Sin destroys. “The wages of sin is death”(Romans 6:23). Indeed, “every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment”(Hebrews 2:2).
The punishment that justly fell upon Adam and Eve for their rebellion was death. “You are dust, and you will return to dust”(Genesis 3:19). God had warned them. “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die”(Genesis 2:17), so on the day of the first transgression, Adam and Eve began to die.
Sin destroys! It also divides!
Sin separates us from God. Isaiah wrote: “Your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not listen” (Isaiah 59:2). “Oh God,” Isaiah cried, “You have hidden Your face from us and made us melt because of our iniquity”(Isaiah 64:7).
“The LordGod sent (Adam and Eve) away from the garden of Eden … He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life”(Genesis 3:22–24). The man who had once been commissioned to “work… and watch over” Eden (Genesis 2:15), was now banned from the Garden.
Imagine the fierce angelic warrior that was station at the entrance to Eden, with his “flaming, whirling sword.” Did God station him there to keep Adam out? More likely, the armed guard was placed there to protect “theway to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24).
One day, the way to the tree of life will be reopened! John saw it, and a multitude of the redeemed will see it too. “The river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever”(Revelation 22:1–5).
“… think on these things”(Philippians 4:8, KJV). |
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