SABBATH Crisis in Eden

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METRO NEW YORK WORLD MINISTRY ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL CONTRIBUTING NOTES For the week of Jan 2 Jan 8, 2016 Lesson #2: Rebellion and Redemption SABBATH Crisis in Eden (Memory Text) Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15 actually began to be fulfilled when Cain killed Abel. Is there a woman in that story? Yes, it is Eve. And is there a serpent in the story of Cain and Abel? If you read Genesis 4 you really don't see a serpent but we have an interesting verse in the New Testament. (1 John 3:12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. It was Satan, the wicked one, who was behind Cain. In other words Cain is whose seed? He's the serpent s seed. The serpent kills Abel by using his seed - and his seed is Cain. Abel is the seed of the woman. Now someone might say that both Cain and Abel were born of the same woman, and this is true, but we're not talking about biological relationships. We're talking about character. Whose character was Cain's like? Was it like the Devil s or Jesus? It was like Satan s because he wanted to kill his brother. Whose character was Abel's like? It was like the Lord's character (or his mother's). Right from the beginning this shows it's not who you are born from that determines whose seed you are -but it's which character you have. We choose which seed we belong to. We cannot blame our upbringing or our lineage. So the story of Cain and Abel is the first illustration, in miniature, of Genesis 3:15. We have the following elements in the story of Cain and Abel: 1. the serpent 2. a woman 3. a faithful seed (Abel) 4. a wicked seed of the serpent (Cain) 5. enmity And these are all the same elements that we find in Genesis 3:15. We have the same thing in the story of Moses: 1. Jochebed is the woman 2. Moses is the seed 3. Pharaoh is the wicked seed Is there enmity? Absolutely, we know the story. We find this in the Old Testament in story after story. We have the same elements of Genesis 3:15. But these stories in the Old Testament are only preliminary illustrations of the great fulfillment of this story in Revelation 12. Metro New York World Ministry http://www.metromenspm.com/ Page 1

The seed In Galatians we find this same idea of the seed and the remnant of her seed. (Galatians 3:16) Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. How many seeds are we talking about? It s only one --- the seed is Christ. Does the seed also have seed? Is there such a thing as the seed's seed? (Galatians 3:28, 29) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Are we directly seed? No, we are indirectly seed and only if we accept Jesus. If we link up with Jesus then we are the seed's seed. In other words we are also seed. If this is the case, then who is the Devil angry with at the end of time? He's angry at the remnant of her seed or the remnant of Jesus. And of course the reason he's angry with them is because they keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12 amplifies all the aspects of Genesis 3:15 In Revelation 12 is there enmity of the serpent vs. the woman? (yes) Is there enmity of seed vs. seed? (yes) Is there enmity of serpent vs. seed? (yes) And that's the three parts of the chapter First you have enmity against the seed (vs. 1-5) Secondly - enmity against the woman (vs. 13-16) And third - Rev. 12:17 you have enmity against the seed's seed - the remnant of her seed. SUNDAY Three Blessings No lesson study. MONDAY The Test at the Tree A command was given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:15-17) And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Metro New York World Ministry http://www.metromenspm.com/ Page 2

All the principles of the Ten Commandments were contained in this one command of Genesis 2:15-17. Did she want to make herself God? She was seeking to become like God because the Devil lied to her and told her she would become like God if she ate the fruit (Gen. 3:5). Did she bow down to an idol? She idolized herself, she listened to the serpent instead of God, and she idolized the fruit in the fact that it would make her more powerful --- like God. When Eve ate from the tree - did she covet? Yes, she coveted the fruit on the tree she wasn t supposed to eat from. Did she steal? Yes, she took something that she was not supposed to. Did she dishonor her heavenly Father? We know she did by disobeying the command. Did she choose another lover (adultery) - spiritually speaking? Yes, this could be Satan or even she chose her appetite, or her desire for a greater knowledge of something she wasn t supposed to have. Did she bear false witness? Yes - she added things that God did not say when she was speaking to the serpent. She said that God had told them they couldn t eat it or even touch it. God never said anything about touching the fruit. Did Eve kill? Yes, she brought death into the world and this act of disobedience would put Jesus on the cross. Did she break the fourth commandment? She must have if we're going to believe James 2:10. The Sabbath is to distinguish between the creature and Creator. Eve crossed the line. The ending of the great controversy and the tree restored When man broke God s law at the beginning what happened? He was cast out of the garden. Angels were placed at the entrance to keep them out. This was to keep man from eating from the tree of life. And as a result what came? The curses came upon this planet and humanity death being the greatest curse. Notice how Revelation 22:14 undoes all of this. Blessed are they that do (or keeps) his commandment That they may be allowed where? may enter in through the gates into the city God s people will enter into the city through the twelve different gates. And who will allow them into the city? (Revelation 21:12) And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Metro New York World Ministry http://www.metromenspm.com/ Page 3

It is angels that will allow God s people into the city. And why are God s people going to be allowed into the city? Once they get into the city what are they going to be allowed to do? It says they will be allowed to eat again from the tree of life. (Revelation 22:14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. And as a result of doing God s commandments and being allowed into the city so they can eat of the tree of life, what is there not in the city? (Revelation 22:3) 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: And what happens with the greatest curse which is death? (Revelation 21:4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. The curses from Genesis 3 along with the greatest curse death are now gone. We have in Revelation 22:14 the undoing of what happened in the Garden of Eden. TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY The Fall: Parts One and Two Tuesday s lesson asks the question What tactic did Satan use in his attempt to deceive Eve? This is a very important question/subject to study. (The Great Controversy, p. 507) There is little enmity against Satan and his works, because there is so great ignorance concerning his power and malice, and the vast extent of his warfare against Christ and His church. Multitudes are deluded here. They do not know that their enemy is a mighty general who controls the minds of evil angels, and that with wellmatured plans and skillful movements he is warring against Christ to prevent the salvation of souls. Among professed Christians, and even among ministers of the gospel, there is heard scarcely a reference to Satan, except perhaps an incidental mention in the pulpit. They overlook the evidences of his continual activity and success; they neglect the many warnings of his subtlety; they seem to ignore his very existence. We need to pay more attention to Satan and how he works. I don t like quoting philosophers but one once said something to the effect of knowing your enemy is to defeat your enemy. While the battle is Christ s we can lay back in complete ignorance. We haven t been given much knowledge on Satan and how he works. (The Great Controversy, p. 528) The followers of Christ know little of the plots which Satan and his hosts are forming against them. But He who sitteth in the heavens will overrule all these devices for the accomplishment of His deep designs. Metro New York World Ministry http://www.metromenspm.com/ Page 4

But we have been given a glimpse in how Satan worked in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:4, 5) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know In other words the Devil is telling Eve that God knows something he doesn't want you to know. Let me ask you this - Did Lucifer want to know more than what he already knew? Did he want to go into the secret councils of heaven between Jesus and the Father? Did all of this attribute to his fall? It did. In PP it says the Father would not allow Lucifer into the councils of his will - the knowledge that only the Son could know. And Lucifer wanted that knowledge and information for himself. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 36) The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as God s special gift, and therefore, called forth no gratitude to his Creator. He gloried in his brightness and exaltation and aspired to be equal with God. He was beloved and reverenced by the heavenly host, angels delighted to execute his commands, and he was clothed with wisdom and glory above them all. Yet the Son of God was exalted above him, as one in power and authority with the Father. He shared the Father s counsels, while Lucifer did not thus enter into the purposes of God. Why, questioned this mighty angel, should Christ have the supremacy? Why is He honored above Lucifer? The Devil is using the same temptation for Eve. He says to her God is hiding key information that you need to know. 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, He's saying to Eve that you're blind and God wants to keep you this way. Satan in the form of a serpent is insinuating that God himself ate of the tree at one time and this is how he became God. The Devil is telling Eve that God doesn't want you to eat of this tree because He knows that if you do you'll become God too. God doesn't want any rivals and this is why he lies to everybody and says they'll die if you eat from that tree. He's keeping information from you --- this is what Satan is doing. 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as gods But now notice that she'll be like God in a certain way and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. What is it that distinguishes good and evil? How can we distinguish between what is good and what is evil what has God given us to do this? The Ten Commandments. What is the Devil really saying to Eve? He s saying you can know good and evil without God telling you what is good and what is evil. In other words you can be a law unto yourself. You will be smart enough to decide for yourself without God dictating to you what is good and what is evil. Is the Devil attacking God's Law right here in the Garden of Eden? He absolutely is. Metro New York World Ministry http://www.metromenspm.com/ Page 5

Do you see how unbelievably subtle and crafty Satan is? We are no match for him but yet we like to play around and place ourselves on his ground and think we can come out alright. (The Great Controversy, p. 601) We are living in the most solemn period of this world s history. The destiny of earth s teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls depend upon the course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire: Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon His word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance are taking place around us; we are on Satan s enchanted ground. Sleep not, sentinels of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey. (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 700) We must keep close to the Word of God. We need its warnings and encouragement, its threatenings and promises. We need the perfect example given only in the life and character of our Saviour. Angels of God will preserve His people while they walk in the path of duty; but there is no assurance of such protection for those who deliberately venture upon Satan s ground. Remember what Lucifer said in Heaven? He said "I will be like the Most High." (Isa. 14:14) And what does Satan say to Eve in the Garden? He says You will be like God. It's a carbon copy of what happened in heaven. Love is the fulfilling of the Law (Romans 13:8-10) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Now what law is he talking about?) 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. By attacking God s law in the Garden of Eden, what did Lucifer really attack? He attacked love by attacking the law. The Law is not a list of rules that God wants us to keep so he can keep us in check and if you keep them you're a slave and a legalist, and a slave under bondage. No because when you love God it will be a delight to keep the law. When you love your neighbor it will be a delight to keep law. Did the angels in heaven have freedom of choice? It s obvious they did because a third of them chose to follow Lucifer. Did God respect their freedom of choice, or did God restrict them from being able to choose evil? Did he warn them about the consequences of choosing evil? When Lucifer and the angels chose to go against God they only have themselves to blame? And this applies to us as well when we rebel. Metro New York World Ministry http://www.metromenspm.com/ Page 6

(Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 35) So long as all created beings acknowledged the allegiance of love, there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. It was the joy of the heavenly host to fulfill the purpose of their Creator. They delighted in reflecting His glory and showing forth His praise. And while love to God was supreme, love for one another was confiding and unselfish. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies. But a change came over this happy state. There was one who perverted the freedom that God had granted to His creatures... Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation. The Scripture says, "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." Ezekiel 28:17. "Thou hast said in thine heart,... I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.... I will be like the Most High." Isaiah 14:13, 14. Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position Don t we have this problem today even within the church? Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone. Now the perfect harmony of heaven was broken. Lucifer's disposition to serve himself instead of his Creator aroused a feeling of apprehension when observed by those who considered that the glory of God should be supreme. What did Jesus come for to this earth? He came to save us from ourselves. But for most Christians they think Jesus came to save us in our sins. Notice all the words Ellen White uses to describe Satan s work and purposes. (The Great Controversy, p. 497, 498) And to sustain his charge of God's injustice toward him, he resorted to misrepresentation of the words and acts of the Creator. It was his policy to perplex the angels with subtle arguments concerning the purposes of God. Everything that was simple he shrouded in mystery, and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the plainest statements of Jehovah. His high position, in such close connection with the divine administration, gave greater force to his representations, and many were induced to unite with him in rebellion against Heaven's authority... He had artfully presented his side of the question, employing sophistry and fraud to secure his objects. His power to deceive was very great, and by disguising himself in a cloak of falsehood he had gained an advantage... Now notice what she says concerning the angels of Heaven. They could not discern the terrible consequences that would result from setting aside the divine law. Satan had, at first, concealed his work under a specious profession of loyalty to God. He claimed to be seeking to promote the honor of God, the stability of His government, and the good of all the inhabitants of heaven. While instilling discontent into the minds of the angels under him, he had artfully made it appear that he was seeking to remove dissatisfaction... Metro New York World Ministry http://www.metromenspm.com/ Page 7

(p. 498) In His dealing with sin, God could employ only righteousness and truth. Satan could use what God could not-- flattery and deceit. He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrepresented His plan of government before the angels, claiming that God was not just in laying laws and rules upon the inhabitants of heaven; that in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of Himself. THURSDAY The Consequences In the solution to the Great Controversy between good and evil is God going to have to show that He is a God that gives and empties Himself, that humbles Himself to counteract the arguments of Satan? What is the greatest show (or display) that God gives that He's not a selfish God that demands the service of His creatures but that He's a giving God that cares for His people? It is the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate consequences of the sin of Adam and Eve it sent God to his death. The Spirit of Prophecy says that the whole universe was watching and they completely lost any sympathy that they might have had for Satan as they watched how Satan treated Jesus. They caught a view of who God really is!!! He's not a tyrant who demands service and obedience. They saw that God was a God who was willing to give and they saw that God was humble. In the great controversy God is going to have to answer these charges of Satan. The plan of Salvation Does the Devil tell God that He cannot save the sinner and punish sin at the same time? Yes, this is another one of Satan's accusations. When Adam and Eve sinned the Devil said to God "I've got you backed into a corner now and there s no way out." Satan said to God "You have said that if Adam and Eve ate of the tree that they would die. Now if you don't kill them then you're a liar." But then the Devil turns around and says If you do kill them then you're a murderer." I would not want to be in this position. This seems like a tough position to be in, doesn t it? In other words the Devil says if you don't execute the death penalty you're a liar because you said that if they ate from the tree they would die and the wages of sin is death. But if you punish man with death what God would punish his creatures with death? How in the world could a loving God do that???? So now there is apparently a conflict between the love and the justice of God. Who answers that charge? Jesus does by taking upon Himself all the sins of the world and they're punished in Him and in this way the justice of God is shown because sin is punished, and at the same time the love of God is shown because the sinner doesn't suffer the punishment God Himself does. What a plan! That's what the cross is all about! Metro New York World Ministry http://www.metromenspm.com/ Page 8