A Garden Wedding for His Son: God Recreates and Secures Eden's Shalom

By James Wilson

Preface Excerpts: The Creator of the Universe created a perfect environment of thrilling beauty, security, and unimaginable peace. None of us can truly understand the depth of the Creator's love expressed in His creative acts. And how can He fully explain to us how and why the world of our day and our personal lives are so far from that which we read of in the first two Chapters of the Book of Genesis? We're talking about the need to communicate from one completely other spiritual realm to our messed up, earthly, corrupted existence—to minds and hearts clouded and corrupted by all that's wrong with ourselves and our world. How does one do that? By telling the Creator's side of the big story. And by using lesser stories that use comparative expressions of all He knows. We are talking here of metaphors, simple linguistic tools, figures of speech, designed and used for effecting understanding in the hearer that sometimes cannot be reached in any other way. Metaphors in Scripture are the language of "inter-realm" communication—God's way to help his created, earthly beings begin to understand the differences and similarities between the earthly and spiritual realms.
I'm not going far into this metaphor business, but I must at least superficially overview the subject. Like all languages, it has its limitations. It also has its risks—particularly of creating confusion. The caution I want to alert you to is that this whole book is about a metaphor. The wedding, marriage, Bride, Bridegroom, husband, and wife metaphor. See, I can't use just one word—and there are more I could add to the list and stay on the wedding metaphor topic. Each of the words in the sentence above tells of different aspects of the wedding story. My writing a whole book based on the Garden Wedding metaphor might be confusing to some. Also, it might make some think I am writing about the only useful or important metaphor in Scripture. I most certainly do not want to leave that impression.
My delving into the topic of the Garden Wedding for God's Son is not to detract from the power of the many other metaphors in Scripture. But this effort has been one that has been quite revealing to me. This is a topic I have been exploring for 5-6 years. The urgent needs we see in our world today and the pained behavior of our own culture in the US and all cultures around the world are addressed in the text of Scripture. And, to my mind, in as powerfully helpful a fashion as possible through God's use of the wedding metaphor. It gives us a framework for evaluating our own lives, relationships, behaviors, and choices. It creates within our own minds and hearts the comparative benefit of visualizing the wholly good life and behavior of God Himself as He lived among us through the walks and tender expressions of the Messiah Jesus on this earth in the Palestine of the first century. Yet we also learn that He will do what needs to be done to remove the rebels and haters who make the Re-creation and Securing of Eden's Shalom impossible without their elimination.
May you find a fresh understanding of the love of God in what you read in these pages. May those new understandings bring to you some vision of the true peace and beauty that God intended in His Creation of the Ultimate Garden of True Shalom. And may these understandings bring needed changes to each of our lives as well as fresh hope and anticipation for our eternal life to come because of Him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798350954920

James Wilson

The author is a recently retired physician who had been involved in Missionary Medicine and practiced Emergency Medicine for most of his career in the US. Before becoming a Christian, he was a Flight Instructor, Charter Pilot and then a Corporate Pilot/Bookkeeper in California. His conversion came from his last full-time flying job for a California company owned and run by a family of Christians. They provided an amazing opportunity for him to attend Biola College part time while still flying. His conversion occurred during his first partial semester at Biola and led to a dramatic change in his life and his life circumstances.

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Introduction

Ihave greatly enjoyed and been bounteously blessed by the journey through the text of scripture I have traveled on the past 5-6 years. It is too much to expect that you, the reader, will benefit to the same extent I have. But it is my prayer that you will take the time and effort to truly understand what is written on these pages. Others might be more capable of communicating things more clearly than I. Others might bring more academic credibility to what has been written. But I honestly doubt anyone else will have come through this process with as many new insights as I have. There are multiple surprises to come from an extended, and at least semi-exhaustive, pursuit of understanding this thing called the Garden Wedding metaphor. Many of the new insights have, for me, been truly unexpected. Many of these new insights have not come from reading others but from having a prepared mind, conditioned by the approach taken in this study. Some of the most profound insights have popped up out of the text while doing my daily Bible reading. These have made the end of this book a powerful, unexpected blessing to me. My prayer for you, the reader, is that you will have some of those joyous and blessed insights like what I have had, and some others of your own, that I have not seen and experienced.

The short semi-poetic expression on the previous page was written at the beginning of this process. I call it semi-poetic because it is not necessarily beautiful, as poetry should be, but in its form and expression, it succinctly expresses the plans and purposes of the Creator’s purposes and Love even as His purposes are challenged by the opposer’s (Satan’s) intentions even in the original Garden after the first Garden Wedding. OK, that was a long, somewhat run-on sentence. You’re already learning something about me. You will, at times, need to excuse my writing style. I pray you can overcome any off-putting concerns prompted by my writing style. Sometimes a challenging style can be a tool to slow you down to consider more carefully what is being said. There are lots of areas in this book where you will need to slow down and think. You will likely also need to explore on your own the texts and the concepts that don’t immediately fall in line with your current thinking and understanding. May that process be enjoyable and not just a burden. To the extent that my writing creates a burden, please forgive me. May you have the patience with what is written to endure to the end. There are some special blessings to come at the end of this writing. But you will be most blessed if you don’t cheat and look at the end before completing the reading in order. This is especially true regarding the thoughts expressed in Appendix A—Pure Light, Prisms, and a Rainbow’s Beauty.

Reflect a bit on the Chapter Titles in the Table of Contents and Sub-Headings throughout the text. They have been chosen to reflect on what is coming as this book moves along. But they are also written to intrigue the reader. You will find the Chapter Titles and Sub-Headings do reflect what follows but not always in the way you would think.

The first three chapters overview the Big Picture view of God’s Creative purposes. They look at Genesis Chapters 1-3 and Revelation Chapters 20-22. In Chapter 2 we establish the first of two Big Theme statements that we will track through the whole book—and the text of Scripture. Chapter 3 establishes the darker theme prompted by the events in Genesis 3. These two themes reflect the tension noted in the Poetic Summary. I had prepared these early on in this process. I have been pleasantly surprised to see the ways that keeping these two themes in mind have helped me see some of the new insights and understandings I mentioned above. I think you will find them helpful as well. I come back to them multiple times through the text and pray you do not find that a tedious thing—it has been helpful to me to keep them in mind.

So, the first three Chapters establish the awesome good and wholesome, loving intentions of God as Creator. They also make important notes about the problems brought on by the Serpent’s involvement in Adam and Eve’s bad choice. Chapter 4, Conflict, What Conflict?, explores the profoundly negative impact their choice had on the future choices of their immediate progeny—and all the rest of us. We need to be aware of those impacts.

Chapter 5 looks more deeply into the events of the Flood and the worsening depravity of mankind in their thoughtless, purposeful rebellion against the Creator God. We also explore the ways in which mankind’s accelerating decline was prompted by rebellious characters from the cosmic realm—the cohorts of the Serpent in the Garden. Many of us have just not been exposed to the background in both the Biblical and Jewish understandings of what really happened there. Developing these new understandings is very important to our understanding of the events of the rest of both the Old and New Testaments.

Chapter 6 looks at the character issues involved in the hearts of those involved in these events. Understanding both the problems in the heart of man, but also, God’s own heart is an important exploration—but there are no problems in God’s heart. The heart and character of God are seen in the disturbances to God’s Shalom due to mankind’s and cosmic characters’ bad hearts and the profoundly negative impact they have had on God’s Creation and Creative Purposes. We learn that God Himself is hurt and grieved by the wholly dark behaviors leading up to His decision to destroy most of the world and mankind as it existed before the flood.

Chapter 7 explores the primary character at the center of God’s ongoing effort to have not just a relationship but also a deeply involved commitment to Abraham and his progeny. But it is a task challenged by the defects in the character of God’s Human Creation. We all can see ourselves and our families, friends, and neighbors in these stories. Be open to seeing yourself and the world of today in these events.

Chapter 8 continues the stories of Abraham’s family. A search for Brides for Abraham’s son and grandson is a big part of the Genesis text—and a great platform for helping us understand Jewish wedding traditions. We also see some of the back stories and deeper connections that help us better understand both God and ourselves.

Chapter 9 discusses some really challenging events in the lives of the Israelites. But the approach is through an acceptance of the ironies and satire of a true romantic comedy. For that is what Israel’s history truly represents. I pray you’ll find it an enjoyable and insightful look into the storyline of God’s efforts to develop a close relationship with His human creation.

Chapter 10 is a look at the events that occurred at Mount Sinai with an emphasis on the wedding metaphor as a central occurrence there. This is an oft-neglected insight into the events of the Exodus that is profoundly important in understanding the rest of the storyline of the Old and New Testaments.

Chapter 11 dives into the enigmas that spring from the challenges God has in working more closely with His human creation. Specifically, we delve deeply into the challenging events and controversies involved in God’s relationship with Moses and the people of Israel. This is where Romantic Comedy is at its most tragic point. It appears all will be lost, but even though Israel sets itself up for a painful history, we learn that God will bring about good from their poor behavior and rejection of their Bridegroom.

Chapter 12 digs more deeply into the events of the Old Testament in various ways. Israel’s faithlessness adds additional plot twists and challenges to the storyline of the Old Testament. As well, we explore the lives of God’s Anointed Ones, Saul and David in particular. This exploration will set the stage for better understanding several events and occurrences in the New Testament and the Life and Death of Jesus Himself. These are observations that are critical in helping us understand what occurred at the cross— as well as why the crucifixion of Jesus occurred.

Chapter 13 is a deep dive into the why and how of Jesus’ Life, Ministry and most importantly Death on the Cross. Preparing His Bride was truly task number one for Jesus/God—and it cost Him His life. Events in the Old Testament set the stage for what to me was a startling insight into the backstory of Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet. That was a fun insight for me—and I pray it will be so for you as well.

Chapter 14 is a deeper dive into the challenging waters of understanding the why of the cross and its meaning. There are some amazing intersections of the wedding metaphor and the understanding of the meaning of the cross. It was an especially revealing effort for me. There are a few passages in the Old Testament that form a central core for understanding the Wedding Metaphor. When those are recognized and considered in a search for the answer to the question, Why did Jesus have to die? the meaning of the cross becomes much clearer.

Chapter 15 is a brief look back on this whole writing effort and a summary and clarification of some of the things to take away from what we have learned. I have tried to make clearer the intricate layers of the revelation of God regarding His heart, character, and rich and complex love toward His Creation. We briefly explore some core principles in the Book of Revelation that are especially important in order to understand the plans and purposes of God from Creation to Final Judgment.

Appendix A, Pure Light, Prisms, and a Rainbow’s Beauty is my effort to expand all our understanding of the heart and character of God. Originally, I intended it to be a regular chapter in this book, but I’m concerned it may be more challenging to many readers. I may be wrong and truly pray that it will be understood, welcomed, and a blessing to all readers. But identifying it as an appendage gives me the freedom to say—sorry if you didn’t get it or like it.

Appendix B, Atonement—Adam Johnson’s Questions addresses issues relating to atonement that have come out of this effort. Adam Johnson proposed some questions that should be considered regarding any new thinking about the issue of atonement. I received permission from his publisher to use those questions. I discuss the need for all of us to always be questioning our beliefs and understandings to some extent. I provide you with his questions for consideration. But I do not answer them in this work—though I do believe the core answers are in the text of this book with greater clarity than I had previously understood.

Appendix C, Discussion Questions from Colleen Frost, MA provides you with some very good contemplative and discussion questions concerning each chapter in the book. Colleen has a Master’s in English and is a lover of books, literature, and especially God’s word. I am confident you will find her questions very helpful for your own personal study and reflection. I also expect they will be helpful for discussion in class settings as well.

Before jumping into the text of this book, I would like to offer some general thoughts on how I hope you would approach this book. First, it will not take you long to see that this is not your typical devotional book. Its strength—by my reckoning—comes from exploring deeply the text of Scripture and the nature of its characters. Its blessing to your daily Christian life will hopefully come from the development of a better understanding of the plans, purposes and heart and character of God Himself. The depths to which He has given of Himself to mankind and committed to seeing His creation blessed is an amazing thing.

In Chapter 14 there is a sentence that captures the essence of what I am trying to say right now. This was something that just flowed from my thoughtfully typing on in that section. It reflects one of those things about writing that I find to be an unexpected blessing. It leads me to express things I would never have thought of without pursuing this effort. This came from the surprise of being in the zone of the ongoing flow of text through my fingers to the screen. That, surprising to me sentence, is the following:

A story most fully enjoyed is a story most fully understood.

I think that well summarizes what I pray will be the greatest strength and blessing to come from your consideration of the things shared in this book. I pray that you may truly come to know and experience greater joy in your Christian life through a greater understanding of a deeply important aspect of the storyline of Scripture—the incredible joy that comes from knowing better your Bridegroom God.

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Ultimate Questions and

Ultimate Answers

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). These are words of great familiarity but also words of incredible profundity. Within this one sentence lies the answer to the longing of many, dare we say virtually all, souls throughout history. It certainly deals with a longing of mine and likely in some fashion, a longing of your soul as well. For in these words is answered the basic question each of us yearns to have an answer for: Where did I come from?

Beyond this most fundamental question are the follow-on questions in the minds of most humans: 2) Why am I here? 3) Where am I going?

Amazingly, the first two and the last two chapters of the Bible clearly answer these three universally asked questions. It seems too simple. It seems too glib. It seems like there should be so much more. And indeed, it is so simple, yet…there is so much more. It is the confidence that comes from believing and understanding both the remarkable simplicity and the so much more of the Bible, the revealed word of the Creator God, that we seek to explore in this Book.

In this first chapter, we will broadly overview the first two and the last two chapters of Scripture to establish the simplicity of the answers to the questions above. We will also receive splendid glimpses of just a bit of the so much more of scripture that promises the thrill of deeper understanding that provides the solidly rooted foundation of lives built upon the purposes of the Creator God.

This Book is not intended to be an Apologetic—that is a defense of, or arguments for, the beliefs we’ll be discussing from Scripture. But it certainly seeks to be an encouragement directed toward an acceptance of and submission to the Creative Purposes of the Creator God revealed in the Bible. Not every one of your questions will be answered. Not each one you’d like to ask will be addressed. But we will let the broad, vibrant, and colorful palette of the word of God reveal some of those broad as well as some of the fine brushstrokes of the remarkable masterpiece of revelation that is the word of God. These magnificent brushstrokes are masterfully painted onto the broadest of canvases spanning all of history—all in words and story that burst forth with the color and splendor displayed by the Master Painter.

The first, bold brushstroke laid down in words of power, magnificence, and the simplicity of the genius of the Creator God is the brashly bold and stunningly revealed answer to our first question, Where did I come from? That amazing first brushstroke of words is, to repeat, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. You, I, all that is, and ever has been, or ever will be anywhere in the universe (or created spiritual realm that we don’t see) are the results of the creative work of God. We came from the creative action of the Creator God…in the beginning.

This is a simple, yet profound truth that has never been accepted by all of humankind. Why that is so will be a part of what we learn concerning the so much more that we have alluded to. But the so much more will come later.

Our second question, Why am I here?, is answered in the latter portions of Genesis 1-2. In Genesis 1:26, God says concerning mankind, let them rule over… and in verse 28 He also says to mankind, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule…. Mankind—you and I and all other humans—was created to rule over God’s creation! We read the passages, but familiarity steals from us the powerful impact of what God had Moses write concerning His purpose for our having been created and placed on this planet.

But to begin with, the focus of attention was not on the planet as a whole, but on an incredibly special place personally prepared by the LORD God. In Genesis 2:8, Moses says, And Yahweh God planted a garden in Eden.... It was a spectacular place of verdant, lush growth and wonderful, life-giving waters and rivers from a mountain which contained the headwaters for four remarkable rivers which sustained the resplendencies of the Garden—all to benefit mankind, and, no doubt, for God’s own personal enjoyment as the premier resident of that Garden.

A part of the answer to the Why am I here? question comes from the very nature of and purpose for this resplendent garden. In Genesis 2:15, it is said, And Yahweh took the man and set him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. Dealing with the beauties and depths of God’s Creative Purposes is only fully accomplished when we completely understand the significance of the words God chose to have Moses write for Him. We can clearly and simply see that mankind was created by God to rule over, multiply and fill, and cultivate and keep His creation, especially as prepared in its pinnacled and magnificent lushness and brilliance in the Garden of Eden.

God’s Awesome Provisions for Mankind

We mentioned above the splendid glimpses of the so much more of scripture. Please note in the first two chapters of Genesis the amazing things God did for the provision of mankind’s needs. Additionally, notice that the LORD God Himself was interacting personally with His human creation Adam, and, out of both compassion and purposeful intent, provided for him a mate who perfectly complemented who Adam was in relation to God’s Creative Purposes.

Notice the absolute thrill and excitement expressed by Adam at the wonder of this perfect mate that God provided not only for him, but from him. The result of all these provisions by God for His human creation was that the original two created by God and placed in His specially prepared space could experience a sense of peace, contentment, and purity that culminated in the observation by Moses that the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. This is something absolutely shocking to those of us today who cannot imagine such a circumstance. Can you imagine yourself comfortably naked before the world and its Creator? The Garden created by God for Him to dwell in with His human creation was truly an amazing place and circumstance. And in that space with access to the Tree of Life, man was designed to live eternally in the presence of the Creator Himself.

Our lives, our world, and our personal experiences clearly reveal that our situation today is not what God originally intended. But this is one of those in your face conclusions that none of us can avoid and that drives our further interest in this marvelous revelation of God’s Original Creative Purposes.

This further interest on our part is what compels us to consider the last of our three fundamental questions almost certainly considered by virtually all humanity through all of time—Where am I going? Welling up out of our current sense of shame and inadequacy comes the imperative of this question.

We have answered the first two questions from the first two chapters of Scripture. The third is answered by considering the last two chapters of Scripture. We’ll look at some of the in between and so much more issues as we proceed. Included in those discussions will be a better understanding of both the first and last full books of the Bible. We can do great injustice to the word of God by limiting our study and focus to just bits and pieces. But for the purposes of these first few book chapters, we will look at the last two chapters in the Book of Revelation to answer the simple and yet profound question, Where am I going?

To answer this question, we intrude into the turbulent flow of the amazing drama regarding God’s Revelation to John the writer of the Book of Revelation. We do not want to do the book an injustice by looking at the last two chapters alone. Yet, the message is one that is reminiscent of the Garden environs and circumstances found in Genesis 1-2. Thus, we will seek to establish a broad view of God’s Creative Purposes as initially indicated in the Garden of Eden. It is this broadest of views that we seek to make a part of our daily sense of God’s word and His purposes for our lives—as individuals and as community.

God’s Special Space—Shared with Adam and Eve

The Garden of Eden was God’s special, personally prepared space designed to be the common dwelling place of God and man. And indeed, it was…yet, as we all know— things changed.

Notice, though, that the Garden of Eden was the pinnacle of God’s Original Creation and in its very own way reflected His Original Creative Purposes in its design and function. Central to that design and function was its existence as a common dwelling place for God and man.

Notice also that there was something suggestive of a provisional character to that arrangement. In Genesis 2:7 we learn that Yahweh God formed the man of dust from the ground… and that later in Genesis 2:15 Yahweh God took the man [from outside the garden-jcw] and set him in the garden…. So, Adam was not made of Garden Dust; he was formed from outside the garden dust. Notice also that Eve was not formed from Garden Dust. She was formed from Adam’s side and thus not of Garden Dust but of Adam’s substance, which came from the dust outside the garden. Sometimes the glimpses we receive regarding God’s Creative Purposes are somewhat opaque and leave us wondering. We will see in our next chapters what the importance of these Dust distinctions are.

All the above is to say that there was something incredibly special about God’s Original Creation and His Original Creative Purposes. As we consider the answer to the last question, Where am I going?, we need to keep in mind that there are a couple of ways to answer the question. For now, the answer is to come from the first two chapters of Genesis and the last two chapters of Revelation. For it is in these four chapters that we see the most profound and simple expression of God’s Creative Purposes and Intentions for mankind.

In future chapters the so much more of Scripture and God’s revealed Creative Purposes will more fully define and flesh out the answers to these three fundamental questions. At present, let’s keep it basic and confined to what we learn from the first and last two chapters of Scripture.

The answers to the first two questions from Genesis 1-2 are that we 1) are Created by God (Where did I come from?) for 2) the purpose of accomplishing His purposes in His Creation as we dwell in His presence (Why am I here?). The answer to the third question, Where am I going?, is not clear from the first two chapters of scripture but becomes noticeably clear from the last two.

As you read the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation, notice, first, that the point of emphasis is a new heaven and new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…. What we read in the first two chapters of Genesis describes a creative environment and relationship with God that all of us would dearly long for. Why give that up? Why would such a great place pass away?!

We all know and experience the reason for the answer to the above question. Permit me to introduce one of our study strategies at this point in this study. That is, we will answer most of our study questions in the time of the moment. By that I mean we will ask and answer questions based on the information available at the time of the revelation in scripture. In this case we have limited our consideration to the first two chapters of Genesis and the last two chapters in the Book of Revelation. Obviously, there is a large time gap between these two events. In this introduction we are cheating regarding this in the time of the moment thinking. We do so to introduce the broad outline of scripture. Most of us have not closely considered that in our own minds. It is a useful tool as we study scripture. So, permit me to ask you to think in terms of these two revealed in the time of the moment events.

A New Heaven and a New Earth?

Restricting our knowledge to only what we have at hand in the first and last two chapters of scripture, we have an amazing puzzle on our hands. Why give up on God’s Good Creation as described in Genesis 1-2? Why are a new heaven and a new earth entertained in the plans and purposes of God? The answer to these questions, though in some fashion known to each of us, does not come from these four chapters of scripture. We will move on to the answer to these additional questions in our third chapter.

Right now, we want to capture the amazing impact of the revealed content of these four chapters. First, we have a new, amazing creation with mankind (in the present case, Adam, and Eve alone) in a gorgeous, peaceful, sustaining environment in the presence of God Himself with no wants and no troubles. This is the essence of what we learn in the first two chapters of Genesis.

We know there is a dramatic change to come but please bear with me in this hopefully helpful thought exercise. In addition to the environment itself and the presence of man and God together in the same environment, what other significant factor have we noted? That is, that man was formed of non-Garden Dust outside of the Garden and then placed within the Garden and given responsibilities and purposes by God. Additionally, Adam’s Bride is formed from the substance of Adam and not from Garden Dust. And these two are amazingly content with their circumstances and relationship to God. They are in a place designed to sustain them in their physical bodies and wholeness of mind and heart for eternity—that is, without death. That is, without the loss of loved ones. That is, with sustaining, nourishing relationships with God, each other and, presumptively, with any progeny. Who could ask for anything more?

What do we find in Revelation 21-22? We find a new heaven and a new earth... (Revelation 21:1) We find a totally new construct regarding God’s creation, and that is a holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.... Amazingly, this holy city is seen to have been …prepared as a bride for her husband. Remember, we don’t know anything more at this point because these are the only four chapters we are giving ourselves access to at this time of the moment. It is obvious there is so much more to the story.

Notice that, in addition to a Bride and Bridegroom in Revelation 21, as in Genesis 2, we find this Bride and Bridegroom dwelling in the presence of God Himself. … Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God (Revelation 21:3). This is as it was in the Garden of Eden; obviously, something dramatic occurred in the interim.

Notice as well that the One seated on the throne… is making all things new. And those who serve him courageously and victoriously will find that God says, …I will be his God and he will be my son (Revelation 21:7). Why new when the original old seemed so great? Why an emphasis on the relationship between God and His son? Wasn’t the relationship in the beginning between God and Adam wonderful? It was...

Of other significant note is that there was …no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. Here we are again with amazing findings and new questions to ask. What is this business of a temple? How is it that the Lord God is its temple? And what of this business of a Lamb? Why a Lamb? How is it that the LORD God Almighty and the Lamb are so close as to together constitute this temple space in the new heaven and new earth? Something’s up that we’ve not allowed ourselves to see yet in Scripture. Please restrain your thinking and all that you know because of prior Bible Study and awareness of the Narrative of Scripture. Let’s do the best we can to pursue this exercise of limited knowledge based on where we are in the scripture narrative. It is a difficult exercise and may seem silly, but if it is pursued as an exercise to test and expand our understanding of the progressive revelation of God through history, you will hopefully find it a productive exercise.

So, let’s consider one final relevant finding in Revelation, this time in Chapter 22. Notice Revelation 22:1-5. There are some notable comparisons to Genesis 1-2 here. We have the river of the water of life which is flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.... Remember in Genesis 2 that God was personally in the Garden. He was the Creator and the obvious ruler. Though a throne is not mentioned there, it is clearly implied by virtue of his actions and circumstances (and confirmed by later scriptural revelation). In both cases, the flowing river sustains the tree of life.

And, amazingly, God’s servants who worship him will reign forever and ever. Just as God’s original human creation, Adam and Eve, were to have dominion over… subdue…and work…and keep… God’s Original Creation in the Garden and beyond (Genesis 1:26, 28; 2:15), those in God’s new Creation are to reign forever and ever. We’re back to the original plan! (Remembering that we never left it if we kept our minds confined to the first and last two chapters of Scripture. Yes, I know none of us can really do that, but I remind you to try to do so in your own mind. Call it the discipline of self-imposed ignorance.)

What do these findings from the Book of Revelation Chapters 21-22 tell us about the Garden of Eden and God’s Original Creative Purposes? They tell us that the answers to our initial 2 questions are verified. Where did I come from? From the Creative purposes of God, whether as part of His original creation or part of His new creation. Why am I here? To worship God and reign over His creation! Where am I going? To a new heaven and new earth to dwell personally in the presence of God (the true temple space) as planned at the very beginning in the Garden of Eden (can we conclude that was the original temple space?).

Each of us needs to have clearly in our minds and hearts these teachings from the word of God. It is what He left us in His word from the beginning and the end by the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 21:6). Having this front to back and beginning to end overview of God’s word will help us focus our attention in very important ways as we study through His word from beginning to end.

In this chapter we have seen and emphasized the commonalities regarding God’s Creative Purposes as expressed in Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22. We have seen the profound impact of the opening statement of all of scripture that In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. We have learned the marvelous way in which this statement and the rest of Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22 answer what for too many are the non-verbalized questions that goad their souls but are so often denied by the hardness of hearts settled on the simplistic and pleasing superficialities of common life. That is, Where did I come from?, Why am I here?, and Where am I going?

We have also been intrigued by the commonalities between Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22. Those include: 1) Creation and New Creation, 2) Garden Environments, 3) Mankind in the personal presence of God, 4) the presence of God being the true Temple Space, 5) A Bride and Bridegroom in a Garden. We have also seen glimpses of things that are clearly part of the so much more of Scripture, such as 1) the presence of God, but no physical temple (in the Garden of Eden and in the new heaven and new earth), 2) rivers with waters of life, 3) that sustain a Tree of Life, 4) and a Lamb that rules and is unexplained from these four chapters.

In the next two chapters, we will consider two major themes that will serve as the glue that holds our thoughts together. These two themes will be about God’s ongoing purposes and plans as the Narrative of His amazing word and work in history is drawn out on the historical canvas of time.

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Our Desired Theme

The beginning and end of all of scripture yield the basis for understanding God’s Creative Purposes and intention for mankind. As we saw in our last chapter, the initial two chapters and the final two chapters of Scripture (Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22) yield insights