Since all the known and observed nature of this physical world reflects its mortal nature, meaning all living things in this universe a beginning and in such, all living things have a finite life process which results in their dying. A fact that is also substantiated by scriptures such as Ecclesiastes 3:2 "A time to be born, and a time to die;"
There is a passage in the scriptures which says, "Does not nature itself teach you.."; so using the seen and know universe is just as valid as using the scriptures to determine the truth of God. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. Ps 50:6
So if already immortal then why should he have need to eat of the tree of life if he already was going to live forever?
[FONT="]So if already immortal then why should he have need to eat of the tree of life if he already was going to live forever?
[/FONT]romans 5:12 "
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
Death came to us through sin, "death by sin" until adam sinned death was non exiastant. we arent eternal in the sense of beforehand, from the time we were created though until adam sinned, man was immortal. Mortality came from adams transgression, and eternal Life comes through the gift of Jesus Christ to the World.
to me, it was always Gods Plan to exalt His Son Jesus, that man should die, Know the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom ( and what adam lacked) and then be redeemed to eternal Life through Faith in Jesus. for " Jesus was slain from the foundation of the World"
Fear came as soon as they ate from the fruit, and " Fear is the beginning of wisdom" Jesus comes, and then our Love is perfected through that fear, and then when Love is made perfect in us, it casts out the fear leaving wisdom and eternal Life for those who embrace the simplest wisdom and most wise " Gods Word will always be true, and to heed His word, and obey it, will always mean eternal Life"
john 12:50 "
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
what God tells us to do, is for us there to keep our lives, not against us as the serpent teaches. He wants man to soubt Gods word, so He can whisper other ideas like He did in eden, those who simply Hear Gods Word, believe it is true and Good, and do it, they are wise. Fear has lead to the wisdom of knowing the simplest truth. the word of Our creator will always be true and faithful to those who obey it and it will always have the same power to create as when He said " Let there be.....and it became. the source of creation is Gods Word. and therein is Faith made complete.
Gods Word is for us, for our good. Not there to destroy us but to save us from the deception of the enemy " Gods word isnt true, it is oppresive to you.
romans 7:9-11 "For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
this isnt paul explaining Hos own Life, but the nature of mankind and the event in the Garden when the commandment " thou shalt not, or you will surely die" was given. it was for mans Life. But sin deceived them and by that commandment brought death. all of the law that came after the flood is based on that commandment " thou shalt not or you will die"
it also is intended to keep mans life, but satanmakes them think to hear Gods word will kill us, our fallen nature perceives it as an oppression. ( Like at horeb " Dont let God speak anymore to us or we will die")
the Gospel is based on the pattern that Gods word is truly for us, to hear it and obey it is eternal life. Jesus " whoever Hears my word and keeps it, has passed from death to Life." the gospel recreates our mind bringing it to the wisdom that Gods word is for us, to keep us alive and safe from sin and death. when our minds are right we understand Gods ways are meant for mankind and its a pleasure to learn and follow.
1 john 5:3 "
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.