CHAPTER 2 – ADAM and EVE in the “GARDEN of EDEN” or LUCIFER in “EDEN, the GARDEN of GOD”– IS IT ONE and the SAME, WHAT IS IT, WHERE WAS/IS IT?

In Genesis Chapter One, we have God creating the heavens and earth and all of the things in creation including Adam and Eve. God saw that all of His creation was “very good.” The Bible tells us that God created Adam from the dust of the ground, but we are not told the “location” in creation where Adam was created. I believe that Adam was created in the part of creation that was called the “Land of Nod/wandering” {Genesis 4:16} and from which would develop the “kingdom(s) of the world.” It is important to know and understand this “Land of Nod!” It contains two separate entities – one entity becomes a “place of seeming permanency” in the decaying foundation of the earth for the temporary humanistic physical “kingdom(s) of the world.”

The other entity is a way of escape through this minefield of chaos and instability of the kingdoms – a spiritual supernatural “highway to heaven” for God’s righteous people/aliens on earth as God’s Saints travel through the “Land of Nod” towards obtaining our goal of becoming a permanent resident in the eternal spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God.
Genesis 1:31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. AMP
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God {God the Son/Jesus Christ} formed man from the dust of the ground {in the Land of Nod} and {God the Holy Spirit} breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. [1 Cor 15:45-49.] AMP
Genesis 3:23 So the Lord God banished him {Adam because of his and Eve’s sin} from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken {in the Land of Nod – Genesis 4:16}. NIV
Romans 8:20-21 For the {physical} creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration {death and decay}), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it–[yet] with the hope [Eccl 1:2.] 21That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God’s children {upon Christ’s Second Coming}. AMP
Isaiah 35:8 And a {spiritual supernatural} highway {to heaven} shall be there, and a {spiritual} way {through the Land of Nod – “kingdoms of the world”}; and it shall be called the Holy Way {leading God’s adopted children to the spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God}. The unclean {unsaved sinners} shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed {adopted children of Christ}; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools {most stupid – TLB}, shall not err in it and lose their way. AMP
Hebrews 11:13-14 These {Old Testament} men of faith I have mentioned died without ever receiving all that God had promised them; but they saw it {the Kingdom of God} all awaiting them on ahead and were glad, for they agreed that this earth was not their real home but that they were just strangers {/aliens/exiles/temporary residents} visiting down here. 14 And quite obviously when they talked like that, they were looking forward to their real home in heaven. TLB

In Genesis Chapter two, we have God placing the already created Adam in an “additional garden” that He planted “east of someplace on the earth” – called the Garden of Eden where he was to take care of and guard its contents {from whom or what?}. This Garden contained fruit trees which were pleasing to one’s sight and good for food. It also contained the “Tree of Life” and the “Tree of Knowledge” which God commanded/made known to Adam as to their proper use in his life.
Genesis 2:8-9 And the Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden [delight]; and there He put the man whom He had formed (framed, constituted). 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight or to be desired — good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life also in the center of the garden, and {along with} the tree of the knowledge of [{revealing} the difference between] good and evil and blessing and calamity. [Rev 2:7; 22:14, 19.] AMP
Genesis 2:15-17 And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. AMP

Some Christians believe this Garden was part of the original creation that took place on the third day {Genesis 1:11-13}. This is quite possible! I believe the Garden acted as a nursery for the formation of the earth’s vegetation. About the time Christ removed Adam and Eve from the Garden, its vegetation spilled over the earth. Christ and His Kingdom/Garden may have left the earth at this time but returned for Cain and Abel’s visit. The Garden was also a physical illustration and representation of His eternal spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God that was to be revealed and take Its place within and among the “Born Again” children of God who now live in the decaying humanistic secular physical kingdoms of the world {over the whole earth – the Land of Nod} as man’s history evolved. Again, it must be clearly understood that God’s eternal spiritual supernatural Kingdom is diametrically opposed in function and purpose to the demonically formed humanistic secular physical kingdoms of the world.
Luke 17:21 Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [{individually} in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you] {corporately as Christ’s Bride Church}. AMP

Many Christians either have NOT been correctly taught the necessity of distinguishing between these two kingdoms or if they do know, they do NOT want to accept it and virtually continue to live their lives the SAME as they did before they were saved in the “kingdom(s) of the world! This to God is an extremely horrific sin!!! It will cost them their salvation!!!
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? 15What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [Ex 25:8; 29:45; Lev 26:12; Jer 31:1; Ezek 37:27.]
17 So {My children}, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly {into My Kingdom} and treat you with favor, [Isa 52:11.] 18 And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. [Isa 43:6; Hos 1:10.]
7:1 THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything {in the “kingdom(s) of the world”} that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God. AMP
Matthew 7:21-23 {Jesus speaking} “Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but still won’t get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. 22 At the Judgment many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘You have never been mine {because you continued to worship and serve the “kingdom(s) of the world” and its god – Satan rather than Me}. Go away, for your deeds are evil.’ TLB

We must realize that the “Garden” represents and reveals God’s criteria for angels and men of His eternal spiritual supernatural “STANDARD” that was part of his original physical creation BEFORE Lucifer sinned in “Eden the Garden of God” in the Third Heaven. All of the original created angels AND Adam and Eve had this SAME “STANDARD” BEFORE they sinned! This “STANDARD” will be revealed in PART II and is imputed {credited to the account of ALL redeemed sinners} when they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

The word “STANDARD” can be secularly defined as a measure of comparison attained by an individual during their lifetime. It is the level of excellence attained by someone in their physical lifetime that brings them distinction. It is also the principles or values that govern a person’s behavior.

As we will see in PART II, to Biblically and spiritually define the word “STANDARD” is to compare the level of excellence imputed {credited to the} “Born Again” Saint’s partaking of the spiritual DNA of God {Divine Nature of the Almighty} and having a new spiritual profile/character that includes the Biblical principles and values that now govern his/her life’s behavior in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our example/“STANDARD” for comparison!
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new {spiritual} creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new {“STANDARD”} has come! AMP
2 Peter 1:4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature {of God. You must know that while we will share God’s character, we will NEVER be God!}. AMP
2 Peter 1:4 And by that same mighty power he has given us all the other rich and wonderful blessings he promised; for instance, the promise to save us from the lust and rottenness all around us, and to give us his own character. TLB
1 John 4:17 By this, {God’s} love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He {Jesus Christ} is, so also are we in this world. NASU
1 Peter 2:21 For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps. AMP

As this study progresses, I pray that you will see the difference in the dynamics of these kingdoms, and while they both are part of your life, it is the Kingdom of God that truly is by far the most important ONE in your life. It is the Kingdom that God desires for you to worship and serve Him in spirit and truth. There is an old saying, “While Christians live in the world, we must not become part of it!” This saying is much MORE true than most Christians understand and live their lives accordingly!
Matthew 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then {as you mature in your faith} all these things {of His Kingdom} taken together will be given you besides. AMP
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source]. AMP
John 4:23-24 A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. 24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth {in His Kingdom} (reality). AMP
1 John 2:15 Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; TLB

Let us continue on differentiating these kingdoms. The question becomes, “Why did God need to plant this ‘special’ Garden in a creation that was already ‘very good’?” Why must He reveal/make it known on the earth? Of what significance is it? What were/are some of the spiritual characteristics of this Garden/Kingdom of God? The word “Eden” means “delights” because it was/is a place of absolute “perfection.” Another word used to describe the “delights” of the Garden is “paradise.” These descriptions go way beyond the original rational for His “Very Good” creation.
Luke 23:43 And He {Jesus} answered him {the repentant thief on the adjacent cross next to Him}, Truly I tell you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise {the eternal spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God}. AMP
2 Corinthians 12:4 {Paul} Was caught up into paradise {the eternal spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God}, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter. AMP
Revelation 2:7 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God {The Garden of Eden – the eternal spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God}. [Gen 2:9; 3:24.] AMP

Adam was already formed from the dust of the ground in the Land of Nod prior to when God placed him in the Garden of Eden and then formed Eve from his side. Adam and Eve were extremely intelligent. Adam and Eve talked face to face with God – they were in an intimate relationship with Him. The Garden’s trees were to be used for food. It also contained the “Tree of Life” and the “Tree of Knowledge” about which God cautioned Adam. Eve and Adam then sinned by disobeying God’s command of NOT eating from the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil” and God removed/sent them out of the Garden to cultivate the ground from which Adam was formed. Where did He put them BACK into? God placed them back into the original “very good” creation in the “Land of Nod.” This physical representation of the spiritual Garden of Eden/Kingdom of God was RADICALLY different from the rest of physical creation!!!
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God {God the Son/Jesus Christ} formed man from the dust of the ground {in the Land of Nod} and {God the Holy Spirit} breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. [1 Cor 15:45-49.] AMP
John 1:3 All things were made and came into existence through Him {The word “through” means from the beginning to the end of. “Him” is Jesus Christ, and He is the Word of God and God the Son}; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. AMP
Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me {to function/to be alive}, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. NKJV
Job 27:3 as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, NIV
Genesis 2:8 And the Lord God {God the Son} planted a garden toward the east, in Eden [delight]; and there He put the man whom He had formed (framed, constituted) {in the Land of Nod}. AMP
Genesis 2:21-22 And the Lord God {God the Son} caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs or a part of his side and closed up the [place with] flesh. 22 And the rib or part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man He built up and made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. AMP
Genesis 2:19 And out of the ground {Strong’s O.T. #127 not “dust” [Strong’s O.T. #6083 as in Genesis 2:7} the Lord God {God the Son} formed every [wild] beast and living creature of the field and every bird of the air and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam {using his intellect} called every living creature, that was its name. AMP
Genesis 3:9-10 But the Lord God {God the Son/Jesus Christ} called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? 10 He {Adam} said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden {Spirits do NOT make sounds walking IF indeed they do walk.}, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. AMP {If Adam HEARD the sound of Jesus walking in the Garden and HID from His sight, then God the Son/Jesus Christ MUST have had a visible physical bodily form.}
John 1:18 No one has seen God {the Father} at any time; the only begotten God {the Son/Jesus Christ} who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him {made Him known}. NASU
Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground the Lord God {God the Son} made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight or to be desired — good (suitable, pleasant) for food; the tree of life also in the center of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of [the difference between] good and evil and blessing and calamity. [Rev 2:7; 22:14, 19.] AMP
Genesis 3:23-24 Therefore the Lord God {Jesus Christ} sent him {Adam and Eve} forth from the Garden of Eden {Christ physically removed them and all that was created in the Garden of Eden/Kingdom of God was returned} to till the ground from which he was taken {in the Land of Nod}. 24 So [God] drove out the Adam {“Adam” is what God called BOTH Adam and Eve.}; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep and guard the way to the tree of life. [Rev 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19.] AMP
Genesis 5:2 He {God the Son} created them male and female and blessed them and named them [both] Adam [Man] at the time they were created. AMP

In closing this chapter, I want to give you some spiritual food for spiritual thought using your spiritually sound mind of Christ. We found in this chapter that Adam was formed from the physical dust of the ground in the Land of Nod/earth and God formed Eve from Adam’s side in the Garden of Eden which is part of the mystical Kingdom of God. Two very different origins. I believe the difference in our initial origins and backgrounds has a huge influence and importance in how men and women have acted out their lives down through the ages. Much has been written over the years trying to reveal and define why we behave differently. My thoughts deal with the basic philosophical characteristics {the humanistic, worldly way we think} of men and women from each one’s origin/creation – how and where each came into being and lived for a while.

Adam, the first human, was created by God from the physical dust of the Land of Nod {the earth/world}, and his beginning and early residence was in God’s “Very Good” physical creation. Men are very physically minded creatures! Most men would rather be physically involved in the things of this world – sports, cars, work, family, T.V., hobbies, drinking, chasing women, and money, etc. rather than surrender to the spiritual Lordship of Jesus Christ and become part of His spiritual supernatural Bride Church family and their activities. My own thoughts at one time were, “How can I believe in something I can’t even see? Why would I want to? I’m happy with what I have! Don’t bother me with your religious stuff! Anyway, I’m too busy making money!!!” Would man’s original origin be a contributing factor in our character and behavior as a 21st century person? Is our origin the cause of man’s deep seated rebellion and hostility towards God?

God brought forth Eve from Adam’s side in the Garden of Eden while it was here on the earth. While Eve was taken and formed from Adam’s side, which makes her fully human, her place of origin and beginning residence was different – it was in the Garden of Eden – a mystical part of God’s spiritual supernatural Kingdom. The terms that describe the word “Eden” – “delights, perfect, and paradise” are of a considerably higher “STANDARD” than the original physical creation’s “Very Good.” These words make men and women’s origins significantly different! Man had a “physical” origin while woman had a “mystical” origin. Eve’s origin in the Garden does NOT make her MORE spiritual in nature than Adam.
1 Corinthians 15:45-46 Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the {spiritually} dead to life]. [Gen 2:7.] 46 But it is not the spiritual life which came first, but the physical and then the spiritual. AMP

While women are not pushovers in bringing them to a committed spiritual relationship in Christ, they seemingly are easier to win to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and it seems easier for them to spiritually commit to Him. Now I know that men and women are different physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually but would woman’s origin be a contributing factor in them also as to the character of her person? We all know that one’s origin and upbringing in that background does greatly influence one’s way of interacting with their future life.

I have some questions for you to ponder. Do you think the differences in origin that I described have an ingrained influence on the character and behavior of men and women? IF the above statements are correct, how can we testify and minister to men and women to help them to better understand why we act as we do? Could this make any difference in helping men and women to commit to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and worshiping and serving Him in His spiritual supernatural Kingdom here on earth as part of His Bride Church?”

Regardless of our origin or our background, I know of only ONE way for a person to truly have their sinful spiritual heart and mindset effectively and eternally changed, renewed, and restored, and that is through accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, Lord God, and Master and becoming a Child of God in His eternal Kingdom as part of Christ’s Bride Church.
Romans 8:5-17 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot.
8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. 9 But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]. [Rom 8:14.] 10 But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you].
11 And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.
12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh. 13 For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! 16 The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. 17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. AMP