Original Sin

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Short Summary
The discourse focuses on the concept of Original Sin, using Genesis 2:15-17 as a foundational text to explain the belief that humanity inherited sin from Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, necessitating redemption through Jesus Christ. It discusses how mainstream Christianity views Jesus as the ransom for Adam, thereby offering salvation to all, and contrasts this belief with Jewish and Muslim perspectives, which do not recognize Original Sin. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the mechanisms of atonement and the moral responsibilities that individuals will face in the context of sin, redemption, and the eventual restoration of mankind to perfection.

Long Summary
### Summary of Discourse on Original Sin

Title and Theme Text: The discourse is titled “Original Sin,” anchored in Genesis 2:15-17, which discusses God’s command to Adam regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, emphasizing the consequence of death for disobedience.

Outline: The discussion is structured around six key points, primarily focusing on the concept of original sin and its philosophical implications.

Forgiveness of Sin:
– A central tenet in Christianity is the belief that Jesus died for humanity’s sins. However, there is a lack of understanding about how Jesus’ death facilitates forgiveness.
Key Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:6 emphasizes Jesus as a ransom for all, confirming His role in salvation.

Understanding of Jesus:
– While many Christians acknowledge Jesus, interpretations of His purpose and the scope of atonement vary among denominations.
– The speaker notes that Jesus’ death serves as a redemption for Adam’s original sin, providing humanity with a chance for eternal life.

Mechanics of Atonement:
– The mechanics of how Jesus’ death leads to the forgiveness of sins is often unclear, even among believers. This understanding becomes clearer when examining the concept of ransom.
Supporting Scriptures:
– Romans 5:8 highlights God’s love through Christ’s sacrifice.
– John 3:16 emphasizes the gift of eternal life through belief in Jesus.

Original Sin Doctrine:
– Original sin is a unique doctrine in Christianity, distinguishing it from Judaism and Islam. It posits that all humans inherit sin from Adam and Eve’s disobedience.
– The consequences of this sin are seen as a fallen state that requires redemption through Jesus.

Scriptural Insights on Sin and Death:
– Genesis 2:17 and 3:1-7 outline the original sin, detailing the disobedience of Adam and Eve and the ensuing consequences, including death as a penalty.
– The discussion contrasts Jewish and Islamic beliefs, which assert that individuals are born free of sin.

Consequences of Disobedience:
– The speaker elaborates that Adam and Eve’s choice led to a dying process initiated by their disobedience. The concept of death in the Bible is clarified, emphasizing a spiritual and physical decline.

God’s Judgment and Redemption:
– Genesis 3:14-19 details God’s judgment on the serpent, Eve, and Adam, signifying the introduction of pain and toil into human life as a result of sin.
– The promise of redemption is subtly presented in Genesis 3:15, foretelling enmity between the serpent and humanity.

The Need for a Redeemer:
– The necessity of Jesus as a redeemer is reiterated, highlighting the belief that without His sacrifice, humanity remains in a state of sin.
Key Verses:
– Isaiah 53:5 speaks of Jesus bearing our transgressions.
– 1 Peter 2:24 discusses Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.

Role of the Thousand-Year Reign:
– The discourse speaks about the future restoration of humanity during Christ’s millennial reign, where individuals will learn righteousness and be restored to God’s image.

Practical Implications:
– The speaker emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with Christian virtues such as love, hospitality, and responsibility, referencing Romans 12:9-13 and the importance of good deeds.

Conclusion:
– The discourse concludes with a call to understand and embody the lessons of faith, seeking to hear the affirmation, “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23), as a goal for all believers.

### Key Bible Verses Mentioned:
– Genesis 2:15-17
– 1 Timothy 2:6
– Romans 5:8
– John 3:16
– Isaiah 53:5
– 1 Peter 2:24
– Genesis 3:14-19
– Matthew 25:23

This summary encapsulates the key points and themes discussed in the discourse on Original Sin, emphasizing theological beliefs, scriptural references, and practical applications for believers.

Transcript

So the title of our thoughts this morning is Original Sin. Our theme text comes from Genesis 2:15 17. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and to keep it, and the Lord God commanded the man, you may freely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat. For in the day that you eat of it, you shall die.

This is the outline that we’ll be using. There’s six points. The focus of our comments will be relating to original sin and its philosophy. You don’t have to write these down because these will be at each slide as we go through it. So forgiveness of sin.

The ransom. First Timothy 2:6. We’re all familiar with that. What do all mainstream Christian denominations have in common? You are thinking the answer is Jesus, and this is true.

Except not all understand who Jesus is and what he accomplished. Thus all might believe in Jesus, but do not understand the scope of the atonement as we do. We on the other hand, understand that Jesus was a perfect man and redeemed Father Adam. Thus all will have an opportunity for life. Jesus was the ransom for Adam, thus a ransom for all.

When talking to Christians about Jesus, I like to pose this question. We all know Jesus died for our sins. Everybody agrees with that. How does his death atone for our forgiveness of sin? What is the mechanism or the mechanics that relates Jesus death to our sins being forgiven?

I usually receive a puzzled look on their face. Most people know the scriptures are clear that Jesus death forgives sins. But Chris does not know that the intricacies of how his death forgives sin. This is only realized when you understand the ransom and its philosophy. The following are scriptures used to show that Jesus doth forgive sin.

You might have your own favorites that aren’t on this list, so let’s read a few of these. Romans 5:8 But God proves His love for us and and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. John 3:16. That’s Scriptures everywhere on all the billboards, right? For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.

1 John 3:16. We know love by this that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. Isaiah 53, verse 5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the punishment that made us whole.

And by his bruises we are healed, and let’s just read one more here. First Peter 2. 24. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, so that free from sin we might live for righteousness.

By his wounds you have been healed.

And then we have our ransom scripture. Let’s read those the ransom Scriptures once again. That shows us Jesus doth forgive sin. That’s Matthew 20, verse 28. Just as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.

And then let’s read the whole context of what we usually read. First Timothy 2. I think it’s verse 6, but let’s read the context first. Timothy 2, 1:7. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayer, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quality, quiet and peaceable life and all godliness and dignity.

You know, that’s what we should be praying for even today, so that we can come together and study in peace and worship God. When there’s turmoil, it’s hard to do that. Verse 3. This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God.

There is also one Mediator between God and humankind. Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all. This was attested to at the right time. For this I was appointed a herald and an apostle. I am telling the truth and I am not lying.

A teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. A confirmation of what the Apostle Paul was telling us. I mean Timothy. So let’s look at original sin. For the day that you eat of it, you shall die.

Genesis 2:17.

What else is unique concerning Christians or a doctrine all mainstream Christians believe? Jews and Muslims do not believe in this doctrine, and the answer is the title of our talk, Original Sin. This is what separates mainstream Christianity from other religions. Original sin is a fundamental Christian doctrine that teaches the concept of inherent sin passed down from Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden.

The idea that man has fallen from perfection, sinful and needs a redeemer to obtain life. Or as others coined the phrase, salvation. Jesus is needed for redemption for this salvation. When we look at the key verses in Genesis, it is not as clear as one might want it to be. That shows Adam’s disobedience plunged the entire human race into sin and ultimately into the prison house of death.

God tells Adam the result for disobedience would be death. One also has to understand the biblical concept of death to know the penalty of disobedience and not Satan’s lie. So let’s read Genesis 3, verses 3 and 4. But God said, you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it or you shall die. But the serpent said to the woman, you will not die.

Then let’s go back to Genesis 2:15, 17. The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and to keep it, and the Lord God commanded the man, you may freely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat. For in the day that you eat of it, you shall die. In my margin it states, dying, thou shalt die.

In other words, the dying process set in, and Adam died within that 1000 year day, 930 years after he was created. In Judaism, it is believed that all humans enter the world free of sin. This makes the Jewish view of sin quite different from the Christian concept of original sin, in which it is believed that humans are tainted by sin from conception and must be redeemed through their faith. Jews believe that individuals are responsible for their own actions and that sin is a result when human interactions go astray.

Muslims do not believe in the concept of original sin. Also, Muslims don’t believe that a baby who has never done anything bad in their life is born with sins, and even if a baby or a small child did do something bad, it wouldn’t count as a sin since they haven’t reached the age of maturity yet. Muslims believe that everyone is born sinless, but without a doubt each human will make mistakes as they grow old. It sounds almost like they’re counterintuitive, doesn’t it?

In other words, the dying process set in because of disobedience. Adam was created perfect without experience, and now his disobedience was his sinful act that plunged the entire human race into the prison house of death. Let’s read Genesis 3:1:7, the first sin and its punishment. Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, did God say, you shall not eat from the tree in the garden?

The woman said to the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden. But God said, you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die. But the serpent said to the woman, you will not die, for God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to her eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took it. She took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

Let’s continue on in Genesis 3:8, 14 then they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, where are you? He said, I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid. You know, if you’re selling a product, what is one of the best things you can do?

Have a perceived idea that people need this for safety. That’s one of the best selling aspects that one can use. So man becomes afraid, doesn’t he? Because I was naked and I hid myself. He said, who told you that you were naked?

Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat? The man said, the woman whom you gave me with me. She gave me fruit and the tree, and I ate. Then the LORD said to the woman, what is this that you have done? The woman said, the serpent tricked me, and I ate.

The Lord God said to the serpent, so now let’s look at the Lord God said to the serpent, to the woman he said, and to the man he said, so now let’s look at what each one of these said. Genesis 3:14 the Lord God said to the serpent, because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures. Upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers. He shall strike your head, and you will strike his heel.

You know. Genesis 3:15 is the first glimmer of a promise of redemption given to Adam and Eve. So let’s read that with a number of insertions here on who’s Talking I will put enmity, that’s hostility between thee, the serpent Satan, and the woman Eve, and between thy seed, the followers of Satan and her seed, the followers of good the church, it shall bruise thy the Satan and the evil forces. The head. That’s the fatal blow.

The death blows to the head, and thou, Satan, shall bruise his the church’s heel. A temporary victory over death, but not total victory.

And to the woman he said, I will greatly increase your pains and childbearing in pain. You shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you. From this verse we can conclude that Adam and Eve had no children as of yet. Adam was created out of the dust of the ground. Earth and the human race are all born from Adam.

Thus we are all born into a sinful condition, inherited sin from our parents all the way back to our first parents, Adam and Eve, and to the man he said, because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, you shall not eat of it. Cursed is the ground because of you and toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plant of the field by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread and until you return to the ground.

For out of it you were taken, you are dust, and to dust you shall return. When Adam returned to the earth as dust, he was dead. Adam had no prehuman existence before being made from the dust of the earth, and we are the same as Adam. When man dies, he returns to the dust of the earth, the same place Adam started.

He ends up in Genesis 2:17. The penalty for disobedience is death. We have a number of scriptures here that we can just read the end to show the idea that death is the penalty. So in the King James, it says, thou shalt surely die. I read that in my margin.

In the King James, it says, dying, thou shalt die. In the New Revised Standard, it says, you shall die. The New American Standard Bible, you shall surely die, and then the New American Standard updated, you shall surely die the same. The NIV is you will surely die.

But I like the New Living Translation, you are sure to die, and it gives the idea of a process or the dying process set in. This is almost like a false promise from God. If you don’t understand. A day with a year is to be a thousand years.

You would say God gave this promise to Adam and he didn’t die within that day. He died 930 years later. We know from second Peter three. Eight that one day with the Lord is as a thousand Years and a thousand years as one day. We know from Scripture that no one lived past 1,000 years.

When people live past 1,000 years, the thousand year marker, they will know that they have made it. They have graduated from Adamic sin, the condition to perfection. They have written God’s laws in their hearts and can execute them perfectly. It’s not just writing the laws of God’s laws in their hearts, but also you have to practice it and do it. 2nd Peter 3:8 do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

It is crucial to understand that dying is a process that is for man’s benefit. This process is called the permission of evil. This experience will benefit man for eternity as a touchstone of where disobedience to God leads, and of course that leads to death. To round out our thoughts we need to read that man needed to be expelled from the garden.

To experience the penalty God imposed and to learn the valuable lessons, lets read Genesis 3:2024. The man named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all living, and the Lord God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife and clothed them. Then the Lord God said, see, the man has become like one of us to know good and evil, and now he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat and live forever.

Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of the of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherub and the sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life, making man in our image and after our likeness. Genesis 1, verse 26. The next scripture we want to look at is Genesis 1:26 27. This corroborates the idea that man was born with moral qualities of justice, benevolence, love, etc.

Although imperfect at this time, these qualities needed to be developed. That’s what the thousand years is going to be all about coming back, getting perfect and developing these qualities. Genesis 1:26 and 27 let’s read. Then God said, let us make humankind in our image according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created mankind in his image.

In the image of God created he them, male and female. He created them what is being made in the image according to our likeness represented in Genesis 1:26. We notice in Genesis 127:127 image is mentioned and likeness is not mentioned.

Then we turn to Genesis 5, verses 1 and 2 and we see the likeness as mentioned and the image is not mentioned. So let’s turn to Genesis 5 and read Genesis 5, 1 and 2. This is the list of the descendants of Adam When God created humankind, he made them in the likeness of God, male and female. He created them, and he blessed them and and named them humankind when they were created both angels in Hebrews 2, 6 and 7, Hebrews 2, 6 and 7 and that’s quoted from Psalms 8, 4 and 5 Psalms 8, 4 and 5 and Adam and Eve were created perfect mentally and morally, with the ability to learn and remember, and with the power of reason. Satan, speaking through the serpent, tempted mother Eve by promising her knowledge knowledge of good and evil by partaking of the forbidden fruit Genesis 3, 5 and John 8:44 when she and then Adam partook of the forbidden fruit, they lost their perfection.

The image of God was lost, and the hope of everlasting life was lost along with it. Yet something else was gained in its place, and Jehovah God said, behold, the man has become as one of us to know good and evil. Genesis 3, verse 22 the image of God was lost. That’s perfection.

But the likeness to no to experience evil as well as good of God was gained. Thus afterward in Genesis 5:1, two in the day that God created man, and the likeness of God made he him male and female created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam. In the day when they were created, man is now in the likeness of God. To know to experience evil as well as good remains to restore to the it remains to restore to the image of God. God has not finished mankind man in both in his image and in his likeness that will require the full thousand years of Christ’s kingdom to accomplish this.

At the end of the thousand years man will be in the Image as Isaiah 11:6,9 expresses it, and we can read that Isaiah 11:6,9. It’s really at the end where this the total picture of man’s perfection of being in the image and the likeness of God will be fulfilled. The wolf shall lie with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid the calf and the lion and the f fatling together, and a little child shall lead them the cow and the bear shall graze their young shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like an ox. The nursing child shall play over the whole of an asp.

And the weaned child shall put his hand on the otter’s den. Then will they will not hurt nor destroy all my holy mountain. Of course this is the thousand years. For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Have you ever wondered how man’s inability to get along with one another will be done away with? You know, we have the scripture in Revelation that Jesus rules with a rod of iron. That’s one part of it. But there is personal responsibility, that everybody will be responsible for their own actions. We can say it won’t be allowed.

That’s true. Because Jesus rules with a rod of iron. This is true. What is the practical application? How will this work?

How will this come about that all mankind will get along with one another? You know, we just can’t seem to do that today. Zephaniah, let’s read Zephaniah 3, 8, 9. Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I raise up to the prey. For my determination is to gather the nations that I may assemble the kingdoms to pour upon them my indignation, even my fierce anger, for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

Of course that is going to be culminated in the Armageddon picture. But then the promise for then, verse 9. For then will I turn to the people, a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve him with one consent. You know, when we read the end of Zephaniah 3, 9, I did this again. We have a number of different translations.

The King James is one consent. The new Revised Standard Version is one accord. The new American Standard update is Shoulder to shoulder, and then the new living translation is Worship the Lord together. I particularly like the new American Standard updated Shoulder to shoulder.

Working together. Right. Isn’t that the whole point? How all mankind is going to have to learn how to work together harmoniously, equitably, but not equally. We notice Satan’s lies will be done away with.

Only a memory of what he did will be allowed. In other words, the practical application of the permission to evil will be history. Only the 6,000 years of sin and sickness and sorrow will be done away with, and Satan will be bound, and this is Zechariah 3, verse 8, the second part of the end of Zechariah 39.

The practical application. Man will have to learn how to live together. How is this going to be accomplished. We notice that all the world’s resources are not distributed equally throughout the earth for all to enjoy. Man during the thousand years will have to learn how to equitably distribute man’s resources.

The Earth’s resources. I say equitably and not equally. So here’s a very simple example, but this is really kind of the point. Those living in warmer climates will not need as much heat to keep warm as those in cooler climates. The world’s resources oil, gas, water, minerals, lumber, electricity, etc.

Etc. Etc. Will be equitably distributed. Man will have to learn how to equitably do all these things. Keeping in mind the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, 31:46.

This is a millennial age picture and the principle is for the Church, the application is is now we can learn how to do this. Now that’s the whole point. Even though this is a millennial age picture, when we read the parable, we notice that the goats don’t do anything sinful. They just don’t do anything at all to help mankind. That’s the point.

Nothing sinful. They just don’t help out the goats. Take it all in, take all the kingdom blessings in, and don’t give or reciprocate the good deeds that others are doing for them. So let’s read just 35 and 36 Matthew 25 for I was a hungered and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.

I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me, and then the goats.

On the contrary, verse 42 and 43 I was hungry and you gave me no food. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not welcome me naked, and you did not give me clothes. Clothing sick and in prison and you did not visit me.

Let me share one analogy with you. You all agree that we are all in the school of Christ and we are all being graded on how we act and the fruitage of our actions. When going to grade school, what was the easiest grade to obtain? Now it’s not gym class, although this was an easy A for most of us and you just had to have a little coordination to get that A, didn’t you? And I don’t know anybody that flunked gym class.

And some of you might be thinking about lunch and no, lunch was not a class. Lunch was. We all Passed lunch unless you were unruly and the lunch lady took you and sat you at a table all by yourself. That never happened to me. But it did happen to some of my friends.

But the hint, the grade I am thinking of. Girls usually do better than boys. The grade is citizenship. This, to me, was the easiest grade to get. You just had to behave right.

That’s all you had to do. Of course, sometimes it’s not as easy as it sounds. I have equated citizenship with hospitality as a Christian. So let’s read Romans 12, 9, 13. The marks of a true Christian.

It’s all laid out for us. Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil, hold fast what is good. Love one another with mutual affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Do not lag in zeal. Be ardorant in spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering. Persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints.

Extend hospitality to strangers. Then we have our scriptures that we usually read once a year when voting on elders and deacons. You know this doesn’t just apply to elders and deacons. I got news for you. Applies to all of us sitting here today.

First Timothy 3, verse 2. No. A bishop must be above reproach. Married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, and apt to teach. Titus 1:8.

But he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, upright, devout and self controlled. 1st Peter 4:9. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Let each one of us strive together to be hospitable to one another. You may live long on the earth.

Ephesians 6, verse 3. The promise of obedience to the law for the Israelites was to live a long life. The promise was never if you obeyed the law, you would live forever. The human race was already under the death penalty and could never redeem itself. This is why a redeemer was necessary.

I don’t believe what God would ever promise anything that was not attainable. Like everlasting life. If you could keep the law perfectly. Thus, once again, the need for redeemer. We can’t keep the law perfectly.

We never could. The Jews couldn’t. We can’t. Ephesians 1:6 1:3. Let’s read Ephesians 6:1.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and your mother. This is the first commandment with a promise so that you may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. Not that you’ll live ever, but you’ll live a long nice life. Deuteronomy 4, verse 40 Keep his statutes and his commandments, which I am commanding you today for your own well being, and that you your descendants after you, so that you may live long, live, may long remain in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for a time.

Some more here. Exodus 20, verse 12 Honor your Father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land, and then Deuteronomy 5, verse 16 through 21 honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, so that your days may be long, and that you may be well with you in the land that the LORD God will give you, and then the commandments are given there. You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, neither shall you steal, neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor.

Neither shall you covet your neighbor’s wife, neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, field, male or female, slave or axe, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. You know, if you do these things, if you keep them out of your mind, or at least if you don’t do them, you don’t have a guilty conscience, and a guilty conscience will drive you to a shorter life.

Deuteronomy 63 Hear Therefore, O Israel, and obey them diligently. So it may be, Go, go well with you.

The last one Deuteronomy 22, 6 and 7 it may go well with you, and you may live long. We can read all these later, but I think everybody gets the point. Let’s read. Here’s, here’s our next one. I, Satan, will make myself like the most high.

Isaiah 14:14 when we read Isaiah 14:12 14 we see Satan fall from favor. What was Satan’s demise? He wanted to be like the Most high. As Isaiah 14:14 states. It doesn’t say he wanted to replace the Most High.

I think Satan knew this was impossible. He just wanted to be like the Most High. A point to note as each one of the bride class is resurrected. Satan goes from being number three in God’s kingdom to a notch lower in rank. Eventually there will be 144,000 plus one in the position of Satan wanted Jesus as a substitute for Adam.

First Corinthians 15:21 and 22.

Not sure how many of us avail ourselves of conversations with Jehovah’s Witnesses. In our travels we see Jehovah’s Witnesses their stands full of watchtowers or wake magazines at train stations, bus terminals at and busy street corners. We don’t always, but we try more than not to approach and start a conversation. First you need to know the reason why JWS don’t believe Adam is coming back is because if they did, then they would need to concede that all mankind will have a resurrection and opportunity in the future age. Then they would question what they are doing witnessing on the street corner and have to change their approach.

My approach has been to discuss Adam in reference to the ransom. Both the JWS and the Bible students agree on who Jesus was when he came to earth as a perfect man. No trinity. We start right off the bat on that. I usually start out by telling them we are non trinitarians and we believe like they do that Jesus was a perfect man.

Then I also tell them that I believe Adam will have a resurrection and they look at you. Then I tell because they don’t believe that. Then I tell them that I agree with them that Adam was a was perfect without experience and he was a willful sinner. That’s their whole point on Adam not coming back. He was a willful sinner.

Then I explained that this was the point of Jesus death. A ransom. Is the man Jesus a substitution for the man Adam. Jesus laid his life down willfully. In other words, Jesus the fleshly man stays in the ground unanimated so that the man Adam will have a resurrection.

This is the definition of the ransom. A perfect life Jesus for a perfect life Adam. If Adam is not resurrected, no one will receive a resurrection. Then I reiterate some of my points again until you can see in their eyes that they understand what you’re saying. Adam was a willful sinner and he disobeyed willfully without full knowledge.

Thus is the reason the man Jesus remains in the grave unanimated Jesus the man remains unanimated so that Adam will receive a resurrection. I know this is all. We all know this but this, you know, when you’re trying to explain something to somebody that is has a whole different concept, you have to kind of bend their mind into your thinking to have them understand what you’re trying to say. If Adam does not receive a resurrection, then all mankind will stay in the grave. A perfect life for a perfect life.

And then we usually quote 1st Corinthians 15, 21 and 22. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a human being. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Jesus was the ransom for Adam. This is how all mankind will receive life.

During the thousand years, all will learn righteousness, and then we usually use the scripture in First Timothy 2, 4, 6 that we already ready read earlier. So let’s just read that again. First Timothy 2, verse 4 who will have all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all.

In conclusion, it’s a very short conclusion. Let us learn the needed lessons that develop the fruits of the Spirit so that we can hear those most precious words that are spoken of in Matthew 25:23. His Lord said to him, well done, good and faithful servant. Thou has been faithful over a few things. I will set thee over many things.

Enter thou into the joy of the Lord. Yes, we look forward to that day when these words will be reiterated to each and every one of us individually.

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