Bible "Bookends"

Recollection of the book of Genesis brings to mind that original problem that mankind brought upon himself. He became a "fallen" creature as a result of that act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. The fall resulted in his off-spring being created in the "image of Adam" (Genesis 5.1-3) rather than in the "image of God" (Genesis 1.26-27) as it was at the beginning. What a terrible plight they brought on themselves and us, as the full consequences of the curse were pronounced against them (Genesis 3.16-24).

Yet amazingly, when we come finally to the end of the book of Revelation, we find by the references in the following chart that God has rescinded all of the consequences of that original curse! Revelation reveals that Adam and Eve's original willful sin of disobedience, an action that seemingly had no solution, was somehow solved and explained within the pages of the Bible. Thus, the Word of God has been framed by these "bookends", demonstrating that the original problem, seemingly intractable, is ultimately solved by a God who is both Omnipotent and Omniscient. Compare those dire events at the beginning with those joyful ones at the end.

GENESIS	REVELATION
Satan triumphs (Genesis 3:1-6): 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'"? 3:2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3:3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 3:5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. NKJV	Christ triumphs (Revelation 11.15): 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" NKJV
Man's sorrow begins (Genesis 3.16-19): 3:16 To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you." 3:17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it': "Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 3:18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 3:19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." NKJV	Man's sorrow ends (Revelation 21.4): 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." NKJV
Paradise is closed (Genesis 3.23-24): 3:23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 3:24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. NKJV	Paradise is opened (Revelation 22.1-2): 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. NKJV
Death begins (Genesis 3.22): 3:22 Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"-- NKJV	Death ends (Revelation 21.4): 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." NKJV
Mankind becomes separated from the presence of God (Genesis 3.8): 3:8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. NKJV	Redeemed mankind becomes reunited with God (Revelation 22.3-4): 22:3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 22:4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. NKJV

Even more, these "Bookends" suggest a Redemptive Plan that is not only authoritative but also complete. If we were willing to "sign-up" to its provisions, would we then not automatically be numbered with those who finally receive its eternal blessings? And if that be the case we might then muse, what need is there for any other books on the subject of religion telling us how to get to God or satisfy the provisions required to please Him? Certainly on the basis of this prophetic glimpse at organization, God’s Redemptive Plan as depicted in the Bible appears to be totally adequate for the task.