Before our original parents,
Adam and Eve, sinned, they were living in innocence.
“Adam and his wife were both
naked, and they felt no shame.” (Genesis 2:25 NIV)
Then the father of all liars,
Satan, just had to ruin it by tempting them and drawing them into his web of
lies. Unfortunately for us all, they fell for it and from that point forward,
innocence was no more.
“Then the eyes of both of
them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves
together and made coverings for themselves.” (Genesis 3:7 NIV)
Innocence was replaced with
shame and fear. Their eyes were opened, and they knew they had sinned against
God. They had disobeyed His explicit instructions. Then God came to visit.
“He answered, “I heard you in
the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And he said, “Who
told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you
not to eat from?” (Genesis 3:10-11 NIV)
Since that day, we have all
been awakened to the evil that surrounds us. As babies, we are born in
innocence, but eventually another world intervenes.
I think of the innocence of
babies and little children that is sometimes taken away by people with evil
hearts. When a little child is abused whether physically or emotionally, their
innocence is being trampled upon by Satan’s disciples. This reminds me of the
following passage.
“At that time the disciples
came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said:
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position
of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes
one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little
ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a
large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the
sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such
things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” (Matthew
18:1-7 NIV)
Some say that Jesus is
referring to the innocence of those coming to Christ rather than children per
se. I see no reason why this passage cannot refer to both. Harming the earnest
desire of anyone who wants to know of Jesus is taking their innocence from them
and could drive them away from being saved. Harming a child by injecting evil
over their innocence can also drive a child away from God.
With all the horrible crimes
against innocent children that are occurring today we are still a world of
barbarians. The 21st century modern man prides himself on being civilized,
but how can we say that, when we murder our young before they are even born?
Then once they are born and as they grow the hounds of hell violate every atom
of their innocence. Is it any wonder that evil is so rampant in today’s
society?
It is appalling to think what
child welfare and police agencies see on a daily basis. Atrocities are
happening in our own neighborhoods that were totally unheard of not too many
years ago. We, as a society, have turned into rabid animals interested only in
feeding our own perverted passions.
I long for the day when
innocence will be restored. After the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the
Millennium we enter Eternity. All things will be as before the Fall of Genesis 3:7,
actually even better. And innocence will be restored.
“‘He will wipe every tear
from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne
said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these
words are trustworthy and true.”” (Revelation 21:4-5 NIV)
Jesus says in Revelation
22:20 (NIV), “Yes, I am coming soon.” Along with John I say, “Amen. Come, Lord
Jesus.”
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
