“…just WHAT is the meaning of this?” Easter 2014

CREATION “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth..” Genesis 1:1

“But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3: 4-7 “And the L ORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” Genesis 2: 16-17

CORRUPTION “Then the L ORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the L ORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.” Genesis 3:22-23

“…sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned…” Romans 5:12

“The L ORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the L ORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” Genesis 6:5-6 CATASTROPHE “…the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” 2 Peter 3:6

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:4 CONFUSION “God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’” Genesis 9:1

CHRIST “…God said to the serpent… ‘I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.’” Genesis 3:15 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

CROSS “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

“…Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55 1 Corinthians 15:55

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” Revelation 21: 1-4CONSUMATION “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:2-3