Alito sets the stage for each individual state to make a decision on abortion. Currently, the vote appears to be 5 (Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett) to 3 (Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan). Chief Justice John Roberts’ vote has yet to be determined as of the posting of this article.
A fence has been erected around the Supreme Court. Protests from both sides of the issue were taking place throughout the day at the Court.
“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” Justice Alito.
“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.” -Justice Alito
For those who want to read the complete “Opinion of the Court”, click on the link below.
See the YouTube link below for additional analysis.
This topic is an absolute lightning rod. This is an adult conversation. Passions are running hot. Please keep all comments to be thoughtful, respectful and considerate of others even if one disagrees with another. To brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, be mindful of Who we are representing. We are held to a higher standard.
For those who disagree, file your complaint with the good Lord. He can handle your opinion. You are free to launch your protest. He knows it before you utter your dissent. Keep in mind, His standards are fixed. He is not interested in redefining standards to meet your needs or moral platitudes.
~
What does God think about the act of taking a life inside the womb of a mother? In the 20th and 21st century, this act is called abortion.
In our modern day enlightened culture, we would like to think abortion is a new and progressive issue. It may surprise many that this practice of taking life from the womb, as well as life from the mother, was occurring approximately 2,750 years ago as documented by the prophet Amos and by an unknown author (Jewish tradition suspects the prophet Jeremiah) in 2 Kings. We can’t hide what God says. There is nothing new under the sun.
~
These are the words inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.
2 Kings 8:11-12 Elisha fixed his gaze steadily on him until Hazael became uncomfortable. Then the man of God began to weep. “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”
We will start with and focus on the Hebrew word for evil. It is ra’. The word means bad, adversity, or evil. The first time this word occurs is in the book of Genesis.
Genesis 2:9b The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The tree of knowledge of good and evil was the bearer of the forbidden fruit. In essence, God is explaining to humanity. If you want to know about evil, you will experience evil. God’s instructions to Adam were direct and to the point.
God’s way: to trust in God’s provision is everlasting life. And don’t forget, humanity was created eternal. Or humanity’s way: to know good and evil is death. And so it was, a simple choice.
Life or death?
Genesis 2:17 …but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
~
So going back to our verses from 2 Kings 8:11-12. There were four acts of evil Elisha told Hazael he would commit.
set fire to their fortresses
kill their young men with the sword
dash their little ones to pieces
rip open their pregnant women
Taking life from the womb of a pregnant woman is evil. Taking the life of the mother is evil. Dashing and cutting babies to pieces is evil. It is murderous.
Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder.
~
These are the words inspired by the Holy Spirit of God to the prophet Amos.
Amos 1:13 Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.
The Ammonites are clearly repeat offenders of taking the lives of pregnant women and taking life inside the womb.
Pasha or transgressions can also be translated as rebellious acts.
The transgressions or rebellious acts are defined by God: because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead.
God has consequences for Ammonites. And because of these events, God promises fire, a tempest wind storm (this could be translated as a whirlwind or tornado), and leadership into exile in Amos 1:14-15.
Scripture is clear. God does not approve of the act of taking life inside the womb of a mother. And God does not approve of taking the life of the mother. He is pro life.
~
As far as sin goes, there is no sliding scale of severity with God. Abortion is no worse of an iniquity than any other sin. It is humanity who has redefined, ordered and prioritized which sins are worse, not God.
Remember that death, disease, pains, suffering, hard labor and environmental changes came into being because a forbidden piece of fruit was eaten. God takes any sin seriously to the point of death. As God sees it, sin is sin.
James 2:10-11 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Let’s be real. We are all sinners with many different issues. The end result of sin is the same, death.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~
The topic of abortion has brought a tremendous amount of pain, suffering and regret to many including unborn victims, moms, dads, grandparents, families and friends. The topic Roe v Wade has been polarizing and divisive for close to 50 years in the United States. It is ripping and tearing the fabric of our society.
To the body of Christ, this is an encouragement for us to offer the grace of Jesus we have been afforded in spite of our sins. Believers in Jesus are accurately accused of pointing fingers in judgment and condescension to those who are suffering in matters regarding the issue of abortion (as well as many others). Please be considerate and sensitive to the hurts of others.
Grace, mercy, and forgiveness…
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What is sin? How do we know what sin is?
iStock
The New Testament word for sin is ἁμαρτία/hamartia. Here is how the word is defined: failure; missing the mark; guilt, sin, a fault, failure, sinful deed.
The first time the term “sin” is used in the Old Testament is Genesis 4:7.
Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.
The Hebrew word translated as sin is chatta’ah. Within in the context of the passage of Genesis 4:7, sin is simply not doing the right thing. One did not achieve the set standard.
A person can do their best with the best of intentions and fail to meet the standard. It is still a sin. Clearly, people can willingly choose to disobey God’s statute. This is a sin.
We stand before the dart board of life. The bullseye is the standard. The intent is a perfect shot. The stance is good. The technique has been mentally rehearsed. Confidence reigns supreme. The bullseye is coming. With all your heart, the dart flies. Woops… missed. We are all sinners.
Which leads to another question, how do we know what is the right thing? Who sets the standard for what is right and what is wrong?
Sin is rebellion against God’s righteous and just character. Sin has its roots in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 2:16-17 And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”
Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.
We are all sinners. How are we going to manage our sinful ways? What is our response going to be to sin? God knows we are all sinners.
Cain’s response to his sin was to murder his brother Abel. Adam and Eve tried to cover and hide from their sin in the Garden. Judas hung himself. At Golgatha, one thief next to Jesus lashed out at Christ.
David turned from adultery, lies, deception and murder and moved his heart towards God. Saul was killing Christians until he was blinded and became the Apostle Paul. Matthew was a corrupt tax collector swindling his fellow Jew. Matthew was upholding the “laws” until he answered the call of Jesus. At the The Skull, one thief on the cross revered God the Man and admitted his guilt and understood his consequence. And today, that thief is in Paradise.
Psalm 51:4-5 Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be justified in Your words and blameless in Your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Leviticus 25:23 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.
God transfers authority and possession according to His own choice. He owns everything. The point of the post is to see how God transfers authority in leadership over the earth.
Please do not make assumptions in doctrine regarding marriage based on these verses. Marriage is a discussion for another day…Hint, both parties submit to Christ (Ephesians 5).
Jeremiah 27:5 By My great strength and outstretched arm, I made the earth, and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.
In the beginning, God gave authority over the earth and everything in it to humanity. Notice authority was granted to both the man and woman equally. Authority was not given specifically to the man. See the two verses below in Genesis 1.
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
There are two verbs of interest in the verses above. They are “rule” and “subdue”.
The Hebrew word for “rule” is radah. It is used as a simple action verb and radah means: to have dominion, rule, or subjugate. The verb does not necessarily imply harshness or utilizing an iron fist. There are examples where God instructs the use of temperament and respect.
Leviticus 25:43 ‘You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.
~
The Hebrew word for “subdue” is kabash. It is used as a simple action verb and kabash means: to bring into bondage, enslave, make subservient; to subdue, force, violate; or dominate, tread down. In other words, use force if necessary. Kabash is used in the context of conquering the land in the book of Joshua and the military victories of King David.-Definitions per Strong’s Concordance
The leadership structure radically changed with the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Originally, God transferred authority of the earth to the man and woman equally, humanity. A consequence of the fall in Eden is God redefined the dynamic of the relationship between the man and the woman. The woman lost her position as co-ruler with the man.
Genesis 3:16b To the woman He said… “Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
~
Notice God’s comments to Noah after the flood in Genesis 9:7 “As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.”
There is no mention of “rule” and “subdue” anywhere in Genesis 9. Humanity’s authority over the earth is lost for now.
~
With the fall, humanity lost authority over the earth. As of now, look who is in charge.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Currently, God has transferred authority over the earth to Satan.
In the beginning, humanity’s co-rulers (Adam and Eve) failed to rule and subdue the earth. Leadership structure and order were radically changed.
In the end, humanity’s co-rulers (Jesus and His bride the church) will succeed, fulfill, and restore God’s promise in the Millennial Kingdom.
Revelation 20:6Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
2 Timothy 2:12If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us…
2 Chronicles 6:28 If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is…
Granted, this is Solomon’s dedication prayer in Jerusalem. The context is Israel. But, it sure sounds like today’s world in the 21st century.
As a result of COVID 19 coronavirus, countries in East Africa are running short of pesticides to combat locusts and grasshoppers. Deliveries are being affected due to the spread of the coronavirus. Borders are being closed. Distribution and supply chains are being affected.
Cyril Ferrand is leading the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Ferrand had the following comments regarding the locust swarms.
“If we fail in the current (regional) control operations, because of lack of pesticides, then we could see 4 million more people struggle to feed their families.”
“They are very active, very voracious, and very mobile.”
“…If we don’t have pesticides, our planes cannot fly and people cannot spray and if we are not able to control these swarms, we will have big damage to crops.”
God is absolutely sovereign and He is absolutely in control.
This is God’s creation. Look at the interconnectedness world events. One event affects another and there is a chain reaction. It is not hard to come to the conclusion that famine is next. Then people will fight over food. The end result, more death.
These awful events happen for one reason and one reason only… Sin
Genesis 2:17 “…but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Humanity has brought all of this upon itself. We have continued our slide to the point that we are the spoiled little brat who refuses to take responsibility for our actions.
But, there is hope. God the Father has given humanity an out.
Romans 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Genesis 3:6-7 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also 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 loin coverings.
Notice something? Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened at the same time even though Eve ate first.
The command to not eat wasn’t given to Eve. It was given to Adam before Eve was created.
Genesis 2:17-18 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
Photo: Pixabay.com
Eve didn’t disobey a command from God because God didn’t give the command to Eve. Neither was there a command “nor shall you touch it” from God.
Eve’s eyes were opened when Adam disobeyed. Until he ate she was justified by his obedience even though she had sinned.
The Second Adam, Jesus Christ, was obedient to God even until death on a cross. Therefore, His bride the Church is justified by His righteousness in obedience even though the bride has sinned.
It’s not about your unrighteousness because of disobedience, you’re doomed. It’s about His righteousness because of obedience. In Him, we have grace and mercy.
Her sin would be addressed same as the Church’s sin is addressed in Christ.
Sadly, mankind has blamed Eve all this time. The fall of Man was Adam’s fault.
Romans 5:12-21 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned, for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For 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. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Genesis 3:17b-19 …Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you will eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
In the Millennial Kingdom, the Genesis curse will be reversed. Adam’s choice to eat the forbidden fruit resulted in a curse to the ground. Because of this, we have weeds and thorns. Food does not grow as plentiful as intended. Acquisition of food is by hard, laborious work and effort. Sweat was not originally intended. Sweat is a consequence of the fall in Eden.
In Romans, the Apostle Paul confirms the earth is still under the curse even though Christ has died for sin. The fact we still have thorns and thistles on plant life confirms the ongoing curse. Check out a rose or a cactus. They are reminders of the fall of man. The land has yet to be freed from bondage. The redemptive and liberating event remains in the future as of 2016 AD.
Romans 8:19-22 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.
Here is a glimpse into the future. The Bible describes what agricultural production will be during the Millennial Kingdom under Jesus Christ.
Zechariah 8:12 For there will be peace for the seed: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce…
The Hebrew word for “peace” is Shalom. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment, welfare, health, prosperity; completeness (in number); safety, soundness (in body).
The seeds of plants and trees will no longer face a hostile soil or earth. They will grow in a safe and tranquil environment, free to grow to their potential.
Ezekiel 36:29b-30 …and I will call for the grain and multiply it, and I will not bring a famine on you. I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field, so that you will not receive again the disgrace of famine among the nations.
Joel 2:22b …for the open pastures are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig-tree and the vine yield their riches.
Joel 2:24 The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with the new wine and oil.
Isaiah 30:23b …and bread from the yield of the ground, and it will be rich and plenteous…
Say goodbye to commercials with starving children. Jesus will end hunger once and for all.
Leviticus 25:23 The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.
God transfers authority and possession according to His own choice. He owns everything. The point of the post is to see how God transfers authority in leadership over the earth. Please do not make assumptions in doctrine regarding marriage based on these verses. Marriage is a discussion for another day…Hint, both parties submit to Christ (Ephesians 5).
Jeremiah 27:5 By My great strength and outstretched arm, I made the earth, and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.
In the beginning, God gave authority over the earth and everything in it to humanity. Notice authority was granted to both the man and woman equally. Authority was not given specifically to the man. See the two verses below in Genesis 1.
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Genesis 1:28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
There are two verbs of interest in the verses above. They are “rule” and “subdue”.
The Hebrew word for “rule” is radah. It is used as a simple action verb and radah means: to have dominion, rule, or subjugate. The verb does not necessarily imply harshness or utilizing an iron fist. There are examples where God instructs the use of temperament and respect. Leviticus 25:43 ‘You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.
The Hebrew word for “subdue” is kabash. It is used as a simple action verb and kabash means: to bring into bondage, enslave, make subservient; to subdue, force, violate; or dominate, tread down. In other words, use force if necessary. Kabash is used in the context of conquering the land in the book of Joshua and the military victories of King David. –Definitions per Strong’s Concordance
The leadership structure radically changed with the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Originally God transferred authority of the earth to the man and woman equally, humanity. A consequence of the fall in Eden is God redefined the dynamic of the relationship between the man and the woman. The woman lost her position as co-ruler with the man.
Genesis 3:16b To the woman He said… “Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Notice God’s comments to Noah after the flood in Genesis 9:7 “As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it.”
There is no mention of “rule” and “subdue” anywhere in Genesis 9. Humanity’s authority over the earth is lost for now.
With the fall, humanity lost authority over the earth. As of now, look who is in charge… 1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. Currently, God has transferred authority over the earth to Satan.
In the beginning, humanity’s co-rulers (Adam and Eve) failed to rule and subdue the earth. Leadership structure and order were radically changed.
In the end, humanity’s co-rulers (Jesus and His bride the church) will succeed, fulfill, and restore God’s promise in the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:5-6, 2 Timothy 2:12).
Isaiah 11:6-8 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.
The earth in its current status (February 2014) is still cursed. The curse finds its origin in the sin of Adam.
Genesis 3:17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
God wasted no time with the curse on the ground. The environment changed quickly. Finding food was clearly becoming an issue relative to the perfectly created Earth. From Adam to Noah in nine generations, the cursed ground was taking its toll. Man was having to work harder in order to eat. Genesis 5:29 Now he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed.”
It is true, Noah (meaning rest or comfort) did provide humanity relief. If it were not for him building an ark, we would not be here. Conditions on Earth continued to become more difficult for growing food after the flood. Lot chose the lush and fertile Jordan valley near Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 13. This area is described as similar to the Garden of the Lord in Genesis 13:10 prior to its destruction.Today we know this area around the Dead Sea to be a barren, desert wasteland.
Romans 8:20-22 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. Today, the creation continues to groan. We are still dealing with the effect of Adam’s choice. Prophecy tells us the growing conditions will get worse before it gets better. For now, we hold to the words of the Apostle Peter. 2 Peter 3:13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
God Himself comments in Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. This concept is noted in the Old and New Testaments. Revelation 21:5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
Genesis 3:6-7 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also 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 loin coverings.
