The word “drove” means Adam and Eve were forced out. They did not leave paradise casually. They were driven out into the harsh reality of a fallen world.
God placed cherubims at the east of the garden and a flaming sword which turned every way. Cherubims are angels. The name carries the idea of watchers. Daniel 4:13 says, “behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven.”
Every time Adam and Eve passed near the garden, it would have reminded them of what was lost through one decision.
Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.”
This was the first Adam. But praise God, there is also the last Adam.
1 Corinthians 15:45 says, “The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
That does not teach universalism. The “all” is restrictive. All who are in Adam die. All who are in Christ are made alive. To be in Christ is to turn to Christ and Him alone for salvation.
Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
The flaming sword speaks of God’s wrath against sin. The tree of life was guarded. Man could not return to paradise by his own effort.
But God had a plan. He would send His Son to buy us back.
I was talking to a man who told me about his brother’s shop truck being stolen. In the back of that truck were three tires. Later on, they found the truck, but it had been ruined. Not only that, but the three tires that were in the back were gone. The interesting thing was, the brother still had the fourth tire back at the shop, because all four would not fit in the truck at the time. That turned out to be important.
A little later, they were looking around and discovered those same tires listed on Facebook Marketplace. The man knew they were his brother’s tires because they still had the shop stickers on them. There was no doubt about it - those tires belonged to him. He went to the seller and explained the situation, but the man selling them wanted money. He first asked for more, but eventually said he would take $300. Rather than cause a big scene, and wanting to get the tires back, he paid the $300 and bought back his own tires.
That is redemption.
We belonged to God. We were His creation, made in His image. But sin marred that relationship. So God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son. You cannot remove “gave” from love. Love is an action word.
Jesus came to buy us back. The Bible word is redeem. But He paid far more than $300. He gave Himself. We can now say, “Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.”
The word “drove” means Adam and Eve were forced out. They did not leave paradise casually. They were driven out into the harsh reality of a fallen world.
God placed cherubims at the east of the garden and a flaming sword which turned every way. Cherubims are angels. The name carries the idea of watchers. Daniel 4:13 says, “behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven.”
Every time Adam and Eve passed near the garden, it would have reminded them of what was lost through one decision.
Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.”
This was the first Adam. But praise God, there is also the last Adam.
1 Corinthians 15:45 says, “The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
That does not teach universalism. The “all” is restrictive. All who are in Adam die. All who are in Christ are made alive. To be in Christ is to turn to Christ and Him alone for salvation.
Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
The flaming sword speaks of God’s wrath against sin. The tree of life was guarded. Man could not return to paradise by his own effort.
But God had a plan. He would send His Son to buy us back.
I was talking to a man who told me about his brother’s shop truck being stolen. In the back of that truck were three tires. Later on, they found the truck, but it had been ruined. Not only that, but the three tires that were in the back were gone. The interesting thing was, the brother still had the fourth tire back at the shop, because all four would not fit in the truck at the time. That turned out to be important.
A little later, they were looking around and discovered those same tires listed on Facebook Marketplace. The man knew they were his brother’s tires because they still had the shop stickers on them. There was no doubt about it - those tires belonged to him. He went to the seller and explained the situation, but the man selling them wanted money. He first asked for more, but eventually said he would take $300. Rather than cause a big scene, and wanting to get the tires back, he paid the $300 and bought back his own tires.
That is redemption.
We belonged to God. We were His creation, made in His image. But sin marred that relationship. So God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son. You cannot remove “gave” from love. Love is an action word.
Jesus came to buy us back. The Bible word is redeem. But He paid far more than $300. He gave Himself. We can now say, “Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.”