Category Archives: CREATION AND EARLY MAN

Are we humans created in “the image of God?”, Are we humans created in “the image of God?”, Are we humans created in “the image of God?”, CREATION AND EARLY MAN, SIN, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS

Are we humans created in “the image of God?”

ARE WE HUMANS CREATED IN “THE IMAGE OF GOD?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

In the Christian world, it is common to hear that we are created in God’s image. If we have heard it all of our lives then it must be true, right? Probably 99 percent of Christendom is under the impression that we are made in God’s image. But, what does the Bible say? Of course, it says something else entirely. Let the Bible speak for itself.

The Bible says in Genesis 1:26-27: “[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

While the Bible does indeed say that Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, and thus in no way were animals (animals were not created in God’s image), it never says that we were created in God’s image. Here is why it is important to make the distinction. Genesis 5:1-3 says: “[1] This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; [2] Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. [3] And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:”

Notice above how the language that describes Adam is starkly different from the language that describes his son Seth. Adam was “created… in the likeness of God” (verse 1). That is clearly what the Bible says. However, post-Fall, Adam and Eve had a son, and that son was born after Adam’s “own likeness, and after his image” (verse 3). The entrance of sin into the world changed human makeup. What was once the reflection of God’s glory was now the reflection of man’s wretchedness. Seth was not sinless as Adam originally was. Adam’s progeny, even today, has inherited a sin nature, or what the Bible calls the “old man” (Romans 6:6).

Rather than being after God’s image, we are after Adam’s image. We are naturally sinful, dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3). To be made in God’s image means that man reflects God and His righteousness. Sinful man is not an accurate representation of God. However, Jesus Christ is a perfect representation of God. Notice these few Scriptures:

  • John 14:9: “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”
  • Hebrews 1:3 says Jesus Christ is “the brightness of [His Father’s] glory, and the express image of his person.”
  • The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that Jesus is “the image of God.”
  • Colossians 1:15 says Christ is “the image of the invisible God.”
  • Colossians 2:9 says that “in [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

Before the Fall in Genesis chapter 3, Adam was a perfect representation of God and His righteousness. One Adam sinned, however, death has passed upon all men (Romans 5:12). In order to gain God’s righteousness, we have to be in Jesus Christ, and the only way that will happen is if we rely on Calvary’s finished crosswork, the exhibition of Christ’s righteousness. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

The danger in believing that we are made in God’s image can be summed up in the following statement: “Human nature is not evil in itself. We are still made in God’s image. We are not completely corrupted by sin. Sin has merely impaired or weakened us.” I have read this claim before and I have heard others say it before. (Even religious people claim this nonsense.) It takes little discernment to see that this statement is very appealing and flattering to the flesh. (“I am not that bad! Although I am not perfect, I still have something to offer God. I want to do the best I can with what I have so God will be happy with me! God helps those who help themselves!”)

Friends, to suppose that we are made in God’s image means we completely miss the fact that we have no fellowship with God in our natural state. As David said, we are conceived in sin. We were shapen in iniquity. Psalm 51:5 says: “Behold, I was shapen in inquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” From birth, no human reflects God’s righteousness and holiness. That is what sin is! This is why God wants to give us a new nature in Christ, one that is not offensive to Him, one that will generate good works instead of sinful actions.

In the Bible, we read that a rainbow of colors surrounds God’s throne. The Prophet Ezekiel saw a yellow rainbow (Ezekiel 1:4,27) contrasted with a throne the color of sapphire (deep blue); centuries later, John the Apostle saw the rainbow as emerald green (Revelation 4:3). You can envision a kaleidoscope of colors, perhaps flashing lights, around God’s throne. This is the manifestation of God’s righteousness. Let us return to Adam being made “in the image of God.” There is additional detail to provide. The Bible says Adam and Eve “were both naked…and were not ashamed” (Genesis 1:25). How could they be naked, and yet unashamed?

In 1 Timothy 6:16 we read of Jesus Christ “dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto….” Again, God’s righteousness and holiness emanate from His body in the form of a bright light. “O LORD my God… who coverest thyself with light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:2). Originally, before the Fall, Adam and Eve did not wear physical clothes, but they were clothed with something… they were clothed with the righteousness of God Himself because sin had not entered into creation yet.

As we mentioned earlier, God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27); man was originally sinless, as perfect as God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed by eating the forbidden fruit, God’s righteousness left their bodies. They were sinners now, so God’s light no longer covered them (spiritually and physically). Adam and Eve were physically and spiritually naked, so they frantically gathered itchy fig leaves and covered themselves (Genesis 3:7). The LORD God, in His great love and grace, sought these lost souls. Adam and Eve hid, too afraid to approach our holy and righteous God. But, God in His brilliance devised a plan to restore them. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). The Bible says that God killed innocent animals. He used the blood to provide Adam and Eve’s spiritual clothes (forgiveness), and the skins served as their physical clothes.

By the way, if you are familiar with your Bible, you will recall that Joseph had a coat of many colors. God was using Joseph to preview Jesus Christ: “Now Israel [Jacob] loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of a many colours” (Genesis 37:3). God was going to use Israel, Joseph’s family, to reflect His glory in the Earth. This is what Adam and Eve failed to do.

Isaiah 61:10 summarizes (saved Israel speaking): “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” God did that for Adam, Eve, Israel, and in Christ He does that for us too! If we have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been clothed with God’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Christ, we are just as Adam and Eve were before the fall, in perfect standing before God.

Our physical bodies are still connected to Adam, but the day is coming when we in Christ Jesus will receive glorified bodies “fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21). This is what we call “the Rapture,” or what the Bible calls “the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). We close by reading 1 Corinthians chapter 15, noting especially verse 49: “And as we have borne the image of the earthy [Adam], we shall also bear the image of the heavenly [Christ].”

First Corinthians chapter 15: “[38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. [39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. [40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. [41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. [46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. [47] The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. [48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Also see:
» Why did God ask where Adam was?
» Does God give us “points” for trying to be good?
» Does “once saved, always saved” entitle us to abuse God’s grace?

CREATION AND EARLY MAN, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, What does 2 Peter 3:8 mean?, What does 2 Peter 3:8 mean?

What does 2 Peter 3:8 mean?

WHAT DOES 2 PETER 3:8 MEAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). Exactly what does this mean? Opinions aside, to the Holy Word of God!

There are two common views about 2 Peter 3:8. Firstly, some have tried to use it to interpret the book of Genesis. Secondly, some have tried to predict the time of Jesus’ return to Earth in wrath. We will discuss these two issues, looking at some verses, and then we will conclude by discussing what 2 Peter 3:8 really means.

2 PETER 3:8 IS NOT A REFERENCE TO CREATION

When people want to partly harmonize the 13.7-billion-year timeline of Big-Bang/Evolutionary Theory with the Book of Genesis, they often pair those creation verses with 2 Peter 3:8… At least the first part anyway!

It is said that since Peter wrote “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years,” then each “day” of Genesis chapter 1 is assumed to be a 1,000-year period rather than a 24-hour period. So, it is then suggested that it took God 6,000 years to create our universe, roughly 6,000 years ago. While this explanation does not fully agree with secular dates (actually way off), it at least generally agrees with an “older earth” (earth being 12,000 years old). Such a belief at least divorces Bible-critics from that strict literal Bible interpretation that keeps them believing what they want.

Firstly, we need to understand that 2 Peter 3:8 contains similes: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.” The Bible did not say, “One day with the Lord equals a thousand years, and a thousand years equals one day.” Peter is proving his point by making comparisons: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Furthermore, now you can see why people only quote the first part of this verse. The second part says, “And a thousand years as one day.” To make those “days” each a 1,000 years long is to make each 1,000 year-period the length of a day. This demonstrates there is no solid Bible understanding with this methodology 2 Peter 3:8. The “Day-Agers” hold a self-defeating position. Notice: If 1 day = 1000 years, then the converse is also true (1000 years = 1 day):

1st day of creation = 1000 years = 1 day of creation
2nd day of creation = 1000 years = 1 day of creation
3rd day of creation = 1000 years = 1 day of creation
4th day of creation = 1000 years = 1 day of creation
5th day of creation = 1000 years = 1 day of creation
6th day of creation = 1000 years = 1 day of creation

Again, the left and the right equal each other. Making days equal millennia is to make the millennia into days once again. This is nonsense. It shows us that this is not the way to properly handle 2 Peter 3:8. We will look analyze 2 Peter 3:8 later. For now, just notice what the rest of the Bible says about the “days” of the Creation Week.

Exodus 20:8-11 proves conclusively that the length of the “days” of Genesis chapter 1 were 24-hour periods and not indefinite periods of time: “[8] Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: [11] For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

In the fourth of the Ten Commandments, Israel was instructed to work six days and rest on the Sabbath, just as the LORD worked six days and rested on the Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3). What Jew worked 6,000 years? Who worked 6,000,000 years? What about 6,000,000,000 years? Ridiculous! Genesis 1 defines “day” six times: “And the evening and the morning were the … day” (verses 5,8,13,19,23,31). One evening and one morning equal what? Only a 24-hour period!

Some argue against this by saying since the sun was not made until Genesis 1:14-16, the verses previous could not refer to a 24-hour period. We refute that contention with the fact that God could know the exact length of a 24-hour period without the sun being there to serve as a way to measure the time. The Bible is quite clear that God created the heaven and the earth, and all the life forms therein in 144 hours, or six consecutive 24-hour periods. If someone persists in arguing at this point, they are fools. Let them go quarrel with the clear evidence found in God’s Word.

2 PETER 3:8 IS NOT A PROPHETIC TIMELINE

Another abuse of 2 Peter 3:8 is to repeat the error of some “prophecy preachers.” They have used the verse as some sort of calendar to predict Jesus’ return.

Several years ago, Harold Camping asserted that God’s judgment would occur exactly 7000 years after the Great Flood of Noah’s day. He argued if God gave a seven-day warning before the flood of Noah came (see Genesis 7:4), then God was somehow hinting that judgment would occur exactly 7,000 years after the Great Flood. According to Camping, Peter’s words of “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years” (2 Peter 3:8) refers to God judging the world exactly 7,000 years from the time of the Great Flood of Noah’s day. As it turns out, that date was (allegedly) May 21, 2011. Of course, there was no divine judgment in 2011. There was no Second Coming of Jesus. There was no Rapture. Harold Camping’s claims were nothing but a fraud, a hoax, a publicity stunt to generate donations. It was certainly not of the God of the Bible. Because of such foolishness, Christianity (again) became the laughingstock of the world.

WHAT DOES 2 PETER 3:8 MEAN, THEN?

Friend, in case you have not noticed, our world is always searching for peace. It is said if we could eliminate anything and everything “religious” and “spiritual,” our world would be peaceful. Others say we should meet and converse with heads-of-state, and make many peace treaties to ensure international tranquility. Africa and the Middle East are ravaged by war and destruction, ever so desperate for peace from centuries- or millennia-long conflicts. The suffering these poor people are facing make even some Christians wonder how can God just keeps letting it continue. We can rest assured that God is not “sitting around in heaven in a recliner,” taking pleasure in what mankind has done to His once-perfect world.

In His own time, He will consummate it all: we cannot rush Him because He knows best. First Timothy chapter 6: “[14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: [15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; [16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

Beloved, we will never even partially fathom the depths of God’s longsuffering. Even in the Apostle Peter’s day, nearly 20 centuries ago, the scoffers (unbelievers) kept asking how long before Jesus Christ would return and wipe them out. We read in 2 Peter 3:8-9: “[8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Once God gets angry, whether one day later or 1000 years later, His wrath is still undiminished, until it is poured out in just as much fury as if He had never waited. But, today, God is withholding that wrath. When He unleashes that wrath, it will be undiluted, undiminished. While we get angry and eventually get over it, God’s anger never dissipates until His wrath enforces His righteousness. Oh, may we not take this Dispensation of Grace for granted!

In verses 15 and 16, Peter reminded his audience that the Apostle Paul had the answers to Christ’s delay—He was waiting for more people to be saved into the Church the Body of Christ: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;…” May we never take God’s peace in and through Christ for granted, for one day, He will withdraw it from this world, and replace it with His wrath!

CONCLUSION

It has been 2,000 years since God’s Word has been promising Jesus Christ’s return in wrath, and it is easy for people to conclude, “It has been so long that it probably will not come anyway. Maybe God was just bluffing from the very beginning.” (This was the claim of the scoffers in 2 Peter 1:16 and 2 Peter 3:3-5.) Just like in the natural world, if someone waits years before retaliating or getting even as promised, there is less apprehension. The more time that passes, the more likely we are inclined to believe nothing will happen. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Certainly, God is not so fickle as we and our emotions. Once He says it, you can bet everything you have that it will come to pass. It may take Him a few days or thousands of years, but He will bring it to pass in His own time. He has a schedule and we cannot rush Him. The Lord is not “slack,” unreliable, untrustworthy. He just works on a different time-frame than we do. It works to the sinner’s advantage that God in His grace delays the wrath prophecy says is still on its way as I write and as you read!

Also see:
» Why do the wicked prosper?
» How can a loving God send people to hell forever?
» Was the Apostle Paul a false prophet?

ANGELS & DEVILS, BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Can you explain Genesis 6:1-4?, Can you explain Genesis 6:1-4?, Can you explain Genesis 6:1-4?, Can you explain Genesis 6:1-4?, CREATION AND EARLY MAN, SATAN AND HIS POLICY OF EVIL

Can you explain Genesis 6:1-4?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN GENESIS 6:1-4?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Genesis 6:1-4 is the most mysterious passage in the Bible’s first book. Friend, we will get right to it and hopefully shed some light on it.

“[1] And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, [2] That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. [3] And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. [4] There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”

What makes this passage a great point of contention is trying to identify “the sons of God.” Just for the record, Dr. C. I. Scofield has the following note at Genesis 6:4 in his study Bible:

“Some hold that these ‘sons of God’ were the ‘angels which kept not their first estate’ (Jude 6). It is asserted that the title is in the O. T. exclusively used of angels. But this is an error (Isa. 43. 6). Angels are spoken of in a sexless way. No female angels are mentioned in Scripture, and we are expressly told that marriage is unknown among angels (Mt. 22. 30). The uniform Hebrew and Christian interpretation has been that verse 2 marks the breaking down of the separation between the godly line of Seth and the godless line of Cain, and so the failure of the testimony to Jehovah committed to the line of Seth (Gen. 4. 26).”

With that said, which of the following two scenarios do the Scriptures support?

  1. Seth’s descendants (“the sons of God”) intermarried with Cain’s descendants (“the daughters of men”) and had children with them. OR
  2. Angels (“the sons of God”) intermarried with Adam’s descendants (“the daughters of men”) and had children with them.

If you study the verses carefully, you see that number 1 can be ruled out. Verse 1 says “daughters were born unto men.” This would not be a reference to just Seth’s descendants, but all female descendants of Adam. The phrases “sons of God” and “daughters of men” contrast two different sets of creatures—non-humans and humans, respectively. In the book of Job, “sons of God” refers to angelic beings (Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Job 38:7). Angels is the only acceptable sense of the term “sons of God” in Genesis 6:1-4.

Now will be presented some tangential explanations people have developed. “That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (verse 2). Some have suggested the word “took” implies alien abductions and human-alien hybrids. If they want to believe that then that is their prerogative. However, I personally think that they are using Hollywood and science fiction to interpret the Bible. There exists a much simpler and more plausible explanation.

“Alien abductions” does not seem to me to be a valid interpretation of that term “took them wives” (Genesis 6:2). The Hebrew word translated “take” in Genesis 6:2 is rendered elsewhere as “take” in marriage (Leviticus 18:17,18; Leviticus 20:14,17,21; Leviticus 21:7,13,14). These instances had absolutely nothing to do with kidnapping/abducting. They describe selecting a spouse from a population of people. In the book of Leviticus, God instructed the Levites to “take” wives only from their tribe. Did that mean the Levites were to abduct (kidnap) women and make wives out of them? We would have to conclude this if we said that “taking” a wife meant abduction, forcing a woman against her will. The word “took” in Genesis 6:2 simply means they “chose” wives and as men “choose” wives today.

WHY DID THESE WOMEN GET INVOLVED WITH SATAN’S MINIONS?

Exactly which women would want to get involved in such strange unions with devilish creatures? My explanation is that the women did not know the true identity of the men they married and had sexual relations with. We know that angels assume the form of men when they enter our dimension. From all outward appearance, a devil-possessed person looks normal. These devil-possessed men appeared ordinary, and the women were oblivious to what they really were. We want to also answer Dr. Scofield on his point about angels not marrying (Matthew 22:30). While it is true that angels do not marry one another (the meaning of Matthew 22:30), Genesis chapter 6 was fallen angels marrying human women. Fallen angels indwelt men, and through these men, they were able to marry and have children with human women.

Second Peter chapter 2, verses 4-5, seem to be the best commentary on the events of the first verses of Genesis chapter 6: “[4] For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; [5] And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly….” These “angels” are connected to Noah’s preaching and the Great Flood—the most likely explanation of Genesis chapter 6:1-4 is found here (with Jude 6 supplementing).

SATAN’S PURPOSE IN GENESIS 6:1-4

Why did Satan want to create a perverted race of people? The Devil knew God’s promise in Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” God told Satan that He (God) would one day send a man who would defeat him (Satan). The “seed of the woman” turned out to be Jesus Christ many, many centuries later (Galatians 3:16). Before Jesus was born, Satan attempted to pervert the entire bloodline of the human race. With the genome of the human race polluted by sin and Satan, no pure bloodline would be available for God’s “seed of the woman” to be born. This evidently was Satan’s goal in Genesis 6:1-4.

Nevertheless, Genesis 6:9 says: “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Noah was separated from that perverted bloodline that Satan had begun to form in the opening verses of the chapter. That is, Noah had not descended from these satanic unions and generation of giants. He was not an emissary of Satan. Thus, God had Noah and his (pure) descendants enter the ark, and begin the human race anew and untainted by Satan. The giants, not on the ark, lost their lives in the Great Flood. God took the evil angels that indwelt them and put them in everlasting chains of darkness in hell (refer back to 2 Peter 2:4-5 and Jude 6).

MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE PASSAGE

Having provided you with the verses that govern my thinking on this subject, I will offer the best explanation I can provide.

The greatest challenge to interpreting Genesis 6:1-4 is that, as far as Scripture is concerned, such events never occurred again in human history. Since it is unparalleled, Scriptural explanation is greatly limited. However, we do know in other places in Scripture that devil possession is possible.

In Genesis 6:1-4, Satan’s fallen angels indwelt men sometime between Adam’s creation and the Great Flood of Noah’s Day. These men, because of their devil possession, had their DNA drastically altered. When they married unsuspecting women, and the women bore children, those children turned out to be “super-humans.” They were “giants,” “mighty men which were of old, men of renown” (Genesis 6:4). Whether physically and/or mentally “gigantic” the Bible does not provide detail. The point is that these offspring were not ordinary humans. They were very useful to Satan in corrupting society and preventing God’s will from coming to pass on Earth. God brought about the Great Flood to exterminate these evil creatures, and confine the angels to hell.

One final remark. Perhaps you have seen emails circulating online, or posts circulating via social media, containing pictures of giant human skeletons being excavated. People use this as proof that Genesis 6:1-4 really happened. I am very skeptical about such pictures. If the Bible says it happened, then it happened, but it is quite easy today in this technologically advanced world to manipulate photographs and video footage. Such pictures of giant human skeletons may in fact be doctored or exaggerated. I do not concern myself with these images.

Also see:
» Can you explain 1 Peter 3:18-21?
» What are Satan’s current operations?
» Did God give angels free will as He gave to mankind?

CREATION AND EARLY MAN, Did Adam die or did he not die in Genesis 3?, Did Adam die or did he not die in Genesis 3?, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS

Did Adam die or did he not die in Genesis 3?

DID ADAM DIE OR DID HE NOT DIE WHEN HE ATE THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Bible critics, always looking for some verse to use to discredit the Scriptures, take great pleasure in telling us that Adam did not really die when he ate the forbidden fruit. In fact, they tell us that the Bible says Adam lived to age 930 years (Genesis 5:5). (They do not take that number “930” literally, of course, but they still like to point out that number so as to “prove” an inconsistency in the Bible). How could God say Adam would “surely die” on that day he ate the forbidden fruit, and yet, Adam lived for many more centuries? Did Adam die in Genesis chapter 3? Yes, he did die. No, he did not die. It was both. You may ask how this is so, and I will reply that there are several types of “death” in the Bible. Provided that we do not skim the Scriptures as the skeptics do, we will mine the deep truths of the Bible to learn the answer is, “Yes and no.”

When God created Adam, notice what the Bible says about that sixth day of creation: “[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

Mankind—Adam and Eve—had a spiritual makeup similar to God’s. Scripture calls this “made in the image of God” (cf. Genesis 9:6). No animal in creation was given this unique makeup. Contrary to “scientific consensus,” mankind is not to be classified as “a highly-evolved ape” or “a highly-evolved animal.” Mankind is not a species of animal, according to the Bible anyway. The authors of scientific textbooks are, of course, free to speculate and believe whatever they like. Unlike their ever-changing books, they cannot change what the Bible says. Returning to our earlier comments though, mankind was originally compatible with his Creator God on a level no other creature (even angels) had.

God decreed a strict warning in Genesis chapter 2: “[15] And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. [16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: [17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” The idea has been offered that Adam did not know what death was, but that does not seem to be the case. Although Adam had never witnessed death, God certainly gave him the ability to understand it; otherwise, the charge would be meaningless to Adam and pointless for God to give it.

Fast-forward to Genesis chapter 3, the opening six verses. Satan entices Eve, and Eve encourages Adam, and both Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit. After partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve behave very peculiarly. We continue in chapter 3 of Genesis: “[7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. [8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. [9] And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? [10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. [11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? [12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. [13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”

The following detailed analysis highlights what happened as soon as Adam and Eve ate that forbidden fruit:

  1. Their eyes were opened (verse 7). Not physical eyes, but spiritual eyes—physical eyes would not make sense in this context. Now, they were spiritually where God did not want them, and they were fully aware of the changes. They were no longer the spiritual beings that God had created them. That is, they had now decided for themselves what was good and what was evil. Deciding what was good and what was evil was to be God’s prerogative, not man’s All of creation—especially on Earth—had now taken a drastic turn for the worst, and Adam and Eve were fully conscious of what had just occurred!
  2. They knew they were naked (verse 7). Originally, Adam and Eve were not ashamed of their physical nakedness (Genesis 2:25). It was only after they had eaten the forbidden fruit that they made themselves clothes out of fig leaves (see #3, below). Exactly what changed to make them visibly naked will be discussed in a special section later.
  3. They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons (verse 7). Adam and Eve, as discussed in #2 above, were originally physically naked. After they partook of the forbidden fruit, they tried to cover themselves. It was a desperate, feeble attempt to hide their nudity. As evidenced by #4, below, they knew this action was insufficient to undo what they had done. They could not hide their mistakes.
  4. They hid amongst the trees when they heard the voice of God (verse 8). Had their “solution” of fig leaves worked, they would have not hidden themselves. They knew that God would know what had happened. Furthermore, He would see them wearing fig-leaf coverings, and He ask them why they had put those strange “clothes.”
  5. Adam admits to God that he hid from Him because he was naked (verse 10). Again, Adam confirms what we already commented in #4 above. Even though he had tried to cover himself, Adam knew he was still naked. Hence, in another attempt to cover his nudity, he hid amongst some trees in the Garden.
  6. God asks Adam what he did (verse 11). This is a puzzling verse for so many. Why would God have to ask Adam what he did, since God is all-knowing? Are there some things God does not know? Of course not! God asked this for Adam’s benefit. That is, God was prompting Adam to confess, to admit to wrongdoing. God wanted Adam to think about what had happened, rather than Him telling Adam what happened. The Creator God had given Adam a brain and Adam was to use it! Adam was no mindless robot!
  7. Adam blames Eve; yea, he blames God (verse 12). “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.” Notice the wording of the verse. Adam did not immediately say, “I did eat.” He added a bunch of “introductory” remarks before (somewhat) confessing. Adam attempted to sidestep God’s question in order to diminish what he had done. In actuality, Adam really did not confess at all. He blamed Eve, and then he blamed God for giving him Eve. Adam lied and blamed Eve for something that he deliberately did. But not just that. Adam said that it was really God’s fault because God had given him Eve. This too was a lie. God did not make him do anything. Adam freely gave in to Eve.
  8. Eve blames the serpent, Satan (verse 13). “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Notice how Eve was more truthful than Adam. Like Adam, however, Eve did not immediately confess either. She blamed Satan before saying, “I did eat.” It is quite true that Eve was tricked; the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul affirms this in 2 Corinthians 11:3 and 1 Timothy 2:14. Adam acted deliberately; Eve, on the other hand, simply did not know any better. Also observe how Eve admitted that Satan, “the serpent,” was involved. It was an evil action indeed. Mankind was now willfully operating under the influence of Satan.

The eight points delineated above highlight the immediate results of Adam eating the forbidden fruit. Adam and Eve’s relationship with the LORD God was broken. Consequently, their marriage was broken. Adam attacked Eve when he knew he, as the federal head, had failed. “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Timothy 2:14). Again, Adam knew exactly what he was doing when he sinned. Eve did not know any better.

Adam could no longer approach God because he had died. Yes, Adam’s physical body was still living, but his spiritual body was darkened and dead. He was to have a connection with God via his spirit, but now that was severed. Adam, because of sin, was alienated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18). He was no longer sinless. He was no longer the man made in the image of God; neither was Eve. Inside, Adam and Eve no longer bore any resemblance to their Creator. Now, Adam would have children “in his own image and after his own likeness” (Genesis 5:1). But, how could they keep living physically?

Lost people, and critics of the Bible in general, have no understanding of the effects of sin. They like to complain about the Bible, but as the saying goes, “Those who criticize the Bible the most read the Bible the least!” Romans 6:23 explains how Adam could die spiritually and yet be alive physically: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Note that “wages” is plural. There is more than one type of “death” implied when it comes to sin. In the Scriptures, there are spiritual death, physical death, functional death, the second death, and so on. Immediately, Adam and Eve experienced spiritual death (more serious because it was the first one), but physical death eventually took its toll as well (initiated by the invisible spiritual death many years earlier).

The complete effects of the Fall were not immediately evident, but those effects are recorded in Genesis 3:16-19. Eve would later give birth to children, so labor pains were not experienced for some time. Thorns and thistles grew immediately. Labor will now be hard and not as efficient as it originally was. Adam and Eve were to continue eating only plants, but animal flesh would be incorporated into the human diet centuries later with Noah (Genesis 9:1-4). There was today what we would call “incest”—intermarriage between siblings and cousins—but the human genome evidently was not heavily corrupted with mutations until a long time after the Fall.

HOW GOD RESPONDED TO ADAM AND EVE’S SIN

The most important fact in all of this is not how Adam and Eve responded, but rather how God responded. Genesis chapter 3 continues: “[20] And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. [21] Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” The Bible says that the LORD God “made coats of skins” and “clothed” Adam and Eve. This has a dual application. God killed some animals, shed their blood to atone for Adam and Eve’s sins, and then He covered this husband and wife with coats of skin—a spiritual covering followed by a physical covering. Verse 20 is Adam’s profession of faith. He called his wife “Eve” because “she was the mother of all living.” God had told them that they would both die because of their disobedience. Yet, Adam said Eve would live to be a “mother.” Why and how? In verse 15, God told Eve that she would live to bear at least one child, someone who would fight and defeat the Devil and undo what she and Adam had done in Eden. We know this “seed” as Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16; Galatians 4:4). While Adam and Eve did not know of the name of “Jesus Christ,” they at least knew “the seed of the woman” (some man) would come one day and do God’s will on their behalf since they had failed.

Adam was most definitely a saved man. He died “in Christ.” What information God had revealed at that point in human history, Adam believed it. Adam trusted in God’s promise of Genesis 3:15, and according to Genesis 4:1, Eve believed that Gospel message as well. Adam also realized that his fig-leaf apron (religion) was embarrassingly insufficient to cover him and Eve. Thus, he let God clothe him and his wife with His righteousness. Most definitely, Adam died a redeemed man, as saved unto eternal life as we are in Jesus Christ. The same is true of Eve. (When you get to heaven one day, brother or sister in Christ, please be sure to talk to them!)

Here is a lesson we can learn. If we are unsaved today, God is not looking for us to “clean up our lives” so He can then welcome us into His heaven. Oh, no. Our works can do nothing to do save us. We must come to the Creator God by faith, simple truth in the fact that “Jesus Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). That is the Gospel by which we are saved today—no “sinner’s prayer,” no walking an aisle, no shaking a preacher’s hand, no keeping commandments, no signing a church membership form, no turning from your sins, nothing that you do. As Adam believed God’s Word to him, so believe God’s Word to you. God has not shed an animal’s blood for you. Rather, He gave up His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of that animal blood that was shed in the Garden of Eden ever so long ago. My precious reader, please delay no longer, if you have not relied exclusively on Jesus Christ. Death may come sooner than you think, and then you will not have another chance. Come by simple faith to Calvary’s cross and trust Jesus Christ, so that you too, as Adam and Eve, will one day die a saved person.

SUPPLEMENTAL – THE ORIGINAL CLOTHES OF ADAM AND EVE

The Bible says Adam and Eve “were both naked…and were not ashamed” (Genesis 1:25). How could they be naked, and yet unashamed?

In 1 Timothy 6:16 we read of Jesus Christ “dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto….” God’s righteousness and holiness emanate from His body in the form of a bright light. “O LORD my God… who coverest thyself with light as with a garment” (Psalm 104:2). Originally, before the Fall, Adam and Eve did not wear physical clothes, but they were clothed with something… they were clothed with the righteousness of God Himself because sin had not entered into creation yet.

God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27); man was originally sinless, as perfect as God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed by eating the forbidden fruit, God’s righteousness left their bodies. They were sinners now, so God’s light no longer covered them (spiritually and physically). Adam and Eve were physically and spiritually naked, so they frantically gathered itchy fig leaves and covered themselves (Genesis 3:7). The LORD God, in His great love and grace, sought these lost souls. Adam and Eve hid, too afraid to approach our holy and righteous God. But, God in His brilliance devised a plan to restore them. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). The Bible says that God killed innocent animals. He used the blood to provide Adam and Eve’s spiritual clothes (forgiveness), and the skins served as their physical clothes.

Isaiah 61:10 summarizes (saved Israel speaking): “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” God did that for Adam, Eve, Israel, and us too! If we have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been clothed with God’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). In Christ, we are just as Adam and Eve were before the fall, in perfect standing before God.

CONCLUSION

God told Adam that in the day that he would eat thereof, he would surely die. Yet, Adam kept living for over 900 more years. There was more than one type of death implied in God’s warning. First and foremost, it was spiritual death, and Adam and Eve knew it immediately after they ate that forbidden fruit. Their words and actions demonstrate their cognizance that God’s warning was not hollow words. They knew exactly what happened, and why. We can be sure that Adam and Eve were redeemed, but they lived their rest of their physical lives in a fallen world. Adam saw the effects of sin for over 900 years… he lived every day with full knowledge that he was directly responsible for it. He saw his loved ones die, he saw animals viciously kill and devour one another, he slaved away as a farmer sweating and struggling with thorns and thistles, he saw Eve endure horrible labor pains, and he and her never again saw the Garden of Eden. Eventually, physical death came for Adam and Eve too, confirming that spiritual death had indeed infected them years earlier.

Also see:
» Was God “unfair” to punish us because of Adam’s sin?
» Why did God ask where Adam was?
» How can a loving God send people to hell forever?

CREATION AND EARLY MAN, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, THE NATION ISRAEL, Who was Melchizedek?, Who was Melchizedek?, Who was Melchizedek?

Who was Melchizedek?

WHO WAS MELCHIZEDEK, AND WHAT WAS HE ALL ABOUT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Can you shed some light on who Melchizedek was and what he was all about? There seems to be confusion over him.”

What a question. Thanks! The Bible provides very little about Melchizedek/Melchisedec in the Old Testament. We must go to the “New Testament” Scriptures for the majority of information about him. Melchizedek first appears in the Bible in Genesis 14:18-20: “[18] And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. [19] And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: [20] And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”

From Genesis, we learn three things: (1) Melchizedek was the king of Salem (later called Jerusalem); (2) he was the priest of the most high God, (3) and Abraham paid a 10 percent tithe (income tax) to Melchizedek (head of the local government). Historically, we never read about Melchizedek in the Bible again. We do not know where he came from prior to Genesis chapter 14. Also, we do not know what happened to him after Genesis chapter 14. Hence, Melchizedek is one of the most enigmatic characters in Scripture.

We also know that Melchizedek lived about 500 years before the Aaronic (Levitical) priesthood of Israel was instituted. God created Israel’s priesthood beginning with Moses’ brother, Aaron, and, according to Exodus 28:1, Israel’s priests had to be men of the tribe of Levi, and, of that tribe, they can only be sons of Aaron. Thus, with Israel and the Mosaic Law, Melchizedek’s priesthood is done away. As far as we know from the Bible, no one assumed Melchizedek’s priesthood; the Levitical priesthood is the priesthood that continued all through the Old Testament economy. In contrast, nothing more is said about the Melchizedekian priesthood after Genesis chapter 14.

When we come to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible says He will be Israel’s High Priest. For example, Hebrews 3:1: “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” And chapter 4 of Hebrews, verses 14-15: “[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” These verses will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Christ onward, right into Israel’s earthly kingdom (His 1000-year reign). But, Christ cannot be a priest of Aaron’s order/course/office because of a covenant change. We will discuss this briefly.

Notice what King David wrote in Psalm 110:4, about 1000 years before Christ: “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent [change his mind], Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” According to Hebrews 5:6,10 and Hebrews 7:17,21, this is God the Father speaking to His Son, Jesus Christ. Notice Hebrews 6:20: “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Thus we see that God the Holy Ghost included Melchizedek in the Old Testament in order to give us a preview of what Jesus Christ would become one day. In other words, Jesus Christ will pick up where Melchizedek left off 4,000 years earlier with his own priesthood.

While I strongly encourage that you read all Hebrews chapter 7 to get a better understanding of this, light commentary will be provided here. That chapter explains how Israel’s priesthood (the Levitical priesthood, as found in the Mosaic Law) will be done away when Jesus Christ makes the New Covenant with Israel at His Second Coming (Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 10:15-17; cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 11:26-27). The Lord Jesus Christ will replace the Levitical priesthood with His own priesthood of the Melchizedekian course. The reason for this is very simple. The Levitical priesthood is associated with the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law). However, since there will be a New Covenant with Israel, there must also be a new priesthood to accompany that new covenant. The Levitical priesthood can only operate in the Mosaic economy and it can only benefit the Jews. In contrast, the Melchizedekian priesthood has no limits. It was pre-Israel, pre-Law, and pre-Moses, so it can involve the whole world, and remember that Jesus Christ will rule over the whole world as King and Priest in His millennial kingdom.

Notice Hebrews 7:11-12 talks about this change in priesthoods and covenants: “[11] If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? [12] For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” In the ages to come, the New Covenant will replace the Old Covenant, and Jesus Christ’s Melchizedekian priesthood will replace the Levitical priesthood.

CONCLUSION

Melchizedek is a type (preview, figure, shadow) of what Jesus Christ will be one day—both a King and a Priest. Interestingly, Melchizedek served as King and Priest of Salem (Jerusalem), the very place where Jesus Christ will serve as King and Priest one day! Notice Zechariah 6:12-13 speaks of Jesus Christ as King and Priest. Hebrews 7:2 says that Melchizedek was not only “the King of Righteousness” (the meaning of the Hebrew word, “Melchizedek”) but he was also “the King of Peace” (his title was “the King of Salem,” and shalom/salem is Hebrew for “peace”). The King of Peace and The King of Righteousness are both titles of Christ (see Isaiah 9:6-7 and Jeremiah 23:5-6, for example). This shows us just how intricately written God’s Word is… the Author of Genesis knew what Hebrews would say, some 1500 years later, to be fulfilled some 3500 years later!

SUPPLEMENTAL – WAS MELCHIZEDEK A THEOPHANY?

Was Melchizedek a pre-incarnate Jesus Christ? (This may be the “confusion” you referenced?) Hebrews 7:3 has been used to support this notion: “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” Some have argued that Melchizedek must have been God in human form in order for Melchizedek to be known as “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.” “Who else but God could have these attributes?,” it is asked.

For a while, I wondered about this myself, never being fully satisfied with others’ comments on the subject. Not long ago, I settled it in my mind. Personally, I believe that Hebrew 7:3’s language here is vague because the (original) Old Testament description of Melchizedek was unclear. As mentioned earlier, the Scriptures do not provide explanations are to Melchizedek’s origin, his family/lineage, when he was born, when he died, what happened to him, and so on. In stark contrast, the characteristics of Aaron’s (Levitical) priesthood are clearly defined in order to limit its participants.

The Aaronic priesthood, the Levitical priesthood, began with the Law of Moses. It ended with Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem’s Temple in A.D. 70. As made clear in Leviticus and Hebrews, the Levitical priesthood had a strict bloodline, so not just anyone could serve in it. In comparison, Melchizedek’s was limitless, having never really had a clear beginning nor a clear ending. Melchizedek served Gentiles evidently, for national Israel was not in existence during his priesthood. In contrast, the Levitical priesthood only served Israel. The Gentiles who bless Israel in her program and Israel herself need a High Priest, and Jesus Christ will be both the Gentiles’ High Priest and the Jews’ High Priest in the ages to come. Additionally, Jesus Christ’s priesthood will never end because, unlike the Levitical priests who were replaced after their demise, He will never die (see Hebrews 7:23-28). In reality, Jesus Christ has no father and no mother—He is the eternal Son of God. Details about Melchizedek were withheld in order to closely identify with Jesus Christ, and to make Melchizedek the perfect preview of the King-Priest Jesus Christ will become in Father God’s own time!

Also see:
» Why was Jesus water baptized?
» Did the 12 preach the Gospel of the Kingdom after Christ ascended?
» How were Gentiles saved before our Dispensation of Grace?

CREATION AND EARLY MAN, Is it “un-Christian” for a country to have border walls?

Is it “un-Christian” for a country to have border walls?

IS IT “UN-CHRISTIAN” FOR A COUNTRY TO HAVE BORDER WALLS?

by Shawn Brasseaux

(Note: This will be harsh but I make no apology for writing it because it needs to be stated.)

The Roman Catholic pope, Francis, has gained a reputation for saying some utterly foolish remarks about a wide range of topics he has no business commenting about whatsoever. Recently, concerning the United States/Mexican border, he said it would be “un-Christian” for us in the United States to build a wall in order to prevent illegal immigration. (Who is he to comment on Christian matters?!)

Our good friend, the pope, once again, demonstrates that he needs to read his Bible, one of the books his church “claims” to believe but never actually follows consistently. For starters, he can go read Genesis chapters 10 and 11. Once he has done that, he can read Acts chapter 17 and Romans chapter 13. (Then he can recall the barricades that are erected when he has a motorcade, as well as remember the security walls surrounding Vatican property!)

Actually, friends, the creation of nations is one of God’s methods for suppressing Satan’s policy of evil. God scattered the people assembled in false religious worship around the Tower of Babel, and with those instituted languages, that forced them to relocate throughout the whole world. Consequently, each nation has its own bloodline, language, culture, et cetera. Each nation also has its own borders and a local government to ensure those borders are enforced. That government is to ensure its nation’s laws are created and upheld. Again, we find this most clearly demonstrated in Genesis chapters 10 and 11 (nations) and Romans chapter 13 (human government and a Christian’s responsibilities to such). Please read them in your own spare time.

The Apostle Paul summarized the book of Genesis while preaching to pagans in Athens in Acts chapter 17: “[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; [26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”

Any and every country, including the United States of America, has every right to clearly define its borders. We have God-given rights as nations to protect our borders in whatever ways we see fit, free from overbearing politicians and religious leaders (especially some hypocritical pope!). National walls are the visible representations of the invisible national borders that God created back in the few centuries between the Great Flood and the call of Abraham. Had the pope really been in the line of “apostolic succession,” I am quite sure that the Holy Spirit would have led him to quote the Apostle Paul in Acts 17:26. Since Francis did not quote Paul—or Moses (Genesis), or Luke (Acts)—I believe it is safe to assume that Francis is the one with the “un-Christian” attitude. Frankly, Francis needs to go back to Rome, mind his own business (Roman Catholic theology), and let us Americans be the independent nation we are, making our decisions as we see fit so we can take care of our legal citizens and keep illegals out. (Why did God create nations in the first place? See our study about pacifism linked below for the fascinating explanation!)

Also see:
» Should Christians support wars or should they be pacifists?
» How did Satan hinder Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:18?
» Where in the Bible did God give Satan domain over the Earth?

CREATION AND EARLY MAN, Did Adam die a saved man?, Did Adam die a saved man?, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS

Did Adam die a saved man?

DID ADAM DIE A SAVED MAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Friend, we gladly share with you what the Word of God says about that.

Throughout human history, faith is always the first and foremost issue when having a right relationship with the Creator God: “But without faith it is impossible to please [God]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). And, contrary to popular myth, no person was ever saved unto eternal life merely by doing good deeds in religion. Whatever truths God had revealed to mankind at any particular time, God expected contemporary people to believe and obey those instructions in order to fellowship with Him. The first Scriptural example of this is the eternal life of Adam and Eve. Their performance had merited wrath and judgment, true, but they eventually came to believe God’s Word to and about them post-Fall.

Genesis chapter 3: “[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? [2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: [3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. [4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. [6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. [7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”

Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and then tried to cover up their sin—their naked bodies—with fig leaves. This was utterly useless because they were still spiritually naked before God. They had lost His righteousness, and so they hid in the bushes. Note: “[8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. [9] And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? [10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. [11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? [12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. [13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”

We will refrain from commenting on the following verses for brevity’s sake. They are provided merely for contextual purposes: “[14] And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: [15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. [16] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. [17] And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; [18] Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; [19] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Now, friend, we have arrived at the verses pertaining to your question: “[20] And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. [21] Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” The Bible says that the LORD God “made coats of skins” and “clothed” Adam and Eve. This has a dual application. God killed some animals, shed their blood to atone for Adam and Eve’s sins, and then He covered this husband and wife with coats of skin—a spiritual covering followed by a physical covering. Verse 20 is Adam’s profession of faith. He called his wife “Eve” because “she was the mother of all living.” God had told them that they would both die because of their disobedience. Yet, Adam said Eve would live to be a “mother.” Why and how? In verse 15, God told Eve that she would live to bear at least one child, someone who would fight and defeat the Devil and undo what she and Adam had done in Eden. We know this “seed” as Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16; Galatians 4:4). While Adam and Eve did not know of the name of “Jesus Christ,” they at least knew “the seed of the woman” (some man) would come one day and do God’s will on their behalf since they had failed.

Adam was most definitely a saved man. He died “in Christ.” What information God had revealed at that point in human history, Adam believed it. Adam trusted in God’s promise of Genesis 3:15, and according to Genesis 4:1, Eve believed that Gospel message as well. Adam also realized that his fig-leaf apron (religion) was embarrassingly insufficient to cover him and Eve. Thus, he let God clothe him and his wife with His righteousness. Most definitely, Adam died a redeemed man, as saved unto eternal life as we are in Jesus Christ. The same is true of Eve. (When you get to heaven one day, brother or sister in Christ, please be sure to talk to them!)

Here is a lesson we can learn. If we are unsaved today, God is not looking for us to “clean up our lives” so He can then welcome us into His heaven. Oh, no. Our works can do nothing to do save us. We must come to the Creator God by faith, simple truth in the fact that “Jesus Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). That is the Gospel by which we are saved today—no “sinner’s prayer,” no walking an aisle, no shaking a preacher’s hand, no keeping commandments, no signing a church membership form, no turning from your sins, nothing that you do. As Adam believed God’s Word to him, so believe God’s Word to you. God has not shed an animal’s blood for you. Rather, He gave up His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of that animal blood that was shed in the Garden of Eden ever so long ago. My precious reader, please delay no longer, if you have not relied exclusively on Jesus Christ. Death may come sooner than you think, and then you will not have another chance. Come by simple faith to Calvary’s cross and trust Jesus Christ, so that you too, as Adam and Eve, will one day die a saved person.

Also see:
» What of the “talking snake” of Genesis chapter 3? (COMING SOON!)
» Why did God ask where Adam was?
» Was God unfair to punish us for Adam’s sin?

CREATION AND EARLY MAN, How did God “testify” of Abel’s gifts?

How did God “testify” of Abel’s gifts?

HOW DID GOD “TESTIFY” OF ABEL’S GIFTS?

by Shawn Brasseaux

We read in Hebrews 11:4: “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Just how did Abel “obtain witness that he was righteous?” How did God “testify” of Abel’s righteousness? Let us reason together using the Holy Scriptures.

Let us briefly review. Sons of Adam and Eve, Abel is a “keeper of sheep” and his brother Cain is a “tiller of the ground” (Genesis 4:2). Cain “brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD” (verse 3), while Abel “brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof” (verse 4a). To wit, Abel “by faith” brought a blood sacrifice, indicating He followed God’s instructions. Unbelieving Cain, however, offered vegetation to God, which He never commanded. “And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect” (verses 4b,5a). And, as we just read in Hebrews 11:4: “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts.” But, exactly what does it mean that Abel “obtained witness” from God that “he was righteous?” For the answer, we must search the Old Testament Scriptures.

Read 1 Chronicles 21:26: “And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.” In 1 Kings 18:38, we read of the time when the prophet Elijah offered an animal sacrifice: “Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” And 2 Chronicles 7:1: “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.”

Based on these verses, we conclude Abel must have seen the fire of God come down from heaven and consume his sacrifice, thus signifying to him that God had accepted his offering. Amazing! (By the way, Cain did not see the fire come from God out of heaven and consume his vegetable offering. Just as Abel saw that he was righteous before God, Cain saw that he was unrighteous before God. Hence, Cain grew very upset and killed Abel!)

Also see:
» Why did God reject Cain’s offering?
» How can a loving God send people to hell forever?
» Was God unfair in striking Uzzah dead?

CREATION AND EARLY MAN, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS, Why did God reject Cain’s offering?, Why did God reject Cain’s offering?

Why did God reject Cain’s offering?

WHY DID GOD REJECT CAIN’S OFFERING? WHAT LESSON CAN WE LEARN FROM THAT ACCOUNT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Have you ever wondered why God did not accept Cain’s offering? Was it because, as some suppose, Cain had a bad attitude? If not, what was the reason for God rejecting Cain’s offering? In addition, what lesson can we learn from this Old Testament historical narrative? We will be Bereans, and search the Scriptures for answers to these fascinating questions (Acts 17:10-11).

Doubtless everyone who grew up in or around Christian churches or groups has heard of brothers Cain and Abel. While what happened between the two is common knowledge, the warfare associated with the story is largely overlooked. Sadly, the eternally significant part of the narrative is largely unknown! Dear readers, many billions of souls could have avoided a devil’s everlasting hell in which they now suffer, had they only critically considered and believed the lesson taught by the events of Genesis 4:1-8. It thus behooves us to survey and evaluate these verses.

Genesis chapter 4 opens: “[1] And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. [2] And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.” This is rather simple to get. We need no theological degree or high IQ to understand that Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain the farmer and Abel the shepherd. Verses 3-5 continue: “[3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”

When it came time to sacrifice to God, “Cain brought fruit of the ground,” but “Abel…brought the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering, he had not respect….” Why did God accept Abel’s offering, but reject Cain’s? Hebrews 11:4, written some 4,000 years later, testifies: “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” How could Abel’s sacrifice be “more excellent than Cain?”

After sin entered the world by Adam (Romans 5:12), God demanded blood sacrifices for atonement (to make God and sinner “at one”). God shed innocent blood to cover Adam and Eve’s sin (Genesis 3:21). Outside of our dispensation, and before Christ came, those who wanted a right standing before God—”righteousness”—had to offer blood sacrifices by faith. “…[W]ithout the shedding of blood is no remission [forgiveness]” (Hebrews 9:22b). Cain had no faith, so he ignored God’s instructions and brought no blood. He brought the fruit (crops) of his own work, but Abel, by faith, brought blood sacrifices (obeying God). God accepted Abel’s sacrifice because Abel had faith! However, God rejected Cain’s sacrifice. Cain should not have been upset. He knew exactly what God wanted, and he knew God did not instruct him to bring an offering from the ground.

WHERE WE FIT IN

We are some 6,000 years removed from Cain and Abel, and yet that story teaches us a valuable lesson of eternal worth.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain…” (Hebrews 11:4). The LORD gave Cain and his brother Abel clear instructions. Only Abel did what God said because only he believed what God said. Abel, a shepherd (Genesis 4:2), “brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof” (verse 4a). Cain, a farmer (verse 2), “brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD” (verse 3).

Notice what Abel brought—a sheep, a blood sacrifice, and its fat, which is what God said to do. Observe what Cain brought—something he grew. Cain had probably slaved away watering that crop, weeding that patch of ground, and so on. Cain brought the very “best” he could bring—it was the work of his own hands. He rationalized, “Surely, God will accept this fruit of the ground. He knows I put so much effort into it. How can He say no?” When Cain saw the fire of God come down from heaven and consume his brother’s sacrifice, and yet nothing happened to his sacrifice, Genesis 4:5 tells us that Cain grew very upset. “How dare You, God! It was my very best, and You do not want it!” Cain probably threw a tantrum and cursed. Eventually, filled with that religious rage, he murdered Abel (verse 8).

Cain symbolizes today’s average religious person, who refuses to do what God’s Word says: “Trust in the finished crosswork of Christ alone and I will save you.” Like Cain, they offer “their absolute best”—tithes, water baptism, acts of charity, penance, church membership, et cetera—things God never commanded them to do for salvation! Those things are “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) when compared to Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice of Himself. And when they die, like Cain, they will be greatly disappointed.

CONCLUSION

God instructed Cain and Abel to bring blood sacrifices. However, only Abel obeyed God because he alone had faith. Cain lacked faith, so he completely ignored God’s Word. Cain wanted to do what Cain wanted to do. This is typical human nature, and it has not changed one wit. Man is naturally sinful in that he seeks autonomy—to be his own god and to do what he wants to do. “Cain… was of that wicked one [Satan!]… his own works were evil, and his brother’s [Abel’s] righteous” (1 John 3:12). Now, Cain’s vegetation offering did not look evil—it was just “fruit of the ground” (Genesis 4:3). Yet, despite its innocent appearance, it was evil and God rejected it. How was it evil? God wanted blood sacrifices, not crops! Cain displeased God because he had no faith (Hebrews 11:6).

Now, apply that scenario to today. Billions of church members are doing everything they can to work for heaven. Like Cain, they completely ignore God’s Word when it says their “good” works are actually “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and “dung” (Philippians 4:8). They give faithfully, pray daily, attend church weekly, help the poor, clean the church, sing in the choir, and so on. Sadly, this is vain activity, for God never commanded them to work for heaven!

In this the Dispensation of Grace, God is freely offering His grace, love, mercy, forgiveness, salvation, acceptance, fellowship, and righteousness in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him [Jesus Christ] that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5). Salvation is so simple, yet religion complicates it with our works. We sinners cannot work for salvation. The Bible says the only way to heaven, and everlasting salvation, is to trust in what Jesus Christ already did for you, not what you can do for Him.

According to God, Abel brought “of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof” whereas his brother Cain offered “fruit of the ground” (Genesis 4:3-4). Cain’s offering appeared innocent, but God considered it “evil” (1 John 3:12). Why? “Without faith, it is impossible to please him [God]” (Hebrews 11:6). Cain did not please God. He did not believe anything God said, so he ignored God’s command to bring a blood sacrifice. No blood sacrifice indicated no faith. Essentially, Cain was ignoring what that blood sacrifice represented: the blood of the coming Redeemer Jesus Christ!

Sadly, today, mankind generally shares Cain’s attitude in refusing to believe God’s Word, especially regarding salvation. God has told them they are “guilty” sinners who cannot work for salvation, but they refuse to listen. God wants them to trust in His Son alone, but they want to trust in their works and His Son. God will not have it. Jesus Christ is “well pleasing” to God the Father, we are not (Matthew 3:17; Matthew 12:18; Matthew 17:5; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22).

Please be not one of the billions of precious souls attempting to appease God and merit salvation and heaven with their “good” works. Like Cain’s offering, this “innocent-looking” activity is evil! (Remember, even Jesus claimed some “good” works were “iniquity” in Matthew 7:22-23). These “good-works” people are attempting to substitute Christ’s perfect blood sacrifice on Calvary with their “dung” and “filthy rags” (their “good” works). God will not have it. God wants our faith exclusively in what His Son Jesus Christ did for us. Has Jesus Christ’s blood been imputed to your account? If it has, that blood applied to you indicates your faith! If Jesus’ blood has not been imputed to you, you need to trust exclusively in the Lord’s finished crosswork on Calvary. For salvation, God will accept nothing else but your faith resting in Christ Jesus alone.

Also see:
» We are saved by faith, but are we blessed by works?
» Why did God demand blood sacrifices? (COMING SOON!)
» How can a loving God send people to hell forever? (COMING SOON!)

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, CREATION AND EARLY MAN, How is mankind “lower than the angels?”, How is mankind “lower than the angels?”

How is mankind “lower than the angels?”

HOW IS MANKIND “LOWER THAN THE ANGELS?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Bible thrice uses the expression “lower than the angels”—Psalm 8:7, Hebrews 2:7, and Hebrews 2:9. These verses, along with one other, will be helpful in answering our question. To the Scriptures to answer, “How is mankind ‘lower than the angels?’”

Psalm 8 is descriptive of mankind in general, particularly Adam. Mankind was to rule planet earth for God’s glory; it was in God’s foreknowledge to use mankind to defeat Satan and counter his sinful activities.

It would be best to read Psalm 8 in its entirety here: “[1] O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. [2] Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. [3] When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; [4] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? [5] For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. [6] Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: [7] All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; [8] The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. [9] O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

Genesis chapter 1 describes the creation week. We want to focus on the creative acts of Day 6: “[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

It is at this point that we ask an important question. Psalm 8:5 says that God “made [Adam] a little lower than the angels.” Yet, Genesis 1:26-27 says that God “created [Adam] in his own image, in the image of God created he him.” How could Adam be “made in God’s image” and still be “lower than the angels?” It actually is simpler than you might first think.

The writer of the book of Hebrews quotes Psalm 8, demonstrating by the Holy Ghost that that psalm also describes Jesus Christ (who will do what Adam and the rest of mankind failed to do; rule earth for God’s glory). We read in Hebrews chapter 2: “[6] But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? [7] Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: [8] Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. [9] But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

It is at this point that we ask another important question. The Bible is very clear that Jesus Christ is JEHOVAH God the Son manifest in human flesh (John 1:1,14; John 20:28; Philippians 2:6; Revelation 1:8,11,17). Yet, the Bible says that Father God “madest him a little lower than the angels” (verse 7) and “Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death” (verse 8). So, how could Jesus Christ be God and also be “made a little lower than the angels?” If you are observant, you should have noticed that “lower than the angels” is defined within verse 8 of Hebrews chapter 2. (We will focus on that shortly.)

In His discussion with resurrection-denying Sadducees about the raising of the dead in the future, Jesus said in Luke 20:36 that people who die are “equal unto the angels.” “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” To be “equal unto the angels” is to be unable to physically die. So, being “lower than the angels” means that one is a mortal, one who is subject to physical death; unlike humans, no angel dies in the Bible. When Adam sinned, God allowed his body to be subject to physical death. When Jesus Christ became a man, the God-Man, Father God made His physical body, that it be able to physically die on Calvary’s cross for us. Hebrews 2:9 once more: “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

We are “lower than the angels” in that we are mortal, subject to physical death. However, the good news is that, once we are resurrected with glorified bodies, we will be “equal unto the angels,” meaning that we will never experience physical death again. How simple!

Also see:
» How were Adam and Eve “created in God’s image?” (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Did Jesus die for “many,” or did He die for “all?” (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Exactly how could Jesus Christ’s death on Calvary sufficiently pay for our sins? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)