 | Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704. |
Religion
2003-10-01 09:00:00
Wasn't God harsh in closing the gates of Heaven for 4000 years?
: Wasn't it rather harsh of God to punish man and close the gates of Heaven for 4,000 years (until he sent His only Son to redeem us) because of Adam and Eve's sin? It seems like we do a lot of things worse than that today and many don't bat an eye.
ANSWER: Where did you get the idea that God closed the gates of heaven until Christ had risen? Haven't you noticed that three-quarters of the Bible is the Old Testament which tells of God's dealings with people in the post-Eden world? The Jews were being prepared for the coming of the Messiah Who was promised to Eve immediately after her (and Adam's) sin (See Gen.3:15) After that there were many righteous men and women. For example, Enoch and Ezekiel were taken to Heaven without dying (Gen.5:21-24 and II Kings 2:11). Even Job, who apparently was not in contact with- or predated- the Jewish people, was sure that after his own death, a "redeemer" would come to earth for him: "And as for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and at last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, and Whom my eyes shall see...." (Job 19:25-27). Abraham was accredited with righteousness because of his faith in what God told him. God promised him a lineage from which the great blessing (Jesus) would come to earth. After that, the Jews referred to the Godly people who died as having "been gathered into Abraham's arms," 400 years later Moses went to a hilltop alone for God to bury him. King David scoffed at "men of this world, whose portion is in this life..and leave their possessions to their babes. As for me, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake." (Psalm 17:14-15) The New Testament is full of explanations of God's using the Jewish nation to reveal Himself to men, and to prepare a people to receive His Messiah (Christ).How could they be saved if the payment for sin had not been made? They confessed their unworthiness, but accepted God's promise that He would forgive their sin if they sacrificed an animal life on His altar to symbolize their inability to pay. They said that their sins were "covered" by the blood of the animal. The "erasing" of sins was to be taken care of by God in His own way. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, believing Jews quickly saw God's plan carried out in Jesus and they flooded into the Christian churches. The book of Hebrews (in the New Testament) was written to explain this connection of Old and New. Just how God dealt with godly people who died before Christ came is not told in detail. A few places in the New Testament hint at this: (Ephesians 4:7-9, Matt.27:50-53, and I Peter 3:18-20). Trusting God now should be easier. We have seen His love for us rebels. He came and lived the perfect human life in order to bridge the chasm between us. He offers forgiveness by Christ's death on the cross, acceptance as His children and His own Spirit to empower us to obey. His resurrection assures me of His victory over death, mine as well as His. This is the only cure for the human condition which is displayed by history, our own conflicts with self and others, and.... well... look at the TV sitcoms and news reports. I am invited to admit my need, believe that He loves me and is willing to take me as I am if I will trust Him to take charge of my life. New life will be given...a life that will continue into eternity. You had another question: "Wasn't the punishment of Adam and Eve too harsh?" They were faced with a simple choice. There was one thing which was withheld from them....a thing they did not need. The only reason to take it was to exert their independence. It was a failure to trust God Who had given them everything they needed, and even the joy of His presence and attention. Distrusting His love, they believed that He was withholding something good from them. This is the essence of sin: "God is not to be trusted.... I know better than He what is good for me." It may seem like a small infraction, but it contained the key choice that separates each of us from God.
