When the scripture states that the mystery of God will be finished, it is specifically referring to a greatly increased revelation of the character of God, as is manifested in His law, and the many other portions of scripture, which hitherto may have been clouded to many minds. The word Revelation simply means to reveal, and therefore an extensive explanation of issues that were once blurred, must now be made plain.
In harmony with this promise given us by God, He has made it plain to His prophets, that great truth is to lighten the earth with the glory of God, meaning that His character of love, and His great wisdom in the plan of salvation, together with all His dealings, and interactions with the human family, would be on full display during the final conflict between God and satanic agencies in the last days. Let’s read:
Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
One of the subjects written in the Bible, which was previously clouded to many minds, is the issue of the forbidden tree in Eden, which God planted, and which He cautioned Adam and Eve not to partake of nor touch, for the inevitable result would be death to themselves and their posterity. Now, some have questioned why the God of love would plant such a
tree in the garden.
Others have wondered why satan was permitted to enter the garden, and still others have reasoned, if God knew the end from the beginning, why would He proceed with such a venture. One thing we must remember in all of our questions and deliberations, is that everything God does has at its core good and upright purposes, which would be fulfilled sooner or later.
Finite beings may not be able to see the end from the beginning, but if the curtains were pulled back, and we were made privy to the end results, we will not choose any other way than what God chosen. It is against the backdrop of faith in His perfect works, wisdom and goodness, that we should embark upon the study of the character of God. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 32:1 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
3 Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Thus, the issue of the forbidden tree is laden with a host of other pertinent truths that are important for us to understand as we study the beginnings of the great controversy on our planet. There is absolutely nothing wrong with God planting the tree of good and evil in the garden. Obedience to His instructions will guarantee safety, even if there were a hundred other forbidden trees.
It was to develop and test their loyalty that the tree was placed in the garden, because loyalty cannot be developed, nor ascertained when one doesn’t have the option of choosing differently. The loyalty of all husbands and wives is proven only when he or she deliberately chooses not to go with other options. But for a husband to block his wife from being free to choose to love him, will produce a mere robot.
Banning other contrary options is a principle that stems from the use of force, which is directly averse to God’s character of love. In fact, religious persons who seek to proscribe opposing views, will end up persecuting those with whom they disagree, even if their intentions are upright. A true Christian should be able to live peaceably on the same street with an atheist, Buddhist, or Satanist.
The real threat to man’s existence is not that satan lives on our street, or is perched in the forbidden tree, it is disobedience to God’s word that is the real danger. In fact, according to what is written in “His secret” the forbidden tree was located in other worlds, and no one suffered any loss, because they obeyed God’s warning. Let’s read:
[Early Writings pp 39> 40] The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings were given me, and an angel attended me from the city to a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes; they were noble, majestic, and lovely.
They bore the express image of Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was, “We have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth.”
Then I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the city. The fruit of both looked beautiful, but of one they could not eat. They had power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one. Then my attending angel said to me, “None in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree; but if they should eat, they would fall.”
In Miami Gardens on North West 19th Avenue, is an electrical substation with several huge transformers carrying megavolts of current. But right next to the substation there are many houses with people living safely for years, and they will continue to do so with no existential threat, once they obey the warning signs which say “Do not touch”. Let’s read:
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman 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, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Verse one of the previous passages, raises another question that has long been clouded to many minds for it says that the serpent spoke to Eve, raising the prospect that he could have had access to our first parents at any time, and at any place in the garden. In fact, the serpent could only have access to them at the place that was off-limits, for satan was not allowed to follow them continually with temptation. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 53] Satan was not to follow them with continual temptations; he could have access to them only at the forbidden tree. Should they attempt to investigate its nature, they would be exposed to his wiles. They were admonished to give careful heed to the warning which God had sent them and to be content with the instruction which He had seen fit to impart.
This critically important piece of information sheds light on the character of God, for even though He can only accept our freedom of choice to serve Him, yet He does not make it easy or incidental for us to sin. Adam and Eve would have to go where no man had gone before, they would have to choose to go onto the enchanted ground, before they would be rendered vulnerable.
This fact leads us to the core of our study, for there are several “forbidden trees” still in existence, and like our first parents, many people, including some Christians, are deliberately choosing to touch, taste, and handle, even though the commands of God’s word against such actions are numerous, explicit, and plain.
For starters, The Lord will have us understand, that like Adam and Eve, satan is not permitted to follow us continually with temptations, for if this was to be the case, most, if not all of us would have given up long ago in discouragement. And even though he is permitted to tempt us at times, yet the bulk of his infernal activities are greatly restricted, monitored, and overseen by God on a personal level. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Therefore, according to the previous passage, it is quite possible that very many, if not most of our temptations actually occur as a result of us going to the forbidden trees to be tempted. So, for reason of clarity, we must delineate in clearest terms, where some of these forbidden trees are located. There are literal places where the forces of the enemy are firmly entrenched.
In other words, there are places on this earth where there are many more evil spirits congregated, than in other places, and every Christian living in these last days must know the difference. There are also virtual trees, and online trees, and other places and activities which are described as being satan’s enchanted ground. Let’s read:
[Messages to young people pp 82] Keep yourselves away from the corrupting influences of the world. Do not go unbidden to places where the forces of the enemy are strongly entrenched. Do not go where you will be tempted and led astray.
Question: What types of places, influences, and activities are being here spoken of?
[1] The Movies: The movies provide both initiation and indoctrination into a host of evils, which once our minds are exposed to, the imagery, actions, and the desire to replicate are instilled, and are set in motion. Sexually explicit scenes in movies will incite attendees to adultery; violent scenes at the movies will incite to violence, and magical scenes will open up the desire for witchcraft, because by beholding we become changed.
All satan has to do is to get us thinking about evil, for he knows the scripture which says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he”. Therefore, once the mental seed has been planted in our thoughts, the actions will most likely follow, when the opportune time arises, or when the right set of circumstances converge. The sex scandals we’re seeing unfolding daily did not occur in a vacuum, they all began with eating from the forbidden tree. Let’s read:
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
[P&P 460] Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered, or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul.
[2] Churches that teach error: The doctrines of a church are the keys to its conscience, for whatever one believes is what he will do. Thus, wherever any falsehoods are being taught and practiced, where erroneous theories are advocated, there is where another forbidden tree is located. There the serpent is perched, not in the branches but in the pulpit, to seduce and confuse the unwary into sin.
This is what some may describe as an inconvenient truth, but nevertheless, it must be exposed, since many Christians do not see any danger in hopping from church to church, regardless of the doctrines being taught. Let’s read:
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Isaiah 30:9 This is a rebellious people, lying children, that will not hear the law of the Lord.
10 Which say to prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
[Early Writings pp 274] An innumerable host of evil angels are spreading themselves over the whole land. The churches and religious bodies are crowded with them. And they look upon the religious bodies with exultation; for the cloak of religion covers the greatest crimes and iniquity.
[E.W 125] God is displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to go; for unless He sends us to those meetings where error is forced home to the people by the power of the will, He will not keep us. The angels cease their watchful care over us, and we are left to the buffetings of the enemy, to be darkened and weakened by him and the power of his evil angels; and the light around us becomes contaminated with the darkness.
[3] Online trees, and virtual trees: The serpent is often perched in branches of online trees, where it’s usually much more convenient for subscribers to pluck and eat in the privacy of their own homes. In our day, every type of evil is readily available at the click of a button, and because of this, many are now eating of the forbidden fruit online.
The prohibitions God has given against indulging in evil pertains to both literal and virtual trees. The sin of adultery occurs online and offline, for porn, and sexting are recorded as adultery, even though there may never be any physical contact. Adultery occurs, and begins in the mind, and is then manifested in an overt action, but a physical, literal rendezvous is not necessary for it to be recorded as sin. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Christians who countenance, or condone adultery for political, or financial benefit are doing a great disservice to the cause of Christ, for by so doing the moral fabric of society, as well as the foundation of the family unit is being essentially destroyed, thus making the claim of “Family values” a misnomer.
Therefore, because we are inundated with several forbidden trees, and because it has become second nature for the small and great, rich and poor to pick and eat, we are instructed by God to give warning to those who desire Christ and heaven, to abstain from indulging any appearance of evil, because the choice to obey God must be deliberate and decisive, just as it should have been in the garden where it all started.
We close with an exhortation from the scriptures, and pertinent counsel from the pen of inspiration, encouraging us to choose good over evil, because our choice to obey God is what will ultimately make all the difference for our eternal destiny in the end. Let’s read:
1st Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 460] Those who would not fall a prey to Satan's devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind should not be left to wander at random upon every subject that the adversary of souls may suggest. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
God Bless!