From the Beginning: The Methodology of God

By Duane Andry

We must not submit our self to the angst that produces discord. The understanding of truth and peace is possible. Achieving that understanding was not so much of a problem for us when we were children; and, we can return to that state, again. What; you thought your childhood would go away, and the peace thereof would end? Not in the kingdom of God and of His Son. This, we will discover, from the beginning, moving toward the end (for, as of this writing, we have not reached that point, yet).

This is our search: to understand and appreciate the products of God, on behalf of mankind, and beyond. To do this, we will start, From the Beginning.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 8, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463401733

Duane Andry

Let's see, I guess I have to include the obligatory mention of my name, so here it is: my name is Duane Andry. Hi! Okay, there is a missing piece; actually my full given name is Duane Alexander Andry. Other missing pieces that may, or may not, be of interest are my education and the life's journey I took to reach this point. Neither of those will be mentioned here because they are a book unto themselves (or more). The thing that is included is my reason for presenting this and other works to you. The easiest way for me to tell you that is to borrow from Scripture, as recorded in the Bible, King James Version, for the central part of my biography. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:16-18 Lest you think that it is contradictory to set a price on the book, let me prevent that thought from taking root. This book is not forced on anyone, by either shrewd marketing, or by personal public pronouncement. Rather, the acceptance of this book, at the price that is requested from the various distributors, is dependent on you sharing your assets with me, as in the fashion of the following Scripture. Thank you. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Philippians 4:15-16 As a part of my biography, I have been infused with the challenge to incorporate other souls in the mission of true Christianity, as a sub-operation of service to the Living God. Yes, this is the same Living God that is described in the pages of the Bible, both Testaments. Yes, these Testaments have some things that are contradictory to the curious mind. No, the Testaments are not contradictory to themselves; but rather, they are progressive in the channeling of me, and the rest of mankind, to a greater understanding of why we evolved from God. My calling is to open the doors to this understanding, so that you will not fall into the negative category that the apostle Peter described in the following statement. Instead, it is my prayer that you both demonstrate and accentuate the positive portion. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:14-16 Since my actions are my biography, it is my pleasure to ask you to become a part of my biography, as we both go forward, in the LORD God. Let us learn from the things of the past, to enhance the future, as we press to live according to the mission of the apostle Paul, as he pressed to live according to the calling of the one who is referred to as the Son of God and as the Christ. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians 3:13-15

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Contents

Preface

Introduction

The Word from the Bible

Chapter One

The Trees in the Garden

Chapter 1a

In the Image of God

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Two

The Being Called Mankind

Chapter 2a

More than the Appearance

Chapter 2b

Did God Leave the Garden?

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Three

Birth Pains

(Noah)

Chapter 3a

Did God Abandon the sons of God?

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Four

Infancy

(Abraham / Isaac / Jacob)

Chapter 4a

Why the Blood Sacrifices

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Five

Antibiotics

(Moses)

Chapter 5a

Israel and the Blood of Humankind

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Six

A Child is Born

Chapter 6a

The Arrogance of Science

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Seven

The Great School Master:

Christ

Chapter 7a

The Child Jesus

Living a Normal Life

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Eight

Adopted Sibling

Chapter 8a

The Man Jesus

Perfecting Christ

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Nine

Contamination

The Falling Away

Chapter 9a

The Fear of Then

(The freedom of now)

The Word from the Bible

Chapter Ten

Cleansing

The second coming

Chapter 10a

The Noisy Thief

The Word from the Bible

Chapter 11

Adulthood

(The thousand year reign)

Chapter 11a

The Purging Fire

The Word from the Bible

Chapter 12

Purification:

Life Goes On Eternity

Chapter 12a

The Demographics of the Kingdom

(Earth inhabitants and activities

Imaging

Heavenly activities)

In My Conclusion

(Almost)

Preface

There came a man Jesus. He was conceived by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost; and born of a virgin named Mary, who, along with Joseph her husband, is of the seed of David the king.

This same man Jesus was sanctified by God with the filling of the Holy Ghost, which remained within him. At this time he was announced to those with him, and thus to the world, as the beloved Son of God. Moreover, we were directed, by the voice of God, to hear ye him. This is the one who is the Son of man and who is also the Son of God.

This same man Jesus, after the anointing of the Holy Ghost, continued his ministry on the earth with mighty signs and wonders. Because of these signs, he engendered the displeasure of the religious/political powers of his day. They, thinking to rid the world of this nuisance, crucified and killed this body on the cross. And by doing so, they brought into effect God’s will for the salvation of mankind and for the return of all His children to Him. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is the last sacrifice sanctioned by God to carry away the sins of the world through his blood. It is finished.

This same man Jesus is spoken of throughout the pages of the Bible, the Holy Word of God. And this Bible was transcribed by holy men moved by the Spirit of God. It is in the light of this Bible that I present this message; for the remission of sin and the salvation of mankind.

Introduction

Genesis 1:24-31

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Genesis 2:7-9

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

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Our world had a start; it is not eternal: our world is not from everlasting. Our scientists tell us that the earth had a start; they know it is not eternal. Our journey has a beginning, and it is from the beginning that we will start. This study is an attempt to both understand and validate our present times, by progressing through our course from the start.

There may be some who say that some thing or person could have been more than it is if history had been different. This has always been a somewhat futile statement. You could not now be more than what you are now; because you are what you are now: the opportunity has passed. A more positive statement is that the world, or a person, can be more than they are; forward from where you are now. Could have been is not possible; can be is sure.

We want to explore the two pieces−are and can be−by illuminating that which made what is. By adding light to this, it is our hope to focus your attention on the spots where we have been, in order to show the strengths that we now have. Some of these strengths may look like weaknesses; but they are not. Besides, weaknesses are just strengths improperly framed.

An example of the fluidity of weakness in my own life is my weak mechanical abilities. I do not know how to build a house or fix a car. However, I have planned the rebuilding of a house and successfully diagnosed car trouble. My weakness revealed to me my strength of delegation. Because I do not know how to build a house or fix a car, I trust it to others. Furthermore, knowing my weaknesses, I do not try to tell those who have that strength how to do their jobs. It is clearly understood, however, that their workmanship will be judged by the reasonable and sustained performance of the product that is the result of their efforts.

The concept of delegation is easy to accept in things of a mechanical nature. It becomes much more difficult to accept in matters of morals, ethics and religion. When it comes to the God of the universe, we are constantly restricting the delegated authority we will give Him. The range lies from almost none to almost all. We say, almost none, because even the most distant of us will find an occasional God help me/us/them slipping through our lips or crossing our mind. It is limited to almost all because even the most devout of us will find the I will/you should preceding our reference to God. This is as it should be.

There is none so corrupt as to live a life of total disavowal of God. Furthermore, there is a very limited supply of those, among the human race, who are perfectly in tune with God. There are, fortunately, at least three perfect human who the Bible specifically states were of that nature. God has revealed their lives to us as examples of what man can be, if he will cling to God. This list does not include Adam, who was created perfect (and then had a mishap). Nor does the list include the one who is perfect but was only incidentally human, Jesus of Nazareth−we will fully reveal him later. These are the three:

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

(Genesis 6:9)

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

(Genesis 17:1)

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

(Job 1:1)

But, you ask, what is my limitation in seeing and managing my own life? Why do I need examples? Why does anyone need examples? Why do we need any perfect people?

If it were only your life involved in all reality, you would not need to even ask these questions. If it were only your life involved in all reality, then there would be no need for anything other than your life. However, there is no singular your life; even Adam, when complete, no longer had this luxury. Each life touches other lives, and is touched by other lives. It is these points of contact that we must delegate to someone or something.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

(Matthew 22:36-40)

There is only one true way to express this love for God and for one another. Since God is perfect, the love that we express to Him and to our fellow man must also be perfect.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

(1 John 4:16-21)

We will either delegate this to someone, or we will defer to something for the rules of engagement with others. Are you really comfortable with that someone being man; or that something being government? The better choices for that someone and that something are described in Scripture in their perfect state: God and His will.

We all see things in time−flowing from event to event. God sees things in total. All that we say was, is, or will be, IS to God. This is brought to light by the Bible.

And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

(Exodus 3:11-14)

I AM is applicable then; I AM is applicable before then; I AM is applicable after then.

A Prayer of Moses the man of God.

LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

(Psalm 90:1-2)

Think of existence as a map. On this map is the entire universe as we know it. We are a point assigned on this map. We can move from our point to other points; and in doing so, we will gather what we call memories. However, we will not move through all points; we cannot. On this map there are points called past, and points called future, as well as the one we see, called present. God sees the entire map. Indeed, God made the map.

The points on the map of existence are fixed. Those that are called past, we know we cannot change. Those called present, we think that we are making. Those which will be present, but which are now future, we feel that we will get to make. However, this is a point-limited view of reality. God is not limited in this fashion. God sees the entire unchanging map. All that is, was, and will be, IS to God−and it all exists by His design. For us the map is a work-in-progress: for God it is a done-deal. We cannot change what God has made.

We cannot change what God has made: this can be an unsettling thought. We can feel trapped when we are on a course that we cannot control. But ask yourself, Would you really want to control your point and all that will ever touch it; even those points of which you are not aware? Could you ever do so? Can you control this real-life state of your point, in concert with all other points?

This can be a marvelous thought as well: to know that we cannot be blamed for unintended and unknown consequences of our actions; this can provide peace. The peace is enhanced when we know that we have a Faithful Artisan to whom we can turn when we reach the limits of our capabilities. This Artisan is God.

We stated that the wisdom of our delegation and deferrals is seen in the products of those to whom we turn. This is what we can also say of God. God’s work speaks to us, to show forth His great artistry. We are His creation, and, generally speaking, we are marvelous−aren’t we?

When we finally come to a realization of the God of the Universe and of His working in the world, there is an extreme amount of peace; potentially speaking. No, everything does not fall into place immediately. The world does not become a constant sunshiny day. What does happen is that we know that there is a purpose for our existence. Then, life is not a matter of making things happen, but of finding out what will happen.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

(Romans 1:20-21)

It is kind of like that childhood recreational tool known as a coloring book. In the coloring books of my youth, there were some pages that allowed me to connect the dots. By connecting the dots, I was able to make a complete picture; which could then be filled in with color. This is what life in God really becomes: we are connecting the dots of the outline that God has already provided.

And He provides the page.

And He provides the writing instrument.

And He provides the colors.

And He provides the proper stroke to fill in the picture.

And He provides the; I guess you’d call it, everything.

All we have to do is be available to receive. And you thought your childhood would go away, and the peace thereof would end? That does not befall us in the Kingdom of God and of His Son. This, we will discover from the beginning toward the end (for as of this writing we have not reached that point, yet).

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 18:1-4)

This is our search: to understand and appreciate the products of God, on behalf of mankind and beyond. To do this we will start From the Beginning.

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Such a big God,

With such a small plan;

Which includes all that is

The kingdom of man.

Things in the earth

And in the sky above

Are all resplendent images

Of God’s great love.

Pieces prepared in nature,

Each with its place;

Supporting what is called,

The human race:

Fashioned in God’s image,

According to His word;

Which the entire universe,

In the beginning, heard.

The earth and the sky,

The fish in the sea;

All placed to support

What was to be.

A great Creation

By the Living LORD,

Especially crafted

And deeply adored:

Made with perfection,

To prepare its case;

That chose to drift,

Its peace to erase.

Knowing good and evil

When still a child,

Mankind throws fits

And acts quite wild.

But God in His glory

Can never err;

Perfect once,

We will return there.

Through yielding to God

And clinging to His hand,

Mankind will once again

See the Promised Land.

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The Word from the Bible

Genesis 3:13-22

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done?

And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 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.

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

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Chapter One

The Trees in the Garden

You have probably heard it said that God has a plan for your life. Though well-meaning people say this, it is not totally true. God does not have a plan for your life; He has the plan for your life. Why is this distinction important? To answer this we will give a non-religious example; or, so it may seem.

Say that you have designed the perfect house; truly the perfect house. This is not just a perfect house, but it is the perfect house. For the perfect house, you have established the dimensions of the stairs. Do you have one set of dimensions per staircase, or do you have multiple set of dimensions? If it is truly the perfect house, you have only one set of dimensions. The same will be true for every component, even down to the type and size of nails.

Of course, in everyday life, we have alternatives; because we can never design the perfect house. At best, it will only be perfect for a particular purpose, or within particular areas; that is, if it is perfect at all. God, however, is not so limited; He can and He has designed the perfect house.

The universe is one of God’s perfect houses. The universe was created, and it exists, according to a perfect plan. This does not mean that each point in the plan is itself perfect, yet; but each point is perfect for the plan. The Bible is full of stories of non-perfect points in the plan; points that are perfectly positioned to support the perfect plan. Names such as Moses, Pharaoh, David, Solomon, Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus come to mind. We will introduce you to these points on the plan as we continue our journey.

We want to take this journey along God’s perfect plan, as it has been revealed to this date. We will highlight certain points in the plan, to give greater understanding of God; THAT sent forth the plan. We start with the point called Adam.

There is some feeling that Adam was a very bad man—he was not. In fact, Adam was created by God, and is a perfect creation of God. What Adam becomes later does not negate what he was before. God’s creations are at the start perfect (so much for my hiding my lack of belief in original sin; forgive me for including this at this point :) ).

But though perfect at the start, Adam did cloud this perfection by his action of sinful disobedience.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

(Genesis 3:6-7)

There is a strong delusion being circulated about Adam’s behavior; and about some other points in the plan, as recorded in the Bible. This delusion would have us believe that God was surprised−taken aback, if you will−by Adam’s behavior. The allowance God made, to teach Adam the benefit of confession, gives some the impression that God did not know what had happened until after it had happened. Some might come to this conclusion because He did not immediately condemn Adam or mete out instant judgment upon him. Therefore, some may speak of these actions of Adam, in a way that makes them seem like a revelation to God:

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

(Genesis 3:8-11)

God was causing Adam to demonstrate for all mankind the wrong way to confess; so that we will understand the right way.

WRONG:   accusing others

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

(Genesis 3:12)

RIGHT:    demonstrating accountability

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

(James 5:12)

Nothing about this particular episode was a surprise to God. To obtain assurance of this, we will look at later revelations about the nature of God, for a deeper understanding. Let us consider the action of the serpent. What the serpent would do, in what it said, is fully known to God. Indeed, the very bounds of what the serpent could do were set by God. If we understand the serpent to be a kind of representation of Satan, we can look in the book of Job for the details of the bounds of Satan.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.

So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

(Job 1:8-12)

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

(Job 2:3-6)

So, God receives no surprise from the serpent; but what about Eve? Didn’t it surprise God that Eve would not only choose the seduction of the serpent over Him, but over her husband as well?

Why do we say, her husband as well?

I say that because, to begin with, God gave the command about the tree to Adam.

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying,

Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 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.

(Genesis 2:15-17)

Eve was made after Adam.

And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

(Genesis 2:21-24)

There is no record of God repeating the instruction, which was given to Adam, to Eve. Thus, she must have been given the word by Adam. It must have been given with some degree of urgency; and hopefully a huge amount of love. Still, it was ignored, and for no good cause. Even so, God knew what would happen; it is He who created Eve. It is He who placed the heart of Eve within the being of Eve (this is not the beating kind, but the motivational kind). God knows His products; all of them: for the LORD looketh on the heart.

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me.

And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.

And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

(1 Samuel 16:1-7)

Furthermore, it is God’s working that placed the tree in the garden. It was placed there with a perfect man, who could absorb this fruit of God: the knowledge of good and evil. This is an ability that God designed into man: and it is for this reason that He placed the tree there. However, it is an ability that must not be rushed, and it must be subordinated to strict regulation (ooh; bad word). Eve’s action demonstrated for us the consequence of drifting away from the focal principles of our righteous protectors. This is a lesson that is not just applicable to man and God, but also to child and parent; and, yes, to wife and husband.

When the protected one drifts from the foundational principles of the righteous protector; the protected one will cause a violation (sin) to be performed against the righteous protector, and the things of the protector. And in the human case, the protected can cause damage to themselves, as well. We were all designed to operate best when we are standing in the position for which God has made us.

So, since God was not surprised by Eve’s behavior, was He surprised by Adam?

Not at all was God surprised. Adam was correct in pointing out that God gave Eve to him: And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. (Genesis 3:12) What he did not clearly think through was what he had done with Eve. Adam had made Eve his replacement god.

The God of the Universe told him not to eat.

The god made by Adam, in Eve, told him to eat. What is an Adam to do?

Of course, ideally, Adam’s action should have been, not to eat. This violation is the first and most egregious sin. It sinfully disregards the first commandment.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

(Exodus 20:3)

So, the First Family, and their friend, had given mankind its marching orders. They had shown all mankind how God operates. They had revealed to all mankind−which happens to be us, their children−how we all are designed. We are designed to be our best when we keep our focus on God: taught by Adam. We are designed to honor God through acceptance of those placed in charge of us by Him: illustrated by Eve. The serpent was an illustration of those forces that will provide the sand of irritation to cause us to produce the spiritual pearls of great price.

Did God then demote man from perfect to something else?

Yes God did, but only for a time. We take our clue for this thought from the other tree and the caution He set around it.

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

(Genesis 3:23-24)

God did not destroy the tree; and He did not take it out of our world. It stays there as a reminder that there will come a day when we will be redeemed into perfection, again. At this time, we will know how to rightly and righteously handle the knowledge of good and evil. Then we will be allowed to partake of the tree of life. We are destined to live forever. This thought sets our direction of search in the writings that follow.

We are on a quest for the promise of the time of redemption and resurrection of mankind. We will discover that time, which takes us back to the heart of God.

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The start of this world

Is not a great mystery;

At least for us,

Who call it history.

But there was a time

When the universe began;

A time before

There was even a man.

A time when God spoke,

Setting existence free;

Creating this thing

Known as, our reality.

Pure Power

And Infinite Love;

Speaking forth matter

From His place above.

All that man

Can now understand

Emerged, by Design,

At His command.

His power, so potent,

It fueled the sun

And formed the stars,

Each and every one.

So precise is His design,

Not missing a single part;

With special attention

To the human heart.

With wisdom so broad

That none can exceed;

Providing Creation

With its every need.

Nothing unseen

By this being Most High,

Who created the land,

The sea, and the sky.

All that was, is, or will be,

For God there is no mystery:

After all, for Him

It is all HIStory.

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Chapter 1a

In the Image of God

Some Scripture about man

Genesis 1:29-31

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Psalm 139:13-17

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou