In the persons of our original parents, Adam and Eve, God once walked with man.
However, when sin came into the heart of man, that communion was broken. A righteous God could not walk arm in arm with sinful man. God had two choices. He could destroy these two people and not bother with mankind, or He could provide some way to restore that communion which was lost. We see His decision in Genesis 3:15.
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
God was saying in this verse that He would provide a way for Him to again walk with man. In the following verse, He shows us how He would do it.
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21)
In order to restore mankind to a sinless state of existence, thereby restoring the lost communion between God and man, the one who is without sin would have to die for the sinful. God already knows that there are none without sin but He. He provided the animal sacrifice for a temporary covering of sins, but a sinless man must be sacrificed for total removal of sin from man. God’s unfailing Word was given in the previous verses to do just that, but in the mean-time animal sacrifices would point to His promise until the time was right.
Adam was the only man on earth and anyone born of him would inherit his sinful nature, so now what? God must become man and remain without sin while living as a man upon the earth. He must set aside His powers as God while doing so.
“6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”(Philippians 2:6-8)
Now that He Himself is the Bridge of restoration He must not allow any man with sin to cross the Bridge, only those whose sin has been made white by His own blood.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
Adam and Eve chose to believe the serpent (Satan) over God. In believing Satan they chose to be their own god, to do their own works.
“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5)
Therefore, no human being can ever cross the Bridge of restoration on their own merit,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
but only by trusting God’s Sacrifice to restore them and allow them to pass over. One problem, man has no faith. God provides that too.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)
The Lord God has made all the provisions. All man has to do is accept the Sacrifice provided by God, His only begotten Son,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
over all else, then he may cross.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
It still isn’t going to be easy. God will not accept any of man’s works,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
so what would make it so difficult? The difficulty comes from the super intelligence of the fallen angelic world.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Everything in Satan’s arsenal will be used against mankind to prevent anyone exercising the faith God provided. Temptations will abound. Doubts will explode. Also, the sinful nature within us will work against us. Even apart from Satan, we will be our own worst enemies. There will always be the voice of the serpent ringing in our ears, “Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is God,
“1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5)
is the Bridge that connects us to the Father. He is the electrical current that turns on the light when the switch is flipped. He is light of the world.
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)
Most people will look upon that Bridge as an old broken down structure that’s seen a lot of wear and tear, and that it has, on the entrance side. It was beaten down by a whip, a cross and three nails on the entrance side, but on the other side of the bridge it has changed into a golden brilliant structure of light that pierces the darkness of an empty tomb. Those who exercise the faith provided by God will see the brilliance of a new eternal life in Jesus Christ and a communion restored by His sacrifice for them.
Those who reject the Bridge of restoration will continue on their life’s journey by traveling the broad roads and fancy bridges of self-will. The artificial neon lights of demon forces guide the way to hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Lord God, our Creator, has done all He can to restore our communion with Him. He has provided the way for anyone who will, to walk in the cool of the garden with Him and listen to the voice of God. Those who come to Him will enjoy the communion that Adam lost for himself and for us all. We will finally be at peace with our Creator, but only if we cross the Bridge of restoration.
Grant Phillips
My articles are posted at “Pre-Rapture Commentary” http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com/ and many are also posted at “Rapture Ready” http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html.
