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Reading Revelation 22 through Genesis 3
Reading Revelation 22 through Genesis 3, and by “through” I mean “through the lens of ” is…revealing.
Genesis 3:
• HEAR – God had spoken to Adam (Gen.2), and Eve had heard His words probably through Adam (Genesis 3).
• ADD – Eve added to God’s word, “Do not touch” (Genesis 3:3). The serpent added all the trees to God’s prohibition (Genesis 3:1). The serpent added motive to God’s words (Genesis 3:5).
• TAKE AWAY – The serpent subtracted consequence from God’s words (Genesis 3:4).
• CURSE – God added curses to the serpent, man, and woman.
• DEATH – God removed the tree of life.
Revelation 22:18-19:
• HEAR – “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:
• ADD – “If anyone adds to them,
• CURSE – “God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.
• TAKE AWAY – “And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
• DEATH – “God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city, which are written about in this book.”
Revelation is the only book that begins with a blessing (1:3) and ends with a curse (22:18). This should not surprise us because the story from creation to the garden begins with a blessing (Genesis 1:28), and ends with a curse (Genesis 3). So in the end we have the beginning.
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