The way back into the Garden of Eden

[mevosper]

I'm puttin this out there to find out how it lands on others' ears. 

 

Can we get back to the Garden of Eden?

 

Adam and Eve were banned from the Garden of Eden by a flaming sword. 

 

The sword - God's word is often referred to as a sword. Christ is described as having a sword proceeding out of his mouth in Revelation.

The flame on the sword. God's judgement is often portrayed as fire.

Sodom and Gomorrah - fire from heaven.

In 2 Sam 6:7, the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah

Zeph 1:18 - the lord's jealousy is likened to fire

Isa 66:16 - For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

 

 

If the Garden of Eden is viewed as the eternity God has for us, the way back is through His fiery judgment. This is a gift which was only made possible through the sacrifice of Christ, and the grace of God.

 

Why do we have to go through the fire? Because this is what refines us, as fire refines silver, gold, and precious stones. It also burns away the waste of wood, hay, and stubble (the cares of this world, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life).  Those things in which God will not allow in His eternal Kingdom. Those things that we want to hold onto in our flesh. 

 

My apologies for not being very articulate. Just not an ability or a gift that I have been taught or given. 

[Guest Teditis]

While I agree with much of what you've written... I'm missing what the

Garden has to do with it?

I thought that the Garden was an actual place that was on this earth

and not just a metaphor for Eternity. So we might reach a place of

Immortality through Christ, but I'm not sure about the Garden being

salvaged from the wreckage of this planet.... idk.

[Alejandro84]

Yeah I agree with what you've wrote mev. I guess you're talking about the relationship that man had with God in the garden?

[mevosper]

My thinking is that this, the garden, is our eternal abode. When I think about this garden, it is much beyond tomato plants, squash and green beans. More of a perfect picture of nature and creation. 

[mevosper]

Yeah I agree with what you've wrote mev. I guess you're talking about the relationship that man had with God in the garden?

 

Absolutely

[Willa]

I don't think that will be Christ's mellinial kingdom on earth. But it might be akin to the New Jeruselem which will come down from heaven. We are not given a lot of information about it, and some of it may be metaphor because our minds may not be able to comprehend it. Streets of gold and the river of life flowing from its midst may not be apt discrptions of its glory.

So can we get back to it?. By being born again and following after the Holy Spirit we are being let toward His Presence. To me anywhere that we live in God's presence is paradice. But the fullness will come when we shed the limitations of our earthly bodies. To be absent for the body is to be present with the Lord.

[mevosper]

"To me anywhere that we live in God's presence is paradise."  

I see that. (Acts 16:25, Phil 4:6, 11-13). There are days, though, this is a burning hell. More inwardly because my flesh is defiant  (1 Cor 3:11-13, Jer 17:9, Gal 5:17). I am constantly pruned of selfish desires of my flesh.

 

 

"But the fullness will come when we shed the limitations of our earthly bodies. To be absent for the body is to be present with the Lord."

Amen. Preach it sister. (2 Cor 5:1-8, 10-11, Heb 9:27)

 

 

"So can we get back to it?"

We will get back to it, but only by allowing God to prune away, and burn those things in our lives that are temporal.   

 

"By being born again and following after the Holy Spirit we are being let toward His Presence."

Exactly. And growing in his grace. (John 1:12,13; John 3) 

[OneLight]

All through scripture we are told not to look back at what was, but look ahead at what will be.  Instead of striving for the Garden of Edan, I look forward to the New Jerusalem, new Heaven and new Earth.  I am sure what He has prepared for us id far better than whatever once was.

[mevosper]

It will be awesome to find the gates in New Jerusalem lead into the Garden of Eden 

[Sevenseas]

ummm...you may want to consider that the earth will be destroyed.

 

So, as OneLight said, we should look forward as the Bible states that no eye has seen and no ear has heard what God has prepared for those who love Him.

 

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

II Peter 3:10