3:3Genesis 3:3

The verse records Eve stating God's prohibition against eating or even touching the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil standing in the midst of the garden on pain of death.GC88 531.1–532.1+4 God had forbidden only eating on pain of certain death, while Eve added the ban on touching and softened certain death to lest ye die, and that addition gave the serpent his opening to argue that touching without harm meant eating would bring none.2RED 9.2–10.1+3 The tempter speaking through the beautiful serpent was Satan, a fallen exalted angel moved by envy to destroy the holy pair by direct contradiction that they would certainly not die and by promise that eating would open their eyes to make them as gods.GC88 531.1–532.1+4 The single restriction was the smallest test of free obedience, fidelity and love, in which life depended on obedience and even the least departure was transgression.Ms 10, 1894, par. 2–3+4 By listening and eating they lost sinless nature and Eden and opened the floodgates of sin, guilt and death upon the race, a failure Christ as the second Adam redeemed by passing over the same ground of appetite and temptation without yielding.Ms 16, 1897, par. 23–24+4

The verse records Eve's reply to the serpent, stating God's prohibition against the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, that they must not eat of it nor even touch it, on pain of death, while all the other trees remained free for them to eat.GC88 531.1–532.1+4 She spoke it because she had lingered to listen instead of fleeing, and in repeating it she entered into argument with the tempter rather than holding God's word by faith and refusing to reason.GC88 531.1–532.1+4 God's word was plain and authoritative, yet Satan met it first with the subtle questioning, Yea, hath God said, making a lie appear desirable, and then with flat denial that the death warning would be fulfilled, claiming it was given only to frighten and insinuating God spoke from jealousy to withhold higher existence, broader knowledge, wisdom, power, nobler development and greater happiness.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+2 He followed with the flattering promise that their eyes would be opened and they would be as gods knowing good and evil, and Eve, distrusting her Creator, imagined obedience restricted freedom and transgression could bring wisdom and exaltation.GC88 531.1–532.1+3 That same deceiving work by the originator of sin continues today, leading men to question God's words and drawing them into sin with flattering inducements that exalt man and place him where God should be, working by evil angels against God and His commandments to make truth of no effect, while God's purpose is that men and women be one with Christ carrying out His will and way as His stewards.Ms 164, 1905, par. 13–15+1 Violating this command gave Adam and Eve a knowledge they would never have had in obedience, an experience in disobedience and disloyalty and the knowledge that they were naked, the garments of innocence and covering light having departed, so they sewed fig leaves for aprons, which represent the arguments all transgressors since use to cover disobedience when truth calls.Ms 145, 1897, par. 2–4

The prohibited tree is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, standing in the midst of the garden near the tree of life, serving as a pledge of obedience, faith and love.RH Aug 4, 1910+2 It alone was dangerous and forbidden, while there was no danger in approaching any other tree and all the others were freely permitted for food, with death as the penalty for eating from this one.RH Aug 4, 1910+4 It is called knowledge because eating would give experience of sin and disobedience, and Satan deliberately planned to attract the holy pair to that one tree to lead them to do the very thing God had forbidden.RH Aug 4, 1910+4 Eve's inquisitive and presumptuous venturing to gain that forbidden knowledge, prompted by unsanctified desires and unholy aims, brought the spurious knowledge of evil and sin at dear cost and resulted in the loss of Eden.Ms 51, 1900, par. 1–2+2 The same pattern continues in the sons and daughters of Adam who venture contrary to God's will for knowledge that costs Eden, for Satan's arguments are unchanged, still working by flattery and by creating envy and distrust and exciting desire for self-exaltation.Ms 51, 1900, par. 1–2+2

The serpent was a real creature whom Satan employed as his medium, disguise and agent well adapted for deception, to accomplish his work unperceived where the destroyer lurked watching for prey in the garden of peace.ApM 30.1+4 At that time it was among the wisest and most beautiful creatures on earth, having wings and presenting in flight an appearance of dazzling brightness with the color and brilliancy of burnished gold.PP 53.4 Resting in the rich-laden branches of the forbidden tree and regaling itself with the delicious fruit, it was an object to arrest attention and delight the eye of the beholder.PP 53.4 Satan regarded that brilliant creature as best adapted for his line of temptations, personating it and speaking through it to disguise the lies of the father of lies as truth, and that disguised work still tries to put his stamp upon the work God would have stand forth in purity.Ms 92, 1894, par. 9+2 His work begun in Eden was the ruin of mankind and his one purpose is to complete it, and that first deception by the serpent over the mother of the human race stands as the model for his later efforts to mislead, bringing a curse upon the means of leading others into sin and accountability upon those who lead others astray.ApM 30.1+2

The verse belongs to the inspired history of the race showing the first parents in holy innocency in Eden enjoying communion with God and sinless angels, and recording the introduction of sin through disobedience and its results with just retribution.1SP 31.1–32.2+4 It is part of the Bible's authentic history of the origin of the earth, the creation of man, his fall and the entrance of sin, giving dependable knowledge that keeps the mind from fables and conjectures, human theories, superstition, falsehood and enfeebling error.MYP 254.2–255.1+2 That history is truth, not idle tales or fable, but living acting experience, and searching its hidden treasures and jewels of truth gives strength of intellect beyond philosophy and develops the powers of the mind by light from the throne of God.MYP 254.2–255.1+3 It stands with creation, atonement and the perpetuity of law as a pillar of faith, turning from a plain Thus saith the Lord and showing that transgression did not pay, for Adam lost Eden and by transgression man will lose heaven, thus forcing decision on which side to stand.1SP 31.1–32.2+2 Adam and Eve's test over those words was far less than Christ's test, for Christ took fallen but not corrupted human nature, since corruption comes only by receiving Satan's words in place of God's words as at the tree, and by not receiving them He kept allegiance as a garment on the battlefield though His pure nature was assailed and He felt humiliation as one tempted and capable of yielding.16MR 182.2–183.1

Eve added to the command, for God had freely allowed eating from every other tree and had forbidden only eating from the tree in the midst of the garden on pain of certain death in the day of eating, while she stated it as forbidding both eating and touching on penalty of lest ye die.2RED 9.2–10.1+4 She answered the serpent's subtle questioning when curiosity was aroused to know how death could be concealed in its fair fruit, speaking her thoughts aloud and supposing the repeating serpent to be wise, and she erred by entering into controversy instead of fleeing.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+2 In restating liberty to eat and prohibition under penalty of death she overstated what was actually commanded, adding neither shall ye touch it where God had said nothing about not touching, and softening surely die to lest ye die.2RED 11.1+4 Accepting false assertions instead of holding the express command was the beginning of disobedience and transgression, bringing a knowledge God did not want, the knowledge of guilt.2RED 9.2–10.1+2

That added word gave the serpent his advantage, for he could argue that the warning was false since touching brought no harm, and thus undermine trust in the warning.2RED 9.2–10.1+4 He plucked the fruit and placed it in her half-reluctant hands, turning her own words against her by reminding her she had touched without dying and claiming eating would do no more harm than touching had done.2RED 11.1+3 Perceiving no evil result from touching, she grew bolder and reasoned that since touching brought no harm eating would bring none, until she trusted his claim rather than God's warning and went on to eat and give to her husband.2RED 11.1+4

The death warning was real and to be actually fulfilled, covering both tasting and touching, with disobedience bringing death whether by refusing to touch they would have been safe or by believing the tempter they would perish.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+3 It meant literal death and return to dust and separation, not entrance into a higher existence with broader knowledge, wisdom, power, nobler development and greater happiness as the tempter insinuated when he claimed it was given only to frighten from jealousy.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+2 The tempter directly contradicted it by declaring they would not surely die, that God did not mean what He said, that death was impossible since they had eaten of the tree of life, and that eating would open eyes and make them as gods knowing good and evil in a more exalted sphere.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+3 Eve's lack of immediate harm upon touching and eating did not make his denial true or cancel the penalty, for the command remained authoritative and transgression brought its consequences despite pleasant experience seeming otherwise.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+3

There was nothing dangerous, poisonous, peculiarly injurious, bad or harmful in the fruit itself, for it was used merely as a test of whether they would be obedient when every want had been abundantly provided.Ms 10, 1894, par. 2–3+2 The danger lay in listening to Satan and venturing to transgress, in willingness to stop and answer revealing distrust of the Word, coveting what was forbidden, distrusting God's goodness, desiring independence to be a god and a law unto self acknowledging no restraint.Ms 10, 1894, par. 2–3+2 Even that apparently smallest breach of the stated restraint constituted transgression of God's law, forcing the choice of whom to believe when denial directly contradicted the declaration that eating brings death.Ms 10, 1894, par. 2–3+2 Satan used her words to make transgression appear a real blessing and increased knowledge, promising gain from a course contrary to law as he still does, but yielding met with terrible loss and helped open the floodgates of woe upon the world.Ms 16, 1897, par. 23–24+2

The tempter in the garden was Satan himself, a fallen angel once exalted in high responsibility among the heavenly hosts, not a monstrous being with hoofs and horns.Ms 92, 1894, par. 9 He was Lucifer, who in heaven desired to be first in power and authority, to be God and to have the rulership of heaven, exalted over his own beauty and jealous of Christ until he won many angels to his side.CT 32.3+1 With his rebel host and all his sympathizers he was cast out from the courts of God, and then came to this earth with his angels to carry on the warfare against God here by drawing the human family into revolt.CT 32.3+1 He announced his resolve to conform Adam and Eve to his own nature, to deface the image of God in man, to efface that image and trace his own instead.Ms 87, 1903, par. 1–2 His method was the same false science, false assertions and subtle scientific theories by which he had led angels from loyalty, now prepared as temptations for the first parents through subtle reasoning and deceptive influence that blinds the mind so plain warnings cannot be seen.Lt 262, 1903, par. 18+1

No longer free to stir up rebellion in heaven, he turned his enmity against God into plotting the ruin of the human race.RH Sep 30, 1909+1 Beholding the happiness and peace of the holy pair in Eden as a vision of the bliss forever lost to him, he was moved by envy of their innocency to determine to incite them to disobedience and bring upon them the guilt and penalty of sin.PP 52.1+1 Envy and jealousy had originated with him in Paradise, and after he fell he envied Adam and Eve in order to make them become like himself, disloyal to God.Ms 68, 1896, par. 12–14 His aim was to change their love to distrust and their songs of praise to reproaches against their Maker, to plunge those innocent beings into the same misery he himself endured, to cast dishonor upon God, and to cause grief in heaven.PP 52.1+1 From the days of Adam to the present he has pursued unchanged this work of tempting men to distrust God's love and to doubt His wisdom.RH Sep 30, 1909

He laid a deliberate plan to destroy them by leading them to disobey, for while they obeyed they kept their happiness and God's favor and he could exercise no power upon them.SG1 19.1+1 Only by first disobeying could they forfeit God's favor, incur God's frown, and be brought under his more direct influence and that of his angels.SG1 19.1+1 He would therefore assume another form and show an interest for man, concealing his identity by speaking through the serpent, which he regarded as best adapted for his line of temptations, making the forbidden fruit a deceptive morsel carrying deadly error.EW 117.2+2 He insinuated against God's truthfulness and created doubt whether God meant just what He said about death, then excited curiosity to lead them to pry into the unsearchable plans of God and reason about the cause of the restriction upon the tree of knowledge, the very prying of which he himself had been guilty.SG1 19.1+1 By misrepresentation he threw his hellish shadow between man and God to eclipse the loveliness of a character untainted by transgression, and his attack was against God's holy law as the standard of righteousness, a work he still continues by striving to tear down the law and chain men and women in bondage to his will.Ms 162, 1899, par. 12–14+1

That easy success in Eden emboldened him to boast that he could overcome even Christ as well.LC1 47.1–2+1 Having led Adam and Eve away from God's will by appeal to appetite, their fall encouraged him to hope that he could similarly tempt Jesus.LC1 47.1–2+1 The temptation of the holy pair succeeded so readily that he supposed with his satanic cunning and power he could overthrow the Son of God in the same way.LC1 51.1+2 He hoped to tempt Jesus to depart from the will of His Father and avoid the appointed life of suffering and dreadful death.SG1 33.1–34.1

Through Adam's breach in casting aside God's word not to eat and accepting the word of the fallen foe instead, Satan founded his claim to be prince and god of this world and claimed the whole human family to exercise his power upon them.Ms 34, 1897, par. 3–4+1 He points to their calamities and diseases as proof that God has no mercy and that they might as well be under his control.Ms 16, 1893, par. 3–4 After the fall he claimed to be the prince of the power of the air and to have control of everything in nature.Ms 154, 1903, par. 16–18 God could have prevented him from sowing tares all around, but permitted him to sow tares and work out his principles of evil, while at the same time protecting from his wrath those who desire to work out the principles of heaven.Ms 154, 1903, par. 16–18 The rebellion he carried from heaven to earth by turning Adam and Eve from allegiance through falsehood and misrepresentation was afterward demonstrated in the antediluvian world and worked out in Sodom and Gomorrah.Lt 156, 1897, par. 7–10+1

He met the plain prohibition not to eat or touch the fruit in the midst of the garden on pain of death with the subtle question whether God had really said so, making a lie appear a very desirable fact in order to deceive.Ms 164, 1905, par. 13–15+3 He came as an angel of light, deliberately drew them to the one forbidden tree, and used flattery, envy, distrust, questioning, unbelief and desire for self-exaltation to make disobedience seem plausible and a real blessing.Ms 164, 1905, par. 13–15+3 That same deceiving work by the originator of sin continues today, leading men to question God's words and drawing them into sin with flattering inducements that exalt man where God should be, working by evil angels against God and His commandments to make truth of none effect.Ms 164, 1905, par. 13–15+2

He directly contradicted the death warning by declaring they would certainly not die, falsely suggesting God would not punish and did not mean what He said.ST Nov 18, 1913+4 He assured Eve she was created immortal with no possibility of dying, and argued death was impossible since they had eaten from the tree of life.RH Feb 24, 1874+1 Believing that lie instead of God put the enemy in God's place and began beholding another character, exchanging God's word for Satan's theory, which led to transgression.Ms 10, 1894, par. 4–6+1

He promised eating would open eyes, enlighten and ennoble understanding, give higher perceptions to know good and evil, make them as gods and as angels, and bring wisdom, exaltation, broader knowledge, power, greater freedom, delicious taste and a more exalted sphere of existence.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+4 Eve, engaging the tempter in argument, distrusted her Creator, imagined obedience restricted freedom, and accepted that transgression could bring greater freedom and knowledge.GC88 531.1–532.1+1 The death warning is real, though he claimed it would not be fulfilled and was given only to frighten.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11

He insinuated God spoke from jealousy and selfishness to withhold higher existence, broader knowledge, wisdom, power, nobler development, greater happiness and higher education, to prevent equality with Himself and keep them in unjust subordination.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+4 He intimated the warning was only intimidation, and claimed he himself had eaten and thereby gained the power of speech.ED 24.1–2+1 Eve's willingness to stop and answer revealed distrust of God's word, coveting what was forbidden and desire to be independent, to be a god and a law to herself acknowledging no restraint, though there was nothing poisonous in the fruit itself and even that smallest breach was transgression opening floodgates of woe.Ms 21, 1898, par. 29–33+1

He overcame them by shaking confidence in the Creator and leading them to doubt the wisdom of His government and the justice of His laws.4SP 354.1–3+1 He represented God as even worse than himself in order to excuse his own malignity and rebellion, shifting his own horrible cruelty upon the heavenly Father to make himself appear greatly wronged for refusing to submit to so unjust a governor.4SP 354.1–3+1 He contrasted the liberty to be enjoyed under his own mild sway with the bondage imposed by stern decrees, thus luring souls away from allegiance, and he seeks to overcome men today in the same way.4SP 354.1–3+1

He misrepresented God's character and law as severe, tyrannical, arbitrary, unjust and grievous bondage, perverting law and precepts to give a false unfavorable impression of the Law-giver and portraying loss if they obeyed.ST Jul 23, 1902+3 The same method and logic he used in Eden he has used in all succeeding ages, working constantly among all classes by deception, at times assuming a cloak of piety, purity and holiness and transforming himself into an angel of light, blinding eyes so men cannot see beneath the surface and discern his real purpose.ST Jul 23, 1902+1 He works not openly but in secrecy under cover of garments of righteousness, holding out glorious prospects and great good to be obtained by doing what God forbade, making the path of disobedience appear desirable though its promised reward is deceitful, its fruits bitter and its end death.PP 720.3+1

He worked by lies, false science, subtle sophistry, seductive theories, deceptive reasoning, hypnotic and mind-upon-mind spiritualistic power through the senses, effacing God's image and blinding minds so plain warnings are unseen.STB 373.1–2+4 He coiled himself in disguise and presented specious temptation as science to lead them to question and distrust God and believe words of satanic origin instead of God's word, the same agency of false assertions and subtle scientific theories he had used in heaven to lead angels from loyalty.Ms 130, 1906, par. 34–35+1 That same Eden science and scientific devising now deceives ministers, physicians and church members and draws them into the snare, exalting science above God, making infidels, profaning what God entrusted, and weakening faith unto spiritual death, though through Christ's grace they need not remain dupes but can resist, distinguish falsehood from truth, and keep vantage ground by placing the hand in Christ's hand.STB 373.1–2+4

He caused distrust by interposing himself between souls and God, stirring irreverent curiosity and restless desire to penetrate withheld secrets of divine wisdom and power while overlooking revealed truths essential to salvation.PP 54.3+2 He excited them to pry into unsearchable plans and reason about the restriction as he himself had done, tempting to disobedience by promise of entering a wonderful field of knowledge and progression.PP 54.3+1 That promise is deception, and trampling God's requirements sets feet in the path to degradation and death; the same temptation to gain knowledge of good and evil comes down to the present, felt as honor with desire to be in authority, control minds and judge good and evil, extending to decide cases of others.PP 54.3+2

He led them to treat God's gifts as weapons against the Giver, turning instruction into a snare.Lt 38, 1907, par. 9 He led men to doubt God's word and distrust His goodness, and though God is a God of justice and terrible majesty, caused them to look upon Him as severe and unforgiving, thereby drawing them to join him in rebellion, after which the night of woe settled upon the world.Lt 12, 1911, par. 5–7 Accepting his words in place of God's put the enemy in God's place, framed a lie against God's government, and by believing it man fell, forfeited claim to be called loyal subject, and became Satan's captive held under false pretenses with no lawful conquest.Ms 10, 1894, par. 4–6+2

The same deception continues today through ministers, doctors and human agencies setting aside a plain Thus saith the Lord, making God's law of none effect and causing His memorial Sabbath to be disrespected.Ms 175, 1902, par. 4+1 It mixes cheap human theories and inventions with truth amid confusion, disguising the father of lies as truth like the poison sting of the serpent, and counsels departure as a seducing spirit attending those who refuse to humble the heart despite reproofs.MWISDAP 30.2+3 That deceptive sophistry and scientific working waxes more intense, ensnaring ever since by every species of deception.MWISDAP 30.2+2

Eve stood alone at the forbidden tree because while busy with garden work she had unconsciously wandered from her husband despite angelic caution that with him she would be in less danger from temptation than alone.Lt 245a, 1903, par. 29–31+1 Though on perceiving she was alone she felt apprehension of danger, she dismissed her fears, deciding she had sufficient wisdom and strength to discern evil and withstand it.PP 53.5 She lingered to listen instead of fleeing when the tempter put his ensnaring question, and her reply affirmed liberty to eat of the other trees while declaring God's prohibition against eating or even touching the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden on pain of death.Ms 140, 1903, par. 10–11+2 She gazed on it with mingled curiosity and admiration because its fruit was very beautiful, questioned within herself why God had withheld it and how death could be concealed in its fair fruit, and spoke her thoughts aloud supposing the serpent who repeated them to be wise.PP 53.5+2 Her confidence that she could judge right and wrong and her hope of gaining higher knowledge led her to treat the serpent as a friend concerned for her good and to argue with him instead of turning away and seeking her husband's counsel, whereas had she sought Adam and together told their Maker what was said they would have been delivered.SG3 42.2+2

She broke the command in steps of wandering from her husband, lingering around the tree, listening to the tempter and daring to doubt what God had said about certain death, thinking it might not mean just as the Lord said.ST Nov 18, 1913+1 She then put forth her hand, took the fruit and ate it, finding it pleasing to the eye and pleasant to the taste, and becoming jealous that God had withheld what was really for their good.SG1 20.2 She related all the serpent had said with astonishment at its power of speech, offered the fruit to her husband and tempted him, and Adam knowingly followed her in disobedience, choosing her over loyalty to God despite the blessings and destiny they risked losing.ST Nov 18, 1913+1 His eating was a rash, inexcusable, presumptuous departure from the express command, going directly against God's expressed will even though he did not set out to defy or speak against God, and it stands as warning that sin consists in departing from God's expressed will not in how great the act appears.2RED 88.2+2

Her willingness to stop and answer revealed distrust of God's Word, goodness and wisdom, and her arguing led her to accept the serpent's denial and choose his words over God's instruction.GC88 531.1–532.1+4 She imagined obedience restricted freedom and that transgression could bring greater freedom, wisdom, exaltation and knowledge, coveted what God forbade, desired independence to do as she thought best, to be a god and a law unto herself acknowledging no restraint, and longed for the fruit as most desirable to make one wise.GC88 531.1–532.1+3 She was flattered by the enemy and ventured to take and eat and give to her husband, showing herself a representative of Satan, and the lesson is that what seems only a little disobedience is not little.Ms 14, 1894, par. 2–4 Those overcome like her imagine they are becoming wiser and rising above ignorance and narrow conscientiousness, but they exchange heavenly wisdom for weak human judgment.4T 584.1

She ate and imagined it gave her a quickening power and a new elevated existence although she felt no sense of death, and her disobedience made her a means of leading her husband toward the same fall.1SP 38.1 The sinless pair were beguiled and believed false statements regarding God, so fully seduced by the seductive influence of Satan's voice speaking through the serpent, who lied against God, bore false witness of the Creator and exalted himself in preference to God, that they could not discern the power leading them into apostasy.STB 396.2–3+2 They were captivated with feet tending toward ruin unless their eyes were opened, and the same deceptive power is exercised now not only upon inexperienced youth but upon men and women of mature years, with men in positions of responsibility in danger of changing leaders from God to Satan.Lt 257, 1904, par. 3–5 Eve was deceived while Adam was not deceived but was persuaded by his wife, for Satan charged God with withholding wisdom that would make them wise to make them jealous of God.Ms 77, 1896, par. 2–3

Adam understood that Eve's eating meant she must die and they must be separated under certain death and separation, yet through love for Eve and inability to endure separation he resolved in utter discouragement to share her fate rather than be separated.Ms 32, 1885, par. 4+1 After hearing her account he doubted that God meant what He had said, and after she prevailed upon him telling him no harm had come to her and urging him to risk the consequences, he was influenced by his wife, seized the fruit and quickly ate and fell from his integrity.Ms 32, 1885, par. 4+2 Satan knew the woman would not fall alone but that Adam through love would disobey and fall with her, and that eating introduced sin into the world bringing indescribable misery through intemperate appetite and through the power of influence one person in wrong exerts over another.Ms 32, 1885, par. 4+1 That lustful intemperate desire to gratify taste became the prevailing sin of the human family, through which Satan has most successfully tempted fallen man.Ms 32, 1885, par. 4

Choosing to listen to the deceiver instead of trusting God's truth led humanity to lose what God had given and to gain the knowledge of evil, for the transgression expressed distrust of God and rejection of His authority not merely yielding to appetite.Ms 10, 1894, par. 2–3+1 There was nothing dangerous in the fruit itself, the danger was in listening to Satan and venturing to transgress, and Eve's listening to his denial of death directly contradicted God's declaration that eating brings death, forcing the choice of whom to believe.Ms 10, 1894, par. 2–3 They were created without sin and without taint of evil and might have retained innocence by living by every word from God's mouth and refusing the strange voice, but left free to choose they chose evil by believing Satan's lie and disobeying the express command, so what was pure and godlike became perverted and defiled.ST Aug 26, 1897 They turned from a plain Thus saith the Lord, discarding God's words and heeding Satan's words, and that little act of taking the forbidden fruit opened the floodgates of woe, proving transgression does not pay for by it Adam lost Eden and by it man will lose heaven and eternity of bliss.Ms 175, 1897, par. 8–9+2 They listened because Satan's words were more pleasant than God's prohibition and his way seemed as good as God's, doing what God told them not to do was disobedience, and Satan's suggestion that her own way was as good as God's way which caused the fall still urges people to keep transgressing while flattering themselves.Ms 175, 1897, par. 8–9+2

The single prohibition was a test of obedience, fidelity, faith and love, with life depending on obedience.Ms 10, 1894, par. 2–3+3 Adam and Eve were fully informed of the danger and the penalty of death, yet left as free moral agents not compelled to obey.ST Jan 23, 1879+2 They were safeguarded by law placed around them, free to obey and live in Eden and God's favor or to believe the tempter and perish.ST Jan 23, 1879+2 To have prevented them from touching the fruit would have denied them moral freedom.RH Jun 4, 1901

God placed them in Paradise with everything their wants required and gave only one restriction, not to eat or touch the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden lest they die.Ms 27, 1893, par. 1–4+1 It was the smallest, lightest test that could be devised, a slight test in a little matter and a check upon self-indulgence, the fatal passion at the foundation of Satan's fall, given where every want was abundantly supplied.Ms 92, 1899, par. 33–34+2 The point of the test was appetite, and disobeying even one particular of the expressed command was sin.ST Apr 10, 1893+3 Their eating in disobedience, though little in itself, cost the holy pair their beautiful Eden home and brought misery and crime that have filled the world.Ms 92, 1899, par. 33–34+2

Disregarding even one requirement, however slight and seemingly unworthy of notice, is disobedience and transgression that God means and will punish.ST Jun 18, 1894+3 The crime lies not in the greatness of the act but in departing from His expressed will, no disobedience is small, and unfaithfulness in that which is least, if uncorrected, will soon lead to transgression in that which is great.Lt 35a, 1877, par. 3–6+3 Taking the forbidden fruit looked like a simple thing unworthy of notice, but it opened the floodgates of woe, caused the fall and loss of Eden and expulsion, and warns that violating even the least commandment is serious sin arising from unbelief and ingratitude in trusting Satan's claims instead of God's word.Lt 35a, 1877, par. 3–6+1 The retribution shows God severe and exacting toward disobedience rather than lax, and His law so sacred that paying its debt required the sacrifice of His Son.Lt 35a, 1877, par. 3–6+1

While they obeyed they kept their happiness and God's favor, safe with every angel ready to be sent to their help, and Satan could exercise no power upon them.ST Jul 23, 1902+2 Only by first disobeying could they forfeit favor, incur His frown, and be brought under the direct influence and jurisdiction of Satan and his angels.ST Jul 23, 1902+2 By that failure to resist temptation he gained supremacy over the human race.ST Jul 23, 1902 If they had endured the trial they would finally have been placed beyond his power to enjoy perpetual favor with God and the heavenly angels.ST Jul 23, 1902+1

Remaining obedient would have kept man in perfect rectitude with clear perception and knowledge of God.Ms 86, 1898, par. 6–7 God's purpose was to repopulate heaven with the human race if after test and trial they proved loyal, and had Adam stood his thoughts would have been as God's thoughts and his character moulded after the similitude of the divine character, deciding whether the human family would become one with the heavenly family.Lt 91, 1900, par. 4–5+1 The probation required perfect obedience from Adam not for himself alone but in behalf of all his posterity, with promise that standing firm under temptation and keeping allegiance would secure acceptance and favor and establish him and his descendants forever in holiness and happiness.9MR 229.1–2 By revolting against God's law he made all his descendants sinners.9MR 229.1–2

They were created free from every taint of evil with no predisposition to sin, standing in the strength of perfection with all organs and faculties equally developed and harmoniously balanced, in God's image a little lower than angels.Lt 15a, 1896, par. 1–2+1 They were surrounded with everything the heart could wish in glorious Eden, with angels conversing freely and lovingly, and placed upon probation like the angels where happy estate with rich blessings could be retained only on condition of fidelity to the Creator's law: obey and live or disobey and perish.Lt 245a, 1903, par. 24–28+1 God warned them by telling them of the disobedience and disaffection of the highest created being, and holy angels often visited the garden to instruct them about their work and this command, to teach them about Satan's rebellion and fall, and to warn them to be on guard against his unwearied devices and not to separate from each other lest brought into contact with the fallen foe.Lt 15a, 1896, par. 1–2+2 Only in perfect obedience were they safe, while obedient the evil one could not harm them, and Satan was not to follow them with continual temptations but could have access to them only at the forbidden tree, so that attempting to investigate its nature would expose them to his wiles.Lt 245a, 1903, par. 24–28+1

The warning marks the limit God set to protect them from the knowledge of evil and its results.ED 23.2–3 God laid obedience on Adam and Eve in Eden as the condition of life, and lays that same condition of obedience to all requirements just as truly on every human being as the condition of salvation now.Ms 20, 1897, par. 5–8 That binding law remains binding now, with greater responsibility now because the record of happiness in obedience and ruin in disobedience is known, God having given fruit of every description and given the prohibition to show He was proprietor.Ms 17, 1893, par. 3–5 God did not make man a machine to do only what He set, nor move them as irresponsible beings to disobey and open the floodgates of woe; He gave real choice, for they had a will to obey the expressed injunction and a will to refuse, with power to resist temptation which they could have exercised, and man must cooperate with God in obedience to the loving God revealed in Jesus Christ.Lt 66, 1893, par. 2–3

God tests people to reveal whether firmly rooted in obedience, and all are on trial during probationary time.SPBC 178.2–4+1 The same test of keeping His command to decide loyalty or disloyalty and destiny comes to all in every age, with Satan playing the game of life for every soul and Christ at work for every soul, and those who consent to receive the moral image of God becoming like Him while refusal loses heaven.SPBC 178.2–4 The warning that those who ate would fall applies also to beings who had not yet fallen.SLGB 1.10

By listening to falsehood spoken with persuasive sophistry and receiving it as truth, Adam sinned and opened the door through which the enemy could ever after gain access to human beings, and Adam and Eve lost the wonderful gift of a sinless nature with the spiritual life that would have been theirs by continual endowment.Lt 83, 1905, par. 13+1 That assault did not work through indwelling sin, for Adam was made pure and upright after the divine character, with no corrupt principles, propensities or tendencies to evil, as faultless as the angels before the throne.Lt 191, 1899, par. 7–11 How a sinless being could yield to outward assault is unexplainable now and will be made plain only when seeing as seen and knowing as known.Lt 191, 1899, par. 7–11

That disobedience and belief of the lie brought a knowledge God did not want them to have, the knowledge of guilt, and opened the floodgates of woe upon the world, comprising all deceptions, prevarications and misrepresentations.Ms 16, 1897, par. 23–24+1 Taking the forbidden fruit looked like a simple thing unworthy of notice, but transgressing the slight yet binding test brought bitter experience, sin, sorrow, misery and ruin to Adam and Eve and the whole race, the fall and loss of Eden with expulsion, loss of access to the tree of life, and violence and crime traceable to that seemingly small selfish act.Lt 35a, 1877, par. 3–6+2 Any violation now is of far greater magnitude, for sin was then new.Lt 35a, 1877, par. 3–6

Violating the command gave a knowledge never to have been had in obedience — an experience in disobedience and disloyalty, the knowledge that they were naked because the garments of innocence and the covering presence of light from God had departed.Ms 145, 1897, par. 2–4+1 Their sewing fig leaves into aprons began what every transgressor has done since, the leaves representing arguments sewn together to cover disobedience and hide the nakedness of soul when truth calls.Ms 145, 1897, par. 2–4+1 If they had not touched the forbidden tree, God would have given them knowledge free from sin's curse and bringing everlasting joy, carriable to paradise; by listening to the tempter they gained only acquaintance with sin and its results, were estranged from God, and separated earth from heaven.8T 290.1–3+2

Seeking the forbidden knowledge was like Satan's earlier desire to know what God had not intended him to know.5T 503.3 The knowledge of evil entered the world through Satan's cunning and disobedience, not by God's creation, and seeking it through unsatisfied desires and unholy aims brings painful consequences including loss of Eden and of the Eden home, while practiced it leads to eternal death.5T 503.3+4 Remaining obedient would have kept man in perfect rectitude with clear perception and knowledge of God, but by listening to the tempter and sinning they lost the light and garments of heavenly innocence, drew about them dark ignorance of God, deprived themselves of heavenly light to discern His character in His works, and brought blight and curse upon nature so that fallen posterity can no longer trace Him perfectly and nature bears only imperfect testimony.Ms 86, 1898, par. 6–7+2

Disobeying meant falling from moral rectitude and innocency in which man walked with God and talked with God and Christ and angels in Paradise without a dimming veil, and being driven from the garden, from the tree of life, and from the visible presence of the Lord and His holy angels.1SP 7.1 The result is moral darkness like the pall of death casting shadows everywhere, with man wandering from the gates of Paradise for nearly six thousand years subject to sickness, pain, sorrow, tears and death and to the temptations and wiles of the devil, with Satan reigning with almost universal sway.1SP 7.1 Because of transgression they could no longer cultivate their beautiful Eden home but were shut out to work among thistles, brambles, thorns and weeds sown by Satan and brought by the curse, proving his promise of higher perceptions to know good and evil and be like angels a lie.Ms 120, 1899, par. 8+1 Guilt cut the race off from the tree of life, which angels guarded with flaming sword so sin would not be immortalized, leaving humanity subject to disease and death, and beautiful Eden was degraded, its handiwork preserved only as specimens to direct minds to God.Ms 140, 1903, par. 16+3

Through that disobedience Satan gained supremacy and control, man came under his jurisdiction, and with few exceptions the human family has been under service to him doing his work under a galling yoke and heavy burdens.Ms 55, 1902, par. 9–13+3 By their choice of him as ruler he claimed possession of this world as his kingdom and the fallen race as his rightful subjects, and the yielding effaced God's image and stamped a satanic image in its place, opening floodgates of evil extending into divided families.Ms 55, 1902, par. 9–13+1 Adam's disobedience brought sin and death into the world and plunged the race into misery and despair by transgression of the Father's law; they became sinners, fell from high estate, lost perfect and holy state, glory, dominion, Edenic sovereignty and kingdom to life under curse with poverty, sickness and suffering.2RED 33.1–34.2+3

Eating was rebellion against the government of God caused directly by satanic influence and by a lie against it, entering alliance with him under his bewitching spell as rebellion originated with him.PP 635.1+1 He captivated senses, misled understanding and caused everything to appear in false light, so that like all rebels they saw only great benefits to be received by transgression.PP 635.1 Guilt brought fear, shame and loss of peace and light, with wrong hope punishment would be less severe than warned.ST Jan 23, 1879 Breaking the requirement was transgression of law by which sin entered, severing connection with Jehovah, causing the enshrouding light to depart, defacing His image and darkening understanding so that God must send His only-begotten Son to shine as the light of the world.ST Jan 28, 1897

Breaking the command depraved human nature, lessened strength to resist evil, and opened the way for Satan to gain more ready access, so that since innocence yielded, conscious guilt now has even less power to maintain integrity.PP 61.4 The original apostasy brought loss of power to govern the heart, for when separated from God as Source of strength and lifted up in pride, man cannot but transgress the law of his moral constitution, breaks from conscience control, and lets perverted habits ascend over reason with impulse swaying away from principle.Lt 10, 1888, par. 2–5+1 Disobedience forfeited what God purposed, marring and well-nigh obliterating the divine likeness, weakening physical powers, lessening mental capacity, dimming spiritual vision and subjecting man to death as warned.Ms 96, 1898, par. 26–27+1 Yet the race was not left without hope, for by infinite love and mercy the plan of salvation was devised and a life of probation granted, whose work restores the image of the Maker, brings back the perfection of creation, and develops body, mind and soul.ED 15.2

That yielding of the mind began the conflict between good and evil, right and wrong, God and Satan on earth, raging ever since between a right way and a wrong way that never harmonize, with light having no compromise with darkness.RH May 3, 1906+3 Doing right carries a power Satan cannot overcome because righteousness has divine vitality, and in the end truth will triumph when God vanquishes the enemy.5MR 209.2 Satan accomplished the fall through temptation to self-indulgence and ambition, persuading them to accept living for self and to attain something more and be as God, sowing seeds of selfishness, for all sin is selfishness, the same grasp by which in a species of insanity he sought to supersede God.RH Jan 16, 1913+1 By sinning man broke from the heaven-ordained center of unselfish love, opposed that law, enthroned Satan where God's throne should have been as chosen ruler, perverted powers, put selfishness for love, so weakened nature that man could not resist evil, and filled earth with misery and desolation.RH Jan 16, 1913

Violation began a pattern continued through later generations, with harm following disregard and sin spreading like contagion until hatred of law was universal despite rain, fruitful seasons and warnings, yet divine benevolence still flows earthward.RH Mar 4, 1875+3 The retribution shows God severe and exacting toward disobedience rather than lax, and His law of sacred character so exalted that paying its debt required the valuable sacrifice of His Son to save the race and make keeping possible through His merits and blood.Lt 35a, 1877, par. 3–6 His mercy does not excuse continued sin or lessen guilt, but covers guilt only after repentance and forsaking, so pleading mercy to break the Sabbath in the bosom of the decalogue is as empty as pleading mercy to steal, murder or commit adultery.Lt 35a, 1877, par. 3–6

The death penalty was not at once carried out because a ransom was found in God's beloved Son volunteering to take sin and make atonement; without atonement there could be no pardon, for pardoning without it would have immortalized sin with bold unrestrained perpetration.RH Mar 3, 1874+2 By transgression Adam forfeited immortality, and rapid apostasy proved how sin spreads unrestrained.Ms 27, 1899, par. 9–10 Before the world was created Christ promised to come and bear the penalty if man should fall, and after transgression as Substitute and Surety pledged His life so the transgressor might be spared and have another trial.Ms 129, 1899, par. 2–4+2 That provision did not abolish law or grant unconditional pardon, for the Father does not show benevolence at expense of justice or set aside righteousness to exalt the impenitent.Ms 143, 1898, par. 28

God as creditor required justice satisfied by a certain price, and Christ alone could pay it, gaining right to take captives from Satan's hands by paying redemption on Calvary with His precious blood, not silver and gold.Lt 20, 1903, par. 10–13 He volunteered to pass over Adam's ground and conquer by steadfast allegiance, and the instant man disobeyed He stood between living and dead to take punishment, stand in man's place, give another chance, and enable men to stand.Lt 20, 1903, par. 10–13+1 Though the act looked small, disobeying cost the Eden home and closed Paradise, showing God cannot approve work with one thread of selfishness; sin blights and mars everything, and by transgression man will lose heaven and eternity of bliss.Ms 25, 1885, par. 28–29+3

Adam faced Satan in the strength of unfallen perfect human nature and failed, while Christ passed over the same ground where Adam stumbled and fell, fasting forty days and nights in the wilderness where Satan came upon Him with great power in His weakness, with temptations in every way greater yet without swerving a hairsbreadth from allegiance, gaining victory by the Word within reach of all until Satan left beaten, redeeming the failure and opening the way for every son and daughter of Adam to gain victory in Jesus' name.ST Jun 11, 1874+2 In Eden Adam and Eve lived under most favorable circumstances with communion with God and angels, without condemnation of sin, with divine light around them and God Himself as teacher, yet fell beneath Satan's power on the point of appetite.LC1 149.4–150.1+2 This contrasts with Christ in the wilderness after four thousand years of Satan's strengthened experience and man's weakened power to understand and resist, meeting the same foe with far fewer advantages and gaining victory on appetite for the race, making it possible for man in His name to overcome.LC1 149.4–150.1+2 The test was God's command not to eat the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden lest he die, and Adam's eating was disgraceful failure bringing ruin, so Christ as substitute had to be tested on the same point where ruin began, with the future welfare of the world depending on that battle, coming off victorious and leaving Satan conquered as assurance men through divine help may also conquer.Ms 26, 1887, par. 7+1

Adam fell while standing with every advantage over Christ, with none of sin's effects upon him, in strength of perfect manhood with full vigor of body and mind, surrounded by Eden's glories with temptation removed as far as possible and in daily communion with heavenly beings.ST Dec 3, 1902+1 Christ as second Adam began where the first began in purity and holiness, connected with God and beloved, though in every way less favorably situated, meeting Satan in weakness amid sinners and intensely subtle misleading influences with nothing done to remove temptation.ST Dec 3, 1902+2 He was a free moral agent held responsible, resisted every temptation and maintained sinless innocence where the first Adam abused freedom, allowed appetite to overcome, lost innocence and by free will became a sinner separated from God's favor.18MR 113.1–2+1 Fallen people cannot defeat Satan by own strength, but Christ joined divine power with human nature so they may overcome in His name, proving men can keep the law through divine power united with human effort.2RED 30.1–32.1+2

Christ passed over the same ground where Adam fell and sin entered in the grand rebellion, standing at the head of the family with divinity clothed with humanity and enduring all assaults without yielding in a single instance, conquering as a man by It is written.Lt 156, 1897, par. 7–10+2 He redeemed disgraceful failure on appetite, one of the three leading temptations, by passing over those same three with divine nature combined with human, making it possible for every son and daughter of Adam by faith to overcome and come off more than conquerors by taking hold of the crucified and risen Saviour.Ms 9, 1893, par. 27–32+2 Satan knew everything depended on overcoming Christ, for if Christ bore the test Adam failed salvation would be fulfilled and his destruction certain, so all apostate powers were rallied from desert to Calvary.ST Oct 29, 1902 In the wilderness Christ battled forty days in fasting and prayer, weak and emaciated from hunger and worn with mental agony, to bear in man's behalf the test Adam failed to bear.ST Oct 29, 1902

He met temptation in fallen human nature identical with our own, without even angelic powers, liable to be strongly tempted and capable of yielding, yet without sinful corrupt propensities or disloyalty, for corruption comes only by receiving Satan's words in place of God's words as at the tree.Ms 57, 1890, par. 10–11+3 He would have been corrupted only in that same way, and by not receiving Satan's words kept allegiance as a garment on the battlefield, was not reckoned with the transgressor, and maintained pure sinless character though His holy nature was assailed and He felt humiliation of temptation.Ms 57, 1890, par. 10–11+2 He could have yielded as Adam did but did not yield one jot or tittle, and through the same Source provided in the covenant fallen man may partake of divine nature, unite human with divine, and stand pure holy undefiled against every temptation.Ms 94, 1893, par. 6–8+1 In His person He united full perfection of Godhead with full perfection of sinless humanity, met all temptations by which Adam was assailed and overcame by reliance on divine power, living from infancy resisting all besetting temptations as perfect pattern of childhood youth and manhood.18MR 331.4–332.1

Unlike Adam who reasoned with the enemy and thereby gave advantage so Satan exercised hypnotic power over him and Eve, Christ would not parley, reason or argue with temptation but conquered by meekness humility and reliance on the Word.Lt 159, 1903, par. 12–13+1 He rested in His Father's love strengthened by memory of the voice from heaven and answered only with Scripture, keeping allegiance unbroken and proving stronger than the strong man armed.Lt 159, 1903, par. 12–13+1 His forty-day battle in fasting prayer hunger emaciation and mental agony was the decisive test Adam failed, with all apostate powers rallied because Satan knew his destruction was certain if Christ bore it.ST Oct 29, 1902 Adam's failure was total and complete, the opposite measure of Christ's complete victory won with inestimable suffering, ending the contest, withdrawing Satan's hateful presence and leaving Christ for a season freed from adversary and legions.LC1 158.2+3

Satan threw all beguiling power with charm of serpent and fascination to make Adam yield his will, and exerted the same power on Christ to make Him yield, but Christ laid hold of God and refused to yield, chose suffering and death in His Father's appointed way where Adam yielded, so His victory was as complete as Adam's failure.ST Dec 10, 1902+2 Christ took up redemption just where ruin began on appetite, broke its power for all accepting divine aid, made it impossible for Satan to destroy the race through indulged appetite, and made it possible in His strength to live a Christian life.Ms 16, 1886, par. 3–4+2 They stumbled because they did not live by every word from God's mouth, costing the tree of life and Eden home, but all now living by every word will be brought back to Eden and regain the tree.Ms 16, 1886, par. 3–4+1 He brings moral power to break slavery to habit and perverted appetite, places the family on vantage ground, enables men to overcome in their own behalf through merits of the crucified and risen Saviour, to be saved from lowest degradation to a seat on His throne, with reform beginning by guarding appetite.12MR 312.1–314.1+3

His enduring refutes Satan's declaration that no one can keep God's law, showing man can keep and live it by doing as Christ did through union with divine nature, with abundant grace as only hope, proving sin is not necessity.6MR 111.1–2+2 He stands with crucifixion marks as living witness the law can be kept, so sin is not that men cannot obey but will not, and the fall does not excuse sin by inability where the same obedience test of loyalty decides destiny in every age.18MR 331.4–332.1+2 Adam's sin sold mankind to the enemy leaving men unable to redeem themselves or do any good, with no human intercessor, whereupon Christ offered to stand as substitute and surety to return the guilty to loyalty.Lt 25, 1904, par. 15+2 He took humanity with divinity and humanity combined to reach the race with human arm while grasping the Infinite, His name the link uniting man to God, resisting every claim sinners can be saved in sins with righteousness apparent in overcoming every temptation as the example to secure reward.10MR 65.2–4+1

Man alone cannot stand against Satan's powerful degrading influence and will be overcome without help, so Christ clothed divinity with humanity to conquer in man's behalf as representative resting wholly on God's power, reaching man with human arm while grasping the throne of the Infinite.Ms 65, 1894, par. 4+1 Through His merits name grace and exalted divine nature humanity is elevated ennobled linked to the Infinite and enabled to win eternal reward, not by easy effort, and through His name man may overcome on his own behalf the test Adam failed.Ms 65, 1894, par. 4+1 The Son placed Himself in the sinner's stead and passed over the same ground where Adam fell by disobeying expressed law, with wilderness temptation a hundredfold stronger than Adam's or any ever brought on the race, resisting by referring to the inspired record and proving every tempted soul may resist likewise.5MR 112.2 He came taking humanity as representative with the same help man may have to meet Satan over that fall, unmask him as liar, show created man joined to Father and Son could obey every requirement, and demonstrate a ransom was found, for Adam's sin separated man from God and continuing sin keeps up separation.Ms 143, 1897, par. 1–2

Having Adam's failure and Christ's self-denial and obedience before them, with results of transgression and floodgates of woe and all violence traceable to that seemingly small new sin before them, those now violating justice and mercy in word or practice commit sin of far greater magnitude than Eden and are left without excuse and under greater blame.Lt 165, 1901, par. 23–25+2 Disobeying by eating brought sin sorrow and death, in contrast to Christ who refused to depart from His Father's will even when hungry and thus showed obedience.COS 46.2–4 Violation brought them under prince of darkness making redemption necessary, which Christ's obedience answers to make regaining possible.LC1 118.2 By listening and yielding humanity lost what could be regained through Christ, yet loss did not leave them without hope, for salvation restores acceptors to sonship and God's image.JIOKP 37.2–3+2

God did not leave the pair but removed blessings, cut access to the tree of life, and gave gospel promise of an invincible Deliverer, the Only Begotten full of grace and truth, to be received and worshiped, so through belief and the working power of truth adapted to wandering sheep restoration takes place and they are brought back to the fold to labor with Him.Ms 170, 1899, par. 26+3 God did not after transgression give a new order of energies nor implant sinful propensities, but as soon as man transgressed Christ began conversion work that through obedience to law and faith man might regain God's image, gain victory over bias to evil, and have senses faculties words thoughts and energies purified with new character formed overcoming debasement.3MR 322.3–323.1 In the beginning Satan prevailed beginning a mischievous work still carried on with leagued forces putting forth efforts even in churches, so members including those in high responsibility whose condition shows great change must come must be on guard, for God has no place for lovers of deception fraud and sin.Ms 128, 1903, par. 13+1

The prohibition recorded here is the law given in Eden, forbidding eating with death as the stated penalty, and the disobedience, temptation, fall and punishment stand as warning that the wages of sin is death, that retributive justice never fails, and that strict regard is exacted as definitely in penalty as the law afterward proclaimed at Sinai.ST May 31, 1910 The law behind the command is changeless and could not be altered to meet fallen man, so Adam was not pardoned and kept in Eden, but lost Eden and with all posterity was placed on probation while Christ became substitute and surety by sacrifice, establishing rather than abolishing law so that obedience or disobedience still decides eternal destiny.Lt 110, 1896, par. 9–15+4 The same account shows Satan first promoting the idea that law had no binding force to entice into sin with tragic consequences, and rejecting the command is rejecting law which remains binding and cannot be explained away without denying authority.ST Oct 21, 1886+1

God put a single test requiring perfect obedience to His word and holy law, so that to disregard that word was to transgress Jehovah's law and bring sin into the world.Ms 40, 1894, par. 10–11+2 Satan led Adam and Eve to fail that test by deception and confusion, and through agents still repeats the same story to lead people to disregard and break law while claiming sanctification and teaching it may be transgressed with impunity.Ms 40, 1894, par. 10–11+1 Eating was violation of holy law even though a small act, bringing consequence upon man and earth, and Christ's sacrifice and intervention reveals its seriousness to create elevated sacred ideas of law, fear of the smallest disobedience, clear understanding of sin, and avoidance of the least step over the boundary from obedience.Ms 87, 1900, par. 4–5 The revolt brought alienation from truth and righteousness so complete it cannot be overstated, though Satan presents everything in perverted light to make such warnings of no effect.Ms 60, 1905, par. 8

The command exposes the fatal delusion that law can be transgressed and men still be safe, requiring actual obedience not idle dependence, with none saved in transgression once light shows sin, and Christ did not die to grant right to disobey or privilege to trample law and do nothing.Ms 75, 1886, par. 38–39 Disregarding Jehovah's law disregards Christ, for law is transcript of His character, and He came to save from transgression by imparting righteousness to the obedient and imputing righteousness to believers because He died obedient to every requirement, so men overcome by faith not own strength unto saving knowledge.Ms 8, 1888, par. 31–32 The ten commandments were of universal obligation before the Jewish nation existed, so failure to render obedience was disobedience to already binding moral law, and maintaining spirituality requires obeying all commandments and representing mercy, goodness, compassion and love.Lt 26, 1894, par. 12–13

The serpent's assurance of not surely dying contradicted the warning and falsely suggested God would not punish, and Eve's belief that God was too kind to punish became pattern for excusing breaches including the Sabbath.Ms 110, 1893, par. 6–7+2 Adam and Eve revolted from their Maker and lost Eden because they believed Satan's lie rather than God's word, and the same temptation continues through human agencies against a plain Thus saith the Lord to make law of no consequence and by deception to cause the moral standard and memorial of creation, the Sabbath, to be disrespected.Ms 110, 1893, par. 6–7 Adam flattered himself eating was too small to lose Eden, but failing the least test lost Eden and opened floodgates of woe, proving no disobedience is small, no self-made reasoning vindicates what the Word condemns, and long custom or the whole world keeping Sunday gives the papal institution no sanctity.Ms 21, 1898, par. 7–8 God placed them in beautiful Eden permitting every tree but one with death for eating or touching, yet eating opened floodgates and began increase of sin unto the Flood saving only Noah, proving God means what He says as shown at Sodom and Nineveh, and the same disobedience repeats in discarding the Lord's Sabbath for a spurious sabbath.ST May 26, 1898

The same deceiving power that tempted Eve tempts men today, for Satan questioned the command as arbitrary authority, persuaded by denial of death and promise of opened eyes as gods knowing good and evil until they fell and tempted each other, and he has set aside the ordained Sabbath and substituted Sunday to lead into marked rebellion and obliterate the sign distinguishing commandment-keeping people.Ms 104, 1893, par. 10–14 That deceptive working upon minds continues gaining control of all receiving lies, refusing to take the Word as it reads, choosing error rather than God's word, becoming decided transgressors through false teaching and union with Satan's instruments notably in discarding the hallowed seventh day for spurious first day.Ms 19, 1894, par. 10–12 The same transgression choosing Satan's suggestions of self-gratification over God's directions made void binding law, exalted Satan's principles above heaven's rule, united with the deceiver and brought unrighteousness, perpetuated generation to generation in changing the Eden-ordained Sabbath bearing God's governmental mark for spurious first-day bearing mark of man of sin, so observing one rest-day or the other acknowledges the kingdom whose mark is borne.15MR 33.1–2 The same disobedience repeats when those with plain pointed Word accept sophistry, honor a man-instituted false sabbath and trample the fourth commandment leaving themselves naked without excuse, while the foe's promise of liberty as gods still tempts youth into the broad road to destruction and works to change law into apostasy under another mark than God's.Ms 7a, 1896, par. 10–12+1

Taking what God reserved and putting to common use is partaking of that tree, so taking the reserved seventh day for common work and merchandise is the same disobedience as Adam and Eve's.Ms 90, 1900, par. 8–11 Accepting the fruit means accepting spurious rest on the first day instead of the seventh, denying allegiance, and those accepting also try to force others to eat by compelling work on the seventh and rest on the first and compelling Sunday observance by human laws.Lt 98, 1900, par. 9–17 Accepting a spurious Sabbath dishonoring God's memorial of creation is eating of that tree, by which Satan gains in the fallen world what he failed to gain in heaven, power to change law.Ms 28, 1900, par. 18–20 God gave plain Thus saith the Lord with death as penalty yet deception prevailed, and the same pattern repeats when churches with the Bible before them exalt false Sunday with no Scripture text while trampling the fourth-commandment Sabbath and dishonoring God.14MR 92.1–2 The true standard is discarded and spurious accepted in the same way now when human powers cooperate with Satan to make void law and magnify common and impure against true and holy.Ms 143, 1901, par. 70–76

Satan answered the binding prohibition by asserting law was void and disobedience would not bring threatened result, the same work done today by professed people teaching families and world that law is abrogated, while disobedience now is just as offensive as in the beginning.Ms 56, 1902, par. 19–20 The great deceiver and fallen apostate compassed the fall by getting them to believe his words in place of God's, teaching children God has no law works in his lines, churches repeat the first parents' sin believing Satan and rejecting God, while God has not changed one jot or tittle.Ms 12b, 1896, par. 21–22 Whether Adam obeyed the express command made every difference, contrary to Satan's suggestion it made no difference which tree he ate from, for doing what God told him not to do was disobedience opening floodgates, and the same principle applies to which day is kept.Ms 90, 1897, par. 8+1 That disobedience began increase of sin unto the Flood and proves God means what He says in warning of judgment for sin.Ms 90, 1897, par. 8 After breaking the command Adam hid from his heavenly Father, showing those separated by wicked works do not love to behold God or retain Him in knowledge, yet none can hide for darkness is as light to Him who knows every secret thing.ST Oct 3, 1895

Satan with confederacy tempted in Eden to disbelieve God's word and believe a lie, and now tempts the world likewise to unsettle truth by teaching law can be changed, especially the fourth commandment as commemoration of creative power.ST Mar 12, 1896 Adam and Eve discarded God's plain word forbidding even touching under death and accepted the lie instead, and the professed Christian world repeats it making holy law of none effect, trampling the fourth-commandment Sabbath and exalting spurious sabbath.Ms 53, 1890, par. 48–59 Satan deceived Eve arguing the Father's gift of His Son and Christ's death made commandments null, sounding death knell to Jehovah's laws at Christ's death, to get rid of the true memorial of the living Maker.Ms 51, 1890, par. 14–16 In truth that immense sacrifice brings man back to allegiance and harmony with law as foundation of government in heaven and earth, not to make unhappy but harmonious with God and heaven for all intelligences, with Sabbath instituted at foundation to preserve knowledge that Creator made heaven and earth in six days and rested the seventh, wherefore He blessed and hallowed it.Ms 51, 1890, par. 14–16

God's word about the tree was holy law and divine precept, and eating was casting off allegiance and transgressing law.Ms 34, 1897, par. 11–12 The same work continues with Satan in great power with all deceivableness leading to transgress by presenting loss if they obey, lessening requirements, substituting sophistry and will for Bible truth and God's will even to deceive the elect if possible, hiding that keeping commandments leads to salvation and telling the opposite that keeping law is falling from grace, a lie repeated by ministers.Ms 34, 1897, par. 11–12 Accepting the fruit means accepting spurious rest on first day instead of seventh with compulsion of others to work seventh and rest first by human Sunday laws.Lt 98, 1900, par. 9–17 Satan falsified God concerning the word not to eat or touch lest ye die, and was expelled from Eden and heaven's courts.Ms 7a, 1896, par. 15–17 Those who bruise, imprison, humiliate, bind and condemn fellows because they cannot compel them to be untrue to God dishonor His work, transgress holy law, choose Satan's side under another leader not the Lamb, while by oppression Satan still tries to compel worship of an idol sabbath with no Scripture text.Ms 7a, 1896, par. 15–17

Accepting the wily foe's words instead of clearly defined word left the road to the city of God and refuge, repeated when multitudes follow the man of sin working at cross-purposes by changing the signpost and setting up spurious sabbath leading opposite direction.Ms 82, 1899, par. 18 Satan as deceiver falsifies God's character to lead disobedience by holding out advantages, providing excuses, and urging delay to more convenient season, and this same working is directed against obedience to the fourth-commandment Sabbath.Lt 72, 1893, par. 3 The verse is cited as prophecy of 120 years before the Flood, example of predicted event within stated period.GC 323.2–324.2 It shows divine law in Eden as basis of right conduct with reward for obedience and death for disobedience, whose transgression introduced sin into the fair creation with growing boldness until the impenitent world required exhibition of power in the Flood where death was portion of transgressors exemplifying truth of God's word.FE 504.1–3

The warning that sin brings death, denied by Satan, originated the lie of consciousness after death, continuing as doctrine of communion of living with spirits of dead with no Scripture foundation though proclaimed as Bible doctrine, opening way for evil spirits to impersonate dead and bring souls into captivity swelling Satan's religion by spiritualism with superhuman power to take the world captive.Ms 92, 1894, par. 4 After tempting man Satan bade angels inculcate natural immortality concluding sinners live in eternal misery, and through agents represents God as revengeful tyrant plunging the displeasing into hell to writhe while Creator looks on satisfied, thus clothing Benefactor with his own cruelty though cruelty is satanic.GC 534.1–3 He overcame first parents by shaking confidence, leading doubt of wisdom of government and justice of laws as stern bondage, offering liberty under mild sway to lure from allegiance, then seeking to destroy and exulting in ruin, who if permitted would sweep entire race into net without divine interposition escaping.GC 534.1–3 God is love and all He created was pure holy lovely until sin by first rebel, and the deceiver shifts his horrible cruelty upon the Father to justify malignity and appear wronged by expulsion for refusing unjust governor.GC 534.1–3

God reserved the attractive tree of knowledge in the midst as His own property not to be used, forbidding eating under death as declaration of owner's rights, giving test of integrity and obedience and establishing same principle as tithe that tenth of increase is Lord's sacred portion for sustenance of cause and upbuilding and extension of kingdom.Ms 147, 1898, par. 15 The fall through transgression is kept as past history taught in correct education about living God to prepare for Christ's advent, and knowing it helped sons of prophets in Samuel's schools be steadfast for truth and righteousness.10MR 384.1+1 It outlines fall and consequences opening floodgates as grand truth of sacred history of amazing strength and beauty far-reaching as eternity among most important knowledge, a golden link in perfect chain from Genesis to Revelation alongside first advent, incarnation, divinity, atonement, heavenly advocacy and Holy Spirit, showing why Scriptures should be exalted in every school.CT 427.3+1 The history belongs where world was created by Jesus Christ through God's power, Eve was tempted to break command, sinned and tempted Adam, after which fellowship of mystery purposed from beginning was hid in God to make known by church manifold wisdom to principalities according to eternal purpose in Christ.Ms 43b, 1891, par. 4

At final coronation Adam's temptation and fall under death penalty will appear panoramic above throne with successive steps of redemption from Saviour's birth to death on cross, arraigning whole wicked world for high treason without excuse.ST Jun 11, 1902 It proves sin brings not noble independence and eternal life but slavery ruin death, so exclusion and eternal death are just, while lost see forfeited exceeding eternal weight of glory and confess exchanging peace happiness honor for wretchedness infamy despair.ST Jun 11, 1902 God's word forbidding eating or touching means life depends on living by every word from God's mouth, and had man heeded and obeyed race would never have fallen.ST Jul 29, 1889 God alone is to be believed, life comes by every word from His mouth, and safety is purifying soul by obeying truth with faith working by love removing every idol and refusing error even handed down generations, for man believed lie instead putting enemy in God's place beholding another character.Ms 10, 1894, par. 4–6

Breaking prohibition was transgression causing fall and making law void, causing Christ to enter work as Redeemer and probation to be granted.Ms 8, 1888, par. 31–32+2 Eating transgressed law by which Eden was lost, and same law still binds so transgressing will cause loss of heaven.Ms 8, 1888, par. 31–32 Christ suffered because of transgressed law not to give liberty to transgress but to honor magnify law yet save sinner by enduring penalty Himself, while Satan's temptations still take and his falsehood has placed Christian world as transgressors making void law by tradition instead of leading to obedience of all commands.Ms 42, 1897, par. 17 Disobedience left them fallen transgressors, those believing in Jesus turn to serve God and keep commandments not to be found in same condition, for sin is transgression too costly to indulge because wages is death.Ms 20, 1894, par. 23 Believers must not repeat transgression but be obedient to all requirements, for Christ overcame by perfect obedience and by overcoming as He overcame they are brought back to Eden lost by disobedience pointing others heavenward.Ms 84, 1886, par. 5–6 Adam's transgression introduced sin into fair world after which men grew bolder in disobedience.Lt 188, 1903, par. 10–14

In tempting them Satan sought to gain man as agent with him against law, carrying to earth the heavenly rebellion over whether law is changeable.Ms 11, 1886, par. 3–4 The fall required Son to consent as substitute and surety taking sin and guilt to give another trial and opportunity, testifying by sacrifice not one precept could be changed to meet fallen condition after fall from holy estate.Ms 11, 1886, par. 3–4 Adam's breaking is the sin Satan used in heaven to declare humans could not keep law and draw universe to belief, and Christ took humanity to pass over same ground bearing test as Substitute and Surety to redeem and show false that declaration.18MR 133.2–3+1 With same help man may have as representative He met Satan over that fall to unmask him as liar, show man as created joined to Father and Son could obey every requirement, and demonstrate ransom found.Ms 143, 1897, par. 1–2 Adam's sin separated man from God and continuing sin keeps up separation.Ms 143, 1897, par. 1–2 Violating law under death opened floodgates, and every violation repeats transgression bringing terrible loss to disloyal and deepest injury to God because influence leads and sustains others in same sin.Lt 33, 1893, par. 10–11

Adam's rebellion caused all sons and daughters to fall and lose immortality, purchased back only for those with living working faith in Jesus.Ms 20, 1894, par. 23+1 Christ stronger than Satan brought salvation with His own arm when none could deliver, measuring weapons in wilderness Gethsemane and cross where He received death wound as trophy annihilating Satan's power over every loyal believer, so fallen beings through acceptance and faith are elevated to heirs of immortality and eternal glory, gates of Paradise thrown open, and rebels may through righteousness of Christ lay hold on Infinite and partake everlasting life.Lt 103, 1894, par. 9–10 Eating was fatal disobedience breaking away from law of love to God with all heart soul strength and neighbor as self which obeyed would have hedged from evil, making man a law unto himself lifting self following human standard will and way opposite Lord's to please carnal mind.Lt 69, 1897, par. 23–25 Eden's disobedience stands contrasted with Gethsemane's obedience, while many still follow same footprints entering temptation without calculating result with feeble or no resistance denying dishonoring God because they do not feed on Word and flesh and blood of Son.Lt 69, 1897, par. 23–25 Adam disobeyed neither to eat nor touch lest they die, became law to himself with discord unhappiness and separation from God, in contrast to Christ's perfect constant obedience as example all can follow.9MR 37.1–2 Satan incited disobedience concerning knowledge setting human will above God's, a continuing effort against law, breaking appeal of obedience into personal choice, with original apostasy linking separation to loss of self-government.ST Sep 14, 1882+2

The serpent beguiled Eve through subtilty, the same danger threatening church lest minds be corrupted from simplicity in Christ, against which godly jealousy seeks to present believers as chaste virgin espoused to one husband.Ms 97, 1899, par. 18–20 A fall compassed by getting them to believe his words in place of God's repeats when teaching children God has no law and when churches believe Satan rejecting God, while God has not changed.Ms 12b, 1896, par. 21–22 Satan blinded eyes and confused understanding to lead into transgression of law carrying death, just as he now blinds confuses Christian world, while in judgment law's authority will be seen great like its Author holy just good with decisive claims upon transgressors.Ms 27, 1899, par. 25 Satan deceived by sophistry putting darkness falsehood for light truth, same in kind as Noah's generation accepting lies most acceptable harmonious with corrupt life while rejecting saving truth as delusion.ST Sep 8, 1881 He caused fall teaching apart from Word through insinuating reasoning, and still leads all departing to study human science apart from Scripture into problems erroneous sentiments deceptive theories ruining soul, where giving place to antagonism makes victims then deceivers with blood of souls upon garments sentenced according to deeds, with safety only in standing on affirmative truth refusing to argue.Ms 44, 1905, par. 17–19

Satan caused fall by deception leading not to believe God's words forbidding eating lest death follow, and since heavenly apostasy has kept race in same deception thousands of years gaining experience to keep men from believing, opposing Christ at every step, ruling hearts, getting falsehoods traditions maxims accepted as religion, subverting clearest prophecies, shadowing truth, leading even professed children to accept baseless doctrines.Ms 105, 1893, par. 5 The fall by prince of darkness left only two parties, one headed by Satan and other under bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel with no middle ground, so every person stands on one side and must be sure whether under Satan's or Christ's.Lt 44, 1903, par. 28–29 The boundary for eating is connected with beginning of apostasy through denial of God's love as revealed in Word.1MR 101.2 Trees and leaves have no soul, God gives attention to creation but is not in them in person, and natural things pass away and can be burned.Ms 154, 1903, par. 16–18 Satan in self-exaltation presented scientific spiritualistic sentiments doing away with personal God as essence pervading nature, repeated when a man is regarded as god and trusted as safe teacher seeking to impress minds opposed to sacred truth, while after fall he claimed as prince of power of air control of nature permitted to sow tares yet God protects those working heaven's principles, preserving Eden's handiwork as specimens of beauty expressing love to direct minds to nature's God.Ms 117a, 1903, par. 1–3+1

The assault did not work through indwelling sin, for Adam was pure upright after God's character with no corrupt principles propensities or tendencies as faultless as angels, and how sinless being could yield is unexplainable now to be made plain only when seeing as seen.Lt 191, 1899, par. 7–11 Disobeying about fruit and expulsion taught transgressors would eventually face warned punishment.1SP 59.1

Arguing about what God requires instead of obeying it, and accepting human claims in place of obedience, leads to deception and sin, for Eve entered into controversy with the serpent over the prohibition on the tree in the midst of the garden with death as penalty, distrusted her Creator as restricting freedom, and accepted the denial that He meant what He said in hope of greater freedom, knowledge, wisdom and exaltation, and Satan still overcomes in the same way by shaking confidence, making men doubt the wisdom of His government and justice of His laws, and contrasting bondage under stern decrees with liberty under his own mild sway.GC88 531.1–532.1+4
Safety lay in holding His words by faith and refusing to argue, in keeping repeating He hath said and I believe His word and I will not distrust Him, without speaking unbelief.4SP 354.1–3+2
Taking even one step outside the path God ordained places one where Satan can tempt to believe a lie, while those who obey have communion with angels and find happiness only in righteous obedience, and the encounter shows the danger of listening to and reasoning with the serpent instead of resisting at once, for filling the mind with sophistry and strained misinterpretations leads into false paths until repentance becomes forever too late.Lt 87, 1905, par. 9–10+1
Eve set aside the command to follow human wisdom, led to believe herself wiser than her Creator, which shows sin begins when human reasoning is preferred to the commands of the Omniscient One, and that same disobedience is repeated by parents even in holy office who in self-confidence trust their own learning to train children without restraint, confirming forward selfish ways into habits that bring disaster and death to themselves, ruin to children, and ruin to thousands.ST Jun 17, 1913
The serpent's persuasive, brilliant, sparkling, charming words drew her from keeping God's plain Thus saith the Lord clearly in mind until she acquiesced, warning that captivating ideas cause loss of hold, and listening to seductive sophistry displaces the word and steals away faith once delivered.STB 48.3+1
God gave counsel and caution to guard the pathway, and treating it as inapplicable and seeing no danger until entangled leads to transgression, for His direction had to be followed closely with perfect obedience to stay safe, since the original apostasy brought loss of power to govern the heart, separation from God as Source of strength, pride, broken conscience control, and perverted habits ascending over reason.Lt 10, 1888, par. 2–5
Man's only safety is entire obedience to all God's words with no experimenting with the evil course and its results, for disobedience brings weakness and loss of clearsightedness, and though God's plan for Adam was cooperation, transgression at Satan's leading interfered so He would no longer communicate as when sinless.Lt 91, 1900, par. 15
The command with death as consequence shows disobedience brings death, God's justice in punishing sin does not fail, and creatures must strictly regard commandments, so the fall warns against disobedience and commandments are to be obeyed not merely believed.4T 11.3+1
Disregarding the command in one point brought woe, illustrating every commandment serves human good because God's love underlies each precept and departing brings unhappiness and ruin, while prosperity depends on obedience working in harmony with God, and careless departure brings deterioration, loss of blessing and power, siding with Satan, perversion of His will, and educating children and congregations into confirmed transgression until contempt for law becomes general.Lt 20, 1893, par. 4–6
The prohibition is part of law given to protect the family, carrying promises and required to become members of the royal family though God compels none, and it must be made plain as a city on a hill, kept before tender minds to train obedience to all statutes, with prayerful instruction to be unspotted and submit to God's discipline through belief in Christ unto heavenly inheritance, while leaders must keep the Word diligently before them, be students of His will to be fortified against the evil one, and never use powers to hurt His children nor become agents to deceive.Lt 90, 1898, par. 14–16+3
Obedience to the Father and not to the enemy remains the condition of salvation enjoined on every person as on Adam and Eve, whose disobedience lost the Eden home and brought the family with few exceptions under Satan's galling yoke and heavy burdens, so choosing that same disobedience now forfeits Eden restored and the only safe course is to cease self-pleasing, leave the rebel's side, repent time and talents given to the enemy, choose good, refuse evil, and seek the Lord while He may be found.12MR 233.2+1
Believers must not repeat transgression but be obedient to all requirements, for Christ overcame by perfect obedience and by overcoming as He overcame they are brought back to Eden lost by disobedience while pointing others heavenward.Ms 84, 1886, par. 5–6
Loving the Lord with all the heart requires obeying His direct command in every respect as condition of eternal life, though He created the heart pure, sinless and undefiled, yet Adam listened to seducing words, did what was forbidden, and both parents received the enemy's words and fell from innocence and purity.Ms 126, 1905, par. 13–14
Keeping commandments is love's test, so the family must obey light on binding claims and lift the cross, and the example and terrible loss of Eden with floodgates of woe opened should lead every soul to avoid and abhor sin as hateful, feeling it better to suffer loss of all things than depart from the least commandment, ceasing self-indulgence, cleansing the soul temple of defilement rather than offering a diseased offering, coming into right relation cleansed and walking worthy, since however depraved men find pardon and peace through Christ with divinity cooperating to elevate and radically change character unto a seat on His throne.Lt 14, 1885, par. 1–3+2
Disobedience brought dire results showing requirements have serious consequences, leaving choice between repeating transgression and walking in light through humble obedience, for Satan's proposition of great advantage ended in ruin with every calamity and death witnessing to evil's power and the living God's truth, while God's Word is life abiding forever and He changes not, teaching men to walk humbly, believe His plans, fear any plans not based on obedience, and learn the only path to Paradise restored is obedience.HSFM 231.3+1
God gave a command with condition to obey, but they transgressed presuming His love would save from consequences, and claiming favor or trusting promise while disregarding command without meeting conditions of mercy is presumption not faith and does not excuse transgression.ST Dec 23, 1913+2
God forbade eating on pain of death, yet Eve ate imagining no harm had come and urged Adam to risk consequences, flattering herself consequence would not be as fearful, and her expected benefit became terrible curse as with all imagining happiness in self-will, while breaking the supposed least command and teaching others repeats that disregard, cooperates with the first great deceiver, and brings suspended condemnation and clouds of wrath with separation from the tree of life lest transgression be immortalized.RH Apr 2, 1914+1
Eve's departure from specified restriction seemed small and Adam followed, but it was planned by the arch-deceiver to destroy souls by leading them to follow imagination rather than revealed will, and the same work continues in principles bringing men under deceptive power into rebellion and disregard of holy righteousness.Ms 53, 1894, par. 32–33
Satan suggested her own way was as good as God's way and thereby caused the fall, and the same suggestion still urges continued transgression with self-flattery, answering God is too strict and depriving of unexplored privilege, and the same voice still tells students, workers and institutions that rules are too strict to make sin seem not sinful and break barrier between world and righteousness, opening floodgates toward the world when entered.Ms 3, 1885, par. 22+1
Satan's conniving to draw them by propositions seeming great worldly advantages is just as much to be feared and shunned now after sin's experiment, for God alone laid the foundation in His prohibition and His straight paths mean walking humbly in contrite spirit taking His way and rejecting propositions, while having own way brings confusion, position changes not character nor gives right to control others without questioning, but men must learn of Jesus at every step as chief authority knowing God is God and changes not.18MR 35.1–3
Satan tempted by presenting gratification of forbidden appetite as path to happiness and promising advantage though God forbade, making disobedience appear beneficial, and he still uses plausible suggestions and promises of advancement to draw from command so faithfulness seems barrier to worldly success, in contrast to God's promise fulfilled through self-denial.4T 79.3–4+2
God gave Eve a clear command with death as consequence which later experience could not overrule, for a claimed spiritual experience is false when it leads against expressed will.3T 72.2
Disbelief led to her fall, for she disbelieved God's word about eating and touching and believed Satan instead, and believing the lie did not save from penalty, teaching that in Judgment men are condemned not because they conscientiously believed a lie but because they did not believe truth and neglected opportunity to learn it, that disobeying is always disastrous despite sophistry, that hearts must be set to know truth, that recorded lessons warn and instruct to save from deception, and that whatever contradicts God's Word proceeds from Satan.PP 55.2+1
Questioning the prohibition was distrust of God's love and doubt of His wisdom, for law was expression of love and wisdom, to eat was to transgress, and the woman's transgression overthrew Adam through her to Satan's triumph.PP 57.3
The command was a bar against forbidden knowledge, and touching and eating was disobedience in seeking it, whereas had they never touched it God would have imparted from His Word knowledge carriable to paradise, while seeking it leads far from God into forbidden paths and wearies mind to death, repeated when students spend years on authors with no vital connection to God in wood-and-stubble education that dies, has no value, will burn, and eclipses faith by lessening the Word.Ms 22, 1895, par. 12–13
The command was a veil over what God withheld, and Eve's error was impatient refusal to trust and wait for salvation, seeking future intelligence from another source to learn what was unrevealed, which displeases Him, opens the soul to the master-deceiver, and gains only knowledge of evil, repeated when weary restless souls neglect trust, prayer, communion and coming to Jesus for rest and run to other sources even to familiar spirits through whom Satan reveals the future and leads captive.ST Aug 19, 1889
The forbidden fruit is human theories and sentiments not in harmony with God's Word while the Word itself is the tree of life, and plucking and eating means receiving false ruinous theories and deceptive error as if very spiritual, producing centuries of darkness, ignorance and disordered imagination as when sheep swallow what is now offered.Lt 224, 1903, par. 3–4+1
The prohibition forbids seeking knowledge of evil including faultfinding and criticism, and partaking means following Satan's plans, creating appetite for more evil and desire to pass it like peddlers with forbidden wares, while the idea that knowledge of evil is advantage is false and must be repented, for knowledge of good only is essential.Ms 59, 1902, par. 27–28
Eating plucked fruit means taking up seeds of suspicion and distrust toward brethren and thinking and talking evil of them, which a wife causes her husband to eat when by words, complaints and suggestions she puts thoughts he would never have had until he joins her in evil thinking and talking.12MR 339.3–340.2
The trial in which life depended on obedience is met by Satan tempting men to eat by seeking advancement apart from God, and teachers and students crying Higher education and supposing advancement supersedes knowledge of God yield like the Noachic world that perfected gifts, forgot the Lord, filled earth with violence, and was destroyed by flood.Lt 65, 1898, par. 3–7
The same disobedience is repeated in education after worldly wisdom, spending years on authors with no connection to God and studying condemned infidel books instead of Scripture, feeding vanity, pride and hardness into disobedience, an education of wood and stubble that dies and burns with no value, eclipsing faith, while education after God's order gives decided knowledge of the Word, vital connection with God, better feelings, God before the mind, and endurance as eternity.6MR 263.3–265.2+2
That disobedience is repeated when condemned infidel authors are placed in students' hands, leading thousands where Satan led Adam and Eve and leading them to forsake Scripture for nonessential education.Ms 69, 1897, par. 5–6
The command neither to eat nor touch forbids touching infidel books and presenting infidel cavils even to learn to meet objectors, and such arguments must be turned from as from a serpent for hidden sting wounds soul to death, since sowing mind with objections sows doubt Satan germinates into fruit in temptation, and training mind to cavil forms habit of doubt toward God's Word.Ms 15, 1888, par. 42–43
Workers must refuse anything to do with forbidden knowledge, refusing to set a sentence or handle it with eyes, hands and mind and meeting to understand its nature rather than claiming only managers are responsible, for Satan beguiled the first parents so and seeks to beguile today perverting intellect by eyes and hands to prepare poisonous mixtures of error.Lt 140, 1901, par. 21–26
For those in sacred work this means doing business in the right hard way rather than wrong easy way, for to choose wrong because it looks desirable is to eat of that tree and brings death, and the only advantage as with dishonesty, intrigue and bribery to gain over brethren is knowledge of evil with loss of purity and surrender of the race to the enemy, though the tempter promised wisdom as gods knowing good and evil.Ms 94, 1901, par. 11+1
Eating what was forbidden was not little, for smallness did not avert consequences but opened floodgates of woe, therefore no dishonest practice, breach of trust, selfishness, overreaching or spending unearned means can be treated as small or excused, and a Christian must be punctual, just, righteous in all dealings and without guile in lips and heart.Lt 4, 1895, par. 24
The fall was yielding on appetite beginning continuing intemperance where appetite controls reason, flattering consequence will not be as warned, violating health laws and running to excess though surrounded by abundance, for before disobedience man was upright with balanced mind and fully developed organs, afterward laws worked penalty and disease increases as effect follows cause, marking decline from sinless health and beauty and first example of Satan using appetite.3T 139.1–2+4
Satan overcame by overpowering temptation to indulge appetite, a point where he knows power and still comes as to Christ, and disobedience lost the blissful home and brought misery and crime filling the world with cities blotted out for debasing iniquity, Satan controlling minds through appetite with thousands passing prematurely as physical, mental and moral wrecks sacrificing powers to indulgence leading to lust, leaving the world a vast hospital with increasing vicious habits.2RED 32.2+3
They lost Eden through intemperate desire proving appetite and errors in food govern moral tendencies, and same indulgence in inclination, habit, unhealthful cooking and dress weakens physical, mental and moral efficiency, fills mind with trifles, leaves no time to meditate, search Scripture and pray, destroys piety, clouds intellect, brings disease, while temperance keeps powers healthy to guide right action, and strict temperance with denial of hurtful indulgences gives calm nerves and clearness to discern good from evil, so every family needs decided reform and restoration to Eden depends much on temperance.Ms 1, 1875, par. 6+3
God forbade eating as test of self-control where keeping command decides loyalty, indulgence led to loss showing regaining requires firm denial of appetite and passion, and as Adam and Eve failed on appetite so children fail when taste is educated to relish injurious foods that cannot make best blood, requiring good common sense in feeding.CH 619.1–2+2
Unrestrained indulgence tends to sensuality, brings men easily under Satan's control as author of disease assailing where he succeeds best, leads to lower passions, prepares disregard of moral obligation, leaves little resistance, began ruin and degeneracy felt in ruined health and perverted appetite measured by Christ's long fast, yet Christ took up redemption where ruin began, broke appetite's power for all accepting aid, made Christian life possible, so reform must begin by guarding appetite and overcoming self-indulgent living, with thousands already gone prematurely as wrecks sacrificing all powers.Ms 5, 1875, par. 2+3
The first fall is repeated whenever inherited disease, weakness or wickedness is passed to descendants by violating health and life laws, for violation was indulgence causing fall with anguish, and present indulgence of tobacco and liquor repeats it transmitting inclination, evil tendencies, disease from inflamed blood, enfeebled intellects and polluted morals increasing woe for generations.HTL6 32.2–5+1
The same enticement works today to fasten tobacco using, tempting appetite to paralyze sensitive nerves, palsy brain and confuse judgment so sacred things are not discerned, and once formed it holds mind and will in bondage where Satan controls the will, eternal realities are eclipsed, and man cannot stand in God-given manhood but is slave to perverted appetite.Lt 8, 1893, par. 6
The forbidden fruit is still plucked when powers turn to selfish pleasures leaving eternity out, spending for selfish indulgences and unsanctioned education, using liquor and tobacco as twin evils especially at Christmas and New Year, bringing profanity from the defiled temple out of evil treasure, with lower estimate of body bringing less desire for purity and more reckless indulgence.Ms 150, 1898, par. 8
Tempting to eat was a scheme to bring disorder through disregard of physical laws, leading to knowledge that weakens and depresses machinery so it cannot do its part, instead of cooperating to preserve every organ healthy and ready at command under intelligent knowledge and power from God as He designs.3MR 335.2–336.1+1
Satan tempted man on a holy earth pronounced very good where nature breathed divine love, aiming to counteract that tide of love, but his work called forth deeper mercy and goodness, and his worldly inducements to Eve were false as his worldly presentations are just as false today.7T 87.1+1
Eve's listening stands as warning against repeating what they did, and women today listen as she did with many repeating through sensitivity about being lowered in estimation, for temptation is never so dangerous as in garb of affection and close relationship because mind influences mind and husband and wife constantly influence each other for good or evil, so when one sees wrongly the other follows, while wives and mothers have great power for good or evil.Lt 9, 1892, par. 39–47
Eve leading into sin means a wife by influence can lead her husband into sin as warning not to follow Eve, but with firm hold on Jesus to lead away from sin and pride and show into meekness and lowliness.6MR 43.1–46.1
Satan perverted Eve's understanding to eat against the command, and the same work continues when one desiring to seem of superior wisdom and deep insight perverts associates by sophistry thought wisdom, by scientific problems, false ideas and suppositions, inspiring thoughts that mar purity, taint perceptions, spoil usefulness and canker the soul, which wisdom is not from above, yet if young women heed warnings and use prayer and study Satan cannot undermine spirituality, but neglect leaves them flattered, charmed, refusing counsel, spoiled in mind and unable to take sober sanctified view of Christ and holiness.Lt 156, 1901, par. 8–12+1
Taking a leaf or plucking fruit from the tree of knowledge is forbidden, for that tree is human devising, methods and expedients diverting mind from Christ alone, and to eat is to trust anything but Christ, present something other than self crucified, and refuse heaven-provided grace, while safety is holding fast access through Christ, hanging the helpless soul on the Mediator, bearing Calvary's cross in consecrated self-denial guided by the living Word, entering by Him into the holy without screen and looking to Jesus for help.Lt 124, 1901, par. 2–4
Eating warns against eagerly plucking fruit of good and evil in pursuit of knowledge when recommended by one once bright in glory or by infidels and wicked men, for all valuable knowledge comes from God the fountain, His Word of light and truth, Christ who lights every man, and the Spirit giving divine knowledge for peace now and eternal rest, so let it alone.FE 437.1
Breaking the Word was vain attempt to exalt self by own way with Satan against God's will, gaining knowledge of evil at cost of loyalty and opening floodgates so every calamity and death witnesses to evil's power and the living God's truth, proving Satan's propositions end in ruin, and the only way to true exaltation is obedience with no safety in seemingly wise plans unless in accordance with Thus saith the Lord, for the Word is life abiding forever and the only path to Paradise restored is obedience.Ms 135, 1902, par. 21–22+1
A very small sin appearing recoverable in eating against plain word debased soul, opened floodgates, and will result in eternal ruin of thousands and millions, teaching constant vigilance over worldly religion giving no place to devil, because descending into his service makes truth a lie, contradicts truth's power on character, and strengthens sinners' hands.Lt 116, 1893, par. 8–9
Breaking the command was small transgression opening floodgates where act may be called common but eternal ruin will be common, so no transgression is trivial or excused because esteemed men are guilty and place sin in wrong light, and none is to join any ring conniving at evil however trivial.Lt 41, 1890, par. 44–45
The command about the tree was very small matter yet disobedience lost Eden, meaning commands regulate the heart and true beauty of soul is found in obeying from love.Ms 138, 1897, par. 28–29
Satan bewitches mind so even with warning many keep defects instead of reforming, losing sight of Christ's perfect life as only pattern and deviating widely, and the command as slight test with terrible retribution stands as beacon against carelessness in little matters and talk of liberality, while Satan made the serpent his medium to compass the fall, not creating life in it for only God creates, but using a real serpent to counterfeit God's work.Ms 6, 1878, par. 36–37+1
Satan the great apostate who refused to obey in heaven deceived the holy pair into disobedience placing them under banner of darkness with floodgates opened, and the verse marks choice between disobedience and obedience to Christ, between fruit of transgression and fruit of glad willing obedience.Ms 14, 1900, par. 20–22
Satan gilded temptation by persuading disobedience would secure great good until the seed of evil was planted and grew as reasoning made what opposed Scripture appear favorable unto confederacies, for the fruit had no injurious quality but was mere test of obedience, yet he promised increased knowledge and gain contrary to law as he still presents attractions, and when they yielded they suffered terrible loss showing indulgence brings fearful loss; the same working continues when those resolved to hold principle follow enemy methods contrary to the Word and counterwork present work, and when originator of evil with stealthy plausible theories tells that questionable eating brings advantage and end justifies means, dimming eyesight, weakening distinction of good and evil, tarnishing gold character, dishonoring God and ending in suffering.17MR 223.2–3+4
Satan puts word and character under suspicion making right appear distorted to throw discredit on God, and yielding keeps men from unanimous decision for right turning good plans into criticism and distrust, while he still presents falsehood as truth to pervert workers sending messages purporting to be from the Lord to lead people to look to a man as example and hinder the work.Ms 159, 1898, par. 7–9+2
The verse is illustrated when religious teachers make the Word of none effect by misinterpreting, misconstruing and misplacing truth, professing safe paths while turning feet into false paths, and when professedly believing but corrupt men utter words tarnishing purity and ruining souls under pretense of saving, Satan speaks through them as through the serpent leading to brackish fountain instead of Christ, perverting entrusted gifts into blight, woe and curse for which terrible retribution reaps what was sown.Ms 105, 1893, par. 1–2+2
Men still bear fruit of the forbidden tree when they show God is not working with them by not appreciating the Word and dishonoring those working by correct principles, and connecting with them endangers connection with God for knowledge from them is misleading with no savor of life.Ms 154, 1898, par. 8
Using the serpent to lead others into sin brings curse, for the serpent was cursed because Satan used it as means to begin ruin, and those leading others astray are accountable, with both tempter and tempted under displeasure when trust is broken.SA 29.2+3
The serpent was Satan's agent for alluring servants from trust, and the same work is done when men allure others to leave God-given duty through selfish bribes such as higher wages.Ms 25, 1892, par. 12
Even beautiful holy Eden was accessible to the tempter leaving sin there, so likewise Battle Creek with publishing house, college and sanitarium is not shut to defective beings, with pride, vanity and love of display proving temptation there, and the verse applies to calling youth there teaching they must not be sent but receive different discipline lest souls be lost without firm straightforward course.Ms 1, 1877, par. 3–4+1
Giving youth instruction in self-abuse and communicating vile practices and evil imaginations is giving them that fruit, causing them to partake what God forbade, polluting soul, and God charges the doer with adultery.Lt 106a, 1896, par. 12
Since the enemy found entrance at Paradise gates, no mountain home or secluded woods can enclose anyone from him, and no seclusion from the world can by itself sanctify and cleanse from moral defilement.Ms 181, 1897, par. 8–11
Adam learned through suffering strict adherence to law and was commanded to instruct posterity, and for nearly a thousand years to children to the ninth generation he described Paradise, repeated the fall, witnessed to results to stem evil, and explained merciful provisions, yet few heeded and he met bitter reproaches for bringing woe.PP 82.1
Results of transgression are to be plainly set before rulers and all in responsibility to show accountability and need to obey all requirements, magnifying law with Christ's blood held forth as only hope, for the Eden law with reward for obedience and death for disobedience is basis of all right conduct.Lt 188, 1903, par. 7–9
Loss of Eden shows danger of deception, but through Christ's grace people can resist Satan and receive power to distinguish falsehood from truth, for Christ came to bear the test man could not bear in own strength, resisting with It is written where Adam failed, making it possible to overcome in His name, with earnest prayer bringing Jesus as Helper to vanquish Satan.STB 41.2+1
Temptations presenting the same evils shown to sinless Adam must be resisted on every point with full determination in the Lord's strength through Jesus' life supplying all required, with truth purifying mind, and devil will flee, for temptations are overcome through faith in Christ while attempting in human strength leaves prey to devices, including misconstrued Scripture, affliction then relieved to claim miracle, and every divided heart confusing judgment.Lt 407, 1904, par. 3+1
A tempting spirit overcame when yielded to, opening mind and heart to control and putting on false track under deceptive imaginings, still working when reproof is refused and developing disposition in ministers and physicians to discard testimonies and read into them things not there agreeing with false statements heard, so by own kindling they are deceived and deceive others.Lt 225b, 1906, par. 18–19+2
God gave restriction which the devil nullified causing fall, a deception still working through hardened sinners enticing others to be as bad, so believers must not consent when enticed but pray, put will on God's side, seek grace to resist, and pray for deliverance.14MR 74.1+1
They yielded minds to the deceiver and came under his influence, under which all remain who lack God's mind through the Spirit, and only most careful obedience to God's Word as true standard keeps men, women and children from yielding as they did.Lt 144, 1906, par. 20–22
The same deceiver continually tries to deceive God's children wherever they go through enticing words and spiritualistic interpretations that must not be accepted, and keeping eyes fixed on Christ and moving steadily in His marked path gives victory, for He came to give truth, teach obedience, place men on vantage ground, and bearing humanity conquered where the first Adam failed without spot, lifting up as Man of Calvary salvation to all who believe.Ms 48, 1904, par. 24–25
Satan's sophistry as seducing sentiments and enchantments opens avenues bringing rebellion, so every soul must stay awake, close every avenue, check such sentiments, resist with armed vigilance, and seek the Lord while He may be found.Lt 97, 1905, par. 16
Satan's Eden work by subtle deceiving influence creeping into thoughts to bring deceit still watches for chance, so he is to be given no foothold and no provision for flesh to deceive as he did, with charge to resist and promise he will flee because God's angel lifts a standard.Lt 327, 1905, par. 13–14
Satan tempting the first Adam brought all into subjection as prisoners with no human intercessor, so only the First Begotten could liberate by fierce conflict battling Satan Himself, and success made Satan suppose he could ensnare Christ, giving every opportunity while fallen host viewed engagement as chance for supremacy imagining victory when Christ's lips were sealed in death, but Christ bore guilt of the world relying only on the Father by faith, giving Himself as ransom at infinite cost, a conflict watched by heaven demonstrating justice.Ms 125, 1901, par. 68–71
Christ stronger than Satan brought salvation with His own arm when none could deliver, measuring weapons in wilderness, Gethsemane and cross where He received death wound, and that wound is trophy annihilating Satan's power over every loyal believer, so fallen beings through faith become heirs of immortality, gates of Paradise open, and rebels may lay hold on the Infinite and partake everlasting life, since Adam's sin caused all to fall and lose immortality purchased back only for those with living working faith.Lt 103, 1894, par. 9–10
As second Adam and Elder Brother Jesus took human nature with intense interest and passed over the same ground without sin feeling keenly sin's shame, and by whole sinless life from manger onward and consenting to agony and death as sin-bearer He glorified God's name, and only through that death could Satan's kingdom be overthrown, man redeemed and God glorified, proving human beings through God's power can live sinless lives.Ms 134, 1905, par. 9
The test Adam failed Christ as substitute bore, approached as Adam and Eve were from desert where He wrestled single-handed to cross with temptation like increasing tempest to inspire Satan's attributes, yet step by step advanced in humiliation, self-denial and sacrifice instead of yielding.12MR 404.1–3
The ground where Adam fell and sin entered through grand rebellion Satan carried from heaven to earth, turning them from allegiance by falsehood and founding claim to be prince of this world, was the battlefield of the first apostate where Christ at head of humanity passed over the same ground enduring assaults without yielding by It is written, and principles of that deception were afterward demonstrated in the antediluvian world and Sodom, for eating was rebellion caused directly by satanic influence captivating senses and misleading understanding into false light seeing only benefits.Lt 156, 1897, par. 7–10+3
As soon as God through Christ created the world and placed Adam and Eve in Eden, Satan attacked announcing resolve to conform them to his nature, efface God's image and trace his own, working by deception as father of lies, accuser and murderer from the beginning, putting forth every power to win cooperation and succeeding in bringing sin.Ms 39, 1894, par. 8
They fell deceived by sophistry against the command not to eat lest they die, yet fall did not end God's love for He so loved the world He gave His only Son that whoever believes might not perish but have everlasting life, so sinners should accept mercy's terms counting eternal life worth more than anything while He calls them to study His Word.Lt 267, 1903, par. 6–7
Listening brought guilt and judgment at immense cost, for the Son left heaven and suffered insult, rejection and crucifixion to save from penalty, showing God treats not transgression lightly, and disobeying by preferring falsehood to God's direct word cost the Son's life, yet goodness shines brighter than at creation because where sin abounded grace much more abounded, with promised Deliverer as star of hope, the Just for unjust commending love before universe, leaving no excuse for continuing in sin.ST May 11, 1876+1
Christ suffered because of transgressed law, not to give liberty to transgress but to give it honor, magnify it, and save the sinner by enduring penalty Himself, yet Satan's falsehood has placed the Christian world as transgressors making void law by tradition instead of leading to obedience of all commands.Ms 42, 1897, par. 17
Satan worked to make them part with faith and accept his false version of the Creator's character, and those claiming great discrimination while arraigning God at their bar, condemning Him and talking against His servants work on same lines showing only ignorance.Lt 21, 1897, par. 10–13
Satan promised exalted enjoyment in taking what God forbade, and that taking was coveting of same character as unlawful affection desiring what God forbade instead of finding every want supplied in Christ.Lt 51, 1886, par. 12–13
God placed Adam and Eve in Eden in freedom without compulsion, having laid out redemption's plan before creating the world, and though fall opened floodgates unto corruption He gave privilege of regaining manhood and womanhood so immortal image may be restored into eternal life.Ms 3, 1888, par. 13
God gave Adam a command leaving him free as warning not to turn aside, supplying needed help without compelling, and Adam yielding his mind began conflict between right and wrong raging ever since, yet doing right carries divine vitality Satan cannot overcome and truth will triumph when God vanquishes the enemy.5MR 209.2
Satan pursued the same course with Adam and Eve as later with Christ, beginning by disputing sovereignty and demanding evidence of sonship, then assailing appetite, appealing to pride and presenting worldly attractions, and their eating was disgraceful failure giving Satan power, while Christ's perfect obedience redeemed failure and placed humanity again on vantage ground.Lt 7, 1900, par. 13–22
Temptation sought to lead them to question plans and law and take independent position, and the same enemy tempted Jesus on the same ground where Adam fell, but Jesus was steadfast, resisted and conquered for the race meeting him only with It is written, so tempter was foiled to heaven's triumph.Ms 21, 1898, par. 34
Adam with the same free will Christ had in humanity yielded instead of refusing to argue and thereby gave advantage, though he by believing and doing the word could have resisted as Christ resisted, for Christ tempted in all points kept will ever on God's side in perfect obedience meeting every temptation with It is written while Adam failed to keep his will in unison, though Christ could have yielded as Adam yielded.Ms 48, 1899, par. 3–4
Where man was vanquished through appetite for forbidden food, Christ as substitute conquered at that same point bearing trial as man and refusing to use divine power to relieve hunger because fallen man can work no miracle to save from pain, declaring want of temporal food far less calamity than meeting God's disapprobation and leaving example of perfect faith and trust.2SP 92.3–93.2
Adam assailed by temptation to disobey was met by Christ uniting full perfection of Godhead with full perfection of sinless humanity, who overcame by reliance on divine power, living from infancy resisting all besetting temptations as perfect pattern of childhood, youth and manhood, revealing what fallen beings may become through union with divine nature and proving sin not necessity.18MR 331.4–332.1
At the test where Satan gained easy victory over human nature, Christ took that same human nature with Godhead hidden and vanquished Satan in it by relying on God, and that victory becomes privilege of all accepting Jesus in proportion to faith.Ms 111, 1897, par. 32–34+1
The limit God gave Adam failed when tempted, and Christ took up work where Adam failed enduring test of same character but far more severe, coming at head of humanity to pass over the same ground meeting strong temptation while weak from forty days fasting yet resisting until Satan left defeated, so temptations need not overcome human beings but every assault can be resisted in His strength.Lt 175, 1903, par. 10–11+1
Though placed in Eden surrounded with everything leading to obey they fell, yet Christ afterward passed over the same ground assuming fallen human nature subject to every temptation even in childhood yet unyielding, redeeming failure and succeeding through suffering where Adam fell in disgraceful transgression.ST Oct 3, 1895+1
Because Christ overcame He brought moral power within reach placing everything pertaining to godliness within reach, so temptation coming as it came to Jesus can be overcome and humanity united with God can become partakers of divine nature, for with humanity upon Him He met the three great leading temptations including appetite point after point without miracle to avoid suffering.Ms 49, 1894, par. 6–8
The command Satan made occasion for deceiving he still uses against heirs of salvation, but Christ came in likeness of flesh to live perfect life and overcome besetting temptations, placing humanity on vantage ground through example of purity, nobility and obedience, coming as Redeemer giving receivers power to become sons and daughters enabling obedience to righteousness.Ms 164, 1905, par. 9–12
Adam's eating was disgraceful fall, disloyalty and rebellion bringing curse leaving earth seared and men corrupted by false representations, and Christ redeemed that fall in human nature by withstanding temptations under far more trying circumstances and exposing misrepresentations as false, giving hope to all receiving Him as personal Saviour.8MR 40.1–2
The Eden command and test Adam failed Christ bore under fierce temptation with nothing in Him responding to suggestions, without yielding, doing as Father commanded, and God drew fixed line around the tree that must not be crossed with safety staying entirely on His side, for the serpent works by deceptive charm fascinating senses leading those stepping onto Satan's ground to choose evil, and spiritualistic presentations crossing that line must be kept entirely free with truth kept in righteousness.Ms 44, 1897, par. 15–20+1
Their deception warns teachers today, because law claims heart thoughts as well as outward acts, so teachers must search truth as hidden treasure and humble souls in dust lest deceived as Adam and Eve were.Ms 4a, 1898, par. 17–18
Those giving place to philosophy of antagonism teaching apart from the Word through insinuating reasoning and studying human science apart from Scripture fall victims and become deceivers with blood of souls on garments unto sentence according to deeds, and safety is only in standing on affirmative truth and refusing to argue with Satan.Ms 44, 1905, par. 17–19
Sophistry and strife follow in serpent's train, in contrast to diligently studying and practicing commandments which opens communication with heaven and distinguishes true from false, for they turned aside from continually feeding upon the word to disobey from not abiding in it, while those continually feeding receive grace to walk in commandments and work out Christ's righteousness.ST Sep 5, 1895+1
Satan used talent of speech to deceive against God, and God gave speech for His glory so it must not be used as Satan used it there.Ms 174, 1898, par. 14
Satan tempted Adam to eat of knowledge which meant disobedience and thereby planted seeds of death in human system, while Christ never planted seeds of death, and not one noxious plant was placed in the Lord's garden but after they sinned poisonous herbs sprang up.16MR 247.1–3
The first parents were tempted by a fallen angel still working through human agents, and to consent to counsel through men lacking piety is to follow the same uncertain path placing man's wisdom before God's instead of depending wholly on God as source of wisdom and power.Lt 77, 1896, par. 3–8
The same deceiver originates charming theories now leavening minds with sophistry, mingling truth with chaff and giving erring man honor belonging only to God, sowing seeds yielding baleful fruit that must be uprooted when seen as God sees them.Ms 162, 1905, par. 30–31
The command the enemy used in presenting wonderful higher knowledge through doing as he said was working to counteract God's works, and the same temptation repeats whenever worldly customs and high worldly knowledge are urged to be obtained.Ms 9, 1893, par. 4–8
God's restraint forbidding eating or touching lest death follow Satan worked to snap, and by breaking it they began education under teacher of lies to gain refused knowledge by practical evil, and same curiosity still seeks the tree thinking it most essential when it proves vanity compared with true holiness, while Christ came to plant the tree of life for healing of nations.Ms 67, 1898, par. 22–23
Every calamity and death witnesses to evil's power let in by violation and to the living God's truth proving Satan's propositions end in ruin, leaving choice to value what God made possible through His Son or lose eternity listening to false representation, for attraction to earthly over heavenly brings great loss, degrades to low moral level as slave reflecting the earthly with mind like his leader, beholding false worldly gain until debased.ST Jun 10, 1913+1
The fall excuses not sin by inability, for God tested them on obedience where keeping command decides loyalty and destiny with same test to all in every age, and Satan working on minds to turn from loyalty determined to be master gathers people under his banner as sharply now as then, while everyone seeing law as changeless decides for Christ's side, with Christ's crucifixion marks as living witness law can be kept so sin is not cannot but will not.Ms 10, 1894, par. 14–16+1
Satan as originator of evil leads God's people into disloyalty with stealthy theories that questionable eating brings great good and end justifies means, and listening dims eyesight, weakens distinction of good and evil, paves second act from first, dishonors God, tarnishes character and ends in suffering.Ms 52, 1901, par. 10–12+1
Satan still presents falsehood as truth to pervert workers, and the fall compassed by charming deception still charms the flock when presented as seducing heresies, which must be met with firm testimony though it pains the heart.Ms 16, 1902, par. 10–11+2
The serpent's charm as Satan's prepared fallacy appearing very valuable yet stinging to spiritual death is foreign to Christ's nature and leads not to Him, so taking up mind-cure science repeats that dangerous deception giving unsafe education.Lt 121, 1901, par. 4–5
Even beautiful holy Eden was not beyond tempter's reach unto sin, and where Satan prompts doubt men exercise own judgment instead of accepting light, and rejecting God's word so chooses darkness at peril of souls.2MR 1.3–2.1+1
Disturbances in atmosphere and calamities everywhere warn to get ready as minutemen prepared for death and ready to meet the Lord so as to have part in first resurrection when Christ comes in clouds and righteous dead are called by trump, because He loves the world and gave His life, for the fall was caused by prince of power of air still working with all deceivableness to obtain control and take those unprepared.Ms 188, 1903, par. 9–10
Temptation of the holy pair succeeded easily so Satan hoped to overthrow Jesus, and the fall used the serpent as medium with supernatural power to deceive.LC1 51.1+2
Children of pious parents listening to temptations as Adam and Eve did turn from Maker, scorn mercies, win shame, become apostates under black banner and better never been born, and Adam's experience warns against disobedience repeated by indulging appetite and passion in violation of law though his transgression brought sin.Ms 37, 1889, par. 7+1
God gave plain word not to eat or touch which they failed because they did not keep it before them and were not diligent students of His will and thus not fortified, and with results before them leading brethren must keep God's word before them and never use powers to hurt His children nor become Satan's agents.ST Dec 23, 1913+1
Breaking prohibition brought Adam's sin and death by sin, perpetuated by repeating until intellect darkens, conscience dulls, man degenerates losing God's reflection, earth is defiled with increasing curse toward purification by fire, with serpent's track everywhere.Lt 22, 1900, par. 9–10
Adam disobeyed because he believed misrepresentations and was not permitted to continue in Eden, and his transgression yielding through weakness brought misery weakening physical, mental and moral powers, yet present misery comes not from that alone but from succession of falls since his day increasing misery, otherwise world would be much better.9MR 234.1+2
The binding law's breaking was unaffordable sin disgracing law and losing bliss, but what was lost through disobedience will be regained by obedience, presenting same choice today between selfish gratification and lifting cross, between God and Baal.9MR 250.1
Satan worked against warning by deceptive devising, and same working now misleads ministers, physicians, conferences, churches and members to disregard warnings, so every member must stand true and beware representations leading away from obedience.Ms 100, 1905, par. 2
Eve was confronted by personal evil adviser with subtle reasoning to set aside plain word, who is Satan the same who seduced angels, working deceptively to cause disregard of light and imperil God's cause.Ms 5, 1904, par. 1–7
Satan worked through deceptive spiritualistic mind-upon-mind influence weaving deception and sowing seed unto infidel darkness, and same is acted out in last days by men possessing Testaments, so first apostasy stands as admonition for those on whom ends of world are come.Ms 168, 1905, par. 15–17
The fall was caused by inspiring influence of deceiving mind, and same mind still inspires deceptive spiritualistic ideas misinterpreting truth about God in nature offering common fire instead of holy.Lt 271b, 1903, par. 4
Because many yield to false theories, false science and spiritualistic sophistries clothed in light bringing uncertainty and placing God's people in false light, time of servants that should take glad tidings to unbelievers is instead used to recover professing believers from snares, blocking advancement until men stop trusting self and making flesh their arm.Lt 263, 1903, par. 16–17
Satan's sophistry tempting distrust will test every pillar of present faith with strong temptation to swerve, and unless there is firm faith looking to Christ as helper the tempted will be led astray, but those doing so will be kept by God's power.Ms 118, 1904, par. 24
The fall began succession of falls continuing ever since, and every present disobedience to plain Word especially rejecting Sabbath and setting disobedient example before family perpetuates Adam's disobedience instead of standing as obedient agents whom God proves for kingdom.Ms 20, 1894, par. 38–42
Violating law under penalty opened floodgates, and the one forbidden act bringing death, woe and loss of Eden was given as beacon at byways from life showing result of even one wrong act, while every violation repeats transgression bringing terrible loss and deepest injury to God because influence leads others in same sin.ST Nov 17, 1909+1
The fall through transgression was part of past history taught in correct education about the living God helping sons of prophets in Samuel's schools to be steadfast, and God put them on trial under binding law still binding now with greater responsibility.Ms 116, 1899, par. 1–2
The direct prohibition and test over fruit in midst of garden broken was the fall, transgression and disgraceful sin, marking ground where Adam stumbled, where Christ as Substitute passed over the same ground to redeem and show man can keep law, where Satan claimed prince of air with control of nature permitted to sow tares while God protects those for heaven, with handiwork preserved as specimens of Eden beauty directing minds to God who is not in trees in person for they have no soul and can burn.Ms 20, 1894, par. 38–42+4