Had Satan any history previous to his appearing in the Garden Of Eden?

Had Satan any history previous to his appearing in the Garden Of Eden?

or does the expression in Ezekiel 28" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28 —”Eden the garden of God,” mean the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve were?

Such a thought as that Satan fell in the earthly Eden is entirely foreign to the Genesis account, where Satan is presented to us at once as the seducer of man. His fall is always considered in the Scriptures as from heaven not on earth. To rest such a theory as that Satan fell in the Eden of Genesis 2," TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2, on the words, “Thou wast in Eden,” (Ezekiel 28:13)," TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28:13), is like balancing a pyramid on its apex. The word Eden is ‘edhen (from ‘adhan, to be delighted), and simply means a place of delight. It would be like saying that when Paul was caught up into Paradise, it must have been into the garden of Eden, for the same Greek word paradeisos is used there. As there is a heavenly and an earthly paradise, we may believe there is a heavenly as well as an earthly Eden. It is noticeable that “the garden of Eden” does not necessarily mean that the garden and Eden are the same, for in ver. 8 we read, “God planted a garden in Eden”, and in ver. io, “A river went out of Eden to water the garden”; thus the two are distinguished. This garden is never called “the Garden of God”, as in Ezekiel 28:13" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28:13 (“In Eden, the garden of God. . . thou wast.”) The Genesis “garden” is rather the garden of man. The description of Lucifer in Ezekiel 28:12-15" TARGET="_blank">Ezekiel 28:12-15 (for it is surely he) must be taken as a whole, revealing his created glories (v. 12), and the place of delight, perfectly suitable to his nature prepared for him by God. Next his covering is described. The beauty of the place seems to have been rather mineral than vegetable. He was the anointed cherub that coyered (i.e., the throne of God?). “He was in the holy Mountain of God and he walked up and down (same word and mood employed of Enoch) in the midst of the stones of fire.” All this is perfectly foreign to the earthly paradise of Genesis 2." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 2. The account goes on—”Thou wast perfect in all thy ways, from the day that thou wast created till iniquity was found in thee.” The earthly “garden of Eden” was prepared by• God for man at his creation, and we have no reason to believe he was long in Eden before he fell. Is it not a fantastic theory that all that we have read in Ezekiel, beginning with “Thou was in Eden . . . till iniquity was found in thee”, must be squeezed into man’s unfallen, sojourn in the garden! We do not make ourselves responsible for speculations attributed to those who believe Satan fell long previously! to man. We do not profess to be “wise above that which is written,” but we regard the theory of Satan’s fall in the Adamic garden of Eden’ as quite untenable and as subversive of all sane scriptural interpretation.
W.H.

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Books of the Bible Games

Using a special deck of Bible game cards that you can download from this site , you can help your Bible class students learn the Books of the Bible through games. Seven card Games for learning the names of the books of the Bible.

1. Memory print two sets of these cards. Turn them face down and find the pairs. Use only New Testament cards for a shorter game.

2. Go Fish or Old Maid Print two sets of Bible cards. Shuffle and deal. Use the traditional rules. Use only New Testament cards for a shorter game.

3. Lay them straight. Sequence race Shuffle the deck and give each team (or player) 10 cards. When the dealer says “go”, lay them out in order. The first team to put them in order wins.

4. Uno or SkipBo inspired game - similar to the popular card game except with fewer rules and different cards from books of the Bible.

5. Phase 10 inspired game - similar to the popular card game, but with Bible cards and different phase goals.

6. Solitaire - adapted from the classic single player game, but with Bible books.

Check out the other 200+ games, puzzles and Bible lessons in the Sunday school seciton of this site.

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Does God cause or allow natural disasters to occur such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes?

Does God cause or allow natural disasters to occur such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, mudslides or tornadoes?

Every time there is a major disaster such as the massive earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the earthquake in Japan in 2011, Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana in 2005, the earthquake and following tsunami in Indonesia and Thailand in 2004, we invariably ask the question – where is God? Does God cause natural disasters? Is Satan responsible for causing natural disasters? Does God permit natural disasters? Is God sending the disaster as a form of judgment?

Natural Explanations

It is clear from scientific study of the earth that there are natural explanations for every kind of natural disaster. Warm water in the oceans creates conditions suitable for massive windstorms. The shifting of the earth’s plates causes earthquakes where tectonic plates come together. Underwater earthquakes cause tsunamis. While we may know the immediate natural cause for disasters, we still credit the ultimate hand of providence to God. Insurance companies won’t cover property damage in times of war or because of “Acts of God”. Did God design the world to be full of suffering?

God is in control

Colossians 1:16-17" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:16-17 says that Jesus Christ is in control of the universe:

Colossians 1:15-17" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (16) For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. (17) And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

It was Very Good

The way in which God created the universe has been affected by sin. At the close of the week of creation we read that the creation was “very good”. Like a work of fine art, God was satisfied that what he created was beautiful and perfect.

Genesis 1:31" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 1:31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Shortly after finishing the creation, Adam and Eve sinned, bringing a curse onto the earth. Romans 5:12" TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:12 tells us that death came into the world through sin.

Romans 5:12" TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--

The curse extended to the earth. God caused the earth not to yield its full potential in growing food.

Genesis 3:17-19" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 3:17-19 And to Adam he said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; (18) thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. (19) By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Later in the Bible, the “whole creation groans” under the curse of sin. The world still suffers under the influence of the curse from the first sin. It can be concluded that the “groaning” of creation can be seen in the suffering that randomly visits us as well as the beings of the world.

Romans 8:18-22" TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:18-22 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (19) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. (20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope (21) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

Does God judge us through natural disasters?

There are some occasions in the Bible when God utilized nature to bring judgment directly against a group of people. However, like all miracles in the Bible, these events are exceptional occasions when God was lifting up a prophet (Moses, Elijah) or bringing an end to an era of wickedness. There is nothing in the Bible to indicate that we should try to interpret weather, earthquake, plague or any other naturally occurring disaster as a sign from heaven. The following examples are all accompanied by the message of a prophet sent by God. The prophet carried with him special authority to control these events, not merely explain them.

Elijah, a prophet of God, caused a terrible famine to strike the land of Israel for the sin of the king and the people.

1 Kings 17:1" TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."

Through Moses, God caused terrible plagues to fall against Egypt. Most of the plagues have similar events that occur in nature, but God caused these plagues to fall at the command of Moses and at a much greater severity than anything in the history of Egypt.

Exodus 3:19-20" TARGET="_blank">Exodus 3:19-20 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. (20) So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.

Moses and all the people of Israel watched as Korah and his rebellious followers were swallowed in a disaster like an earthquake or a giant sink hole.

Numbers 16:29-33" TARGET="_blank">Numbers 16:29-33 If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the LORD has not sent me. (30) But if the LORD creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the LORD." (31) And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. (32) And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. (33) So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.

In the judgments against the earth in Revelation 6" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 6 to 18 tell us about massive hailstones, earthquakes, comets falling from the heavens and water turning to blood.

Revelation 16:21" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 16:21 And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.

Revelation 8:8-11" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 8:8-11 The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. (9) A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. (10) The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. (11) The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.

From Satan?

One example of natural disaster coming from the hand of Satan is found in the book of Job. God allowed Satan to act against Job but within limits. He was not allowed to take Job’s life. However, he stripped Job of every thing else in the ultimate test of faith. Notice in the following words that the disasters were attributed to a group of men (15 and 17), the “fire of God” (17) and wind from the wilderness (19). Job is never told the source of his troubles, but he recognizes that God is in control of it all. The rest of the book deals with his mental anguish at being tried by God.

Job 1:9-22" TARGET="_blank">Job 1:9-22 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? (10) Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (11) But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." (12) And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (13) Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, (14) and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, (15) and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." (16) While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you." (17) While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." (18) While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, (19) and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you." (20) Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. (21) And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (22) In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

But why does God allow suffering to continue?

The explanation from the verses above answers the questions as to “where” does the suffering come from – from sin. However, the questions still remains “Why doesn’t God stop it?”

Two other questions that help us to answer this final quesion are

Why does God allow suffering and pain?

Why does God allow us to experience trials and suffering?

Shad Sluiter

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Fast Sunday School Lessons

Don't have much time to prepare your lesson for tomorrow's Sunday school class? Perhaps you like reading the Bible story for the lesson, but you don't have time to create an interesting activity. Then the following fast links will help you create a fast lesson and an activity to go with it.

Lesson plans - A fast-start to help you prepare for next class.
Printable activities - Crafts, foldable paper models, worksheets, PowerPoint and other items to make your lesson more interesting and active.
Sunday School Puzzle Maker - Create a crossword puzzle or wordsearch in a few mouse clicks.
or use one of the 325 worksheets already made to get you started fast.

All you will need is your computer, a printer and typical classroom materials like pencils and scissors. You will be ready quickly, but your students wont forget your lesson very fast.
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Should our children be taught sex education in public schools?

Should our children be taught sex education in public schools?

In Old Testament days, God entrusted moral training to the family: "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6:7)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 6:7). God intended parents to discharge this responsibility diligently, deliberately (even when sitting to relax), decidedly (as inseparable from normal living as walking - or driving?), and daily (last thing at night, first thing in the morning). Since Paul (Ephesians 6:2)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:2) bases New Testament teaching about family relations on Old Testament principles, Christian parents still have the primary responsibility to teach their children morality. Scripture elevates such matters, although private and sensitive, to a place of honor (Hebrews 13:4)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:4) and consummate beauty (Ephesians 5:31, 32)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:31, 32). This moral training is a privilege and a responsibility.

Christian parents are dutybound to be aware of what is happening in their child's education. Since God's moral standards are "for our good always" (Deuteronomy 6:24)," TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 6:24), aren't parents responsible to protect their child if they discover that his classroom experience is (or will be) contrary to his home training?

D. Oliver

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HTML code for Online Bible Search

The web page HTML code to add a Bible search dialog box to your site is listed below. You can customize the HTML code including colors, size and starting verse reference if you are familiar with editing HTML code. You can use something as simple as notepad or a full-featured as DreamWeaver. Simply copy and paste the HTML code below into your HTML editor, save the results and update your page.

This is what the form looks like.

This is how you add the HTML code to your website.

Copy the following code and paste it into the HTML code for your web page. This will provide a link to the Online Bible.

<form action="http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php" method="GET" target = "new">
<table width="160" border="1" bordercolorlight="#000000" bordercolordark="#000000" bgcolor="#F0DFB9" bordercolor="#000000">
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC">
<td><font face="Arial,Helvetica"><b><font size="+1">Online Bible</font></b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p> <font size="1" face="Arial,Helvetica">Show a passage: e.g. "<b>John
3:1-5</b>" <br>
<input type="text" size="25" name="passage" value="John 3:1-5" TARGET="_blank">John 3:1-5">
</font> <font size="1" face="Arial,Helvetica"><br>
Search word(s) in the bible: e.g. "heaven hell"<br>
<input type="text" size="25" name="search">
<br>
Bible Version:
<select name="ver1" size="1">
<option value="kjv" selected >King James Version</option>
<option value="asv" >American Std Version</option>
<option value="bbe" >Bible in Basic English</option>
<option value="dby" >Darby Translation</option>
<option value="esv" >English Standard Version</option>
<option value="gfr" >The Gospels for Readers</option>
<option value="web" >World English Bible</option>
<option value="ylt" >Youngs Lit. Translation</option>
</select>
</font>
<input type="submit" name="submit" value="Search">
<br>
<font face="Arial,Helvetica" size="-3"><a href="http://www.gospelhall.org">Online Bible at GospelHall dot Org</a></font> </p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>

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Do sisters have a responsibility in reception into the fellowship?

Do sisters have a responsibility in reception into the fellowship?

The assembly, brothers and sisters alike, receive to the assembly. If a sister is aware of any reason why an individual cannot be received to the assembly, she fails in her responsibility by not mentioning that to the elders. Sisters and brothers alike should have a spiritual concern for the welfare of the assembly and for those who are added to the fellowship. Elders guide the flock in assembly reception, but input to the elders from sisters is just as appropriate and valued as input from brothers in the assembly.

D. Oliver
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Should a Christian wife work outside the home?

Is it right for a wife to be employed outside of the home?

Some have taken the expression, "keepers at home" (Titus 2:5)" TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:5) to mean staying at home. M. R. Vincents "Word Studies in the New Testament" disagrees with this and indicates it means of the household." There is support for translating the expression "workers at home." The other words in this series of descriptions are moral characteristics: discreet; chaste; good. The verses surrounding it are primarily the same. Rather than a command for a woman to stay at home, Paul seems to be addressing her character. In a similar setting in 1 Timothy 5:13, 14," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:13, 14, where young women are to "guide the house," this responsibility is a preservation from idleness, wandering from house to house, and being a busybody. Wholesome character in a young wife will keep her focus on her responsibilities in the home. The principle of 1 Timothy 2:15" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:15 likewise directs a sister to her domestic cares. If, therefore, a sister manages her home (1 Timothy 5:14)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:14) and cares for her children (1 Timothy 2:15)," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:15), working outside her home does not violate the teaching of these passages. Her industriousness is commendable. She is carrying on the traditions of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31" TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 31 and joins that noble sister who with her husband, was a tentmaker.

On the other hand, a sister who places equal or greater value on her career than on her home and family has stepped outside Scriptural guidelines.

D. Oliver
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Is allowing 5 to 15 minutes For ministry after the Breaking of Bread merely tradition?

Is allowing 5 to 15 minutes For ministry after the Breaking of Bread merely tradition?

No, expecting ministry at the Breaking of Bread is scriptural. In Acts 20:7," TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:7, Paul ministered the Word in conjunction with the Breaking of Bread. The gathering described in 1 Corinthians 14" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14 included both the Breaking of Bread (compare verse 16 with 10:16) and ministry "to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (vv. 3, 24, 26). Timothy was to give attention to the public reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:13). In the Thessalonians’ gatherings (1 Thessalonians 5:19" TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:19 - 21), the Spirit prompted men to speak from God. The believers were to value this, evaluate what was said (see 1 Corinthians 14:29)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:29), and treasure what was profitable. We do not have prophets (1 Corinthians 13:9, 10)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:9, 10), but we do have the Scriptures for our profit (2 Timothy 3:16;" TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:7)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:7). Believers should therefore expect to receive profit from the opening of the Word at every assembly meeting, including the Breaking of Bread.

Prior to partaking of the bread and cup, if the Scriptures are opened, they should contribute to remembering the Lord. An exposition of a passage would be as out of place here as various men reading miscellaneous passages such as psalms exhorting us to praise despite our troubles. Heart response to Christ should characterize this gathering; Spirit-guided ministry will promote this.

When the assembly has remembered the Lord, the fragrance of their worship will set the tone for any ministry to follow. The only weekly ministry some believers hear is at the Breaking of Bread. For that reason, special concern should be given to provide profitable ministry then. If just "5 to 15 minutes for ministry" has become the norm in places, this ought to be changed for the profit of all.

D. Oliver
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In what sense have we "crucified the flesh"?

In what sense have we "crucified the flesh" (Galatians 5:24)" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 5:24)?

This involves an individual change of viewpoint that began when we discovered we were without strength before God. It is not what God did at the cross nor could we have done it. They that are Christ’s began at the cross (Galatians 3:1)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 3:1). As a Jew, Paul recognizes he became dead to the Law when the Law’s penalty was carried out at the cross (2:19). Having been crucified with Christ, the believer lives, not by the Law, but by the faith of the Son of God (2:20). The law demanded that the flesh be obedient. After reviewing all that the flesh can produce (5:19-21), Paul insists that it cannot be obedient; therefore, Law-keeping is not Christian living. The believer’s crucifixion with Christ (2:20) declares that God is finished with the flesh. In the crucifixion of Christ, the believer sees the irrelevance of the flesh in righteous living. That is the viewpoint God intends all believers to maintain. The cross negates every suggestion that any contribution from us, that is, from our flesh, can please God. Since we began in the Spirit (3:3), He must govern our manner of life (5:25). We can become like Christ only under the control of the Spirit.

D. Oliver
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Lesson plans - A fast-start to help you prepare for next class.

Printable activities - Crafts, foldable paper models, worksheets, PowerPoint and other items to make your lesson more interesting and active.

Sunday School Puzzle Maker - Create a crossword puzzle or wordsearch in a few mouse clicks.

or use one of the 325 worksheets already made to get you started fast.

HTML code for Online Bible Search

This is how you add the HTML code to your website.