patriarchs and prophets-第11章
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eaten of the tree of life？ God had been seeking to prevent them from
reaching a nobler development and finding greater happiness。
Such has been Satan's work from the days of Adam to the present； and he has
pursued it with great success。 He tempts men to distrust God's love and to
doubt His wisdom。 He is constantly
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seeking to excite a spirit of irreverent curiosity； a restless； inquisitive
desire to penetrate the secrets of divine wisdom and power。 In their efforts
to search out what God has been pleased to withhold； multitudes overlook the
truths which He has revealed； and which are essential to salvation。 Satan
tempts men to disobedience by leading them to believe they are entering a
wonderful field of knowledge。 But this is all a deception。 Elated with their
ideas of progression； they are； by trampling on God's requirements； setting
their feet in the path that leads to degradation and death。
Satan represented to the holy pair that they would be gainers by breaking
the law of God。 Do we not today hear similar reasoning？ Many talk of the
narrowness of those who obey God's commandments； while they themselves claim
to have broader ideas and to enjoy greater liberty。 What is this but an echo
of the voice from Eden； 〃In the day ye eat thereof〃transgress the divine
requirement〃ye shall be as gods〃？ Satan claimed to have received great
good by eating of the forbidden fruit； but he did not let it appear that by
transgression he had become an outcast from heaven。 Though he had found sin
to result in infinite loss； he concealed his own misery in order to draw
others into the same position。 So now the transgressor seeks to disguise his
true character； he may claim to be holy； but his exalted profession only
makes him the more dangerous as a deceiver。 He is on the side of Satan；
trampling upon the law of God； and leading others to do the same； to their
eternal ruin。
Eve really believed the words of Satan； but her belief did not save her from
the penalty of sin。 She disbelieved the words of God； and this was what led
to her fall。 In the judgment men will not be condemned because they
conscientiously believed a lie； but because they did not believe the truth；
because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth。
Notwithstanding the sophistry of Satan to the contrary； it is always
disastrous to disobey God。 We must set our hearts to know what is truth。 All
the lessons which God has caused to be placed on record in His word are for
our warning and instruction。 They are given to save us from deception。 Their
neglect will result in ruin to ourselves。 Whatever contradicts God's word；
we may be sure proceeds from Satan。
The serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree and placed it in the
hands of the half…reluctant Eve。 Then he reminded her
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of her own words； that God had forbidden them to touch it； lest they die。
She would receive no more harm from eating the fruit； he declared； than from
touching it。 Perceiving no evil results from what she had done； Eve grew
bolder。 When she 〃saw that the tree was good for food； and that it was
pleasant to the eyes； and a tree to be desired to make one wise； she took of
the fruit thereof； and did eat。〃 It was grateful to the taste； and as she
ate； she seemed to feel a vivifying power； and imagined herself entering
upon a higher state of existence。 Without a fear she plucked and ate。 And
now； having herself transgressed； she became the agent of Satan in working
the ruin of her husband。 In a state of strange； unnatural excitement； with
her hands filled with the forbidden fruit； she sought his presence； and
related all that had occurred。
An expression of sadness came over the face of Adam。 He appeared astonished
and alarmed。 To the words of Eve he replied that this must be the foe
against whom they had been warned； and by the divine sentence she must die。
In answer she urged him to eat； repeating the words of the serpent； that
they should not surely die。 She reasoned that this must be true； for she
felt no evidence of God's displeasure； but on the contrary realized a
delicious； exhilarating influence； thrilling every faculty with new life；
such； she imagined； as inspired the heavenly messengers。
Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the command of God；
disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a test of their fidelity
and love。 There was a terrible struggle in his mind。 He mourned that he had
permitted Eve to wander from his side。 But now the deed was done； he must be
separated from her whose society had been his joy。 How could he have it
thus？ Adam had enjoyed the companionship of God and of holy angels。 He had
looked upon the glory of the Creator。 He understood the high destiny opened
to the human race should they remain faithful to God。 Yet all these
blessings were lost sight of in the fear of losing that one gift which in
his eyes outvalued every other。 Love； gratitude； loyalty to the Creatorall
were overborne by love to Eve。 She was a part of himself； and he could not
endure the thought of separation。 He did not realize that the same Infinite
Power who had from the dust of the earth created him； a living； beautiful
form； and had in love given him a companion； could supply her place。 He
resolved to share her fate； if she must die； he would die with her。 After
all； he
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reasoned； might not the words of the wise serpent be true？ Eve was before
him； as beautiful and apparently as innocent as before this act of
disobedience。 She expressed greater love for him than before。 No sign of
death appeared in her； and he decided to brave the consequences。 He seized
the fruit and quickly ate。
After his transgression Adam at first imagined himself entering upon a
higher state of existence。 But soon the thought of his sin filled him with
terror。 The air； which had hitherto been of a mild and uniform temperature；
seemed to chill the guilty pair。 The love and peace which had been theirs
was gone； and in its place they felt a sense of sin； a dread of the future；
a nakedness of soul。 The robe of light which had enshrouded them； now
disappeared； and to supply its place they endeavored to fashion for
themselves a covering； for they could not； while unclothed； meet the eye of
God and holy angels。
They now began to see the true character of their sin。 Adam reproached his
companion for her folly in leaving his side and permitting herself to be
deceived by the serpent； but they both flattered themselves that He who had
given them so many evidences of His love； would pardon this one
transgression； or that they would not be subjected to so dire a punishment
as they had feared。
Satan exulted in his success。 He had tempted the woman to distrust God's
love； to doubt His wisdom； and to transgress His law； and through her he had
caused the overthrow of Adam。
But the great Lawgiver was about to make known to Adam and Eve the
consequences of their transgression。 The divine presence was manifested in
the garden。 In their innocence and holiness they had joyfully welcomed the
approach of their Creator； but now they fled in terror； and sought to hide
in the deepest recesses of the garden。 But 〃the Lord God called unto Adam；
and said unto him； Where art thou？ And he said； I heard Thy voice in the
garden； and I was afraid； because I was naked； and I hid myself。 And He
said； Who told thee that thou wast naked？ Hast thou eaten of the tree；
whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat？〃
Adam could neither deny nor excuse his sin； but instead of manifesting
penitence； he endeavored to cast the blame upon his wife； and thus upon God
Himself： 〃The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me； she gave me of the tree；
and I did eat。〃 He who； from love to Eve； had deliberately chosen to forfeit
the
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approval of God； his home in Paradise； and an eternal life of joy； could
now； after his fall； endeavor to make his companion； and even the Creator
Himself； responsible for the transgression。 So terrible is the power of sin。
When
