GENESIS

The creation of mankind:

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness?”

Why does God refer to himself in the plural?

God is referring to the Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Some might say that is not possible because Christ had not yet been born.  In John 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.” And in John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us?”  We see that Christ did indeed play a role in creation.  Even though Jesus was born only 2000 years ago he has always existed.

The fall of mankind:

Genesis 2:17 “but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die”

At this point Adam and Eve could choose between the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good an evil. Why did God allow the tree of knowledge of good and evil?  Ultimately, God cannot force people to love him.  True love cannot be forced on people, it must be a choice of free will.  Were the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil real trees, or were they symbolic?  If they were real, did they have special properties, or was it simply the decision to disobey God that lead to the knowledge of good and evil?  In either case, the end result was that Adam and Eve sinned and separated themselves from God.  Mans ultimate desire is to have fellowship with God once again.

Genesis 3:7 “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so the sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”

Genesis 3:21 “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”

The reality of their sin made them feel guilty and embarrassed.  God slaughtered an animal to cover their nakedness.  I believe this is symbolic: sometimes we try to cover our sins ourselves by pushing God out of our mind or by doing dead religious works that pleases ourselves and others.  But this is not good enough for God.  God slaughtered an animal to cover their nakedness.

Genesis 3:24 “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and as a result they had to leave the Garden of Eden.  The Garden had to have a geographical location.  So where is/was it?  Either the angel(s) guarded the entryway until it faded away (or was washed away by the flood).  I have no idea of the geographical location.  The important thing is to know that we do not have to stay separated from God.  We now can go to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

TIME

The first layer of time is what I like to call the “here and now”.  This is the level where we flow through time.  We move on this level at the speed at which God created it to flow.  We are all bound to this level and its flow.  All decisions are made from this level.

The second layer of time is what I call the “possible choice”.  This layer is full of possible choices that will be presented from the first layer.  The future of this layer is not a solid.  It is dotted because we have the ability to choose and alter this layer.  It does not reach all the way to the end because not all possible choices are available.

The third layer of time is “static”.  No one can alter this layer because it is what will be.  In other words, it is the final outcome of the decision we will make.  One could argue that this layer could be altered because of freedom of will.  This layer does not take away our freedom to choose.  It merely states what choices will be made.  Ever have a d?j? vu (a memory of the future) and realize that remembering this is in fact part of the deja vu.  This comes from the third layer.

The inside lines are curved to represent reaction to the actions we choose.  If the lines were straight we would not have freedom of choice (the ability to alter the lines).  We have the freedom to choose or alter the future.

All lines fit together like a puzzle.  This represents a constant flow and how a change on one level affects the others.

1^st Corinthians 14:3

“But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.”

Prophecy may involve predicting future events, but its main purpose is to communicate God’s message to people by providing insight, warning, correction and encouragement.

EXAMPLE

Matthew 26:34 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times”.

Jesus talked to Peter in real time at the first level.  Jesus knew what decisions lay ahead at the second level.  More than that, Jesus knew the decisions in the 3^rd level that Peter would make in the future.