Chapter Two/The Grand Theme of the Bible - Continue

 The Bible's first book, Genesis, tells of "the beginning" and describes God's creative works, including his crowning earthly creation, man. Genesis also sets out the first divine prophecy, uttered by God himself in the garden of Eden some 6,000 years ago. A serpent had just been used to deceive the first woman Eve; she in turn had persuaded her husband Adam, to join her in violating God's law by eating from "the tree of the knowledge of good and bad." In passing judgment on the sinful couple, God said to the serpent: "I shall put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise in the head and you will bruise him in the heel." (Genesis 1:1; 2:17; 3:1-6, 14, 15) That prophecy sets the theme for the whole Bible, including Revelation. 

Immediately after uttering the prophecy, God expelled our first parents from Eden. No longer could they look forward to everlasting life in Paradise, they would have to live out their lives in the unprepared earth outside. Under sentence of death, they would produce sin-laden children. (Genesis 3:23-4:1; Romans 5:12) What, though, does the Edenic prophecy mean? Who are involved? How does it link up with Revelation? What message does it have for us today? In order to gain personal relief from the effects of the tragic even that led to Jehovah's uttering that prophecy, it is of vital concern that we know the answers to these questions. 

Next time: Chapter Two/The Grand Theme of the Bible - The Principals in the Drama

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