2 - The Fall of Man

The Thread - traced in the Fall of Man

Image credit - Immo Wegmann - Unsplash.com

This timeline highlights a thread of truth which runs throughout human history from creation, through every time period illustrated on this timeline, right through to the end times as recorded in the book of Revelation.

That thread is this:

God is Alpha and Omega; as creator, he has revealed himself to mankind as the only true and supreme God for all Nations. He communicates with us and desires to participate in our lives in order to have a relationship with us.

His ultimate goal is to prepare us to spend eternity with him in perfect holiness and happiness through salvation.

This thread starts in Genesis chapter one and continues through all of human history as recorded in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

There are two opposing forces which can also be traced from Genesis to Revelation.

 First - is the unrelenting sinful nature and stubborn rebellion of mankind refusing to submit to God's laws.

Second - is the constant stalking and harassment of that ancient serpent, the devil. He never gives up in his vain attempts to thwart the will of God in his dealings with mankind.

All through human history, God reigns supreme and in the closing chapters of Revelation, Satan finally meets his eternal doom while the saved of earth enter an eternity of bliss and happiness with God.

The Thread

Period 2: The Fall

Here in the account of the Fall of Man, we see the thread of God's relationship with mankind developing in a new direction. The relationship had changed because of man’s disobedience. 

How would God respond to this event? How would Adam and Eve respond to God subsequent to this event?

We know through reading the bible that God is holy and he can’t allow sin or sinners to dwell in his presence.

We are about to see the beginning of God’s eternal plan of salvation come into action. God takes the initiative, he always does.

He provides coverings of animal skins which demand that blood is shed and another life is sacrificed in order to spare Adam and Eve; and ultimately to spare mankind.

This animal sacrifice that took place under the hand of God himself would become the template for the nation of Israel as a constant reminder of sin and of the need for atonement.

The book of Hebrews clarifies the matter as follows:

The Blood of Christ

Hebrews 9 v 11-14

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.

12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 

13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.

14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Hebrews 10 v 11-14

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.

14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.