2. Death in a Sinful World (Genesis 3:5-7)

Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

We shall pass through this world but once; any good that we can do, we should do earnestly, untiringly, in the spirit that Christ brought into His work. How can students who are greatly in need of help be encouraged to press on in the right way? Only by treating them with the love that Christ revealed. You may say we should treat them as they deserve. What if Christ treated us thus? He, the Sinless One, was treated as we deserve, that we, fallen and sinful, might be treated as He deserved. Teachers, treat your unpromising students as you think they richly deserve, and you will cut them off from hope and spoil your influence. Will this pay? No, a hundred times, no. Bind the one who needs your help close to a loving, sympathizing heart, and you will save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins. {CT 267.4}

Memory Text

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: {Rom. 5:12}

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This week's SS Lesson will look deep into the testing point of our first parents, on how we can relate to their experience which beset us into sin and its results, sickness and death, sorrow and afflictions alike. This also included how God gave hope through His promises that will never fail.

Outline of the Study

Sunday: Statements in tension (Free to Choose) Gen. 1:31; 2:16, 17; 3:1-4

Monday: Deceived by the Serpent (Is God truthful?) Gen. 3:1-7; 1Thess. 5:21

Tuesday: You will Die (Who Should we Believe?) Gen. 3:4; Ps. 115:17; 146:4; John 5:28-29; Mat. 10:28; 1Cor. 15:51-58

Wednesday: Consequence of Sin (The Fall) Gen. 3:7-19; Rom. 5:12

Thursday: The First Gospel Promise (The Promise) Gen. 3:15, 21; Eph. 2:1, 5; Rom. 6:20; 2Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:28

Friday: The Further Study and Meditation

Sunday: Statements in Tension (Free to Choose) Gen. 1:31; 2:16, 17; 3:1-4

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 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 surely die.’” (Genesis 2:16-17)

God Does not Force Anyone

God sees that the same course of action is being pursued the world over. Men and women come to the place where the road diverges: it is either right or wrong. Thousands upon thousands clothe themselves in what they suppose to be an impenetrable disguise, and choose the wrong. . . . God does not force anyone. He leaves all free to choose. But He says, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” The Lord will not write as wise those who cannot distinguish between a tree that bears thorn berries and a tree that bears olives.—Manuscript 57, 1896 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, pp. 361-363). {CTr 14.6}

Free to Choose the Good or Evil

The Spirit of God keeps evil under the control of conscience. When people exalt themselves above the influence of the Spirit, they reap a harvest of iniquity. . . . Warnings have less and less power over them. They gradually lose their fear of God. They sow to the flesh; they will reap corruption. The harvest of the seed that they themselves have sown is ripening. . . . Their heart of flesh becomes a heart of stone. Resistance to truth confirms them in iniquity. . . . All should be intelligent in regard to the agency by which the soul is destroyed. It is not because of any decree that God has sent out against men or women. He does not make them spiritually blind. God gives sufficient light and evidence to enable them to distinguish truth from error. But He does not force them to receive truth. He leaves them free to choose the good or to choose the evil. If people resist evidence that is sufficient to guide their judgment in the right direction and choose evil once, they will do this more readily the second time. The third time they will still more eagerly withdraw from God and choose to stand on the side of Satan. And in this course they will continue until they are confirmed in evil and believe the lie they have cherished as truth.—Manuscript 126, 1901 (Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, pp. 183, 184). {CTr 103.4}

Consider the Following

God created us with free will. That’s why He advised Adam to choose not to eat the fruit. (Genesis 2:16-17).

Obedience was the only logical choice. However, the tempter appeared as a serpent and encouraged them to choose disobedience. The serpent was eating the fruit and it had not died. It insinuated that God was setting rules capriciously.

Eve forgot that God’s Word is always trustworthy, even when it might seem illogical. We’re facing similar situations every day. We must choose between obeying God or mistrusting and disobeying Him.

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Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary - 2. The Fall (google.com)

Monday: Deceived by the Serpent (Is God truthful?) Gen. 3:1-7; 1Thess. 5:21

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. (Genesis 3:5)

Tempter's Opportunity to Ensnare the First Woman

Now was the tempter’s opportunity. As if he were able to discern the workings of her mind, he addressed her: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Eve was surprised and startled as she thus seemed to hear the echo of her thoughts. . . . To the tempter’s ensnaring question she replied: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 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. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 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.”. . . {CTr 21.4}

Strategem of Satan: Excite the Spirit of Irreverent Curiosity, Restlessness, and Inquisitive Desire

Such has been Satan’s work from the days of Adam to the present, and he has pursued it with great success. He tempts people to distrust God’s love and to doubt His wisdom. He is constantly seeking to excite a spirit of irreverent curiosity, a restless, inquisitive desire to penetrate the secrets of divine wisdom and power. In their efforts to search out what God has been pleased to withhold, multitudes overlook the truths that He has revealed, and that are essential to salvation.—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 53-55.

Eve's Stages of Personal Confrontation with the Serpent

1. Thinking - Eve thought that the serpent's discourse was very wise, and that the prohibition of God was unjust.

2. Looking - She looked with longing desire upon the tree laden with fruit which appeared very delicious. The serpent was eating it with apparent delight. She longed for this fruit above every other variety which God had given her a perfect right to use. {Con 14.1}

3. Stating God's Command - Eve had overstated the words of God's command. He had said to Adam and Eve, "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."

4. Adding to God's Word - In Eve's controversy with the serpent, she added "Neither shall ye touch it." Here the subtlety of the serpent appeared. This statement of Eve gave him an advantage; he plucked the fruit and placed it in her hand, using her own words, He hath said, If ye touch it, ye shall die. You see no harm comes to you from touching the fruit, neither will you receive any harm by eating it. {Con 14.2}

5. Yielding to Temptation - Eve yielded to the lying sophistry of the devil in the form of a serpent.

6. Eating the forbidden fruit - She ate the fruit, and realized no immediate harm.

7. Sharing sin to Adam - She then plucked the fruit for herself and for her husband. "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." {Con 14.3}

Consider the Following

Satan openly contradicted God and stated that God’s motives were not clear (Genesis 3:4-5). Is God truthful? Is He hiding something? Does He really want your welfare?

Eve had to choose between believing God or not. He analyzed the issue and doubted God’s Word (Genesis 3:6).

The nutritional aspect: “the tree was good for food”

The esthetic aspect: “it was pleasant to the eyes”

The logical aspect: “a tree desirable to make one wise”

If we doubt God, we may end defending things that result in death

Tuesday: You will Die (Who Should we Believe?) Gen. 3:4; Ps. 115:17; 146:4; John 5:28-29; Mat. 10:28; 1Cor. 15:51-58

[God said:] “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” [Satan said:] “You will not surely die.” (Genesis 2:17; 3:4)

Paradise Lost: Consequence of Transgression

Adam was driven from Eden, and the angels who, before his transgression, had been appointed to guard him in his Eden home, were now appointed to guard the gates of paradise and the way of the tree of life, lest he should return, gain access to the tree of life, and sin be immortalized. {Con 15.2}

Sin drove man from paradise; and sin was the cause of the removal of paradise from the earth. In consequence of transgression of God's law, Adam lost paradise. In obedience to the Father's law, and through faith in the atoning blood of His Son, paradise may be regained. "Repentance toward God," because His law has been transgressed, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, as man's only Redeemer, will be acceptable with God. Notwithstanding man's sinfulness, the merits of God's dear Son in his behalf will avail with the Father. {Con 15.3}

Immortality Forfeited by Transgression

In the midst of Eden grew the tree of life, whose fruit had the power of perpetuating life. Had Adam remained obedient to God, he would have continued to enjoy free access to this tree and would have lived forever. But when he sinned he was cut off from partaking of the tree of life, and he became subject to death. The divine sentence, "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return," points to the utter extinction of life. {DD 14.2}

Immortality, promised to man on condition of obedience, had been forfeited by transgression. Adam could not transmit to his posterity that which he did not possess; and there could have been no hope for the fallen race had not God, by the sacrifice of His Son, brought immortality within their reach. While "death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned," Christ "hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." Romans 5:12; 2 Timothy 1:10. And only through Christ can immortality be obtained. Said Jesus: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life." John 3:36. Every man may come into possession of this priceless blessing if he will comply with the conditions. All "who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality," will receive "eternal life." Romans 2:7. {DD 14.3}

Consider the Following

Satan openly contradicted God’s Word by saying that Adam and Eve couldn’t die because they were immortal.

Adam and Eve didn’t die in that moment, but they eventually did (Genesis 3:19). Then, Satan changed his strategy. He began to convince humans that their bodies were not immortal, but their souls were.

Almost all civilizations believe in some kind of conscious existence after death.

The Word of God is clear enough: our souls also die (Psalm 115:17; 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5; Matthew 10:28).

Wednesday: Consequence of Sin (The Fall) Gen. 3:7-19; Rom. 5:12

“And He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?’” (Genesis 3:11)

Men Returned to the Dust

This act was a great victory over the powers of darkness. This display of power was an incontrovertible testimony to the supremacy of the Son of God. Satan had not expected that the body would be raised to life after death. He had concluded that the sentence “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” gave him undisputed possession of the bodies of the dead. Now he saw that he would be despoiled of his prey, that mortals would live again after death. {CTr 130.4}

After Moses was raised to life, the heavenly gates of Paradise were opened, and Jesus passed in with His captive. No longer was Moses the captive of Satan. In consequence of his sin Moses merited the penalty of transgression and became subject to death. When he was raised to life he held his title in another name—the name of Jesus his Head. {CTr 130.5}

The day of exile is nearly ended. The time is at hand when all who are sleeping in their graves will hear His voice and come forth, some to everlasting life, and some to final destruction. Christ will raise all His saints, glorify them with an immortal body, and open to them the gates of the city of God.—Manuscript 69, 1912 (Manuscript Releases, vol. 10, pp. 159, 160). {CTr 130.6}

Ascertain their Course of Action toward God's Promises

Many have inquired of me, "What course shall I take to best preserve my health?" My answer is, Cease to transgress the laws of your being; cease to gratify a depraved appetite; eat simple food; dress healthfully, which will require modest simplicity; work healthfully; and you will not be sick. {CH 37.1}

It is a sin to be sick, for all sickness is the result of transgression. Many are suffering in consequence of the transgression of their parents. They cannot be censured for their parents' sin; but it is nevertheless their duty to ascertain wherein their parents violated the laws of their being, which has entailed upon their offspring so miserable an inheritance; and wherein their parents' habits were wrong, they should change their course, and place themselves by correct habits in a better relation to health. {CH 37.2}

Consider the Following

Adam and Eve thought that the fruit would bring them superior knowledge. They left God’s side and joined Satan’s by eating it. This brought tragic consequences:

— Theological: They were afraid of God and hid from Him (Genesis 3:10)

— Social: They accused one another (Genesis 3:12)

— Physical: They would feel pain and die (Genesis 3:16-17, 19)

— Ecological: Nature would deteriorate (Genesis 3:18)

Their disobedience was a death sentence for all humankind: “For the living know that they will die” (Ecclesiastes 9:5; see Romans 5:12).

Thursday: The First Gospel Promise (The Promise) Gen. 3:15, 21; Eph. 2:1, 5; Rom. 6:20; 2Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:28

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

The Appearance of the Promised One

Plain and specific prophecies had been given regarding the appearance of the Promised One. To Adam was given an assurance of the coming of the Redeemer. The sentence pronounced on Satan, "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" (Genesis 3:15), was to our first parents a promise of the redemption to be wrought out through Christ. {AA 222.1}

To Abraham was given the promise that of his line the Saviour of the world should come: "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." "He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16. {AA 222.2}

Prophecy of the Great Controversy Between Satan and Christ

The Lord said concerning Satan, that old serpent, that he should bruise the heel of Christ, but Christ would bruise his head. Thank God, he cannot touch the head. “With the mind I myself serve the law of God,” said the apostle. The mind and heart are enlisted in the service of Christ, while Satan has enlisted humans and fallen angels to join in his company to league against good. They can bruise only the heel, while in the very act, when Satan seems to have triumphed in putting them to torture and death, the faithful who stand in defense of the law of Jehovah are wounding the head of the great rebel. {CTr 29.2}

This prophecy of enmity between Satan and Christ is far-reaching. It is a delineation of an unwearied conflict between Christ and His followers, Satan and his angels, and fallen humans united in a desperate companionship to reproach, bruise, wound, and exterminate the followers of Christ to the close of time. This controversy between Satan and Christ was carried on here in this world. Satan was constantly afflicting the Son of God and creating prejudice in the minds of people. Not only were Christ’s doctrines and teachings perverted, misinterpreted, and wrested from their true meaning, but falsehoods followed Him everywhere. The misrepresentations that the chief priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees poured into the ears of the people appealed to the worst passions of adulterers, fornicators, and the dishonest, exciting a burning prejudice that made it almost impossible for Him to live upon the earth for even three and a half years after His public ministry began. {CTr 29.3}

Lamb of God Takes Away the Sin of the World

We should ask the blessing of God on the seed sown, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit will take hold of even the little ones. If we exercise faith in God, we shall be enabled to lead them to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. This is a work of the greatest consequence to the younger members of the Lord's family. {CG 502.1}

A council was held in heaven, the result of which was that God's dear Son undertook to redeem man from the curse and the disgrace of Adam's failure, and to conquer Satan. Oh, wonderful condescension! The Majesty of heaven, through love and pity for fallen man, proposed to become his substitute and surety. He would bear man's guilt. He would take the wrath of His Father upon Himself, which otherwise would have fallen upon man because of his disobedience. {Con 16.3}

Consider the Following

The word “enmity” (Hebrew ’eybah) implies not only a long-lasting cosmic controversy between good and evil, but also a personal repulsion to sin, which has been implanted by God’s grace in the human mind.

This repulsion moves us to desiring to be free of Satan’s yoke, but we’re unable to do so. Then, God comes to our rescue: the Messiah—the woman’s Seed—has overcome and has saved us from eternal death.

God made the first animal sacrifice, a symbol of Jesus’ redeeming death. He clothed Adam and Eve with the skin of the animal, covering them with His protective justice. He didn’t leave us to our fate but gave us hope that we’ll return to His loving arms eventually.

Strife Between Two Forces, Good and Evil

There is a strife between the forces of good and evil, between the loyal and the disloyal angels. Christ and Satan are not at an agreement, and they never will be. In every age the true church of God has engaged in decided warfare against satanic agencies. Until the controversy is ended, the struggle will go on between wicked angels and wicked people on the one side, and holy angels and true believers on the other. {CTr 28.2}

Friday: The Further Study and Meditation

Why, then, Christ has said, should those who bear the truth of God to the world be discouraged and fainthearted? “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” Ye “are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” They will “revile you, and persecute you, and . . . say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”“Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” {CTr 29.4}

Satan’s malignity reached its height when the Lord of Glory was crucified, and we may expect in our day that human hearts will be open to prejudice and to the falsehoods, wicked misrepresentations, and slander of those who love this kind of satanic work. It is a wisdom from beneath. It is hell-born, and its results will be as in Christ’s day.—Manuscript 55, 1886. {CTr 29.5}

Questions to Ponder

1. Why does a man need to suffer the consequence of sin, when in fact Christ has died for their sins? How does it tell us about God's solution for sin?

2. How does Adam and Eve's free will being exercised in the Garden of Eden? What's the significance of this scenario in human experience?

3. What is Satan’s advantage to tempt Eve and become successful, in his deception?

4. How can we combat and win the victory over the deception of Satan? What are the lies Satan is using in different places in the world today?

5. What lessons can we get from the experiences of our first parents? Are we guilty of their sins?

6. What hope does God offer for all humanity? How can we avail of such an offering?

7. Based on the above statement, {CTr 29.4-5}, What's the meaning of this phrase, "whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."? Are they not aware of what they're doing? How do we respond to the last paragraph in the above statement?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“Satan is well aware that the weakest soul who abides in Christ is more than a match for the hosts of darkness, and that, should he reveal himself openly, he would be met and resisted. Therefore he seeks to draw away the soldiers of the cross from their strong fortification, while he lies in ambush with his forces, ready to destroy all who venture upon his ground. Only in humble reliance upon God, and obedience to all His commandments, can we be secure.” E. G. W. (The Great Controversy, cp. 32, p. 530)

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