Throughout the Genesis account of creation, God repeatedly declared that what He had made was "good" (Gen. 1:4, Gen. 1:10, Gen. 1:12, Gen. 1:18, Gen. 1:21, Gen. 1:25, Gen. 1:31).
Then we come to Genesis 2:18. "It is not good for the man to be alone." This is the only time God declares something as "not good". Up until that point, Adam had no one to talk to other than God, no one to share himself with. No one like him who could share in his experiences. While he had a direct intimacy with God, he wanted intimacy with another of his kind. All around him, every creature had a mate. Except for him.
When God presents Eve to Adam for the first time, his reaction is, "at last!" (Gen. 2:23). We don't know how long he had been alone in the Garden. Apparently long enough to name the beasts (Gen. 2:19). I imagine him gazing over all the creatures, looking for one like him and finding none. Even though he was in communion with God, God is not a fellow man. Seeing Adam's heart, God knew it was "not good" for him to be alone. Perhaps Adam was perplexed. Perhaps he asked God, "Why is there none like me?"
I believe the Lord wanted Adam to feel that sense of "alone-ness". Being as it was the Garden of Eden before the Fall, I can't say whether sadness and loneliness had entered the scene yet. Adam would have had emotions. Maybe whatever emotion he felt about being alone wasn't what we think of today. Sadness and grief are byproducts of our fallen world. Therefore Adam might have been confused or inquisitive as to why there was no companion suitable for him.
But God made a way; He put Adam to sleep and took one of his ribs to make a woman - Eve (Gen. 2:21-22).
I imagine Adam must have been enthralled with her. She was like him, but UNlike him as well, as she was female. He would have wanted to know everything about her, show her the Garden, and teach her about himself. He would have felt such adoration for her, knowing that Yahweh created her specifically for him.
As I have covered in part one of my study between Christ vs. Adam, we can clearly see the parallels to Christ's crucifixion in the Genesis account. Both Adam and Christ were put to "sleep", both Adam and Christ had their sides opened. From both Adam and Christ, a new creation was born. To Adam, a woman - Eve. To Christ, a symbolic "woman" - the Church.
Through the Apostle Paul, we are called the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5). Christ called Himself the Bridegroom (Mark 2:20) and John the Baptist called Him the Bridegroom as well, and even went a little further, as the "one who has the Bride" (John 3:29).
The Bride of Christ was a mystery hidden in the OT. We see the Bride/Bridegroom metaphor rampant through the Song of Solomon, and we also find reference in Joel 2:16, Jeremiah 16:9, & Isaiah 62:5. Since I'm a firm believer that all the themes in the Bible ultimately lead back to Song of Solomon, my hunch is that Christ called Himself the Bridegroom for this purpose -- for people to see and understand that this sensual little book spoke of HIM. Of course, no one would know the meaning of this mystery until after the Church was born. Until Christ was crucified, she didn't yet exist.
It's interesting to me that Eve was the final thing God created in Genesis. The earth and stars had been formed, the plant life, all the creatures, and man. But woman was the final touch. Perhaps, even, His crowning achievement (as many women have joked). Regardless of that, there is no doubt the Church is Christ's Crowning achievement. Ultimately, the CHURCH is the "final" creation. Made long after the 7th day of rest.
When a believer is born again, they become a "new creation", the old has gone, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17). The Spirit of God comes into their hearts and makes their body His temple (1 Cor 3:16, 1 Cor. 6:19). They now hate the sin they once loved, and love the righteousness they once hated (Psalm 45:7). Their hearts, in other words, have been made in the image of Christ.
The redemption of mankind is more than mere forgiveness of sin. While that is a big part of it, salvation goes well beyond getting your foot inside Heaven's gate. I've mentioned before on this blog to love Christ passionately and reverently, to view Him as your treasure, and to realize that Heaven is Heaven because HE is there. Comparing Christ to Adam, we can then understand God's intention behind creation, and comprehend the biggest question we have likely ever asked.
Why?
It is not good for the man to be alone.
It is not good for God to be alone.
The meaning of life, the universe, and everything, is that God is creating a companion for Himself.
I have heard it preached that God is Triune, and as such, loves within Himself perfectly. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, the Spirit loves the Son, the Father loves the Spirit, etc. While that is all very good, God knows Himself. God knows all. But God, like Adam, wants a companion to SHARE Himself with. God is the pinnacle of love, wisdom, knowledge, beauty, joy, happiness, contentment, and companionship. But without anyone to share Himself with, He remains largely unknown.
Not even the angels enjoy such a relationship with Him. The angels were created as ministering spirits for us (Hebrews 1:13-14). The angels worship before the Throne of God while covering their faces (Isaiah 6:2). Even the angels, with the righteousness they have, cannot look upon God, nor commune with Him in the way He wants to share Himself. They sing "Holy, holy, holy!" (Revelation 4:8), and are forever reverent of His holiness. But none are *intimate* with Him. None of them have His UN-created righteousness.
Here's what's hard to wrap our minds around. In order for God to make Himself a suitable companion who would be righteous and yet intimate with Him in the way He wished, He needed to give this companion HIS OWN UN-created righteousness, or else this companion would be just like the angels -- unable to get closer to Him intimately due to His immaculate holiness. God has no beginning and no end. He Himself is UN-created. Therefore, He cannot create a being with His UN-created righteousness. He must make a way to give this companion His righteousness legally, within the boundaries of His Own Law. He would be unjust if He gave it to us on a whim. But by following His Own Law by becoming a man through Yeshua Messiah, He can then legally give us His UN-created righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21), thereby making us the companion He has longed for since the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).
I touched on this somewhat in my blog post "Who is like You, O Lord?" God is very fond of saying in the OT that there is none like Him. However, in 1 John 3:2, Scripture clearly states that WE will be LIKE HIM. Through the coming Resurrection (commonly known as the Rapture), Christ returns for His Church and glorifies her (Romans 8:17, Romans 8:30), giving her His very nature (2 Peter 1:4), completing her salvation (Philippians 1:6), and taking her to Heaven to forever be with Him (John 14:1-3, 1 Thess. 4:17).
We are, therefore, Christ's glorious inheritance (Ephesians 1:18), and He is ours (Rev. 2:26-28, Rev. 22:16, Song of Solomon 2:16).
He gives us an unparalleled privilege - one that is unthinkable to the angels - we get to sit ON His Throne - Revelation 3:21.
In putting all of these pieces together, we can see answers to the mystery behind it all. Christ did save us from Hell. He did save us from our sins and redeemed us. And He did cover us with His righteousness. But on that day we're raised incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:52), we become like the resurrected Christ. We become God's Bride, His companion above the angels, one "like Him", that He foreshadowed all throughout creation.
God is infinite and eternal. As such, He is able to give ALL of Himself to each one of His children. This is not a "blanket" salvation for a "corporate Bride", but rather, a very personal and intimate relationship between Yeshua and EACH of His beloveds.
Ultimately, God is creating a companion for Himself, one who can share in Him, fully know Him, and be like Him. Love isn't love unless one shares oneself with another. God is Love. And He wishes to share Himself with every member of His Church. This "Bride" metaphor is for both men and women. The Apostles got it -- and they were all men. God is actively creating a NEW creation that is like Him, and that, dear Christian, takes my breath away.
Heaven will not be a boring church service while strumming harps and sitting on clouds. Heaven will be exploring the heights, depths, widths, and eternities of God Almighty, experiencing Him while seated WITH Him (Ephesians 2:6). All the best God has to offer is ours, even now. While we are not yet "married" to Christ, we are betrothed to Him, "one flesh" as the singular Body of Christ. According to Heaven, it is done, however yet to come to pass.
This is our inheritance. This is our identity. Claim it for yourself and plunge into God's Living Water head-first and never emerge. YOU are His beloved Bride. YOU are the companion He has longed for in eternity past. And YOU, my brothers and sisters, are in for a GLORIOUS future.
Praise His Mighty Name! \O/
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