“You Will Not Die” - Consequences of Sin

Tuesday, October 4

Read Genesis 3:4. What are the many different ways this lie has been repeated through the ages?

One powerful manifestation of this lie is seen in the common belief in the immortality of the soul. This notion was the basis of many ancient religions and philosophies. In ancient Egypt, it motivated the mummification practices and the funerary architecture, "such as seen" in the pyramids*.

[* This is a common incorrect statement spread by many bad documentaries and books, but pyramids are not graves.]

This theory also became one of the main pillars of Greek philosophy. For example, in The Republic of Plato, Socrates asks Glaucon: “Are you not aware that our soul is immortal and never perishes?” In Plato’s Phaedo, Socrates argued in a similar tone, saying that the “soul is immortal and imperishable, and our souls really will exist in Hades.” These philosophical concepts would shape much of the western culture and even post-Apostolic Christianity. But they originated much earlier, already in the Garden of Eden, with Satan himself.

At the core of the Edenic temptation, Satan assured Eve, “Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). With this emphatic assertion, Satan put his own word above the Word of God.

In contrast to immortality of the soul, what do these verses teach, and how can they be used to counter this lie? (Psalms 115:17; John 5:28, 29; Psalms 146:4; Matthew 10:28; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58).

The satanic theory of the natural immortality of the soul has persisted, even in our modern world. Books, movies, and TV programs have all continued to promote the idea that, when we die, we simply pass into another conscious state. How unfortunate it is that this error is proclaimed in many Christian pulpits, as well. Even science has gotten involved. There is a foundation in the United States trying to create technology that, it claims, will enable us to contact the dead, whom they believe are still alive but exist as PMPs, “postmaterial persons.” With this error so prevalent, it’s no surprise that this deception will play a crucial role in the final events of human history.

In what ways is this lie manifested in your own culture? Why must we rely on the Word of God over what our senses tell us?

Wednesday, October 5

Based on Genesis 3:7-19 and Romans 5:12, what were the main consequences of sin?

Captivated by the persuasive speech of the serpent, Eve did not anticipate the far-reaching consequences of the road that she was following. In itself, the act of eating from the forbidden fruit was not as significant as what it actually represented. By such an act of disobedience, Eve broke her loyalty to God and assumed a new allegiance to Satan.

Genesis 3 describes the fall of Adam and Eve and some of its most tragic consequences. From a theological perspective, both were overtaken by theophobia (being afraid of God) and hid themselves from Him (Genesis 3:8). From a psycho-social assessment, they were ashamed of themselves and began to accuse each other (Genesis 3:7, 9-13). From a physical standpoint, they would sweat, feel pain, and eventually die (Genesis 3:16-19). And from an ecological perspective, the natural world had degenerated (Genesis 3:17, 18).

The Garden of Eden was no longer the beautiful and pleasant place it used to be. “As they witnessed in drooping flower and falling leaf the first signs of decay, Adam and his companion mourned more deeply than men now mourn over their dead. The death of the frail, delicate flowers was indeed a cause of sorrow; but when the goodly trees cast off their leaves, the scene brought vividly to mind the stern fact that death is the portion of every living thing.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 62.

Adam and Eve did not die immediately, in the sense of ceasing to live, but on that very same day they received their death sentence. The Lord told Adam, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Genesis 3:19). The Fall brought tragic consequences indeed to all humanity. The apostle Paul explains that “as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

The sad and painful fact is that just as humanity has done through all ages, we today suffer the consequences of what happened in Eden. How thankful, we can be, though, that because of Jesus and the cross we have the hope of eternal life in a world where sin will never rise again.

As we reflect on Eve’s tragic experience, what lessons can we learn from it about the consequences of our own sinful acts?

Abominação Da Desolação, Consegue Ouvir O Rumor?

No episódio 136 discutimos qual foi a Abominação da Desolação a que Jesus se referiu quando os discípulos Lhe perguntaram sobre os sinais da Sua segunda vinda, e o que ela representa nos dias em que vivemos? Quando saberemos que se cumpriu o sinal anunciado por Jesus para a fuga do seu povo?

Declarações Sob Tensão - Enganada Pela Serpente

Domingo, 02 de Outubro

O mundo criado pelo Senhor era perfeito (Génesis 1:31). A morte era desconhecida para Adão e Eva. Neste contexto, Deus advertiu: “De toda a árvore do jardim comerás livremente, Mas da árvore do conhecimento do bem e do mal, dela não comerás; porque no dia em que dela comeres, certamente morrerás.” (Génesis 2:16, 17).

1. Génesis 2:16, 17 mostra a existência do livre-arbítrio no Éden? Caso não pudessem escolher livremente, porque os teria Deus advertido?

Algum tempo depois desta advertência divina, Satanás assumiu a forma de uma serpente e também entrou no Éden. Eva viu a serpente comer alegremente o fruto proibido e não morrer. “Ele próprio havia comido do fruto proibido” (Ellen G. White, Patriarcas e Profetas, p. 26), e nada lhe aconteceu.

2. Leia Génesis 3:1-4. Imagine-se no lugar de Eva. Porque é que estas palavras podiam ter soado convincentes?

Da perspectiva da lógica humana, o argumento da serpente soou muito mais convincente do que a Palavra de Deus. Primeiro, não havia evidência no mundo natural, até aquele momento, da existência do pecado e da morte. Segundo, a serpente estava a comer o fruto proibido e gostava dele. Então, porque devia a Eva conter-se para não fazer o mesmo? A ordem de Deus parecia ser restritiva demais e sem sentido.

Infelizmente, ao decidir entre as duas declarações em conflito, Eva ignorou três princípios básicos: (1) a razão humana [nunca] é a maneira mais segura para se avaliar questões espirituais; (2) a Palavra de Deus pode parecer ilógica e sem sentido para nós, mas é sempre correcta e confiável; e (3) há coisas que não são más nem erradas em si mesmas, mas Deus escolheu-as como testes de obediência.

Devemos estar cientes de que a experiência de Eva não é caso único. Todos os dias precisamos decidir entre a Palavra de Deus (que pode ser impopular) e os apelos sedutores da nossa cultura. A nossa escolha terá consequências eternas.

Como é que o claro ensino da Bíblia entra em conflito com os caminhos do mundo?

Segunda-feira, 03 de Outubro

3. Leia Génesis 3:1-7. Que critérios usou Eva para escolher entre a Palavra de Deus e a da serpente?

Génesis 3 é um exemplo claro da psicologia da tentação. Deus tinha advertido Adão e Eva de que, se comessem do fruto proibido, morreriam (Génesis 2:16, 17). Assumindo a forma da serpente, Satanás usou várias estratégias retóricas para levar Eva a pecar.

Primeiro, ele generalizou a proibição específica de Deus ao perguntar: “É assim que Deus disse: Não comereis de toda a árvore do jardim?” (Génesis 3:1). Eva contra-argumentou que a proibição referia-se apenas àquela árvore específica, pois, se alguma vez comessem dela ou a tocassem, morreriam.

Então, Satanás contradisse a declaração de Deus, afirmando categoricamente: “Certamente não morrereis.” (Génesis 3:4).

Por fim, Satanás acusou Deus de suprimir deliberadamente de Eva e de Adão conhecimento essencial: “Porque Deus sabe que no dia em que dele comerdes se abrirão os vossos olhos, e sereis como Deus, sabendo o bem e o mal.” (Génesis 3:5).

A curiosidade de Eva levou-a ao terreno encantado de Satanás. Ali ela foi forçada a decidir se ia permanecer fiel à ordem restritiva de Deus ou se cederia aos apelos sedutores de Satanás. Ao duvidar da palavra divina, usou os seus próprios sentidos – o método empírico, o da observação pessoal – para decidir entre as duas declarações em conflito.

Primeiro, ela viu que, do ponto de vista dietético, “a árvore era boa para se comer”. Segundo, do ponto de vista estético, viu que era “agradável aos olhos”. Terceiro, partindo de uma análise lógica, a árvore era “desejável para dar entendimento”. Portanto, do seu ponto de vista, ela tinha boas razões para dar atenção às palavras da serpente e comer da árvore proibida. Infelizmente, foi isso o que ela fez.

Alguns argumentam que todas as formas de conhecimento são válidas, desde que retenhamos “o bem” (1 Tessalonicenses 5:21). Mas as experiências trágicas de Adão e Eva no Jardim do Éden demonstram que o conhecimento, em si, pode ser muito prejudicial. Há algumas coisas que, definitivamente, é melhor não saber.

O que ensina este relato sobre como é fácil racionalizar e justificar escolhas erradas?

Abomination Of Desolation, Can You Hear The Rumbling?

In Episode 136 we discuss what the Abomination of desolation was that Jesus referred to when the disciples asked Him about the signs of His second coming, and what does it represent in the days that we live in? When will we know that the sign announced by Jesus for the flight of his people has been fulfilled?

Statements in Tension - Deceived by the Serpent

Sunday, October 2

The world, as it came from the Lord, was perfect (Genesis 1:31). Death was an unknown experience for Adam and Eve. In that context, God came to the Garden of Eden and warned: “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16, 17).

How does Genesis 2:16, 17 show the reality of free will in the perfection of Eden? That is, why would God have needed to warn them if they couldn’t freely choose?

Sometime after this warning from God, Satan assumed the form of a serpent and also entered Eden. Eve beheld the serpent joyfully eating the forbidden fruit without dying. “He himself had eaten of the forbidden fruit” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 54), and nothing had happened to him.

Read Genesis 3:1-4. Putting yourself in the position of Eve, why might those words have sounded convincing?

From the perspective of human logic, the argument of the serpent sounded much more convincing than did the word of God. First of all, there was no evidence in the natural world, so far, for the existence of sin and death. Second, the serpent was actually eating the forbidden fruit and enjoying it very much. So, why should Eve restrain herself from doing the same? God’s command seemed to be too restrictive and senseless.

Unfortunately, in deciding between the two conflicting statements, Eve ignored three basic principles: 1. human reason is not always the safest way to evaluate spiritual matters; 2. the Word of God can appear to be illogical and senseless to us, but it is always right and trustworthy; and 3. there are things that are not evil or wrong in themselves, but God has chosen them as tests of obedience.

We should realize that the experience of Eve in the Garden of Eden is not a single case in time. Every day and every moment we need to decide between the Word of God (which for many can be unpopular) and the seductive appeals of our surrounding culture. Our choice will have eternal consequences.

What are ways that the clear teaching of the Bible conflicts with the ways of the world?

Monday, October 3

Read Genesis 3:1-7. What criteria did Eve use to choose between God’s Word and that of the serpent?

Genesis 3 is one of the clearest examples of the psychology of temptation. God had warned Adam and Eve that if they ate from the forbidden fruit, they would certainly die (Genesis 2:16, 17). Assuming the form of a serpent, Satan used several rhetorical strategies to mislead Eve into sin.

First, he generalized God’s specific prohibition. He asked her, “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1). Eve counter-argued that the prohibition was in regard only to that specific tree, for if they were ever to eat from it or touch it, they would die.

Then, Satan contradicted God’s statement. He asserted categorically, “Ye shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4).

And finally, Satan accused God of deliberately suppressing essential knowledge from her and her husband. The deceiver argued, “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).

Eve’s curiosity led her onto the enchanted ground of Satan. There she was forced to decide either to remain faithful to God’s restraining command or to embrace Satan’s seductive allurements. Doubting God’s word, she used her own senses — the empirical method, that of personal observation — to decide between the two conflicting statements.

First, she saw that from a dietary perspective, “the tree was good for food.” Second, from an aesthetic viewpoint, she saw that “it was a delight to the eyes.” Third, from a logical analysis, “the tree was desirable to make one wise.” Hence, in her own mind, she certainly had good reasons to heed the words of the serpent and to eat from the forbidden tree. Unfortunately, this is what she did.

Some people argue that all forms of knowledge are valid, as long as we retain “that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). But the tragic experiences of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden demonstrate that knowledge, in and of itself, can be very detrimental. There are some things that, indeed, we are better off not knowing.

What does this account teach us about how easy it is to rationalize and justify our sinful choices?

Morte Num Mundo De Pecado

Lição 2, 01 a 07 de Outubro

Sábado à tarde

VERSO ÁUREO: “Portanto, como por um homem entrou o pecado no mundo, e pelo pecado a morte, assim também a morte passou a todos os homens por isso que todos pecaram.” Romanos 5:12

LEITURAS DA SEMANA: Génesis 2:16, 17; 3:1-7; Salmos 115:17; João 5:28, 29; Romanos 5:12; 2 Coríntios 5:21

Cristo foi o Agente Divino através de quem Deus trouxe o Universo e o mundo à existência (João 1:1-3, 10; Colossenses 1:16; Hb 1:2). Mas, quando Deus Pai conferiu honra especial a Cristo e anunciou que juntos criariam este mundo, “Lúcifer estava invejoso e enciumado de Jesus Cristo” (História da Redenção, p. 14) e conspirou contra Ele.

Ao ser expulso do Céu, Satanás decidiu “destruir a felicidade de Adão e Eva” na Terra e assim causar “tristeza no Céu”. Ele imaginou que, “Se pudesse de alguma maneira induzi-los à desobediência, Deus faria alguma provisão pela qual pudessem ser perdoados, e então, ele e todos os anjos caídos obteriam um provável meio de partilhar com eles a misericórdia de Deus.” (História da Redenção, p. 27). Plenamente ciente da estratégia de Satanás, Deus advertiu Adão e Eva para que não se expusessem à tentação (Génesis 2:16, 17). Isto significa que, mesmo quando o mundo ainda era perfeito e irrepreensível, já havia restrições claras às quais os seres humanos deviam obedecer.

Nesta semana refletiremos sobre a queda de Adão e Eva, a respeito de como o pecado e a morte tomaram conta do nosso mundo e acerca de como Deus plantou uma semente de esperança para a humanidade ainda no Éden.

Death in a Sinful World

Lesson 2, October 1-7

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:1-7; Psalms 115:17; John 5:28, 29; Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Memory Text: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” Romans 5:12

Christ was the Divine Agent through whom God brought the universe and the world into existence (John 1:1-3, 10; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). But when God the Father conferred special honor on Christ and announced that They together would create this world, “Lucifer was envious and jealous of Jesus Christ” (The Story of Redemption, p. 14) and plotted against Him.

Having been cast out of heaven, Satan decided “to destroy the happiness of Adam and Eve” on earth and thereby “cause grief in heaven.” He imagined that “if he could in any way beguile them [Adam and Eve] to disobedience, God would make some provision whereby they might be pardoned, and then himself and all the fallen angels would be in a fair way to share with them of God’s mercy.” (The Story of Redemption, p. 27). Fully aware of Satan’s strategy, God warned Adam and Eve not to expose themselves to temptation (Genesis 2:16, 17). This means that even when the world was still perfect and blameless, there were already clear restrictions for human beings to obey.

This week we will reflect on the fall of Adam and Eve, on how sin and death took over our world, and on how God planted a seed of hope for humanity even back in Eden.