1. ICEL Looking for Paradise 1. Introduction We are now living in a world with wars, disasters, human tragedies and an economic crisis.We are now living in a world with wars, disasters, human tragedies and an economic crisis. The gap between rich and poor is becoming wider.The gap between rich and poor is becoming wider. The word ‘ Paradise’ in our language indicates a kind of utopia: a place where everybody is happy.The word ‘ Paradise’ in our language indicates a kind of utopia: a place where everybody is happy. Paradise is a synonym for heaven, glory, ecstasy, delight and joy.Paradise is a synonym for heaven, glory, ecstasy, delight and joy. How do we deal with ‘Paradise’ in our personal life?How do we deal with ‘Paradise’ in our personal life? What does the Bible say about it?What does the Bible say about it?

2. ICEL 2. Paradise in the Bible Living between the beginning and the end of the Bible.Living between the beginning and the end of the Bible. Genesis 1: The creation of the World and Paradise.Genesis 1: The creation of the World and Paradise. …and “God saw that it was good”. Genesis 3: Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise.Genesis 3: Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise. Revelation 22: 1-5. The vision of the New Jerusalem with the river of the water of life.Revelation 22: 1-5. The vision of the New Jerusalem with the river of the water of life. In daily life it looks like a dream but also a comfort for Gods people that there is glorious life after death.In daily life it looks like a dream but also a comfort for Gods people that there is glorious life after death. How do we see our life on earth?How do we see our life on earth? Only an individual hope to get a ‘happy’ life, or is there more?Only an individual hope to get a ‘happy’ life, or is there more?

3. ICEL 3. Paradise and the Promised land The reading of the Torah in the synagogue.The reading of the Torah in the synagogue. After reading Deuteronomy they continue with Genesis.After reading Deuteronomy they continue with Genesis. Joshua (entering the Promised Land) is the first book of the Prophets.Joshua (entering the Promised Land) is the first book of the Prophets. The Torah explains God's way and the Prophets explain the reaction of men to Gods commandments (the Torah).The Torah explains God's way and the Prophets explain the reaction of men to Gods commandments (the Torah). Reading Genesis 1 (the story of Paradise) as the original purpose of man on earth.Reading Genesis 1 (the story of Paradise) as the original purpose of man on earth.

4. ICEL Bible reading: 1 Kings 4: 20-23 20 The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. 21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life. 22 Solomon’s daily provisions were thirty cors of the finest flour and sixty cors of meal, 23 ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle and a hundred sheep and goats, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks and choice fowl.

5. ICEL 1 Kings 4: 24 - 27 24 For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides. 25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree. 26 Solomon had four thousand stalls for chariot horses, and twelve thousand horses. 27 The district governors, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king’s table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking. 27 The district governors, each in his month, supplied provisions for King Solomon and all who came to the king’s table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking.

6. ICEL 1 Kings 4: 28 – 31 28 They also brought to the proper place their quotas of barley and straw for the chariot horses and the other horses. 29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.

7. ICEL 1 Kings 4: 32 – 34 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

8. ICEL 4.King Solomon, the wisest king ever. The story of King Solomon, almost a fairy tale.The story of King Solomon, almost a fairy tale. Verse 20: The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy.Verse 20: The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. Verse 25: During Solomon’sVerse 25: During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree. Solomon as an icon. The waySolomon as an icon. The way the angels in heaven see us.

9. ICEL 5. King Solomon and the picture of Paradise Verse 21: Solomon reigned from the Euphrates to Egypt. Verse 33: Solomon spoke about plants and animals: he knew the creation. But there was more than paradise feeling. Chapter 11: His many wives led him astray from God. His life was also a warning about the pitfall of materialism and the lust for power.

10. ICEL 6. Paradise lost and Paradise regained Paradise Lost: John Milton, 1667.Paradise Lost: John Milton, 1667. A great study: Ten books. Satan as the adversary of Adam and Eve. Paradise Regained: John Milton,Paradise Regained: John Milton, 1671. Four books: The temptation of Christ by Satan (Luke 4). Contradiction: Paradise to be regained, Henry David Thoreau. 1843, The Paradise within the Reach of all Men, without Labor, by Powers of Nature and Machinery.Contradiction: Paradise to be regained, Henry David Thoreau. 1843, The Paradise within the Reach of all Men, without Labor, by Powers of Nature and Machinery.

11. ICEL 7. The expected Messiah: the son of David 25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree. The wisdom of Solomon: Judah and Israel lived in safety. → reconciliation.The wisdom of Solomon: Judah and Israel lived in safety. → reconciliation. Two trees: Vine: symbol for the Messiah; the tree of life. Fig tree: symbol of Israel.Two trees: Vine: symbol for the Messiah; the tree of life. Fig tree: symbol of Israel. In Genesis there where two trees: one good and one bad. Now two trees are together as one: a symbol of Jesus, the Messiah of Israel.In Genesis there where two trees: one good and one bad. Now two trees are together as one: a symbol of Jesus, the Messiah of Israel. Jesus the true son of David, King of peace.Jesus the true son of David, King of peace.

12. ICEL 8. Paradise and the Micah Sunday Vs. 25 is a symbol of living in paradise: Sitting under His shadow is living in the reached creation as mentioned in Revelation 22. Micah 6:8: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.