Why didn’t Adam and Eve die the day they ate the fruit?
(Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 115:17; Romans 5:12; 2 Cor. 5:21) Blog Oct. 2-8, 2022
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: It was in heaven that sin originated: in the heart of heaven’s most exalted angel. By free choice Lucifer separated himself from the love of God and when cast out of heaven infected humanity with the same pride he exhibited in heaven. Love is only genuine where force is not its motive, so God does not force his creatures to love him.
In the Garden
1. When Lucifer tempted Eve, how did he contradict God? God told Adam that eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would result in death, but Lucifer told Eve that that was not true (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:4).
2. What did God mean by “death” in Genesis 2? In Genesis 2 God primarily spoke of eternal death, the destruction of soul & body. It is true that temporal death, which the Bible pictures as “sleep,” would also result from disobedience (Matt. 10:28; Deut. 31:16; Psa. 13:3; John 11:11; Rom. 5:12-18).
3. How does Romans 5 demonstrate that the “death” Adam chose for humanity is primarily eternal death rather than temporal death? It is primarily eternal death for in Romans 5 Paul contrasts “condemnation to death” with “justification of life,” & we know that the justified don’t escape temporal death (Rom. 5:18; Psa. 115:16).
4. What other Scripture shows that not all Adam’s descendants will die a temporal death? First Corinthians fifteen says we will not all sleep (die) (1 Cor. 15:51).
5. What was the inclination of Eve’s nature concerning sin? Eve was perfect & had no inclination towards sin (like we do), but she was deceived into believing Satan’s lies & considered the outward appearance & the offer of a higher state of greater value than obedience to God’s word (Gen. 1:31; 3:4-6, 13; 2 Cor. 11:3).
6. If death was the divine sentence for eating the forbidden fruit, why didn’t Adam and Eve die the day they ate it? God, in the person of the Son, immediately stepped in between the guilty pair & death, thus providing humanity another period of test (probation) (Num. 16:48; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Rev. 13:8).
7. When God promised Adam and Eve a Redeemer, what fate did he say they should expect? God told the guilty pair that they were made of dust & would die (temporally) & return to dust (Gen. 3:19).
8. On what basis do we know that Adam and Eve repented and were forgiven by God? God made them coverings of skins, showing that an animal representing Jesus was sacrificed in their behalf (Gen. 3:21).
In the World
9. What does the Bible tell us about temporal death? The Bible says that a person cannot praise God when they are dead, that they know nothing, & that their thoughts perish (Psa. 115:17; 146:4; Eccl. 9:5).
10. How has Lucifer’s lie in Eden found expression in regard to temporal death? People like King Saul believe that mediums can communicate with the dead. Hindus believe in reincarnation. Many Catholics believe that their dead loved ones are in Purgatory & can be prayed for. Many Protestants believe they will go to heaven the moment they die. The Bible condemns such beliefs (Deut. 18:10-12; 2 Sam. 28:8; 2 Cor. 5:4).
11. How does the Bible show that those who die in this world await a future resurrection? Jesus said that those in the grave await his call in order to live again & Peter confirmed the same (John 5:25; Acts 2:34).
12. What happens after temporal death? After temporal death comes judgment (Heb. 9:27).
In the End
13. What does the Bible tell us about eternal death? The Bible says that eternal death is only for the wicked & that it happens at the end of the millennium. It takes place in what Revelation calls a “lake of fire” & entirely consumes & destroys those who enter there (Psa. 37:20; 104:35; Mal. 4:1-3; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:14).
14. What common beliefs are held about eternal death? Some believe that when this life ends there is nothing more; others believe there is no such thing as eternal death: that it is only a transition into another life form. Some believe that eternal death means eternal life in the fires of hell. All these ideas are wrong (Psa. 16:10; Job 14:14-15; 19:25-26; 21:30; Heb. 9:27-28; Rev. 14:10; 21:1).
15. Who will not taste eternal death? All whose names are found written in the book of life will not taste eternal death (Rev. 20:15).
16. What is the book of life? The book of life is the story of the life of Jesus, the Lamb of God (Heb. 5:9; Rev. 13:8).
17. How does a person get their name written in the book of the life of the Lamb? When we by faith accept Jesus’ life as a substitute for our life we are placed “in him” & our names are written in his book (John 20:31; Rom. 16:7; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9; 1 John 5:12).
18. With what words did God promise a Savior to Adam and Eve? God told Adam & Eve that a child of the woman would bruise Satan’s head & make it possible for us to hate Satan & sin, which is not natural (Gen. 3:15; Rom. 8:7).