Page 116 - Bible Writers Theology Original

100 ♦ Bible Writers' Theology Chapter Five
against God failed. Satan was never aware of God's predestined plan of manifesting Himself in heavenly flesh to atone for the fallen nature of man through Calvary (I Corinthians 15:40-50). This plan ultimately allows man to reach again to the tree of life (Genesis 2:9; Revelation 22:14; Ezekiel 47:1-12).
Although God knew man would fail Him, He still in His mercy offered to man the opportunity of eternal life. Man being changed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ through regeneration now accomplishes this; w e will have the opportunity to enjoy the tree of life for eternity.
B Sin and the Fall of Man
The fall of man has been the foundation upon which God is working and dealing with man. Being formed in the image and likeness of God, man's will was only to serve and please God until he partook of the forbidden fruit. When man transgressed his will became carnal and sensual, influenced by the devil. Man's previous knowledge included only a submissive will that chosetoserveandliveindailycommunionwithGod. Adam'sknowledge was pure, innocent, and reflective of his holy nature. Man's will became sub jectedtotheinfluenceoftheflesh,thedevil,andtheSpiritofGod. Many men have chosen to live in rebellion to the laws of God and the final result is death (Genesis 3:6; Romans 5:12; I Timothy 2:14). If man instead chooses thefruitoftheTreeofLifeandtheSpiritofGod, theresultislove,joy,peace,
longsuffering, goodness, gentleness, meekness, faith and temperance (Galatians 5:22,23).
c The Results of the Fall
When God prohibited Adam from eating of the tree of the knowledge of goo andevil.Hesaid,"...inthedaythatthoueatestthereofthoushaltsure- ydie (Genesis2:17). AstheresultofhissinAdamdied,anddeathcame upon all Adam's descendants (Romans 5:12). This death, resulting from
Adam s disobedience, was threefold: physical, eternal, and spiritual. Physical death is aseparation of the Spirit (soul) from the body (Matt. 10:28).
Physicaldeathisthedirectresultofsin. Physicaldeathisaseparation of the spirit (soul) from the body. Matt. 10:98. The devil said they would not die, nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's trans
gression, who is the figure of him that was to come (Romans 5:14). Sickness, weakness, and separation of the spirit from the body are all results of the sin of disobedience (I Corinthians 15:50-56; Isaiah 38:17- 19; Numbers 16:29).
• Eternal and spiritual deaths have similar meanings. Both spiritual