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The Garden Of Eden
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"And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed", Genesis 2:8.
Adam and Eve's first home was the Garden of Eden. Man had been created to be GOD conscious and was placed in the garden and commanded by the LORD God to dress and keep it, Genesis 2:15.
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But when Adam & Eve sinned they were judged and the Word declares, "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life", Genesis 3:22-24.
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The question that is asked by many is where is the Garden of Eden. Some think it is in the area of Mesopotamia. And from the description given in Genesis 2:9-14 it does give the impression that it was somewhere on earth. Some of the names of the various countries and rivers look familiar; Ethiopia, Assyria, Euphrates. But if the area of Mesopotamia or any other place or country on this earth contained the garden, man alone would not be able to approach, let alone inhabit it. Please read on for a further explanation of this statement.
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The Garden of Eden is a spiritual place. This does not preclude that it was not also manifested in the physical realm but the Word declares, "Therefore the LORD God sent him from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life", Genesis 3:23-24.
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We know that the garden of Eden was planted by Jehovah-elohim (Genesis 2:7). And when man sinned God had to evict him from the garden for many reasons. So He put him back, as the Word declares, "...from whence he was taken", Genesis 3:23. So the LORD God made man from the clay taken from the earth we live on now. His purpose in putting man back here was to work out the plan for our salvation, which Jesus Christ has perfectly finished for us as He performs all things for us (Psalm 57:2).
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The scripture in Genesis 3:24 gives us a picture of the protective measures that were put in place to keep intruders (specifically man) out of the garden. "...and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life".
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This picture was depicted on the Mercy Seat which is the lid to the Ark of the Covenant. The two Cherubim at either end facing each other and in the middle a flaming sword. This was a sign that believers would enter the garden again through Him. Please read on for a further explanation of this statement.
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Exodus 25:22 declares, "And there I will meet with thee and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony". The Law having been given to Israel, the LORD did meet and commune with the High Priest in the Holy of Holies, from above the Mercy Seat, from between the cherubim.
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The Cherubim defend the righteousness of GOD and this is why they were placed there. The only images in the Holy Place were cherubim which were embroidered on the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. And they were portrayed on the Mercy seat as well. Their image on the veil was a warning, a do not enter sign. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies & then only once a year. He entered with the blood of the sacrifice, which he sprinkled on the Mercy Seat, which he offered for himself & the errors of the people. And it is said that sometimes the High Priest was struck down.
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When Jesus dismissed His Spirit on the cross, the veil of the Temple was rent, ripped apart. The sign of the cherubim was torn down. Jesus having fulfilled the Law, now had complete, absolute authority. Therefore, the cherubim were relieved from their task & were no longer there. The door now open, our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, sprinkling His own blood, entered the Garden of Eden again.
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Jesus now stands alone at the door to the Garden of Eden. And He alone determines who comes in and out. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture:, John 10:9. The first 18 verses in the 10th chapter of John giving many details. Jesus declaring that, "...no man cometh to the Father but by me", John 14:6.
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So the Garden of Eden is still there. It is a spiritual place, and only Jesus Christ lets you in to commune with Him.
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