PARADISE LOST AND REGAINED – IN THE KINGDOM

The first territory that the devil invaded on his crusade to usurp the authority of God among men was the arena of human knowledge, wisdom and understanding. It was in Eden, where he enticed the bride of the “first Adam” to eat of the fruit of the tree that imparts knowledge – an offer of wisdom apart from the divine program.

The fact that the devil went for the realm of knowledge first isn’t a coincidence but proves that he knew something all along. As I noted in THE NEXT WAVE, knowledge, or know-how, is at the foundation of all human activity. If you would have dominion on the earth, as God planned for Adam and his descendants, you only have to be competent at something. And if you are good enough and know how to exploit it, you can bring the world to your feet. Testimonies to this truth abound around us, even among the ungodly and rebellious.

Notice how the devil baited Eve with his dubious offer of knowledge: “Ye shall be as gods” (Genesis 3:1-5). Did he lie? No, God confirmed it and counseled Heaven that something should be speedily done (see Genesis 3:22-24). For if Adam, a natural son of God, was left to do his own thing in God’s provided and anointed territory, with the kind of wisdom he had got his hands on through the devil’s craftiness, then, I’m afraid, God’s supremacy on earth might have been threatened. The emergency anecdote was Adam’s banishment from the Garden of Eden. Paradise was lost – together with the intended dominion. I realize that there might be those who believe that Adam and Eve still retained dominion after the banishment. Well, in a sense, they did – and this is especially so in the case of the private lives of their descendants who have been redeemed by the atonement of Christ. But as far as dictating the general trend of the world was concerned, they had sold out to the devil. That’s why the Bible says that “the course of this [present] world [is] according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

But, glory to God, as we learnt in THE NEXT WAVE, the redeemed saints are on the way back to regain the lost heritage in the promised kingdom! And God’s supremacy will not be under any threat but the whole millennial scene will be played out in perfect accordance with the divine script. We shall conquer and dominate the world for Him. “We shall reign”! And it is worthy of note that it was the wife of the first Adam that the devil deceived, because the redeemed saints on their way back to regain the lost heritage would institutionally be the Wife of the “last [or substitute] Adam”! (See I Corinthians 15:45 and Revelation 21:9-10.)

At this coming time the Creator can sit back and watch Himself dominate the whole of His creation through the instrumentality of His redeemed “kings and priests.” The workdays of having to hold the forte for a fallen people under redemption would have been over. The prophet wrote, “For the earth shall be full of the KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD, as the waters cover the sea”! (Isaiah 11:9.) As we learnt in KINGS AND PRIESTS, the redeemed saints will be the mediums for this outpouring and demonstration of the divine know-how, wisdom and understanding, which will enforce their promised “power over the nations” (Revelation 2:26,27).

This coming time will also have a rest implication for the redeemed saints. For them, it will be a rest from the trials, temptations and tribulations that form part of their present mission to planet Earth, through which they are being refined and prepared to reign and shine in the kingdom. Were they not symbolized in the Elders and four Beasts that John saw when he was caught up to heaven to see “things which must be hereafter”? (See Revelation 4:1-5:10 and my article KINGS AND PRIESTS.) As George Orwell wrote in his classic Animal Farm, a unique depiction of what we are speaking of (only that ours will have a positive and joyous realization), these “beasts of every land and clime” – redeemed from “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation,” as John heard the Beasts say! – will be relieved of the “nose rings,” “back harnesses,” “bits,” “spurs” and “cruel whips”! They will inherit the kingdom of the “tyrant man [of sin]”! (See II Thessalonians 2:3-8.) Wow!

I just love that song of aspiration that the visionary “Old Major” in the book taught his fellow beasts. It carries a strong and far-reaching testimony that I believe can only boost our conviction and longing for the promised kingdom where we will literally regain the paradise that Adam lost. As Orwell noted, the stirring tune lies close to that of Clementine, and you might want to rephrase a few lines, or change some words:

Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland,

Beasts of every land and clime,

Hearken to my joyful tidings

Of the golden future time.

Soon or late the day is coming,

Tyrant Man shall be o’erthrown,

And the fruitful fields of England

Shall be trod by beasts alone.

Rings shall vanish from our noses,

And the harness from our backs,

Bit and spur shall rust forever,

Cruel whips no more shall crack.

Riches more than mind can picture,

Wheat and barley, oats and hay,

Clover, beans, and mangel-wurzels

Shall be ours upon that day.

Bright will shine the fields of England,

Purer shall its waters be,

Sweeter yet shall blow its breezes

On the day that sets us free.

For that day we all must labor,

Though we die before it breaks;

Cows and horses, geese and turkeys,

All must toil for freedom’s sake.

Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland,

Beasts of every land and clime,

Hearken well and spread my tidings

Of the golden future time.

Quite a remarkable witness! So keep the faith, and remain posted.

God bless you always.

In the King’s Service,

David Olagoke Olawoyin.