In order to obtain peace, joy, happiness, and better lives, men go to the extremes of hurting themselves just to be happy. Some try amusements, others engage in certain types of sports and pleasure-seeking games. This earth is full of woes and sufferings. People even intend on taking their own lives because of disappointments that have come their way (e.g. death of loved ones, betrayal of people in whom they had hope and comfort).

But was the world created this way? Was there misery, pain, sorrow, sickness, and death?

“As the earth came forth from the hand of its Maker, it was exceedingly beautiful. Its surface was diversified with mountains, hills, and plains, interspersed with noble rivers and lovely lakes; but the hills and mountains were not abrupt and rugged, abounding in terrific steeps and frightful chasms, as they now do; the sharp, ragged edges of earth’s rocky framework were  buried beneath the fruitful soil, which everywhere produced a luxuriant growth of verdure. There were no loathsome swamps or barren deserts. Graceful shrubs and delicate flowers greeted the eye at every turn. The heights were crowned with trees more majestic than any that now exist. The air, untainted by foul miasma, was clear and healthful. The entire landscape out vied in beauty the decorated grounds of the proudest palace. The angelic host viewed the scene with delight, and rejoiced at the wonderful works of God.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 44

“Our first parents, though created innocent and holy, were not placed beyond the possibility of wrongdoing. God made them free moral agents, capable of appreciating the wisdom and benevolence of His character and the justice of His requirements, and with full liberty to yield or to withhold obedience. They were to enjoy communion with God and with holy angels; but before they could be rendered eternally secure, their loyalty must be tested. At the very beginning of man’s existence a check was placed upon the desire for self-indulgence, the fatal passion that lay at the foundation of Satan’s fall. The tree of knowledge, which stood near the tree of life in the midst of the garden, was to be a test of the obedience, faith, and love of our parents. While permitted to eat freely of every other tree, they were forbidden to taste of this, on pain of death. They were also to be exposed to the temptations of Satan.” –Ibid, p. 48–49

Now when the test was brought upon our first parents, the result was failure and man became subject to evil. But God, being so merciful and having mercy for the human race, provided a means of saving the fallen race.

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21

God Himself provided a substitute for the guilty race by making a sacrifice. For the first time ever, life was taken in the universe. And He gave the skins to them as clothes. This gave them a wonderful lesson that man by his own righteousness cannot do anything to please God; we need to have the righteousness of Christ. When Adam was sent out of the garden, he continued this ordinance, expressing his faith in the sacrifice that God from infinite love had shown to him.

But before this, God gave a promise to this couple about how He would save the fallen race again from our ruin.

“The Saviour’s coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.’ Ezekiel 12:22.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 31

Abraham, being the father of faith, also had the same faith as Adam and Eve. He also expressed his faith during the greatest test ever that a human father can be tried of. On Mount Moriah, Abraham was also shown the Lamb that God Himself would provide, as he told Isaac his son, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:8), and truly the Lord provided.

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” Genesis 22:13

That ram that Abraham saw in the bush was God’s own appointed means of saving the boy Isaac from being slain by his father.  This test of Abraham was a lesson that the King of the whole universe—the Beginning and the End of all that is in this universe—wanted man to understand how He had to allow His only begotten Son to die in place of the fallen race.

This prophecy was fulfilled in the New Testament when John the Baptist saw that Lamb, which Abraham by faith saw in the bush. While telling the people of Israel to repent he saw someone that he knew was greater than himself. He said “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.  Jesus Christ, being the majesty of heaven, came to this sin-stricken earth to die for man.

But on the third day He arose again, and now stands in the presence of God, atoning for the repentant sinner. He has His hands stretched out, in order that all may accept Him as their Lord and personal Saviour. He says in the book of Revelation, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:20–22

He is at the door of your heart, knocking to all who will be like Abraham. There is no need for you to die; just come to Him.

AMEN

Bernard Conduah

Ghana

Student–Berea Adventist Missionary Institute (BAMI)–Kenya