Adam, the Sinner, not to Live Forever.
By R. F. Cottrell
ADAM sinned; the sentence of death was immediately pronounced against him, and he was forthwith excluded from the tree of life, in execution of the penalty. Free access to this tree and partaking of its fruits, would cause him to live forever; so when this was taken from him, his life in effect was taken and the penalty executed; for death would certainly ensue. "And the Lord God said, Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever; therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and placed at the east of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Gen. iii, 22-24. Life, in its most literal sense, is evidently intended in this passage. In a figurative sense it may signify happiness; but man had brought himself into an unhappy condition by his transgression, and with the view that life here means happiness, the cherubim and flaming sword were to prevent man forever from being happy. But God is willing that the sinner should turn and become happy, as is evident from the promise made concerning the seed of the woman before the sentence of death was passed upon our race. Some have thought that the tree of life is Christ; but all are invited to come to Christ for life and happiness. No cherubim and flaming sword guard the way to Christ, lest sinners should come to him for pardon, life and happiness. Man was excluded from the tree of life that he might not live forever—that he might die. He had sinned against God by partaking of the interdicted tree—the tree of knowledge of good and evil; and now, "lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life," he is driven away and excluded, and his approach made impossible. Thus the life which was given to our race in Adam is taken away, being forfeited by disobedience, it is utterly lost. And this though terrible is still merciful. To become immortal in sin, would be the greatest curse. This we cannot do. We cannot regain the life which was forfeited by sin. We should not desire it. But, thank God! life and immortality are brought to light through the gospel; and all are invited to come to Him who is the resurrection and the life. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order. "They that are Christ's at his coming." He gives to his sheep eternal life and they shall never perish—they shall not be hurt of the second death. Such are some of the precious promises to those only who are Christ's. The tree of life is taken from man, because he is a sinner, lest he should become immortal in sin. But he is invited to come to Christ that his sins may be removed. When this is done, he is not yet immortal, he has eternal life in prospect—lays hold of it by faith. He now feeds upon Christ by faith; but is not yet restored to the tree of life. He must fight the good fight, and be a final overcomer; then Christ will restore to him the tree of life. "To him that overcometh," says Jesus, "will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Again, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life." Though man has sinned, and been excluded from the tree of life, there is a way to regain it; the overcomer shall yet eat of its fruit. Our race are shut away from it, lest we should eat and live forever. Those then to whom our blessed Saviour shall give to eat of this tree, will doubtless live forever. But what of those who do not believe; who do not overcome; who do not gain access to the tree of life? Will they live just as long? It is asserted that every human soul is destined to live as long as God exists. If this is so, why have a portion of our race the promise of being restored to that tree from which man was excluded, lest he should live forever?