The Lamb Of God

by Toms, A. F. | Category: Christ In Genesis | Dec 1988

In the third chapter of Genesis some of the awful consequences of sin are presented to us. For instance, the way to the garden of Eden was closed to Adam and his wife, guarded by the cherubim with flaming sword. But while the book of Genesis presents the beginnings of human experience, the book of Revelation presents the end of it, at least the end of what is recorded, and it is interesting and thrilling to compare the third chapter of Genesis with the final two chapters of Revelation. For instance, the gates of the eternal city are for ever open. And the way to the tree of life which was barred when Adam sinned is now open to all who have washed their robes, for they have the right to come to the tree of life and to enter in by the gates to the city.

In Genesis 3 the curse is imposed. But in Revelation chapter 22 verse 3 it says, "there shall be no curse any more". Then again, sorrow and death came in through sin, but both are abolished when you come to Revelation 21. "Death shall be no more" God says, and "He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes", and moreover there will be no mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more, for these are the first things, and they are passed away for ever.

God's fellowship with His creatures was interrupted on account of sin. No longer could He come to talk with Adam in the garden. And there is no doubt that God felt that loss more keenly than ever Adam did. But when you turn to Revelation 21, all that God lost is restored, for the tabernacle of God is with men, and "they shall be His peoples, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God".

But why so great a change? Between the books of Genesis and the Revelation comes the story of the Saviour's life and death and of His glorious resurrection. He is the Lamb of God foretold in Genesis, and He bore the sin of the world when He gave Himself in death at Calvary. And in the Revelation He is seen in all His glory as the Lamb standing in the midst of the throne. The throne of God and of the Lamb is the very centre of the eternal city and out of it proceeds the river of water of life, bright as crystal. So while death came in as a result of sin in the book of Genesis and produced its awful trail throughout the Bible record, by the close of God's revelation we see sin and death conquered for ever and the Lord Jesus is triumphant over all.

Toms, A. F. | Dec 1988
Christ In Genesis