Two Trees and a Garden; the Exodus Within
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
We learn more about this beginning of creation in the first chapter of the Gospel of John; notice that Genesis reports that everything the Word created was good. Not only was it good; it was very good.
Genesis 1:31 God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
The first creation was light, pure, good, so where do sin, disease, errors, lack, and limitation (evil) come from? Genesis 3 tells us how the serpent enticed mankind to eat from the tree (dimension, dream, worldview) of the knowledge of good and evil, the tree of dust, sin, death and human knowledge; most of mankind has continued to seek or worship human knowledge (science, art, literature) rather than the Life, the knowledge of HaShem.
John 1:2 -1:14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.
The first Genesis of light (as children of God Genesis 1:27; Psalm 82:6) was veiled (Exodus 26:33-35) (overlaid, obscured) by the second Genesis of clay or dust. Although we live in the darkness of sin, the second Genesis has not overcome the light (Christ) in us; it has simply blocked (veiled) Christ in us, the son of God or daughter of God from our awareness and our view.
Baptism is a pledge of good conscience towards HaShem (1Peter 3:21). Baptism dissolves the first veil leading to the Holy Place of conscience within. Baptism opens the Holy Place in the inner temple or Garden within us so we can again eat the Bread of Life and experience the Presence of the Father directly, personally (Hebrews 9:13-14). Then, as we are reborn of God through trust, through faith in Christ Yeshua, Yeshua (Jesus) begins to dissolve the second veil leading to the Holy of Holies within or the tree of Life (Christ) (Hebrews chapter 9).
For our salvation Christ tore the veil of His own body on the cross; Christ came to remove the veil (Exodus 26:33-35; Mark 15:38) between us and the tree of Life (the Father) within. Christ is the image and likeness of our first Genesis, the image and likeness of HaShem (God). Praise HaShem! Christ came to free us; Yeshua (Jesus) came to reveal (uncover) our first nature, our first Genesis by HaShem (Luke 15:18-24)! Praise Christ Yeshua (Jesus)! Not by any human (power) effort or works (Zechariah 4:6), our faith in His Lamb brings rebirth as sons and daughters of HaShem (Galatians 3:26; John 1:12-13).
Satan works very diligently to convict and accuse us (especially Christians) of sin (Job 1:6-11; Zechariah 3:1-4; Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 7:24); we are even more vulnerable to Satan today because we (falsely) believe in our own cultural and scientific superiority–in science, literature, technology and not HaShem and the Bible; in our arrogance, we believe we are too sophisticated and modern for (what we are led to believe are) biblical myths and superstitions; we think it acceptable and liberal to approve of sexual sin; we cannot deny our sin and be saved because in doing so we make HaShem a liar (1John 1:8-10). Satan and his demons have more success now because we don’t believe Scripture.
Satan convinces us we are tech savvy, advanced, modern. He whispers that the Law is outdated. Satan teaches self gratification, self preservation, greed, and sexualizes the people around us, making them objects to be manipulated for our own satisfaction and pleasure. Satan teaches us pride in our own knowledge (degrees, expertise, achievements) and our technical, moral, cultural, religious, or ethnic superiority.
Fallen sons and daughters of HaShem, why do you want to die (Proverbs 14:12)? Repent of your sins, turn and live (Ezekiel 18:32)! We eat from the forbidden tree of (human) knowledge; we perish in our sin and we don’t rise up again. Or we do rise up briefly, only to meet the condemnation (Daniel 12:2) and judgment of the second death (Revelation 20:14). Circumcision is needed, not of the flesh, but of the heart before Christ Yeshua (Mark 10:15). The fallen mind (serpent) must be raised by the understanding (bronze) of the new relationship to the Father within that is given through the cross of Yeshua the Christ (John 3:14; Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5).
We are often victims of our own pride. We fall easy prey to Satan and his demons’ tricks (wiles) precisely because we don’t believe Scripture; we don’t accept the testimony of the Father through His prophets with the attitude of little children (Matthew 18:3). Satan and his demons are able to work unseen, by the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). The worst of the Internet, television, radio, and video games are just some visible manifestations of Satan’s power to broadcast sin, violence, sensuality, and to foster desires (lusts) and fears. Satan and his demons also broadcast directly into our minds; this is less true once we are saved (in Christ) and when we regularly consume the body (Word) and the blood (Holy Spirit). Praise the Holy Spirit (John 6:55)!
We conquer fear and desires through stillness (Psalm 46:10) before HaShem. The twin flaming swords (burning emotions in us) of fear and lusts (Genesis 3:24) are the guardians or Cherubim HaShem placed at the gate of paradise (within us) to keep those who are carnal minded from entering Paradise, to prevent those who eat from the forbidden tree (knowledge, sin) from also eating of the tree of Life and living in eternal sin and misery (Genesis 3:22).
Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed Cherubs at the east of the garden of Eden, and the (fiery) flame of a sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of Life.
The fiery sword of the burning emotions (fear and beastlike desires) (Isaiah 6:2; Revelation 4:6) keeps us from eating from the tree of Life within; it prevents us from experiencing what is behind the veils in the temple. The number of their wings (6) tells us these four beasts are forces (rising up as beasts) in man. Both the bronze sea (2Kings 16:17; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 15:1) and the sea of glass represent purification from burning (fiery) (Numbers 21:8) desires through the stillness HaShem gives. Yeshua gives us His peace (John 14:27).
Only faith in the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 5:6) gives us victory over the beasts (desires, lusts) and over fear, the flaming sword of the burning emotions that keep us from reentering the Garden within or from inner communion and fellowship with HaShem through the Living Ark (Christ) in us.
Those who win victory over the beasts, lusts and fear (Revelation 4:6-11) through stillness and peace (Isaiah 30:15) or the sea of glass (2Kings 16:17; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 15:2) stand on their faith in Christ to overcome lusts and fear (the burning emotions) of the forbidden tree of dust. Christ puts His peace under their feet as a solid foundation of glass or the bronze sea, and the fire (burning emotions) can no longer reach them.
Eating the Word (John 6:63) and drinking His blood (John 6:53) gives us victory over all animal desires and fear. Animal desires for sex, food (and material possessions), self-preservation, and self gratification are beasts rising up within the temple, preventing our prayers from reaching HaShem, separating us from our brothers and sisters, making us enemies of the golden (royal) Law of Love (James 2:8).
Continually pray in the Spirit with quietness and great confidence (Isaiah 30:15). HaShem placed these forces of the guardian Cherubim and Seraphim (Revelation 4:8) within man to help us defeat all such desires. They sanctify the desires of believers day and night, praying without ceasing for us. But it is Christ who commands them to fight on our behalf once we turn from our sins, confessing, and trusting in the blood of the Lamb of God (Yeshua, Jesus), in the cross of Christ, even in the power of His name. He (Yeshua) accomplishes all this; our part is to believe God and let Him become Lord of our day, Lord of our night, Lord of our entering, Lord of our leaving, Lord of our Life.
There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and (although) the world was made through him, (and) the world didn’t recognize him. (Even though) He came to his own, those who were his own didn’t receive him.
But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
If you are plagued by addiction or other sins and falling away, ask a Christian you admire to pray for you (James 5:16) or with you; it is not necessary that you confess intimate details of your problem; HaShem knows everything already. Just ask one or more Christians to help you overcome your addiction(s) and sins through prayer.
It is true that as Christians, we (should) no longer sin because His seed or tree of Life (Christ) is planted in us (1John 3:9). And we should strive to be holy as He is holy. But HaShem also wants to save some who are in a worse condition (addiction or possession); HaShem has that right. Satan doesn’t want us to know that HaShem forgives the wretchedness of those (even Christians) who are still (for a time) slaves to sins, desires, addictions. Some possible steps in our journey from addiction or possession back home to the Father’s house are given below.
Get wisdom from God; how? By asking Him for it! Get faith. Faith that moves mountains (Matthew 21:21; Matthew 17:20) is like getting handed a check from HaShem; even if you haven’t yet got the cash in hand you know it is a sure thing. When you or others pray, act like you have already received what you asked for and you will receive it (Matthew 21:22; James 1:16).
Sometimes the addiction (or the demon causing physical, mental, or spiritual sickness) refuses to be cast out except by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:28-29); we are already saved but still slaves to wretched desires (Romans 7:24) and addictions, often the activity of demonic power. Satan wants us to believe we are too sinful for God to possibly love us. Don’t believe Satan. Eat the Word and drink the blood of Christ every single day; remember Him and give thanks for His body and blood whenever you eat or drink.
Don’t place your trust in your own willpower or human doctors alone; place your full faith in the blood and the righteousness of the light within you that the darkness has not (cannot) overcome. Eat from the Living tree (Christ) in the Garden HaShem placed within each one of us. Stop eating from the tree of (human, material, carnal, desires, fear) knowledge. The light shines in the darkness (within us), but the darkness could not overcome it!
- Sincerely repent (turn from) your sins; celebrate your new found Life (and publicly declare your new relationship with God) by getting baptized (Luke 9:26; Romans 6:4; Revelation 3:5); accept Yeshua (Jesus) and His sacrifice at the cross for your salvation. Believe that HaShem raised Yeshua from the dead on the third day.
- Out of Satan’s reach now! Don’t let Satan worry or taunt you. We have already crossed over from death into Life (John 5:24) when we accept Christ Yeshua (Jesus). Yeshua saves (Matthew 17:14-21).
- The former excitement of lawbreaking and defiance fades. Sin’s former glamour turns to bitterness. Satan cannot use the law to inflame rebellion and desire when we know we are saved (Romans 7:12; 7:16; 7:21).
- We can begin to use our desire to please HaShem to propel us forward towards sanctification, to please Yeshua (Jesus), to no longer grieve the Holy Spirit now living in us. Personally I don’t eat pig meat; not because I can’t, just to draw closer to HaShem. I do other things simply to please Yeshua and the Holy Spirit. It feels good.
- Don’t avoid nonbelievers (your testimony about Christ may save some of them), but work and recreate with believers when you can. Ask fellow Christians to pray for and with you. Use your new spiritual muscles to also pray for those less fortunate. These spiritual muscles will grow with use and faith. Read Scripture every day. Then be still. Wait patiently for HaShem to speak in that moment of surrender and peace. It cleanses. It uplifts; it feeds the spirit.
- Place your trust in Him, eating the Word and drinking the Holy Spirit, Living Water, and Bread of Life continually (daily) within the body of the Word (Scripture). Look for the good (Philippians 4:8). Look up, our salvation is near. He (Jesus) is at the door (Luke 21:28)!
Paul wasn’t giving Christians license to go on sinning; Paul was preaching in dark places where the worst kinds of religious and sexual sins were acceptable; Paul was (also) testifying to the people (of today) with addictions to sexual sins, video games, drugs, alcohol and more; Paul testified by the Holy Spirit (truthfully) that the blood of Christ can save us and wash us too (Romans 8:38-38; Romans 8:31-34); because of this some people were a little confused by Paul’s gospel (2Peter 3:16). Paul was dealing with a complex situation. Trust the Light of Christ, the tree of Life within you to cast out any and all of our demons and addictions (Luke 8:27-39; Matthew 12:22).
He (Christ Yeshua, Jesus) has overcome the world (John 16:33). When you repent and He brings about your rebirth as a son or daughter of God (John 1:12-13), He places His Holy Spirit within you. Now eating from the tree of Life, shunning evil and choosing the good, you overcome the world, because He lives in you (1John 4:4)!
Addictions were not made by the Word because everything God made was good. We already know that. Satan continues to accuse even saved addicts and damage their feeling of salvation and closeness to the Lord by hurting their conscience. Satan wants us to believe that the arm of the Lord is too short or unwilling to save us; but the fact that HaShem sent His only son to die for us while we were still the worst kind of sinners (Romans 5:10) should confirm that HaShem is willing to patiently bring us to a full and complete healing from our addictions and sins (John 8:34-36). God is not fooled or mocked. We need to sincerely repent and turn from our sins, accepting Yeshua (Jesus) as Lord. We can’t do it; but through our complete faith in Him, Yeshua (Jesus) is able to fully restore us (Mark 10:27).
The puppy that has wrapped himself around a tree 10 times may be confused when his Master brings him around and around in what appears to be circles to get him untangled. Overcoming the thorn in the flesh of addiction requires special patience on our part and on HaShem’s part. It is a difficult road back to the light from addictions, but we trust in His Spirit, not in human will (power) or might. Be persistent and trust Him. He walks with us the whole way home. Sometimes when we stumble He picks us up and carries us.
Christ dined with prostitutes and tax collectors. Christ Yeshua demonstrated His authority over every kind of illness and addiction; eat from the Living Tree (Christ) within you. He has overcome Satan, the world
Do not judge yourself or others. Forgive. Show mercy. Let Yeshua (Jesus) be your righteousness. You are the Garden of God. HaShem placed this Garden within you to keep and to tend (Genesis 2:15). There are two trees within that you may choose to eat from; one brings Life eternal and the other sin (knowledge) leading to death.
The Word became flesh, and lived (made His tabernacle) among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Find your way to the Father (the light) within you by absolute confidence in Christ Yeshua (Jesus). The light was (came) first. Genesis 1 explains (the creation of light) and Genesis 2 (the creation of clay or dust). Genesis 1:3 is greatly expanded in chapter 1 of John’s Gospel, where we find that all things that were made were made by the light (or the Word) that became flesh and made His tabernacle among us. The light (Christ or the Word) shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
Genesis 1: Our first Genesis was as children of the Most High (Psalm82:6) in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). HaShem (G_d) created the heavens and the earth in seven days (of 1000 years each; Adam died in the same day he ate from the forbidden tree). The first creation was in the image and likeness of HaShem (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 82:6; John 10:34) or the Living Tree. Since HaShem called everything He made good, (Genesis 1:31) where do sin, disease, errors, lack and limitation (evil) come from? The answer comes in chapter 3 where we meet the former ‘prince of this world’ whose head was bruised at the cross of Christ, his power and authority greatly curtailed. Satan also enticed a third of the angels to fall (Revelation 12:4).
Genesis 2: The second Genesis of dust covers (obscures?) the first, this is the tree that brings the knowledge of good and evil or the tree of material consciousness or the “Adam dream” that Christ Yeshua (Jesus) testified would become more and more aggressive, violent, selfish, materialistic as we ate from it and as human history headed toward the End (Luke 23:31).
Of course, Yeshua (Jesus) was hung on a tree for our sake and our salvation. All except One (Yeshua) born in the Adam dream are sinners, myself (Michael) included; by faith in Yeshua I am again returning to the image and likeness of HaShem (John 1:12-13). Praise Yeshua (Jesus)!
Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed Cherubs at the east of the garden of Eden, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
You are the temple of the Living God; you are also the Garden; God gave us this garden to keep and to tend; within you (Luke 17:21). Is your mind carnal, or is the mind that was in Christ Yeshua also in you (Philippians 2:5)? Do you eat His body (Word) and drink His blood (Holy Spirit; Living Water; Bread of Life) hidden within the flesh of the Word (John 6:53)? What kind of tree or seed is planted in your life? Our concept of the universe begins as a small seed (Mark 4:31), but it sprouts, roots itself firmly in place, and, branches out; we live in the shelter of the tree or worldview we choose.
HaShem’s Garden, with the two trees, two dimensions or worldviews is within us. Which tree (dust or Christ) will we eat from? One brings death; the other brings Life eternal. The spiritual Exodus, within.
Peace in Yeshua (Jesus),
Michael
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copyright 2009 Michael Frederick
