The Meaning of Genesis

The Meaning of Genesis
Anonymous
Anonymous

Copyright © 2012, 2015, 2018 Actual Truth Publishing
ACTUAL TRUTH PUBLISHING
http://www.actualtruth.org
All rights reserved.

Publishers Cataloging in Publication Data
Anonymous
First Edition
ISBN: 978-1481822701
This Ebook is licensed only for the use of the person who
downloaded it. This Ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other
people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please
download an additional copy for each recipient. Furthermore, the copy-
right prohibits the copying and/or plagiarizing of any of the text
contained in this book.
Teacherss
For the loving Lineage of Teacher
Who passed down
spiritual
This spiritual knowledge
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1
GENESIS 1:1...................................................................................... 13
GENESIS 1:2...................................................................................... 18
GENESIS 1:3-4 .................................................................................. 21
GENESIS 1:5...................................................................................... 26
GENESIS 1:6-8 .................................................................................. 28
GENESIS 1:9-10 ................................................................................ 35
GENESIS 1:11-13 .............................................................................. 39
GENESIS 1:14-19 .............................................................................. 43
GENESIS 1:20-23 .............................................................................. 48
GENESIS 1:24-25 .............................................................................. 56
GENESIS 1:26-27 .............................................................................. 59
GENESIS 1:28.................................................................................... 66
GENESIS 1:29.................................................................................... 69
GENESIS 1:30.................................................................................... 71
GENESIS 1:31.................................................................................... 74
GENESIS 02:1-3 ................................................................................ 77
GENESIS 2:4-6 .................................................................................. 82
GENESIS 2:7...................................................................................... 87
GENESIS 2:8...................................................................................... 92
GENESIS 2:9...................................................................................... 96
GENESIS 2:10-14 ............................................................................ 102
GENESIS 2:15.................................................................................. 105
GENESIS 2:16-17 ............................................................................ 109
GENESIS 2:18.................................................................................. 113
GENESIS 2:19-20 ............................................................................ 117
GENESIS 2:20-22 .............................................................................127
GENESIS 2:23-25 .............................................................................132
GENESIS 3:1-5 .................................................................................137
GENESIS 3:6 ....................................................................................144
GENESIS 3:7 ....................................................................................148
GENESIS 3:8 ....................................................................................153
GENESIS 3:9-11 ...............................................................................156
GENESIS 3:12 ..................................................................................159
GENESIS 3:13 ..................................................................................161
GENESIS 3:15 ..................................................................................170
GENESIS 3:16 ..................................................................................175
GENESIS 3:17-19 .............................................................................181
GENESIS 3:20 ..................................................................................187
GENESIS 3:21 ..................................................................................197
GENESIS 3:22 ..................................................................................201
GENESIS 3:23 ..................................................................................206
GENESIS 3:24 ..................................................................................212
GENESIS 4:1 ....................................................................................220
GENESIS 4:2-7 .................................................................................226
GENESIS 4:8-12 ...............................................................................230
GENESIS 4:13-16 .............................................................................236
GENESIS 4:17-26 .............................................................................243
CONCLUSION .................................................................................261
THE MEANING OF GENESIS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
ntroduction
The Book of Genesis has been the subject of debate, mystery
and curiosity throughout Western and Middle Eastern civilization for
thousands of years. The first three chapters of Genesis have been the
focus of many scholars, scientists and philosophers as they have tried to
grapple and understand its meaning in practical terms.
The first three chapters of Genesis have also provided the
foundation for fierce debate between religious leaders and scientists for
centuries, as arguments regarding evolution and creationism have
played out in courtrooms, classrooms and legislative houses throughout
Western society. Many of these debates eventually became centered
around the interpretations of Genesis. Were the verses to be taken liter-
ally? Did God really create the universe in 6 days, and did this really
occur only 5,000 years ago?
The issue of whether the first three chapters of Genesis should
be taken literally has led to a large size debate not only between scien-
tists and creationists. Another debate between two factions of
creationists has broken out, this between those who say the texts should
be taken completely literally and those who say many of the texts con-
tain allegory, and a broader interpretation should be accepted.
The result of these debates has continued to be a general confu-
sion regarding the meaning of Genesis from a practical and useful
standpoint. In other words, these debates have served to remove the
common reader from the practical teachings available from this Scrip-
ture.
The Meaning of Genesis serves to provide clarity for the
reader, to be able to on a practical basis learn the deep teachings avail-
able within these texts.
These deep teachings have largely been lost among the popular
translations and interpretations of Genesis, due to the persistent attempt
of organized institutions to color and ignore their meaning over the
centuries. Due to this sometimes-political purpose, these texts have
incrementally distanced themselves from their original intentions and
teachings.
This has created a number of common misunderstandings
about the Book of Genesis that we find in a Bible. Scholars have con-
firmed that Genesis is actually not one book. Rather, the Book of
Genesis consists of a combination of scrolls recorded at different times
by different scribes. Much of the text – especially the early verses
which we include in this writing – was recorded after being passed
1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
down orally from teacher to student for centuries prior to being put into
writing.
Then over the centuries those original manuscripts were cop-
ied, translated and interpreted into numerous versions, and eventually
combined into one book, which became one of the five books of the
Torah. Eventually, other books were combined into a single “Hebrew
Bible” now called the Tanakh.
As this took place, scribes from the organized Jewish institu-
tions arranged, interpreted and even manipulated the texts with respect
to their order and combination. The goal – perhaps considered innocent
and even lofty at the time – was to establish the political authority and
position for the Jewish people and their rulers.
It must be remembered that many of those scribes performed
their work under the supervision and employment of the rulers of that
particular era. Some of these rulers – such as Solomon and David –
were wise and devoted servants of God. Others were not so wise and
sought to utilize the Jewish religious texts to their political advantage.
This tendency of governments to dictate the predisposition of
Scripture is most evident in the third and fourth centuries of the Roman
Empire – particularly during Constantine’s rule and those emperors
who followed him. Constantine figured out that Christianity was grow-
ing so rapidly in Europe and the Middle East that he had better gain
control of the religion before it endangered Rome’s control over the
Empire.
So in 325 AD Constantine appointed a number of religious
leaders with strong followings throughout the then-Christian world, and
organized a committee called the Council of Nicea. The purpose was to
orchestrate a single doctrine to manage the Christian world under the
Roman Empire.
Constantine knew that organizing such a diverse group of
Christian sects was going to be difficult. In order to do this right, he
had to create the appearance of legitimacy. He had to create an organ-
izational structure that would allow the Romans to orchestrate their
control over the region. This gave birth to the Roman Catholic Church,
which came to dominate the Christian world and the doctrines of Chris-
tianity for over a thousand years.
The control exerted over the Christian world by the Roman
government was by no means accomplished through the teachings of
Jesus – as one might imagine. Rather, the Roman Catholic Church in-
stituted and maintained their authority by force. Anyone who was
found teaching any other doctrine other than the Nicene Creed was
quickly eliminated – by murder or imprisonment. Over the centuries the
2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roman Catholic Church came to not only dominate religious thought in
Europe and the Middle East: It was able to control the decision-making
of many governments that formed following the fall of the official Ro-
man Empire.
As for the texts of the Bible, after the first Council of Nicea
(the Council was assembled every few years for centuries) in 325 AD,
Constantine ordered and organized the assembly of the “Canon” – a
selection of the hundreds of books accepted as Scripture among the
various churches and assemblies throughout the then-Christian world.
The Canon was to compile the theoretically-most credible books of
Scripture and combine them into one text – which eventually became
known as the Holy Bible (derived from the Greek ta biblia, meaning
‘little papyrus books’).
While many historians suggest that the process of formation of
the Bible came gradually over the first three centuries and culminated
with the Nicea era, the Latin Bible was a concerted effort of Constan-
tine to organize Christianity. This meant that the process of selection
was driven not by a goal to select those Scriptures most important for
passing on God’s message: The objective was to produce a single book
substantiating the premise that Christianity was the only valid religion.
This was an issue of control and authority. If the Romans were
in charge of the only valid religion, they could by virtue of controlling
the Church institution, control the people.
This goal was neither a new one for any emperor or govern-
ment, nor was it foreign to many of the new bishops that were brought
together to form the Council of Nicea. This is, in fact, part of the heri-
tage of the Jewish texts passed down and now identified as the Old
Testament. As experienced historically among most feudal regions,
rulers often gained power through their alliances with religious teachers
– and many were attributed as prominent religious leaders themselves.
In reality, however, most of the devoted teachers were focused not
upon political authority, but upon the authority of the Supreme Being.
This is why some prophets such as Jeremiah were rejected by the sec-
tarian Jewish institutions of their day.
But it is this very tendency of historical alliance between po-
litical leaders and religious teachers that has produced misinter-
pretations and mistranslations of scriptural texts over the centuries.
Some of these alliances may have been grounded in devotion,
but many were mixed with political ambition. For example, those early
bishops appointed by Constantine to the council of Nicea may have had
mixed agendas, but they came together as a unit under an umbrella of
purpose to provide organizational and political control over Christian-
3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ity. This resulted in the Nicene Creed, which came to dominate Chris-
tian belief during that time (by force), and eventually came to become
the accepted doctrine of practically every Christian sect that has sprung
up since.
In other words, for over 1,500 years, any person or sect that
wanted to be accepted as a Christian had to at least accept the key terms
of the Nicene Creed in order to be credible. This is how successful the
Roman Empire was in snuffing out alternate doctrines.
And needless to say, the process of the Nicene Council also
cemented these early bishops’ power and authority over their jurisdic-
tion of the Roman Empire. They were now authorized by the Roman
power to exert their dominance within their particular region. Their
religious authority also became political authority.
Following the creation of the Nicene Creed doctrine, this po-
litical authority was used to support and maintain the new order of
Christianity by eliminating competing doctrines, and those scriptural
texts that supported any alternative doctrine.
Under the order of Constantine, the newly formed Church se-
lected certain manuscripts that were circulating, and translated them
into Latin, thereby assembling the first Canon – the first Bible. This
new Bible – commissioned by Constantine upon the newly bishoped
Eusebius – was transcribed and translated by professional scribes hired
to maintain the Nicene Creed. This is evidenced by Constantine’s letter
to Eusebius. Here is an excerpt:
“I have thought it expedient to instruct your Prudence to

order fifty copies of the sacred Scriptures, the provision and
use of which you know to be most needful for the instruction
of the Church, to be written on prepared parchment in a
legible manner, and in a convenient, portable form, by
professional transcribers thoroughly practiced in their art.
The catholicus of the diocese has also received instructions
by letter from our Clemency to be careful to furnish all things
necessary for the preparation of such copies; and it will be
for you to take special care that they be completed with as
little delay as possible. You have authority also, in virtue of
this letter, to use two of the public carriages for their
conveyance, by which arrangement the copies when fairly
written will most easily be forwarded for my personal
inspection; and one of the deacons of your church may be
intrusted with this service, who, on his arrival here, shall
experience my liberality.” (NPNF2-01, Esebius, Church
4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
History, Life of Constantine, Orationin Praise of
Constantine)
Key elements of this letter include “professional transcribers,”

“my personal inspection,” and the orchestration of Constantine’s in-
volvement in the assembly of the Bible. In other words, the texts were
assembled by professional transcribers paid for their efforts.
Such a professional endeavor, ordered by a political emperor, is
diametrically opposed to services of devotion.
Also, we find this “professional” Bible was subject to Con-
stantine’s inspection and ultimate approval. Here is a politician – an
Emperor also known to have persecuted and gruesomely slaughtered
millions to establish his power – approving Scripture?
Eusebius had previously assembled a list of manuscripts that
were popular and most acceptable to the early Church leadership at that
time, and he used most of this list to assemble the Bible canon. In other
words, the books were chosen based upon their acceptability by the
organized institution of what would later be called the Roman Catholic
Church.
We also find evidence that Eusebius sought to promote his own
personal interpretations upon the books of the Bible – and Eusebius had
many distinctive opinions, some of which were part of the mainstream
Church thinking and some of which were not. The 5th-century Chris-
tian historian, Socrates Scholasticus, documented that Eusebius’
writings had “rhetorical finish” and were written for the “praises of
the Emperor” and not the “accurate statement of facts.”
In other words, the first assembly and transcribing of the offi-
cial Bible was less than a devotional activity exercised with the
seriousness of unbiased scholarship we would expect from such a work.
It involved significant political ambition by both Eusebius and Con-
stantine. We can add to this that there was continual wrangling and
political intrigue amongst the various bishops that attended the Nicea
synods, which determined – through a political process – the doctrine
of the early Church that became known as the Nicene Creed, now ac-
cepted as fundamental to most Christian institutions.
To summarize, Eusebius’ work to assemble the first Bible was
assigned by the Roman Emperor Constantine, and Constantine’s efforts
were driven by a desire to organize and control the religion of Christi-
anity. By Constantine’s order, Eusebius hired professional translators
and transcribers, who oversaw the translation (and thus interpretation)
of the Scriptures from Greek, Arabic and Hebrew languages, into Latin.
5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Latin translation provided the foundation for the future interpreta-
tion of the Bible, which eventually was translated into English.
After the early Bible’s manuscripts were selected, translated
into Latin and assembled into the Bible, the Roman Empire and its
surrogate Church systematically burned and destroyed any library that
included books outside of those selected for the Bible or otherwise
were “approved” by Church fathers. Some were quarantined within the
Church’s library in Rome; others were burnt, never to be found.
The Church also systematically squelched any alternative in-
terpretations of Genesis and the creation, such as those that were taught
amongst the Gnostics for centuries. The Gnostics were practically
driven out of existence. Their villages were burnt, their teachers were
murdered, and their libraries of manuscripts were destroyed. This activ-
ity – of forcibly removing ‘heretics’ for their alternative interpretations
of Scripture – continued for over a thousand years among the Church
and its proxies.
Add to this “purification” that for centuries, the Latin Bible
was the only Bible allowed to be read, and only the priests and Church
officials had access to the Latin Bible. The rest of the people among the
regions controlled by the Roman Catholic Church and its surrogates did
not have access to Scripture. They could only hear its Latin from the
priests, who also controlled its interpretation. This was the status quo
for many centuries until parts of the Bible was (illegally according to
the Church) translated into English and other languages. The first com-
plete English Bible – translated from the Latin Bible – came into being
during the 14th Century – more than a thousand years after Eusebius’
Latin Bible.
And even then, John Wycliffe, the English Bible’s translator,
was declared a heretic by the Roman Catholic Church. By the com-
mand of the Church and its Pope Martin V, his Biblical texts were
ordered to be burnt, and his then-dead body exhumed, burnt, and his
ashes thrown into a river.
This ‘scorched earth’ policy of virtually eliminating any and all
interpretations of Genesis and other parts of the Scriptures outside of
those approved by the Church and Roman Empire created a single
dominant interpretation of the Biblical Scriptures – a type of brain-
washing – throughout all the new sects of the Christian church.
Prior even to the Church’s power grab on Biblical interpreta-
tion, we find sectarian Rabbinical transcription, translation, and
interpretation of the five books of the Torah – which Genesis,
“Bereshit” was the first – driven by an eerily similar pact between
government and religious institutions. Like the Roman government’s
6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
domination over Christianity, Judean emperors in the centuries leading
to Jesus’ birth commandeered the theretofore orally communicated ‫תורה‬
‫( שבכתב‬Torah Shebe’al Peh – “Torah that is spoken”), and oversaw its
transcription into a written work, to be called Torah Shebichtav (‫תורה‬
‫( פה שבעל‬Torah Shebichtav – “Torah that is written”).
In other words, the Torah – a word meaning “to teach” – was
originally passed down orally from one generation to the next by de-
voted Jewish teachers, including Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Joshua, Eli,
Samuel, David, Solomon, Job, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and others.
Each teacher would pass on the oral teachings of the Torah to their
students, and those students who were empowered passed it on to their
students. This oral tradition also meant that the lessons of the Torah
also accompanied the interpretation of the Jewish priest – who pledged
their devotion to the Supreme Being.
We can see this tradition clearly as we examine the relationship
between Joshua and Moses, and Samuel and Eli within the texts of the
Bible.
This esteemed tradition also became subject to territorialism as
the Torah was transcribed from Torah Shebe’al Peh to Torah She-
bichtav and interpreted over the centuries. While it is said that the
Torah was first written by Moses, this is not completely supported by
the empirical record. Rather, what Moses appears to have written down
were the Ten Commandments, onto stone tablets that were apparently
placed beside the Ark of the Covenant.
Other critical lessons now contained in the Scriptures were
orally given by Moses, which were eventually passed on by one of
Moses’ empowered students, Joshua. This has become more widely
accepted as the texts themselves illustrate that the authors of Genesis
followed Moses (such as Genesis 12:6 – “and the Canaanite was then
in the land” – an event following Moses’ time).
The rest of the Torah was handed down orally from teacher to
student, until around 450 BCE, when it was melded together into a
single document. The consensus of scholars has been that the Torah
was combined from about four main sources and before being redacted
into a single version. The sources have been described as Yahwist,
Elohist, Deuteronomist, and the Priestly writer.
This Documentary hypothesis states the Yahwist source comes
from Southern Judah, the Elohist source from Northern Israel, the Deu-
teronomist from Jerusalem and the Priestly source from Babylon. This
Documentary hypothesis holds that the texts had individual lineages,
each accompanied by manuscripts pieced together into the Torah.
7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Others believe there were many other sources. Recent scholars
contend that Genesis alone is the compilation of no less than nineteen
different manuscripts – many disconnected with each other.
This understanding gradually came about as the Torah texts
themselves were analyzed, and three commanding theories of its com-
position rose to the forefront by scholars:
- The Documentary: The Torah was a compilation of separate
and complete written manuscripts.
- The Supplementary: An original work that was later supple-
mented with various additions and deletions.
- The Fragmentary: The Torah is a compilation of fragments of
different books.
These theories have been offered as the only rational explana-
tions for the various duplications, schisms and irregularities present
among the texts of the Torah in terms of timeline, context, history, and
language. Some more recent scholars have contended that the evidence
presents that the Torah is a combination of all three – it contains some
complete manuscripts; was supplemented with additions and deletions;
and also contains various fragments of other manuscripts.
The essence here is that practically every Biblical scholar ac-
cepts that the books of the Torah – including Genesis – is a compilation
of a variety of manuscripts and fragments that were transcribed and
eventually presented as a single document, together with additions and
deletions as the document was further transcribed over the centuries.
The question then becomes: Who organized and oversaw such
a process of compilation?
The 7th Century appears to be the period many scholars believe
the Torah began its sectarian journey into what is now Judaism. We
find that this century was strife with warfare between feuding empires
of Rome, Assyria, Judah, Egypt, and surrounding regions. Struggles for
land and territory were rampant, and a quest to commandeer Scripture
was not only a political necessity – it was an issue of survival.
Many point to the reign of Josiah, the King of Judah between
641 and 609 BCE. Josiah is understood to be born in Jerusalem and
considered to be part of the House of David. He was King Amon’s son.
Amon’s father, Manasseh is known for turning away from the worship
of the Supreme Being, creating the temple of idols.
Josiah was devoted to Yahweh, however. He ordered the Jew-
ish temple of Solomon to be rebuilt using taxes. During the
construction, it is said that the builders discovered a buried scroll de-
scribing Moses’ “book of the law,” accepted by most scholars to have
been put together by Jewish priests intent on centralizing power under
8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
King Josiah. Thus we find a critical piece of the transcriptions having
political ambition: Claiming the right of heritage for certain lands to the
house of Abraham, Moses, David, and then Josiah.
This provided a necessary foundation for the political backdrop
of those times. Josiah’s rule was gripped with struggles over territory
and population by the likes of the Egyptians, Babylonians and the Syri-
ans – who were ultimately responsible for Josiah’s death.
In the centuries that followed, these territorial struggles contin-
ued, and the formation of the Torah gained additional substance with
the writings of Ezra in the Fifth Century BC. After the rebuilding of
Jerusalem under the Persian ruler Artaxerxes, Ezra led a formation of a
separated assembly of Israelites committed to following Moses’ law.
The successive assemblies following Ezra took a drastic sectar-
ian turn over the next centuries, as priestly struggles merged with
struggles for territorial rights, and the assemblies became increasingly
political.
The Torah was thus altered over the next five centuries, as the
Israelite high priests formed rigid sectarian order over their assemblies.
The rule of law became tantamount and the five books of the Torah
were interpreted as a set of laws combined with a genealogy of the
Israelite people.
The necessity of a succession of rulers through this period pro-
duced political alliances between sectarian Jewish priests and the
various kings of Judah. This drove the recognition of the Israelite as-
sembly as a separate race of people and allowed the high priests to
become ex-facto governors.
This politically driven succession of Jewish high priests be-
came increasingly perverted over the centuries, as evidenced by the
teachings of Jesus. We find that by the time of Jesus, the institutional
Jewish temples and its priesthood had all but forgotten the elements of
devotion that had been taught by Moses, Abraham, and David, and
passed down orally over the centuries from teacher to student.
These devotional principles had become overtaken by the poli-
tics of necessity, focused upon the “promised land” and the “chosen
people” of Judah and Israel. Jesus’ teachings identified the two primary
orders among the Jewish temples – the Sadducees and the Pharisees –
as focused upon retaining their politically oriented positions of “teach-
ers of the law” rather than the passing down of the original teachings of
devotional Judaism.
Jesus vehemently criticized these two groups as misleading the
people and abandoning the original precepts of the teachings of the
9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Torah – which he emphasized were grounded upon the “first and fore-
most commandment” to love God.
This devotional teaching, we find from biblical texts, had been
passed through a devotional lineage that included John the Baptist and
Zachariah, John’s teacher and traced back through the centuries. Many
historians have shown that the Essenes – a priestly order that rejected
the political ambitions of the mainstream Jewish priestly order – were a
vehicle for this lineage of pure teachers. This pure heritage of teachings
passed down through the centuries ran parallel to the political intrigue
that accompanied the official Jewish texts of the Torah.
In other words, the oral tradition of the Torah continued
through the centuries from devoted teacher to humble student despite
the incongruence of the official scriptural canons of the Jewish and
Christian politically driven institutions.
We find from these histories a repeating lesson: That the pure
teachings of the Supreme Being handed down from teacher to student
can at any point in time become perverted as they become recorded;
and those recordings can become further tainted under the control of
those who wish to utilize them for purposes of power and political posi-
tion. History has taught us that as particular empires seeking political
power begin to handle devotional recordings, the recordings are subject
to alteration, producing documents tainted with greed and politics.
What about the alternative and source documents? Unfortu-
nately, the same machinery that tainted those Scriptures also worked to
eliminate their sources – effectively erasing evidence of perversion. As
a result, we find that out of the thousands of scriptural manuscripts
passed down for centuries by early Israelite and Christian teachers, only
the politically-selected books of the Bible and a limited collection of
mostly tattered manuscripts found buried in the desert or within the
recesses of the Church’s secret library remain.
However, those books found in the desert – now called the
Dead Sea Scrolls – provide clear evidence that the Church indeed sys-
tematically eliminated many manuscripts as well as alternative
interpretations. We also find clear evidence that some of the texts that
made it into the Latin Bible were in fact manipulated with respect to
their translation and inclusion. Yes, inclusion: This means that some
text was removed and some text was added.
This is ironic since the last verse of the Book of Revelation
warns not to remove or add to the text. Of course, the placing of the
Book of Revelation was smartly arranged as the last book of the Bible
by Eusebius and his cohorts, even though it was not the last manuscript
written. In other words, the position of the Book of Revelation as last
10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gives the reader the impression that nothing can thenceforth be added
or taken away from the entire Bible – even though the writer was
speaking solely of that particular manuscript.
The bottom line is that the Books of the Canon – the arrange-
ment of the Books of the Bible, and the interpretation of the many
passages driven by the Nicene Creed, were orchestrated as part of an
overall objective to put forth the impression that Christianity (and thus
early Judaism) was the original and only valid religious institution.
Yes, unfortunately, the Bible and the Torah are politically per-
verted documents. This doesn’t mean they do not still contain the
Truth, however.
Over the centuries, a few other combinations of Old Testament
Biblical texts have surfaced in addition to the Dead Sea Scrolls, includ-
ing the Greek Septuagint and the Arabic Peshitta. The Septuagint arose
through translation of the Rabbinical texts originally put together by
Origen (who was later rejected as heretical by the Church), but its cur-
rent form has been altered through the centuries. The Peshitta, which
also contained some manuscripts alternative to the Bible, to some de-
gree escaped destruction by the Romans – although it is not clear to
what degree or at what stage.
What we see from the evidence is scriptural mistranslations and
misinterpretations orchestrated by politically oriented Jewish institu-
tions before and after Jesus’ appearance; and then later by the Roman
emperor-sponsored Roman Catholic Church to be continued by later
sectarian surrogates with repeated efforts to utilize Scripture to create
false authority. This combination of efforts has produced a gross mis-
understanding of the meaning of many of the texts of today’s Bible,
including Genesis.
This struggle for false authority continues today, as the various
religious institutions and sects vie for followers and political position
among today’s cultures. Most have established a few unique interpreta-
tions of the Old and/or New Testaments on various matters over recent
centuries, yet most of the Christian sects still abide generally by the
politically sponsored Nicene Creed doctrine originally put forth and
forcefully supported by the early Roman Catholic Church.
It should be stated that these politically-oriented activities that
have formed Genesis’ current interpretation and translations in no way
remove the real power and authority of the teachings of Genesis; nor
those of Lord Jesus Christ and the rest of the Saints of the Bible.
Rather, these efforts to use Scripture to create false authority has sim-
ply shrouded their real meaning from the casual reader subjected to the
brainwashing of these sectarian institutions.
11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But the fact that the texts survived all those political efforts in
some state, and have maintained spiritual validity, is a testament of the
Supreme Being’s ability to ultimately control Scripture and even
shroud its true meaning from some.
Meanwhile, an undercurrent of confidential knowledge has
continued to be quietly passed from serious teacher to serious student
for thousands of years, insulated from these political quests for power
by governments and religious institutions – through their surrogate
professional sectarian clergies. We say “confidential” not because this
information is secret. It is confidential because it is understood only by
persons who are serious about learning the real lessons of spiritual life.
Only the serious student guided by a teacher in succession empowered
by the Supreme Being will be able to grasp and understand the true
meaning of any real Scripture. In other words, true Scripture is under-
stood only by those intent on sincerely learning about God and our real
purpose for existence.
This is not a new concept. We can see the importance of the
spiritual mentor and guide in the lives of all the great teachers spoken
of within the Old and New Testaments. While some of the entire line-
ages have been lost in translation and by the exclusion of some of the
texts, the Biblical texts illustrate the teacher-student relationship be-
tween Melchizedek and Abraham; Abraham and Lot; Moses and
Joshua; Eli and Samuel; Samuel and Saul; Saul and David; David and
Solomon and many others. It is also illustrated by Jesus’ relationship
with his teacher John the Baptist, as well as Jesus’ relationship with his
own disciples, whom Jesus instructed to also go out and teach what he
taught them to others.
The first four books of Genesis can be properly understood
within the confines of the teachings of these ancient teachers. It was
this lineage of teachers that Jesus belonged to, as a devoted student of
John the Baptist, who was a devoted student of Zachariah, a devoted
student of a teacher within the lineage that included David, Samuel,
Solomon, Eli, Moses, Abraham, and Melchizedek.
The information provided in these commentaries embraces the
lineage of teachers that provided the facility to pass down this deep
knowlege of our creation and resulting fall into the physical world. I
give thanks to and honor this lineage as I offer to you, the Meaning of
Genesis as passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years.
The author may be contacted with any questions by email at
info@actualtruth.org.
12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth. (Genesis 1:1)
This verse describes the essential Source of the physical di-
mension. The Supreme Being is the Ultimate Source.
As for the word “heavens,” this is derived from the Hebrew
word ‫שׁ ַמי ִם‬
ָ (shamayim). According to Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon, this
word refers to the sky or visible heavens, including the stars and galax-
ies. In other words, Genesis is a discussion of the creation and purpose
of the physical dimension - which includes numerous galaxies, uni-
verses and planets.
This verse also solves the riddle of what scientists refer to as
the singularity problem.
THE BIG BANG THEORY AND THE SINGULARITY PROBLEM

The singularity problem, quite simply, is the notion that scien-
tists cannot figure out what existed prior to the theoretical initial blast
of creation now termed the big bang.
The big bang theory has been supposedly validated by one
primary observation: That the collection of various galaxies and their
components appear to be expanding outward into space. This is called
the “inflationary principle,” which arose from the “Hubble Constant,”
named after the famed astronomer.
The hypothesis is that if the galaxies and their components are
all expanding, they must have originally arose from a single point or
event.
Even the physicists and cosmologists who have assumably ac-
cepted the big bang and inflationary theories still argue about them. A
February 2017 article in the Scientific American journal highlighted
this argument. Written by three physicists, one who had been one of the
original architects of the inflation theory, the article argues that these
theories are still debatable. Data streamed back from a satellite named
Planck seems to contradict at least some elements of the inflation the-
ory:
“If anything, the Planck data disfavored the simplex inflation
models and exacerbated long-standing foundational problems with the
theory, providing new reasons to consider competing ideas about the
origin and evolution of the universe.”
In other words, despite their prestigious titles and theories,
these physicists that portend they have figured out how the universe
was created simply do not know. They are guessing.
13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet for the virtue of science, let's elaborate on the big bang
theory: Assuming such a single big bang did occur, what made it oc-
cur?
In any explosion - or any event for that matter - the laws of the
physical universe tell us that there must exist the elements to produce
that event. In other words, every event - and every thing in the physical
universe - has a source. This we have learned from scientific observa-
tion and many decades of research.
Science, as promulgated by scientists now and in the past, must
abide by certain laws of logic. This means that no matter how abstract,
a scientific theory must abide by fundamental and observable realities.
Therefore, for the supposed big bang theory to be a scientific
theory, it must abide by the universal rule of the physical world: That
every event must have an elementary source.
For this reason, scientists have been meticulously listing the
atomic elements that must have existed prior to the big bang in order
for the explosion to have taken place.
But then they arrive at a dilemma - the singularity problem:
Where did these elements come from? And where did the atomic en-
ergy come from that caused such a great explosion?
WHAT ABOUT THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING?

This continues to baffle scientists, providing the grist for so
many imaginative theories about what existed prior to the big bang.
Theories have ranged from string theories to various wave and energy
theories, to the famous “theory of everything.”
However, at the end of all of these theories, scientists find the
same dilemma: What caused these? What elements, power or energy
produced them?
Furthermore, as we look at the eventual assembly of the vari-
ous beautifully organized structures of the physical universe, be they
galaxies, solar systems, planets, oceans, mountains, plants, fish, ani-
mals and humans - and their continued evolution driven by a
magnificent spiral-shape molecule that looks strikingly like a galaxy,
called DNA - we must arrive at the conclusion that whatever was be-
fore such a creation event must also have had the potential to produce
all of this arranged complexity.
In addition, we must also scientifically accept that all of the
personalities among the organisms we see around us - every human and
every animal and any other living organism - must also have arisen
from something. What was the source of all of these personalities?
What is the source of life? What is the source of love? What is the
14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
source of individuality? What is the source of desire? What is the
source of the fear of death?
Certainly, if we were all simply physical machines, there would
be no fear of death. We would all look forward to merging back into
matter, as opposed to struggling for survival.
All of these elements, which all came into being, add to the
singularity problem. Where did the capability for matter to produce all
of this come from? The big bang theorists simply have no logical ex-
planation.
THE ORIGINAL CAUSE

This first verse in Genesis provides the answer. God - the
Original Being from a dimension of another substance - the spiritual
dimension - brought the energy and the elements together to produce
the physical universe.
This is the only valid scientific conclusion that can be made.
Why? Because first of all, the only valid source of the 'singularity' must
be from another dimension. Since “something” cannot come from
“nothing,” and a beginning indicates a period of “nothing,” the only
valid source of the “something” must be a transmutation from another
dimension.
Secondly, in order for the physical universe to have the capa-
bilities it has: such as spiraling galaxies, gravity, DNA, atoms,
molecules and so on, there must be an organizing source. Something
must have provided an organizing principle.
An organizing principle requires what? Purpose: A purpose for
the organization. Something that is organized infers there is a purpose
for the organization. This requires an organizer with purpose.
Thirdly, life must originate from a living substance. Matter
cannot become life. We can see this clearly. A living organism desires
survival. A dead piece of matter does not. This means there is a differ-
ence between the two. So how did life come into being? Since living
organisms struggle against the laws of the physical universe - notably
that every organism dies - then the life element within living organisms
must not be physical. If they were, then there would be no struggle with
death. Every organism would happily accept death as a merging back to
matter if life came from matter.
The struggle against death, and the very nature of the evolution
of species indicates quite the opposite. Organisms struggle to stay alive
- and evolve in order to stay alive - because the element of life is not a
physical element.
15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Source of life also has another important difference: Re-
garding the element of time. The physical dimension and all the
physical elements are affected by time, but not the Source of life. The
Source of life, the Supreme Being, is not governed by time. There is no
beginning nor an end to the Supreme Being. The Supreme Being cre-
ated time, so He is not subjected to it. Since the Supreme Being created
the element of time, He is in control of it.
This answers the question that some raise: Who created God?
Because having a beginning requires a function of the element of time,
and because God created time, there is no beginning to God.
And the spiritual dimension - the dimension of the Supreme
Being - is also not subject to the element of time. This is an eternal
dimension, and those children of God who reside there are also eternal.
The element of time was created by the Supreme Being spe-
cifically to monitor and maintain the physical dimension.
The reality is that the Eternal Supreme Being produced the
physical dimension - along with time and its innumerable universes -
and impregnated it with life.
This is the only scientific conclusion that maintains the laws of
nature.
And He isn’t only the Creator of this particular universe. He is
the Creator of countless universes. This is evidenced by the word ‫שׁ ַמי ִם‬ ָ
(shamayim) being plural.
THE PLURALITY OF CREATION

Speaking of plural, the original Hebrew utilizes the word, ‫ֱא הִים‬
('elohiym), which is translated to “God” in Genesis 1:1 and some of
the verses following. Yet, strictly speaking, this word 'elohiym - or
Elohim - is in the plural sense.
Some have opined that this means the ancient Hebrew was ref-
erencing multiple “gods.” This would not be correct. Rather, the word
is described as “plural intensive” which has a singular meaning refer-
encing the God of gods, or the Great God, or the God of all. It also can
reference the fact that the Supreme Being can have multiple sides and
forms He may present Himself to us.
Consider, for example, that a man can be a father to his chil-
dren, a loving spouse to his wife, and a tough boss to those he
supervises at work. If even a simple man can have several sides de-
pending upon the relationship, consider such an ability in the Supreme
Being. The Supreme Being has such abilities to the superior degree. In
other words, He can have one type of relationship with one person and
another type of relationship with another person.
16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Such is the basis for personal relationships. Consider that along
with the heavens and the earth, the Supreme Being also created living
beings, and inherent in each of these living beings is the ability to have
personal relationships. Every living being on this planet enjoys per-
sonal relationships, with family members, friends and so on.
If the Supreme Being can create living beings with inherent
personal relationships, then we know that the Supreme Being can also
have inherent within Himself, the ability to enjoy personal relationships
as well.
The Creator must have within Himself what is created. There-
fore, we can understand that the Supreme Being is not only a person
(because He created persons), but the Supreme Being can also enjoy
individual personal relationships with those persons He created.
17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was
over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God
was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2)
IS THIS ONLY ABOUT THE EARTH?
The use of “earth” here is allegorical. It symbolizes the uni-
verse following creation. The Hebrew word being translated to earth is
‫( א ֶֶרץ‬erets). This can mean 'earth' or 'land' or 'territory.' It can also indi-
cate an area or space. In the context of God's creation of the universe,
we must widen our vision beyond just this one planet.
This understanding that the text refers to the physical universe
is also appropriate since the text also says it was formless. Since it was
formless, the object discussed must be the universe in general, rather
than the earth, since the earth by default has form.
This verse explains that once the physical universe was created,
it was vacant (“empty” or “void” from ‫( בהו‬bohuw)) and without form
(“formless” from ‫( תהו‬tohuw)). From Genesis 1:1 we know that God
had already created the foundation of the universe, so from this verse
we can know that the Supreme Being had produced and brought to-
gether the atomic elements that would make up the universe, but they
had yet to come into their molecular structures and eventual forms.
These include the elements, as well as the galaxies, solar sys-
tems and planets. They are all essentially made of molecules. In order
for molecules to have structure, atoms must come together in particular
formations, and the molecules must also come together into molecular
formations such as lattices. This requires, according to physics, elec-
tromagnetic forces termed the strong forces and weak forces. The
planets, solar systems, and galaxies are also structured with similar
forces. These include gravity and angular acceleration.
Since the universe had composition but no form, we know that
God had yet to provide these forces that supply structure and form to
atomic matter.
A FLUID UNIVERSE
We also know from this verse that prior to the structure and
form, the universe was fluid. There are two mentions of fluidity here,
first “the surface of the deep,” and second, “the waters.” So we know
from these that prior to the formation of solid structures, the universe
was fluid.
18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This only makes sense, because when atoms are further apart
from each other, they have less structure, but they may retain fluidity if
they are within the same container. Once outside forces are applied, this
fluidity can change into structure. This infers that God had already
supplied some forces - of fluidity among the atoms - but not the forces
that provide solid structure.
It says that the “the Spirit of God was hovering over the wa-
ters.” What does this mean? It is quite clear that God was present, not
in His Original Form, but in an expanded form. How do we know that?
If God was present in His Original Form, then it would say “God was
hovering over the waters.” But it didn't. It clearly says, ‫( רוּ ַח‬ruwach),
which means 'spirit' or 'breath.' Therefore, one could also accurately
translate the phrase to the “breath of God.”
THE BREATH OF GOD

And what is the “breath” of someone? A person's breath ema-
nates from the person. A person's breath is considered an outlying
product of their person: an expansion of the person.
Notice that the word God here is translated from ‫( ֱא הִים‬Elo-
hiym). This is the Supreme Being's Holy Name. God's Holy Names are
also an emanation of God.
Because the physical world is being managed by an emanation
of God, we can know from this that God's Original Form must reside
elsewhere - and not hovering over the waters of creation. Where is this
place that God resides in His Personal Form? This can only be the spiri-
tual world.
So rather than envisioning some sort of a ghost hovering over
the water, we are talking about a practical matter, of God being present
during creation through an expansion of Himself through His facilities.
This might be comparable to a chief executive of a multi-
national corporation who decides to build a plant in a foreign country.
Once he authorizes the building of the facility, he does not need to per-
sonally go out to the country and start stacking bricks. He can have
others doing that. But through his directives and his oversight, the chief
executive's orders are followed through, using various sub-contracting
companies and builders. It is still his plant, and we can say he built it,
because he authorized it, directed it and oversaw its building. But he
didn't have to do everything himself.
In the same way, the Supreme Being does not have to be pre-
sent in His Personal Form to build the physical universe. He authorizes
it, and all of the resources originate from Him. But He can still be at-
tending to His personal matters while the universe is put together. This
19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
is because He is God, the Source of not only existence but every living
thing. Therefore, God must also be alive. He must also be a Person
since nothing comes from nothing.
We can see this in effect today, as the physical universe ap-
pears to operate as though it is on automatic. It has a machine-like
quality, with gears, power, and motion. The original machine of the
physical universe was designed and programmed by God. Then God's
facilities were put in place and it began to run like a big machine.
20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
God saw that the light was good, and He separated
the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4)
We can see here that the Supreme Being is making an inten-
tion, followed by an execution: “Let there be light” is directly followed
by and there was light.
WHO IS GOD SPEAKING TO HERE?

The use of the word “said” prior to His statement is allegori-
cal. The word “said” is being translated from the Hebrew word ‫אמר‬
('amar), which means, according to the lexicon, “to say, to answer, to
say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend.”
Since there is no audience mentioned other than the reader, we
can know that this word ‫'( אמר‬amar) is speaking more of intention and
command rather than making an announcement. In other words, God is
not making a big speech to anyone here.
Rather, God is communicating intention. This is followed by
the manifestation of His intentions. This verse is communicating God's
intention to design and create the physical universe.
This is the Supreme Being, from the spiritual dimension - a
dimension where time does not exist. The Supreme Being created time
in order to set in motion the physical universe. Notice that God simply
had to command light. This indicates that light - which is energy -
originates from God. But physical light - energy of the material plane -
is infused with time.
The source of this energy emanates from God. This is con-
firmed by numerous scriptural passages. Therefore, when God created
the physical universe, He endowed it with His light.
'God saw that the light was good' indicates His approval. He is
willing the creation of the physical universe - then He is approving it.
This means He designed the creation.
SEPARATING LIGHT FROM DARKNESS

What does it mean by God separating the darkness from the
light? This can only mean that He put in place the aspect of periodicity,
which means the element of time. Separating light from the darkness
requires that one segment or period has light while another segment or
period has darkness. This means to alternate light with darkness, in
effect putting in place the effect of time and rotation.
21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If we look around us, everything is rotating. We see spiraling
galaxies, rotating solar systems and planets that revolve. We also find
revolution among atoms and molecules, as electrons revolve around
nuclei. These are all aspects of periodicity, and we measure time by
these rotations. We also see that our very lives are modeled around
periodicity and time. We have day and night, winter and summer, hot
and cold and so on. The universe is in balance, based on periodicity -
and time.
This periodicity is also expressed by the yin and yang of an-
cient Chinese thought. The concept is that the universe is completely
balanced between the yin and the yang. This balance, of course, re-
quires periodicity and the aspect of time.
Because God emanates light, He could endow the physical uni-
verse with light. And because He is complete, He contains both the yin
and the yang. This is because God is the Cause of existence.
The laws of the physical universe indicate that everything has a
cause and a source. As we investigate the universe we find that every
event has a cause. This is the basis of science: To determine the cause
of things. And the only reason there are scientists is that the study of
finding a cause for so many things has become worthwhile.
Consider, on the other hand, a chaotic universe where things
simply happened without cause. Would such a universe prompt us to
employ scientists to find the causes of events? Certainly not. We would
consistently find that they were wrong about each of their studies, and
conclude that it is a waste of time to employ them to study anything. A
chaotic world without cause and effect would simply be a waste of time
to study.
A chaotic world where things simply happen without cause
would also lead to an existence without any consistency.
Yet today, many supposed scientists are proposing that humans
and life itself had no original cause. They propose life and the universe
were accidental.
If these are accidental, there is no purpose for existence. We
are simply the result of a freak accident of nature. Yet this proposal
contradicts the very nature of scientific discovery: Finding the cause.
What these supposed scientists are simply admitting is that they
do not know what caused the creation of the universe.
CAUSE AND EFFECT

If we look around us, we see organization. We see cause and
effect. Again, this is why we value science. Because science can ob-
serve an event for awhile, and at some point see there was a previous
22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
event that is connected in a causal manner. Connecting causal events in
this way allows us to understand the causes of things. This allows us to
learn.
In other words, true science helps us understand consistency
among causes and effects. Science allows us to see that a particular
event is consistently caused by something else. Furthermore, if an event
is somehow altered, science can help find that other effect that inter-
ceded and altered the event. These understandings have provided us
with a fundamental axiom of the scientific method: Every effect has an
antecedent cause.
Therefore, using science's own fundamental axiom, we have
proved that the physical world cannot be accidental. Since every effect
is preceded by a cause, this means there is causation. Since there is
causation on a consistent basis, the universe is cannot be accidental. It
cannot be chaotic.
Actually, the only arena that modern scientists propose pure
chaos theory is when they speculate about creation. They propose the
world was an accident simply because they do not want to accept a
possible cause. They refuse to accept that - even though every other
event we observe in the physical universe consistently has a cause - the
creation somehow is an exception. This is simply an illogical assump-
tion. It is also unscientific.
A HIGHER SOURCE
The problem with modern cosmology (the “science” of crea-
tion) today is that this community - like any other community dictated
by peer-pressure - has a problem with accepting information from a
higher source. Cosmologists want to believe that since they haven't
observed a Living Cause of the universe with the senses then He must
not exist. This dependency upon the senses is called empiricism. This is
the third axiom of the scientific method: It states that every conclusion
must be based upon observation.
As we look back even over the past few hundred years of sci-
ence we can see this axiom is deeply flawed. For example, only a few
hundred years ago, scientists could not observe microorganisms. They
had no idea - until Anton van Leeuwenhoek looked through a micro-
scope and saw what he called “animalcules.” These were, of course,
microorganisms. Prior to this, there were a few theories of microorgan-
isms, but most of these were heavily criticized by scientists because
they hadn't seen them with their own eyes.
This type of error has continued in cosmology today. As we are
able to peer at smaller elements of nature - or the universe at greater
23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
distances - we continue to make the same mistakes due to the innate
faults of our senses and their extensions: Our senses simply do not have
the ability to observe everything. We continue to guess about the things
we cannot observe right now, and then once we develop the ability to
observe them, we discover our error.
Therefore, since our senses and their extensions are flawed,
then a scientific axiom that says something cannot be true unless it is
observed by our senses or their extensions - is also flawed.
This reality is in fact already admitted among quantum physics
and cosmology - which have utilized extensional thinking - speculation
- to arrive at principles related to the nature of the universe and its crea-
tion. Through these theories, they are already admitting the flawed
nature of the third axiom that something must be observed with the
senses in order to be true.
Another example of this flawed axiom is the calculation of
what is now referred to as “dark matter.” Current physics calculations
suggest that up to 96 percent of the universe is made of dark matter.
The punchline: Scientists don't know what this “dark matter” is made
of because it is unobservable.
So if cosmologists don't know what 96 percent of the universe
is made of because they cannot perceive it, how could they suggest a
speculative hypothesis that there was no Living Creator?
We must accept that our senses and their extensions - be they
microscopes, telescopes or space probes - are limited. The senses and
their extensions cannot see the entire picture. Thus it is unscientific to
completely rely on them. At some point, we must accept a higher
Source of information.
THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION

We can arrive at such a case logically: Since everything we ob-
serve has an antecedent cause, then it is logical that the universe - filled
with unseen “dark” matter, observable matter, light, energy, and life -
must also have a Cause.
Furthermore, it would be logical to assume that such a Cause
must have the potential for what is existing. In other words, that Cause
must contain light and energy: And because life exists, that Cause must
contain life.
What does this indicate? A Living Cause. If something con-
tains life, it means that it is alive. This logically can only mean that the
Cause of the physical universe must be alive. We are describing, of
course, the Supreme Being: God.
24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since a Supreme Being must, on a scientific basis, exist, it is,
therefore, necessary to accept Him as a higher source of information -
beyond the jurisdiction of the physical senses.
Yes, it is true that most cosmologists have not observed God
directly. However, cosmologists also have not observed dark matter:
Even though most physicists accept that the universe is made up of
mostly dark matter - to the tune of 96 percent.
If they don't know what 96 percent of the universe is made of,
why should we accept their ever-changing speculations that the uni-
verse was created by strings or the so-called theory of everything? Just
because they can put a bunch of mathematical variables on either side
of an equal sign? Which of their mathematical variables contains life?
25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called
“night.”
night.” And there was evening, and there was
morning–
morning–the first
first day. (Genesis 1:5)
THE CREATION OF TIME
The intent of this verse is not that the Supreme Being was go-
ing around naming things. Rather, this verse is communicating that via
the differentiation between darkness from light, the Supreme Being
created time.
The separation of light and darkness creates periodicity. Perio-
dicity produces rotation, and it is the rotation of periodicity that
produces the element of time. Without periodicity, there is no pacing.
No alternation. Once God set into motion the element of time by sepa-
rating light from darkness, He could now establish the pacing of time.
This might be compared to building a clock. When a clock-
maker builds a clock, he produces gears that are a particular size. He
fits these gears together in such a way that they counterbalance each
other. This counterbalanced gearing produces tension, and the tension,
together with the size of the gears, makes the gears turn at a certain
period. This period is the pacing of the clock.
Now once the clock is built, the clockmaker can then wind up
the clock and set the clock. This is being described in this verse.
God put time into motion early in the creation because He set
up the physical universe to be governed by time. There is a beginning
and an end to everything in the physical universe. Everything has time
attached to it. This is because the physical universe - and all of the ele-
ments here - are changing with time. Every event and structure is
transitory, and therefore, temporary.
TIME IS SET UP TO ALLOW FOR LEARNING

Time allows lessons to be learned. Because of the transitory,
changing nature of the physical world - driven by time - we are allowed
to learn one lesson after another. We might compare this to setting up a
school with the first grade followed by the second grade, followed by
the third grade and so on. The setting up of the grades is established so
that the child can graduate from learning one set of lessons to being
ready to learn the next. Time is set up so that following the learning of
one lesson comes the next lesson to learn. This allows us to evolve.
In other words, God created the physical universe as a school
or rehabilitation center.
26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time is part of the physical universe, but it is not an element of
the spiritual world. This is illustrated here, as God created time. God is
not subject to time, as He created time.
Our minds have a problem with the concept that there is a place
where there is no time. That is because our minds are physical. Our
minds are recording devices, and they only record what they have been
exposed to by the senses. Thus our minds only have the experience of
an environment governed by time.
Those scientists that analyze the singularity problem, and oth-
ers who are also probing the source of everything, often ask this
question:
WHO OR WHAT CREATED GOD?

This question assumes the element of time. It assumes that God
had a beginning. The question is born from a mind that has only ex-
perienced an environment governed by time. A mind that has only
experienced that things have a beginning and an end.
There is no time in the spiritual world. God does not have a be-
ginning. God is eternal, and His spiritual world is eternal. Neither God
nor His spiritual world is governed by time.
This is evidenced by these verses that God set time in motion.
He first separated light from darkness (Gen. 1:4) and thus created pe-
riodicity. Then He established the first day by putting that periodicity
into motion.
The spiritual realm, in contrast, is a place of perpetual light.
The spiritual world is eternally illuminated by God's light. There is also
no time in the spiritual world. God is not governed by time. He created
time to establish a basis for our rehabilitation.
Let's use an example. Let's say that a substance abuse rehabili-
tation center has a twelve-step program for its patients. Every patient
must undertake actions to achieve each step, and after finishing the
twelfth step they get to leave the rehabilitation center.
Where did the twelve steps come from? They were developed
by the doctors who set up the rehabilitation center. The twelve steps do
not exist outside the rehabilitation center: They are specifically de-
signed to progress the rehabilitation center patients toward their being
able to re-enter normal society.
This is a similar situation with time. God established time in
order to set up the progression for our evolution process - our process
of rehabilitation.
27
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the
waters to separate water from water.”
water.” So God made
the expanse and separated the water under the
expanse from the water above it. And it was so.
God called the expanse “sky.”
sky.” And there was evening,
and there was morning–
morning–the second day.
(Genesis 1:6-8)
THE ELEMENT OF GAS IS CREATED
The Supreme Being is creating the physical element of gas (air
or sky) in this text. The first element created, discussed in the previous
verses, was water. God created the physical element of water first, and
then separated water to form the element (or state) of gas.
Scientific observation confirms that there are a number of ele-
ments (also called “states” in science). These include solids, liquids,
gases, heat (thermal radiation) and light (electromagnetic radiation).
These are the basic physical elements that can be seen with the physical
eyes, all governed by time. There are also a couple of more subtle ele-
ments, but these basic five make up the gross structures of matter we
see around us.
The primary difference between the liquid state and the gas
state is the fact that in the liquid state, the attraction between molecules
is greater and their distance apart is less. In the gas state, molecules
move around more freely, with less density and further distance apart.
Sometimes, such as in H2O and other molecule combinations, they can
be a liquid at one temperature, and a gas at another temperature. The
difference that creates the separation is a combination of heat and elec-
tromagnetic forces.
Most interpretations and translations of Genesis have con-
cluded that this scripture is discussing only the planet earth, and the
waters and sky of this planet. This is a very limited view and interpreta-
tion, that obviously does not take into context the rest of the universe.
This is not a major problem, however, because many complex
things are laid out in simple language in ways people can understand.
Consider for example, how an adult might explain their job to their
child. They would likely break their job down into the simplest terms -
terms that the child could relate to. They would not get into all the de-
28
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tails about their job. They would just give the child a simplistic over-
view.
This has also occurred in Genesis. There are two combined ef-
fects: One, that Genesis gives an overview of creation in terms that the
human mind of a certain era - not educated in the complexities of mod-
ern science - could relate to.
Second, as the text has been passed down - first orally through
many generations and then inscribe text - and subsequently translated
into progressive languages over thousands of years, it has become fur-
ther simplified. Because the ability to understand some of the
complexities of science was not there in ancient times, some of the
language has been simplified to fit with the limit of those understand-
ings. This effort gives much of the language of Genesis its allegory
nature.
In the example given above, if a father who was a doctor told
the child that for his job he walks around and makes people feel better,
is he telling a lie? No. He certainly may make people feel better, but his
job as a doctor in a hospital is much more complex. In fact, he may not
even “walk around” the hospital either. He might just walk from his
treatment room to the reception area several times a day. So his de-
scription is not only a simplification of his job but also contains some
allegory.
Genesis explains that God formed the element (or state) of air
or gas (“sky”) from the element of liquid (“water”). It explains that the
first element or state created was liquid, and liquid was “separated” to
form the element of gas, which provided the expanse allowing for the
various atmospheres of the planets - as most of the planets contain their
own unique atmosphere filled with a type of gas. Sometimes the gas is
primarily oxygen as on the planet earth, and sometimes the gas is made
primarily of carbon dioxide as on the planet Mars. Other planets have
other atmospheres. The element (or state) of gas is also interspersed
throughout nature.
SEPARATED THE WATER?

Also consider the phrase, “God made the expanse and sepa-
rated the water under the expanse from the water above it.” What does
it mean by the water being above and below the sky? We can know
from this that He separated gas from liquid. But what about the liquid
that remained above?
This can only mean that there is a layer of fluid in the universe
that lies above and beyond the various gases and liquids of the uni-
verse. This ties to the notion that the waters of creation also surround
29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the physical universe in a fashion, and in those waters remains the “the
Spirit of God”, “hovering over the waters.” (Gen. 1:2)
Have we ever seen these waters? Well, how big are our tele-
scopes? Are they big enough to even reach the upper realms of the
universe?
Actually, our telescopes - even the most fantastic mountain-top
arrays and space-telescopes - are still very tiny. In fact, we have only
recently realized, through these multi-billion dollar telescopes, that
there are not hundreds, but billions of other galaxies in the universe,
and our galaxy - the milky way - which contains thousands upon thou-
sands of solar systems each containing a sun with planets circling
around them, is but one galaxy. So we are finding that the physical
universe is simply gigantic and beyond anything that humankind has
ever even imagined.
It is as if we are ants at the bottom of California's Death Valley
trying to figure out what is at the top of Mount Everest. Just as the ants
have little or no facility to see to the top of Mount Everest, we have no
way to see to the reaches of the physical universe.
Furthermore, our minds cannot even comprehend the size and
scope of the physical universe. It is so large, that our senses - even with
our gigantic telescopes - just cannot gain a “scope” of it.
ASCENDING VERSUS DESCENDING PROCESS

For most scientists and astrophysicists, having a large telescope
or microscope means that we are advanced enough and observant
enough to make big speculative theories about the structure, size, and
nature of the universe. This is simply ignorance combined with pride.
Even with these expensive and supposedly advanced tools, the com-
plexities of the universe still evade us. The universe keeps getting
smaller and larger as we gain more instrumentation.
Rather than being so ignorantly proud, we should take the posi-
tion of humility. We should realize that the complete physical universe
is simply out of our range of perception. We should realize that perhaps
we can learn something from a higher power.
There are two types of learning processes: One is called the as-
cending process. In this process, we utilize our powers of observation
to learn things, and then we make hypotheses about what we cannot
observe. As we can see from the hypotheses over the past 500 years of
science, this process is plagued with errors. Leading scientists of the
past have been so many theories about so many things that have been
proven wrong. They have been proven wrong as technology has al-
lowed for better microscopes, telescopes and other types of “scopes.”
30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The progressive inventions of instruments have illustrated not
that the scientific method requiring observation is dependable, but
rather that it is grossly unreliable. It is wrought with error, because our
senses (and their instruments) are by nature, limited. This is why scien-
tists have to keep coming up with new theories: Their older theories
were proven wrong.
The other process of learning is the descending process. In this
process, we learn from information descending from a higher intelli-
gence. In this process, we do not rely upon our senses for the complete
scope of things. Rather, we utilize our intelligence to try to understand
the information that is handed down to us. This comes through scrip-
ture and through God's representatives.
This does not mean that we cannot apply science. Surely sci-
ence has its place, and we can use our science to advance our means of
communicating and understanding each other. But if we are truly scien-
tific, we will clearly understand the limitations of the senses and their
extensions (our telescopes and microscopes), and focus our research on
truly understanding who we are, where we come from, what our pur-
pose in life is, and who God is.
THE DESIGN OF CREATION

We can see organization and design when we see the scientific
equations of physicists, including Newton's laws and Einstein's theo-
ries. These equations - representing two seemingly disconnected
calculations bridged by an equal sign - provide proof that there is sym-
metry and orchestration within the physical world. And scientists still
accept most of these equations because they have been applied over and
over to different events occurring at different times. The fact that the
events occurring within the universe fit formulas and equations illus-
trates design. And design indicates intelligence.
Logically, such design could not be the result of accidental
randomness. This is why both Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, with
their great knowledge of science, accepted the existence of a Supreme
Being who ultimately designed the physical universe. They saw His
design within their equations and formulas.
“What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can
comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a
thinking person with a feeling of “humility.” This is a
genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with
mysticism.” (Albert Einstein)
31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I want to know how God created this world. I am not
interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this
or that element. I want to know His thoughts. The rest are
details.” (The Expanded Quotable Einstein, Princeton
University Press, 2000 p.202)
“And from true lordship it follows that the true God is living,
intelligent, and powerful; from the other perfections, that He
is supreme, or supremely perfect. He is eternal and infinite,
omnipotent and omniscient; that is, He endures from eternity
to eternity, and He is present from infinity to infinity; He
rules all things, and He knows all things that happen or can
happen.” (Sir Isaac Newton, The Principia: Mathematical
Principles of Natural Philosophy (1687), 3rd edition (1726),
trans. I. B. Cohen and Anne Whitman (1999), General
Scholium, 941.)
These two scientists, from whom much of modern science has

been built upon, saw the Supreme Being within nature and its natural
laws. They saw design that could not be accidental. They saw a de-
signer within the programming inherent within the physical world.
Those scientists who reject God have no scientific basis for it.
They are simply wanting to find a reason to reject God. Their scientific
journals dismiss the concept of a Creator not because it is not scientific,
but because they each chose to reject God on a personal basis.
It is certainly scientific to accept an ultimate designer for the
physical world. To accept a hypothesis that all this design magically
appeared from nothing and with no ultimate cause is completely unsci-
entific. It is unscientific to suppose that energy, light and the symmetry
inherent in water and the other elements all arose from nothing.
Science is based on observation and hypothesis. Most of to-
day's science is thus speculative. No, we cannot readily see God with
these physical senses, unless He appears before them. But a lack of
observation has never prevented modern scientists from speculating
and hypothesizing about so many other things that have never been
seen - nor could ever be seen. Much of quantum physics is not observ-
able, for example.
In quantum physics, scientists make hypotheses and formula-
tions based not upon seeing quarks or antimatter, but upon trying to
provide an explanation for something they cannot otherwise explain.
They see outward physical events and create explanations based on the
32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
notion that there is no ultimate intelligence behind them. It is not as if
they see any quarks or antimatter.
The irony of quantum physics is that these same scientists who
reject God's existence have contrived a speculative element they call
the “God Particle.” This particle, also called Higgs boson, is suppos-
edly the molecule persistent everywhere that provides the key to
understanding the universe.
So these scientists will accept an unseen theoretical “God par-
ticle” but reject the existence of God? This is lunacy.
The very fact that we see so much organization and design
within the physical universe illustrate intelligence. To refuse this notion
yet accept intelligence among sub-atomic elements is unscientific.
It is not as if cosmologists are seeing all those things they have
hypothesized - such as the “strings” of the “string theory” and the
“things” of the “theory of everything.” These are all imaginative
speculative hypotheses that attempt to explain how the universe arose
from nothing.
Scripture provides another type of science: The science of reli-
ance upon a higher authority. This is the science of humility. This is
also the science of understanding God’s existence through personal
relationships.
LOVE REVEALS THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

Thousands of years of scientific observation tells us that each
of us needs love. Each of us needs relationships. Each of us needs to
depend upon someone. Each of us needs the fulfillment of loving and
caring for someone. Even these modern scientists who deny God's exis-
tence go home to their families and/or pets and seek loving
relationships. This is the Truth of our existence. Within these physical
bodies are personalities who seek to love and be loved.
And since none of us are ultimately satisfied by the love we
exchange with our families, pets, audiences and others - evidenced by
suicides and depression among even those who are famous or have
large families - we each need a loving relationship with someone else -
a Supreme Being.
And since we are all searching for that “soulmate,” that ulti-
mate person who we can depend upon, someone who will always be
there for us, and someone who will love us no matter what - things no
human could satisfy - we each are looking for a spiritual relationship
with the ultimate person - the Supreme Being.
These are all ultimate truths that cannot be denied scientifi-
cally. They have been established by thousands of years of human
33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
experience. We know them to be true because we see them within our
selves and among others. These are scientific truths that we do not need
a Harvard professor to tell us about. These are truths we can see plainly
within our lives.
Each of us is looking for that ultimate loving relationship be-
cause each of us was created by the Supreme Being for the purpose of
exchanging a loving relationship with Him. We were created as one of
God's servitors. This is why we feel better when we help others than
when we hurt others. We are ultimately caregivers. This is our natural
position, but because love also requires freedom, we were granted the
freedom to love God or not.
The purpose of the physical universe is to house those of us
who chose not to love God. This is that place where some of us could
virtually be away from Him. This is the reason we cannot see God with
the eyes of these temporary physical bodies. And this is the reason
scientists create speculative theories that allow us to ignore the Su-
preme Being.
The greatest scientist is one who spends his or her life focused
upon these core questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Who is God?
These are the truly scientific questions in life. The other issues are sim-
ply, as Einstein put it, “details.”
34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be
gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.”
appear.”
And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and
the gathered waters he called “seas.”
seas.” And God saw
that it was good. (Genesis 1:9-10)
THE ELEMENT OF SOLIDS IS CREATED
Here we see that the Supreme Being created yet another ele-
ment or state, that of solids. “Land” here is allegorically used so that
those without a scientific understanding could relate to it.
If these scriptures, written thousands of years ago, were to util-
ize language that scientists use today, no one would have understood
them. This doesn't mean that there is no accuracy here, however.
Remember the analogy discussed in the previous commentary,
of how a parent might explain their job to their child. The parent would
put the language in such a way that the child could relate to. The parent
might also use some allegory, using a simplistic representation to illus-
trate how they do their job. If they got into the technical areas of their
job, the child could not understand them. The parent would not lie to
the child about their job. They would simply describe it in words the
child could relate to.
In the same way, Genesis simplifies the creation within a lan-
guage that people who had no telescopes, no microscopes, and little
understanding of the universe could understand.
The accuracy in Genesis is that God produced each of the core
states of matter and the atomic elements that make up those states. He
first created the fluid state and those atomic elements that makeup flu-
ids. Then He created the gas state, expanding upon (or “separating”)
the fluid state. Now He is creating the state of solids and those elements
- also referred to in other ancient texts as the element of “earth.”
Do we really need to know all the technical information about
how the Supreme Being created each state of matter and each element?
Do we need to know which chemical reactions He stimulated first, and
how each was set up? And what good would it do us if we knew this
information? Would it allow us to know God better? Would it make us
happier?
In addition to using language that a common person thousands
of years ago could understand, Genesis also utilizes the word “day” to
account for time. Sectarian interpretations of Genesis have tried to put
35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
forth a literal doctrine, proposing that all of the matters of creation,
from the beginning to the end took seven earth days consisting of 24
hours. Does this make sense?
Any scientist will tell us that the word “day” is relative to the
observer. To a person on the planet Venus, a day would last about 243
earth days. Depending upon the planet's position to the sun, and its
rotation on axis, the length of the day is different for every planet. Now
let's consider what a “day” might be in other solar systems, where
planets are on significantly different orbits, with different types of suns.
Then let's consider what a “day” might be to a person who wasn't a
citizen of a particular planet or even solar system, but someone who's
realm was greater and larger than that even of a galaxy.
Or further, let's consider the Supreme Being, Who is not sub-
ject to time. Time does not control God. Therefore, the “day”
discussed here is not only relative, but it is also entirely meaningless in
terms of gauging using our earth clocks.
In other words, a “day” here would translate to millions of
earth-years.
A PROPORTIONAL UNIVERSE
The above point takes the air out of many modern scientists'
argument that creation according to Genesis could not have happened.
When we remove the interpretation that the technical details are to be
taken literally, and we take into account that the language was simpli-
fied to communicate to people of a more simple era in human history,
we can begin to realize that yes, God could certainly have created the
physical universe as described in Genesis.
We must remember that we too are children in the scope of the
Intelligence that produced the mechanics of the physical universe. And
if Genesis got even a little closer to the technical details, creation would
still be over our heads - due to the limitations of our minds.
This ability to arrange the elements is the essence of proof of
the existence of an intelligent Supreme Being. Arrangement means
there is an ultimate cause, and there are intelligence and purpose behind
the arrangement.
We can see the Supreme Being's arrangement from the largest
to the smallest things. We see arrangement within the galaxies and
solar systems; and see similar arrangement within the atoms and mole-
cules. And we see that everything in between is also intricately and
beautifully arranged.
Consider the various arrays we see around us: Of swarms of
fish symmetrically flitting through water. Of flocks of birds flying in
36
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
symmetrical formation through the air. Of patterned stacks of cells
making up skin or any other body part. Of root systems and tree
branching that expand with a Fibonacci arrangement.
Centuries ago, scientists found that nature was filled with the
Fibonacci rectangle and triangles - also called the 'golden rectangle' and
'golden triangle.' As they measured the height versus width of trees,
people, animals and so on, they continually saw this proportion, even-
tually named the golden ratio (1.6180339....) duplicated throughout
nature. They saw it among hands, feet, arms, faces, branches, fruit and
practically everywhere else within nature.
This type of arrangement among nature is not accidental. It is
not as if an accidental explosion could produce perfect symmetry
among nature, along with evolution and learning systems randomly. It
is virtually impossible - as most of the brilliant minds have come to
understand - that this level of arrangement could be accidental.
While these facts are certainly scientific, this opposes the as-
sumption of many modern scientists that the universe is the result of a
random, accidental explosion.
Let's use an example. Let's say an alien who knows nothing
about humans walks into a house and sees in the living room a sofa,
chairs, coffee table, lamps and TV; all arranged in such a way that all
the chairs face the TV, and the lamps are behind the chairs. They also
see that the coffee table is between the sofa and the TV.
What would the alien suppose about this living room? Yes,
they would conclude that the persons living in that house had a special
inclination to look at the television for some reason. And they'd be
right.
But what would be their most basic assumption? That there
were living beings who arranged the house in a particular way. They
would assume that the house was maintained by living beings.
Why? Because they saw arrangement within the house. They
saw that the chairs and sofa and television were placed in a particular
way. In other words, they not only saw organization: They saw a pur-
pose to that organization.
This is precisely the scenario of the physical universe. We see
tremendous organization within this universe. And yes, that organiza-
tion would certainly indicate an organizing force.
But we also see arrangement with purpose. We see that the or-
ganization of the physical world indicates purpose.
Scientifically, every cause must include the potential for its ef-
fect. Since there are arrangement and organization within nature, there
37
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
must be an Organizer. There must be an Arranger. This is the Supreme
Being.
38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed
eed--
seed
bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit
with seed in it, according to their various kinds.”
kinds.” And
it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants
bearing seed according to their kinds and trees
bearing fruit with seed in it according to their
their kinds.
And God saw that it was good. And there was
evening, and there was morning–
morning–the third day.
(Genesis 1:11-
1:11-13)
We can see here that God created vegetative life before He cre-
ated the fish, birds and other more evolved creatures. Does this mean
that the evolutionary process was supported by God?
FIRST LIFE FORMS?

Modern scientists theorize that the first forms of life were sin-
gle-celled amoebas, such as plankton from water. While that makes
logical sense, there are two issues to consider. The first is that if a
teacher would have told a person thousands of years ago that the single-
celled creatures were first, no one would understand what they were
referring to. The information would have not made any sense. The sec-
ond is that the beginning of plant life - zooplankton - is a single-celled
creature.
We must remember that ancient scriptures such as this were
passed down through the generations for many centuries in the oral
tradition. This means that a teacher would communicate this informa-
tion to their students. At some point, the information was put into
written form, 3,000 to 5,000 years ago.
As the information was being passed down from teacher to stu-
dent, allegory and symbolism were used in order to communicate the
central message: That God created the physical universe and all the
living organisms within it.
We also can understand from the text that simple organisms in
the form of vegetation - zooplankton, spores and so on - were created
before the more complex species such as fish, birds, mammals, and
humans. This indicates that God certainly supported the mechanics of
evolution.
39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We can also see this from the phrase, “...according to their
various kinds”: This indicates that God programmed into the physical
universe the element of diversity.
As our scientists have determined, every living organism is
equipped with a genetic structure that can produce changes in the or-
ganism over time to increase that organism's ability to survive.
BUT WHERE DID DNA COME FROM?

Did DNA accidentally appear through an accidental arrange-
ment of molecules?
The renowned geneticist and co-discoverer of DNA, Dr. Fran-
cis Crick, agreed that this is highly unlikely. He said:
“An accidental formation of DNA from a batch of chemicals
might be compared to dropping 1000 typewriters and 1000
illiterate monkeys out of an airplane and expecting the books
of the Library of Congress to be typed up and ready for
printing when they all hit the ground.”
Furthermore, another peer-reviewed geneticist calculated the

change of even one accidental genetic mutation of DNA. His calcula-
tions established that the odds of only one accidental favorable
mutation occurring was on the order of 10 to the power of 3,000. That
means:
One chance in
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00
0,000,000,000,000.
40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That is just one accidental mutation. Now to get from a mi-
crobe to a human will take billions of successive mutations. And each
of these billion would have the same chance of occurring. That means
we'd have to multiply 10 to the power of 3,000 times a billion to get the
chance of microbes developing accidentally into humans.
In other words, by scientific calculation, we have determined
that it is next to impossible that chemicals accidentally developed
DNA, and life accidentally mutated from one species to the next, from
microbes to humans.
DNA and the evolution of species - which is being inferred in
Genesis by this narration that plants and zooplankton preceded more
complex species, was the result of the intelligent programming of God.
Isn't that what DNA is: a programming code? We use a similar
system of on-off states - called the binary code - for computer pro-
gramming. This is an almost identical format that DNA uses, with four
amino acids assembled in different order. This order indicates particu-
lar intelligent assembly: programming, in other words. This simply
means that God uses a quaternary (4) programming code format instead
of a binary (2) code format as we use in computers.
Just as a programmer originally set up the binary system of on-
off states for the computer's programming, God set up the quaternary
programming for the DNA sequence, which allowed for more complex
programming instructions.
EVOLUTION
The evolutionary process, of course, took millions of years to
occur, and this is confirmed by carbon dating systems. But what is a
million years to God? Is it a week? A year? Perhaps a day? In other
words, as discussed previously, time is relative to the person and condi-
tion. In the case of God, God is beyond time and space. He is not
governed by time. So the use of the “day” here is simply allegorical
and indicates a much longer period in human-relative time.
We must distinguish this God-programmed evolution from the
theories of modern-day Darwinists who have speculated that life origi-
nally arose accidentally from chemicals, and continued to evolve
accidentally from the microbes to humans. Besides the issue of chance
(assuming all these mathematically-impossible accidents did happen),
does their theory have scientific validity?
First, we must ask what is the driving force behind genetic mu-
tation according to these scientists? It is the innate desire for survival
(also called survival of the fittest). So the question becomes, how did a
41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
bunch of dead chemicals develop an innate desire for survival? Where
did that come from? Certainly, chemicals have no such principle.
There is absolutely no logic to this notion because dead chemi-
cals combined together must first be able to distinguish between life
and death before they could have a desire for survival. They must be
afraid to die, in other words. This fear of death is the only motivation
for the species to want to develop better organs or appendages in order
to fight off death.
But how could a batch of chemicals discern between life and
death, and the desire to survive? For a batch of chemicals, remaining
dead would be the more logical inertia, since dead chemicals do not
have to fight to survive. Therefore, there is no scientific validity that
chemicals could develop the desire to survive - the fundamental re-
quirement for genetic mutation.
WHERE DID LIFE COME FROM?

So where did this spark of life, which has an innate desire to
survive come from? There is only one logical conclusion: It must have
come from a living source. Something already alive must have impreg-
nated matter with this living spark, which maintains an innate desire to
survive. This living Source, of course, is God.
Every living organism contains a tiny spark of life. These are
transcendental living individuals who have been impregnated into each
organism. And the reason every organism struggles to stay alive is that
this transcendental living individual originates from a place where there
is no death: This is the spiritual dimension.
This is also why we all go through life in denial that we are go-
ing to die. Most of us live life as though we will never die. Yet
scientifically we can establish that every physical organism dies. So
why do we emotionally deny this fact? Because we are eternal by na-
ture. By nature, we are transcendental to the physical universe.
Why is the spiritual individual here in this temporary physical
world then? Why are we here?
Each of us has been impregnated into the physical universe be-
cause the physical universe is a place of learning. It is a rehabilitation
center for those spiritual individuals who could not maintain the con-
sciousness of the spiritual dimension.
And what is that consciousness? It is the consciousness of love.
Those of us living in the physical universe are here because we became
self-centered. We became envious. We no longer wanted to be citizens
of the spiritual world: We didn't want to serve God: We became envi-
ous of God.
42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of
the sky to separate the day from the night, and let
them serve as signs to mark seasons
seasons and days and
years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky
to give light on the earth.”
earth.” And it was so. God made
two great lights – the greater light to govern the day
and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made
the stars. God set them
them in the expanse of the sky to
give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night,
and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that
it was good. And there was evening, and there was
morning – the fourth day. (Genesis 1:14-
4-19)
ELECTROMAGNETISM
Here we find the Supreme Being has produced an intertwining
of light, time and the electromagnetic elements that allow planets to
rotate around the sun; and solar systems that rotate around each galaxy
center.
Remember again that this is a simplified version of creation
that allows the human mind and sensual experience to relate with the
concept that everything around us has been created by a Supreme Be-
ing.
For those who consider themselves scientists who might scoff
at such a simplistic version of creation, we ask what would be the result
if the explanation of creation discussed black holes and galaxies and the
so many other elements of nature that humankind had never heard of?
Would this create any more understanding of the central lesson - that
everything was created by a Supreme Being?
Even today, though physicists now theorize that the center of
each galaxy is a black hole, no one has ever seen a black hole and there
is no absolute proof they exist. How do they know the center of the
galaxy is a black hole, then? The answer is that the black hole is the
only thing they have been able to imagine that will fit the holes in their
observations and equations.
43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But what if the scripture discussed scientific elements never
seen before? What if Genesis discussed the many, many elements that
scientists have yet to discover? These elements, would, of course, be
too small for the eye and modern microscopes to see, and/or too far
away for our telescopes or radioscopes to pick up. Would scientists
then assume those elements existed, and suddenly trust that God must
have created the universe since they have never heard of those ele-
ments?
No. How do we know this? Because the scriptures already de-
scribe elements beyond our senses, and this doesn't seem to make much
difference: the scriptures describe the existence of a Supreme Being
Who has the ability to create the entire physical universe, and a tran-
scendental universe of another dimension, outside the physical
dimension. And this doesn't seem to make much difference to many
modern scientists. They still want to deny the existence of God.
THEY CAN'T FIND GOD WITH THEIR INSTRUMENTATION

This is despite the fact that modern scientists keep looking
deeper and deeper, smaller and smaller, and further and further away
for the precise element that is God. Scientists are looking for that ele-
ment that provides the key to the structure and creation of the universe.
They keep looking for that particle that holds matter together on the
most fundamental level. They are, in fact, looking for God.
It is so obvious that modern physicists are looking for God that
in 1993, Leon Lederman, Ph.D. coined the hypothetical particle deter-
mined in particle accelerator studies the “God Particle.” This particle,
also called the Higgs Boson particle, has never been seen or otherwise
observed directly. It is only something that would fit their calculations.
It has remained, according to these scientists, “elusive.”
Okay, so let's get this straight. First, modern science has re-
jected the concept that a Supreme Being exists, even though the
existence of a Supreme Being is the only element that can perfectly
provide a clear and logical Source for all the material elements, as well
as the source for all the living elements (personality, the desire to sur-
vive, intelligence, etc.).
Instead and in lieu of this most obvious choice, theoretical
physicists insist on an imaginary and elusive particle they call the “God
particle” that supposedly fits their equations. So this elusive particle
must be the key element that is the source of everything?
Does this make any sense? Is it also the source of life? How
can it be the source of life if it is not in itself alive?
44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Furthermore, this elusive “God particle” is being portrayed by
science as having no intelligence and no purpose for existence. It is like
all their other theories including quarks, strings, and theories of every-
thing: Objects of their imaginations. They are lifeless creations of their
minds. They are no more real than a bedtime story made up to put a
child to sleep.
And these theoretical physicists like to accuse scripture of be-
ing without proof? What kind of proof do they have that their theories
of accidental, random creation are true?
Even though the existence of a Supreme Being would fulfill all
their mathematical equations and calculations (evidenced by naming
the Higgs Boson particle the “God Particle”), these theoretical scien-
tists prefer their imaginary theories. Why? Because these theories give
these individual scientists the means to continue to ignore God's exis-
tence.
If they can ignore God's existence, they don't have to worship
anyone other than themselves. They don't have to glorify anyone other
than themselves and their colleagues. They can seek their own glory
and their own fame as they achieve the acclaim and admiration of oth-
ers for coming up with the most profound 'theory of everything.'
Why? Because this is our disease. This is why we are here in
this physical universe in the first place: Because we wanted to get away
from God. We want to ignore God. Why? Because we would rather be
God than serve God.
MANY ASK: IF GOD EXISTS, WHY CAN'T I SEE HIM?

The first part of the answer is that God is not like a mountain or
a rock. He is not an inanimate object: God is alive. He is a Person. God
is the Supreme Person. He is a living being, with intelligence, emo-
tions, feelings, individuality, and purpose, Who comes from a
dimension transcendental to this physical dimension.
The second part of the answer is that just because God isn't
seen with the physical eyes doesn't mean He doesn't exist. It is like two
children playing in a park down the street from their houses, and one
asking the other: “If your parents exist, why can't I see them?”
Obviously, we cannot see God because our senses, on their
own, do not have the ability to see God. They are equipped to see only
a small range of physical structures, made of molecules that light re-
flects off and through with particular colors. Scientists also accept this,
as they propose that quarks exist even though we cannot see a quark.
So our real question should be: Why are our eyes not equipped
to see God?
45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Put in a better way: Why is God not allowing us to see Him?
Our physical bodies were designed to be in ignorance about
God's existence. This is part of God's design. There is a purpose for
this.
Each of us is temporarily occupying a gross physical body de-
signed for certain tasks: navigating a physical world replete with a host
of lessons and learning experiences. We can each look at our lives and
realize that we are each going through a unique set of learning experi-
ences through the years. And through each of the learning experiences,
we are met up with a set of choices about what direction we want to go
from here.
During this learning environment, God is unseen. This is be-
cause, first of all, each of us rejected God at one point or another in our
existence. Thus, we have landed in these temporary physical bodies
that cannot see Him. So we got our wish. Like an angry teenager who
runs away from home, we are each now seemingly independent of God.
We can now pretend that each of us is the center of the universe - even
though it is obvious we are not.
THE CRUX OF OUR DISEASE

The transcendental world is full of love and loving service.
There, everyone loves and serves the Supreme Being and the Supreme
Being's associates. But a few of us decided we were too good for that.
We decided we wanted to be served. We wanted to be the center. We
wanted to be the subject of worship and admiration. In other words, we
got greedy. We got selfish. And it is this self-centeredness that plays
out amongst our earthly society – as we can see all around us in the
greed, violence, and struggles for power taking place throughout this
world.
Now we are here, seemingly independent of God. We can each
now choose whether we want to accept that someone greater than me
exists. Can there be a God? Someone greater than me? We must
choose. And go through our various lessons. This is also why we are
here: To rehabilitate. If we choose to learn and evolve, and come to
accept that God exists, then we can evolve and grow closer to Him, and
maybe return to the spiritual world.
And this is precisely why God is invisible to our eyes at the
moment. If His existence was obvious, we would not have the choice to
accept Him or not.
Let's compare this to a situation we see in typical relationships.
While this analogy isn't complete, it will serve the purpose. Let's say a
wife begins realizing that her husband no longer treasures their rela-
46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tionship. He is taking their relationship for granted and begins flirting
with other women and carrying on as though he doesn't care for her. So
she says enough is enough and tells him they need to separate for a
while to see if he really wants to be married to her.
So they separate. How do they separate? Do they just move
into adjacent rooms? No. One of them moves out of the house so that
they do not see each other for a while. For a period of time, they have
no contact. Why?
The period of no contact allows the man the ability to inde-
pendently choose whether he wants to be with his wife. Not having her
around gives him the freedom to choose. If every time he turned around
she was there, this would hardly give the man the ability to make a
clear choice.
This is sort of what the Supreme Being has done. Each of us is
intimately connected to God. Once we rejected Him, He sent us off to
be on our own, gave us a virtual world and temporary physical bodies
to dwell within temporarily; in order to give us the choice of whether
we wanted to be with Him or not. That is the purpose of the physical
world.
47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures,
and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse
of the sky.”
sky.” So God created the great creatures of
the sea and
and every living and moving thing with which
the water teems, according to their kinds, and every
winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that
it was good. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful
and increase in number and fill the water in the seas,
and let the birds increase on the earth.”
earth.” And there
was evening, and there was morning – the fifth day.
(Genesis 1:20-
1:20-23)
GOD'S EVOLUTION OF SPECIES
We see here that God instigated the programming for the evo-
lution of species. His instruction was “Be fruitful.”
“Let the water teem with living creatures,” indicates that God
impregnated the waters with living organisms. This comes after the
land was impregnated with seeds to grow trees.
These waterborne living organisms include the single-celled
amoebae that scientists postulate were the first creatures.
'So God created the great creatures of the sea...' The Hebrew
phrase ‫( כָּל־ ְואֵת ַהגְּדֹלִים‬where ‫( אלהים‬Elohiym) refers to the Supreme
Being or the God of gods), translated here to 'So God ...' implies that
there was a continuation of the process. This, combined with His in-
struction to “be fruitful” illustrates that the Supreme Being
programmed an evolving process of an expansion of organisms.
This is no different than the process of evolution. Evolution is
that process where organism populations expand and become fruitful.
It is useless to deny the process of evolution. Why? Because
we can observe creatures evolving all around us. Evolution was pro-
grammed into our DNA. In other words, living organisms were created
to evolve.
We can compare this process to a complex computer program.
A computer programmer will create a program that takes in data, and
with that data, produce changes in the display and functions of the pro-
gram. Let's say the program was a game: The program has codes that
48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
allow the input of information from the operator, and those inputs result
in different outputs by the program.
Let's take the program called “Sims,” for example. This pro-
gram allows a user to create entire cities. How can it do that? The
original programmer of the game Sims wrote instructional code that
allows the operator to input preferences into the program. Once the
preferences are entered, the program spits out a graphic display that
reflects the inputs of the operator to the extent of the computer's capa-
bilities.
DNA PROGRAMMING
In much the same way, the Supreme Being programmed evolu-
tion into DNA. Some of His instructional codings are mentioned here:
“Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the
earth across the expanse of the sky;” and “be fruitful.” These are body
instructional programming code.
There are two input methods for God's DNA programming.
The DNA program allows the living being occupying the organism to
feed in its preferences during the lifespan of the organism. These are
the desires of the living being within. In the tiniest creatures, the capa-
bilities of the organism (mind and body) is very basic, so it will only
allow for basic inputs related to survival and the desire for more com-
plexity - allowing a greater chance for survival and better sense
consumption.
The more complex organisms allow for more complex inputs
and outputs. The living being within higher animal forms and human
forms can input the most complex instructions. This might be com-
pared to a very complex program together with an advanced computer
system.
While His statement was originally translated by those who
were not aware of DNA, we can know that God was referencing DNA
with His statement. The word “seed” here is translated from the He-
brew word ‫( זרע‬zera`), which can mean 'seed, sowing, offspring' or
'semen virile' according to the lexicon. At the heart of these are DNA.
A single seed contains millions of DNA sequences that pre-
cisely determine the shape, size, type of leaf and type of fruit of a tree
that grows from it. And this tree will produce thousands of seeds that
each have the same DNA codes to create duplicates.
Seeds are the basis for life within the physical world because
they bring together and pass on DNA. DNA is a complex type of pro-
tein that essentially passes on to the next generation the body type of a
living organism's ancestors, together with an adaptive learning system.
49
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This adaptive learning system allows generations to change and evolve
in intelligence.
DNA is a programming language. The machine language that
underlies all computer languages is the binary code: A series of 1s and
0s, arranged in sequences of bits and longer bytes. These sequences
create instructions that essentially drive the hardware of the computer.
Software programming instructs over top of this machine language.
Instead of a binary system, God created a more complex qua-
ternary (4) programming code within DNA. His DNA programming
language utilizes a sugar/phosphate backbone, with each
sugar/phosphate on the chain attached to one of four amino bases: Ade-
nine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) or thymine (T). The possible
combinations of these four create the famous “base pair” combina-
tions.
The computer binary system contains bits composed of either a
1 or a 0. A byte (like a word) is a sequence of eight bits (such as
10011010). God's DNA programming code contains base pairings of
either A, C, G or T (equivalent to bits), from which any three forms a
codon - such as AGC, ATC, TAG, and so on. This codon can be com-
pared to a byte. It is shorter than an eight number byte, but because
there are four possible bits - as opposed to the two of computer lan-
guage (1 or 0) - the precision of the language is far more advanced.
In other words, the four-bit, three-combination byte language
of DNA creates an extensive array of possible bytes, but these are fur-
ther assembled into larger DNA sequences. A typical chromosome, for
example, can contain over 220 million codons!
THE BINARY SYSTEM

We know that the modern era binary system was invented
around the turn of the 18th Century by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
(1646-1716). Its predecessor was developed in the third century BC by
Pingala from India. This binary system was later developed utilized as
machine code in the first computers. Soon thereafter, others developed
software languages such as Fortran, Cobol, C+, BASIC and others that
wrote over top of machine language. In other words, computer pro-
gramming languages were developed by people - conscious living
beings with purpose and intention.
And just as computer programming languages come from con-
scious persons, the DNA programming language was also developed by
a conscious living being: The Supreme Being.
As we expand this application to “semen virile” we find this
same programming language process within the semen of all animals
50
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and humans, with the ability of a combination of sperm and egg pro-
ducing duplicate embryos.
Almost duplicates, that is. The Supreme Being also pro-
grammed an ingenious facility into the language of DNA and the
processes of protein creation. He created a feedback-mutation system
that allows organisms to adapt to environmental influences. This pro-
duces a learning process, whereby organisms gradually improve
through this learning process by utilizing slight modifications to their
DNA.
CODED EVOLUTION
This system creates the process of evolution, which allows the
non-physical living being the opportunity to climb through the species,
evolving to greater awareness and intelligence.
While Darwin and modern evolutionists like to assume that this
process of evolution is taking place accidentally, there is no logical or
scientific basis for this assumption. As we've peaked 'under the hood'
into the DNA system, we can see that this is an elaborate programming
language, capable of determining our body structure and future disease
variation. The chance that this complex language is accidental is re-
mote, as explained by Dr. Francis Crick, one of the discoverers of
DNA:
Our internal input system is combined with external

environmental inputs: The surrounding environment. The
senses bring in these environmental inputs, and they are
combined with the desires of the living being within to
produce changes in the DNA programming. These two
combined form what is called epigenetics - which results in
changes to the DNA, and gradual changes to the body of
coming generations.
Just as the computer program is designed for inputs from the

computer operator, the living organism is programmed for inputs from
the living being operating the organism. Likewise, the external envi-
ronment of the organism would be comparable to the hardware
(monitor, keyboards, camera and so on) and the computer's machine
language. This allows for information to be input into the program by
the operator, and the images that appear on the monitor screen of the
computer.
Both the computer program and the DNA program of living
organisms require two types of living beings. The first is the program-
51
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mer: That is God, as explained in this verse of Genesis. 'So God cre-
ated...' indicates that God assembled the programming instructions that
allowed for organisms to grow and evolve, according to the inputs of
the living beings that occupy the bodies of these organisms.
THE CORE ELEMENT OF LIFE

This is the only logical scientific conclusion that fits both ob-
servation and logic - not to mention scripture. Darwinist evolutionists
today have proposed that life was accidentally created from a combina-
tion of proteins, and evolved from there. But they offer no scientific
evidence that chemicals can transition from being dead and purposeless
to becoming alive and complete with the desire to survive. Why would
dead chemicals suddenly desire to survive? It would be easier to remain
dead chemicals, where there would be no challenge to survival.
The scientific conclusion is that every living organism is oper-
ated by a non-physical living being who is separate from the
biochemistry of the organism. How do we know this? There are a num-
ber of clear indications of this. The first and most obvious is that upon
the death of a living organism, the entire physical body is still evident,
yet there is no life in that organism. Every biochemical is still there
right after death. Every cell is still there. Every organ is there. Every
enzyme is there. All the blood and body fluids are still there. Until de-
composition takes place, the organism is precisely as it was when the
organism was alive. This is supported by a variety of experiments over
the centuries. Nothing physical is missing from a dead body.
Yet after death, the organism is lifeless. After death, there is no
function. There is no will. There is no desire. There is no quest to sur-
vive. What is missing is the individual life force that drove the life of
the body. Whether the creature is advanced or simple, we see the same
thing: Upon death, the subtle life force is gone.
Because we cannot see, measure or find any matter missing,
this indicates clearly that the life force of the body is not physical. It is
of another dimension: One that the physical eyes and their extensions
(our various instruments) cannot penetrate. This has been confirmed
with hundreds of thousands of cases of clinical death - where a person
dies during hospital care, and separates from their body, and even
views the body from above. How could someone whose body was
clinically dead (and eyes closed) see their own body from the ceiling?
The only explanation is that we are talking about a spiritual being.
The living being is a spiritual individual that originates from
the spiritual dimension. Each individual living being has a will, desires,
objectives and purpose for living. This individual is non-material, yet
52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
when it is occupying a physical body, it seeks to utilize that physical
body for its purposes.
We can compare this with a car. Just consider: A person cannot
walk out onto the highway. If we did, we'd get smashed by speeding
cars and trucks. But if we got into a car, and began driving the car; with
the car, we can merge onto the freeway and drive there. Thus, it is only
via the facility of the car that we can gain entrance onto the highway.
In the same way, the spiritual living individual utilizes the
physical body to function within the physical world. As we 'drive' these
bodies, their programming allows us to slowly and subtly manipulate
the organism for longer survival and better sense enjoyment.
Why? What is the purpose? Beyond sheer sense enjoyment, the
purpose of these physical organisms and their ability to slowly evolve
is that they evolve as the spiritual living individual within begins to
evolve. To evolve means to learn. Learning produces evolution, and
evolution reflects learning.
TWO TYPES OF EVOLUTION

There are thus two types of evolution taking place simultane-
ously.
The first type of evolution is the external evolution of the or-
ganism vessels. In each era of evolution, as the living beings slowly
advanced in their learning, the DNA of each organism, through many
generations, evolved. How did they evolve? Their evolution reflected
the specific consciousness of those living beings occupying those bod-
ies. For example, as an amoeba desired to reach out and grab its meals,
its DNA reflected that desire and appendages slowly developed through
many generations. And as those living beings successively occupied
those evolving organisms, their desires - in combination with their
learning as God programmed in - allowed for successive bodies to ad-
vance on the evolutionary scale. And over the millions of years of this
process, advanced organisms evolved as those living beings advanced
to the next levels in their learning process
This could be compared with a school. Let's say that a child
goes into the kindergarten. The kindergarten classroom is set up to
reflect that level of consciousness. The classroom will have lots of toys
and games, and coloring books and crayons. This allows the child to
learn real basic things. If they succeed in learning at that level, they go
on to the first grade. Here the classroom also has toys and coloring
books, but it also offers a more complex regimen of learning. The
learning is more focused. Then the classrooms of the second, third and
fourth grade and so on continue to reflect the focused learning of the
53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
child. With each successive grade, the lessons change, the teachers
change, and the classrooms look different, reflecting the stage of learn-
ing the child is on. This is exactly what each successive organism offers
to each living being within.
Now should the child not learn the lessons of a particular
grade, they are kept back until they learn those lessons. This also takes
place in the physical world. If the person does not learn the lessons of a
particular level, they will stay at that level until they learn those les-
sons.
This illustrates the mechanism for which the second type of
evolution - the evolution of the inner spiritual individual - is achieved.
In the most simple stages (the lower creatures) the individual is learn-
ing about how to deal with others. At the most basic levels, we are
learning about caring for our offspring and our “brother” organisms. In
colony-type organisms, each individual learns to cooperate with others
and not be greedy. As these initial lessons are learned, we advance
from one creature to the next.
As one organism dies, the living being then is born within the
body of another organism. If the living being has learned the lessons of
the previous organism, we will graduate up to the body of an organism
that allows for a greater level of learning. For example, over many life-
times, a living being might graduate from being a bee in a bee colony
(where we learn cooperation and caring for a queen and hive) to being
born in the body of a fox, where we can have our own family, and learn
more complex lessons of love, kindness, and survival.
This evolution process allows each living being a unique path
to gradually learn how to love. Should we progress with each body, the
living being may graduate up to the level of the human body. Here, the
person learns even greater lessons of love - and more importantly, the
ability to access the principles related to re-establishing our lost rela-
tionship of loving service with the Supreme Being. Should we achieve
this human form and use it to re-establish our relationship with God,
we can 'graduate' out of the 'school' of the physical world and return
home to the spiritual dimension.
And what is the physical world supposed to teach us? The
physical world is a rehabilitation center for those who became self-
centered, and envious of God. The spiritual world is a place of love and
loving relationships between God's children (us) and God and His As-
sociates. But in order to have true love, we must have freedom.
Therefore, we have the choice to love God or not. For those of us who
chose not to love God, God created the physical universe as a place of
learning, for us to rehabilitate.
54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why should we rehabilitate? Because our loving service rela-
tionship with God is our natural position. We were created as God's
loving servants. This is our identity. Thus we will only be fulfilled in
that position.
Ultimately, the evolutionary process programmed by the Su-
preme Being is set up to bring us back home to God out of our own free
will. God wants us back. He loves us, and He wants us to be happy.
We are all learning lessons here. Lessons that help us evolve to
a point whereby we can make a conscious decision to return to Him in
the spiritual realm or not.
That is the purpose of the human form of life. This is the life-
time of decision-making. This is the lifetime where we decide whether
we want to continue to live self-centered lives where we are constantly
looking for happiness and true love without finding it, or whether we
want to return to our home in the spiritual realm where love pervades
the consciousness of all those who live there.
The spiritual realm is the only place where we are truly happy,
but achieving that place requires giving up our notion that we are the
most important person in our lives. The meaning of love quite simply
contradicts this notion. True love means the one we love is the most
important person. And love for God and all His children, as Jesus,
Moses and all the prophets taught, is the only way we can achieve that
pure state of spiritual happiness:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and
greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures
according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that
move along the ground, and wild animals, each
according to its kind.”
kind.” And it was so. God made
made the
wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock
according to their kinds, and all the creatures that
move along the ground acaccording to their kinds. And
God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:24- 4-25)
Here we see the continuing process of evolution under the Su-
preme Being's guidance. This is derived from His initial programming
instruction mentioned in Genesis 1:21: “Be fruitful.”
PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS
“Let the land produce living creatures according to their
kinds” indicates instructional programming. Is the land producing liv-
ing creatures by itself? The word “Let the land” is derived from the
Hebrew words ‫'( א ֶֶרץ‬erets) and ‫( יָצָא‬yatsa'). ‫ א ֶֶרץ‬means not just land, but
also the solid structures of matter. ‫ יָצָא‬means to 'bring forth' or to con-
tinue to be brought out of. So we have the solid structural elements and
land intermingling to offer the next level of evolutionary programming
for living organisms.
What does “according to its kind” mean? The word “kind”
here is translated from the Hebrew word ‫( מין‬miyn), which means a
type, a kind of a species. The verse is discussing the differentiation of
living organisms into species.
In evolutionary terms, hieroglyphs have indicated that fish spe-
cies preceded the mammals. This is precisely what is being indicated in
Genesis, as the aquatic species came first, prior to the mammals. As to
the birds of the air coming after the fish, this is consistent with the exis-
tence of flying fish who increasingly took to the air.
This evolution process is based upon DNA allowing successive
change. Even a cursory understanding of computer programming tells
us that DNA is a program. Today's computer programming uses the
binary code: A series of 1s and 0s, arranged in sequences of bits and
bytes. These sequences create instructional codes also referred to as
computer machine language.
56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instead of a binary system, God's DNA programming code uses
what is referred to as a quaternary (4) programming code. His system
utilizes a sugar/phosphate backbone, with each sugar/phosphate on the
chain attached to one of four amino bases: Either adenine (A), cytosine
(C), guanine (G) or thymine (T). This creates what is called a “base
pair” combination.
A modern computer binary system contains bits composed of
either a 1 or a 0, and a byte with a sequence of eight bits (such as
10011010). A “word” in this system contains a series of bytes. God's
DNA programming code contains base pairings of either A, C, G or T
(equivalent to bits), with a normal “byte” size of three - called a codon.
For example, a codon could be AGC, ATC, TAG, and so on.
This four-bit, three-byte DNA system creates an extensive ar-
ray of possible bytes, and these are assembled into gigantic “word”
sequences. For example, a typical chromosome will contain over 220
million codons!
Just as a complex computer program is programmed by a con-
scious person with a purpose and objective for the program, the
programming evident within DNA also illustrates the purpose and ob-
jectives of a conscious person with purpose and objective. Since DNA
is an extremely complex and highly organized programming platform
with extreme functionality that puts any modern computer program to
shame, we know that this coding also had to originate from a place of
purpose and objective.
WHAT DOES “ACCORDING TO ITS KIND” MEAN?

The root Hebrew word here is ‫( ִמין‬miyn). This means a type,
kind or species. In other words, we are talking about the Supreme Be-
ing creating the programming code that organizes living organisms into
defined species.
Let's think about this. Consider the proposal of Darwinists who
speculate that dead chemicals somehow came together accidentally to
form life. Such a notion has never been proven to occur, even in labora-
tories where the process is forced (no accident). The chance of
complexly sequenced amino acids coming together to form millions of
logical base pairs, even according to DNA researchers like Sir Francis
Crick, is nearly impossible. Furthermore, once the base pair language
of DNA came together, it somehow would have to randomly create
organized and unique species, rather than just a mish-mash of evolved
species with no organization.
The fact that the species are segregated, organized and distinct
requires a governing factor. It means that the process of evolution could
57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
not have occurred randomly or by accident. Besides the fact that the
complex programming of DNA required a programmer with a purpose,
the organization of the different species also requires a governing fac-
tor, again with a purpose.
Purpose can only come from an entity with intention. Intention
requires a living being. Therefore, the incredible programming lan-
guage of DNA, together with the organizational evolution of species,
must have come from a living being - the Supreme Being.
OVERSIGHT AND APPROVAL

Finally, this verse says, “And God saw that it was good.” This
indicates oversight. It indicates that not only did God initiate the pro-
gramming of evolution, but He has been watching over it. He has kept
an eye on things to make sure that His intentions are being carried out.
This also indicates that the Supreme Being doesn't have to do
everything Himself. He can design things, and others can carry out the
process under His design. If He did everything Himself, He wouldn't
need to see “that it was good.” Seeing “that it was good” combined
with His instructions of “Let the land...” and “Be fruitful” mean that
God has designed the programming and has overseen the process that
resulted in an organized evolution of species.
58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, in Our
likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea
and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all
the earth, and over all the creatures that move along
the ground.”
ground.” So God created man in His own image,
in the image of God He created him; male and female
He created them. (Genesis 1:26-
1:26-27)
Here we can see that God is not alone in His creative process.
Note that “Let us” and “our image...” refers to the creative process
with a plural sense. What does this mean?
EXPANSIONS OF GOD
This is evidenced by the Hebrew text, which uses ‫'( אלהים‬elo-
hiym) to describe God in the plural sense. Does this mean the text is
referring to multiple gods? Were the Hebrews worshipers of the multi-
ple 'gods' as were the Greeks?
No. The word ‫‘( אלהים‬elohiym) or Elohim, refers distinctly to
the Supreme Being. There can only be one Supreme Being. The plural
simply indicates that the Supreme Being has the capability to expand
Himself and that He is the God of gods - the Supreme Being.
The Hebrew ‫`( עשה‬asah), which means to ‘make’ or ‘fashion’,
translates to ‘let Us make’ with the plural use of God. This indicates
that God and His associates are involved in this process. Both God's
expansions and separated expansions will participate in creation pro-
jects. Therefore, the appropriate use is plural.
The Supreme Being has three forms of expansion. The first is
His Personal Expansions. The Supreme Being can expand Himself
personally in countless ways - which can include various forms and
appearances. Each of these Expansions is still Himself, as He has His
complete substance and power within each Expansion.
The Supreme Being can also produce direct expansions that are
from Him, but with differentiated personality. These separated expan-
sions enjoy personal relationships with the Supreme Being. These
direct expansions also enjoy many of the powers of the Supreme Being.
This was confirmed by Jesus in one of the Gospels found in the
desert of Egypt:
59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The perfect Savior replied, “Please understand that He was
eternally manifest prior to the universe – the Unborn
Creator, complete within Himself. When He, Effulgent and
Spiritual, chose to expand His appearance, immediately the
Effulgent Source manifested as the immortal spiritual being.
This immortal spiritual being, subject to the deficiency of
illusion, may attain salvation and wake from forgetfulness
through the messenger – who will be with you until the end of
the hardship of thieves. His consort is the Great Sophia
initially had the purpose of relationship with the unborn
Creator. This is manifested by the spiritual being - initially
manifested with divine authority from the Creator – who is
called ‘Supreme Being.’(The Wisdom of Jesus, Texts 31-32)
The Supreme Being also produces separated indirect expan-
sions with free will. Each of us - our spiritual selves, not our physical
bodies - fall into this category. These expansions each have the ability
to enjoy a personal loving relationship with the Supreme Being, but we
also are given the freedom to reject that relationship. We also do not
have the powers the Supreme Being and His personal expansions have.
EXPANSIONS OF EXPANSIONS
It also should be noted that we - His separated indirect expan-
sions - are expansions of His direct separated expansions. In other
words, we are expansions of those whom God enjoys eternal personal
relationships with. We are expansions of His separated expansions.
Each of God's direct separate expansions enjoys a unique type
of relationship with the Supreme Being. For each, their loving relation-
ship has a particular flavor, and their type of relationship is different.
And thus we - the spiritual person within the physical body - each also
have a unique relationship with the Supreme Being, according to our
line of expansion.
We might compare this to how each of us has a slightly differ-
ent relationship with different people. If we have a male body on, we
have a mother-son relationship with our mother and a father-son rela-
tionship with our father. Then we might have a best-friend relationship
with someone. Then we might have a conjugal relationship with a
woman. Then we might have a relationship with our pet, and then an-
other with our work-mates and yet another with those we play
basketball with. Each of these relationships is unique, and though some
relationships may fall into a similar grouping (like multiple work-mates
or basketball players), each relationship with each person is slightly
different.
60
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In our pure state, we are spiritual beings with spiritual form,
personality, and character. However, those of us who have chosen not
to embrace our relationship with God have been put into a physical
body in the physical world to give us a chance to exercise our freedom
away from God.
The reason nature and society are set up so that we can have
these various relationships is that the physical world is a reflection
(albeit perverted) of the spiritual world.
In other words, the Supreme Being also enjoys this kind of va-
riety of relationships with innumerable living beings - His direct and
indirect expansions - within the various 'houses' or planets of the spiri-
tual realm.
THE PERVERTED REFLECTION

This world is a perverted reflection of the spiritual realm be-
cause while the physical world maintains a myriad of relationships just
as the spiritual realm does, the relationships of the physical world are
all based on self-centeredness, while the relationships of the spiritual
realm are all based upon love.
In the physical realm, we are all focused on what we get out of
a relationship. If we are cared for, we will care back. But if we are not
cared for, then we will not maintain such a relationship. In the spiritual
realm, love is unconditional. Care is unconditional.
It is like comparing two different dinner tables. At one, as the
food is passed around, everyone seeks only to make sure they get
enough on their plate, sometimes at the cost of others not getting any.
At the other dinner table, as they pass around the food, every-
one is making sure that everyone else got their food before taking
theirs.
In the same way, the citizens of the spiritual world are only in-
terested in pleasing their beloved, the Supreme Being - within their
particular relationship with Him - along with assisting (and caring for)
the other citizens - who are also engaged in their own relationship with
Him. It is one big happy family, with the Supreme Being at the center.
In contrast, in the physical world we are primarily interested in
our own well-being, or the well-being of our extensions - our family,
our country, our race. Either we are out-and-out self-centered in our
activities (most of the time) or we are looking out for our family, nation
or particular religious sect. This is can be at the cost of others being
harmed.
The bottom line is that the reason the physical bodies of hu-
mans were created “in our image” in a plural sense is because, as
61
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mentioned above, this creation involved the Supreme Being and His
expansions, and what was created is a perverted reflection of the spiri-
tual realm and the relationships of the spiritual realm.
But there are two points of clarity to be made here. What is be-
ing discussed here is the organism, “man,” not each of us. Beneath
these bodies, we are each spiritual beings, created by God as expan-
sions of His expansions. The human organism is a temporary physical
body. It is made of atoms and molecules combined to make flesh and
bones, which eventually decompose to earth after we leave them.
We are temporarily occupying these physical bodies, just as a
person sits down in a car and drives a car around.
HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS

Yet the Supreme Being states that these physical bodies were
created in His image and likeness. Thus we can know that the personal
image and likeness of the Supreme Being resembles that of a man -
standing with two arms and two legs. This gives us a window into the
spiritual realm and the Supreme Being.
This might be compared to seeing a person's shadow as they
approach from around a corner. We might not yet see their body, but
we can tell from their shadow that they might be, say, overweight or
short or something. While the shadow is not the person, the shadow
creates an “image” or “likeness” that reflects the person approaching
from around the corner.
This verse also tells us that the Supreme Being's creative proc-
ess is not performed alone. Just as a person will often work collectively
with others, or will hire others to do a job, the Supreme Being also
delegates certain creative processes to others - which can include both
His direct and indirect expansions.
We must remember that this physical world - and the physical
forms we occupy - are all temporary. These bodies are temporary vehi-
cles. They are also changing around us. For example, our baby body
was not the same body we have on now. That body was tiny, and our
current body is much larger. And every atom and molecule has
changed. So we have changed bodies even during this lifetime.
Our physical body is constantly changing. It is like looking at a
waterfall: The water is always changing. Scientists have determined
that every atom and molecule is recycled within five years, meaning we
have a different body every five years.
We are driving this physical body just as a person drives a car.
So why do we occupy these physical bodies? We, the spiritual
living beings who decided we wanted to be away from God did so be-
62
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cause we became envious. We desired to enjoy like God. Instead of
loving and serving God, we wanted to be like God. So God set up a
virtual universe that not only allows us to feel independent of Him but
allows us to attempt to enjoy like He does.
This is confirmed by the root Hebrew word ‫( רדה‬radah) in this
verse, which means to dominate or rule over (“and let them rule
over”). The human body was designated to be able to rule over the
other creatures of the planet, including, as stated here, the fish, birds,
mammals and so on. In other words, the human form was designed to
emulate God's dominance.
God's design, however, does not give complete dominance.
Nor does it give complete independence. Surely God could have given
us a facility where each of us could have a more perfect ability to con-
trol others around us. But this would defeat the main purpose of the
physical world.
The fact is, we are not God. We are not in control. We are not
independent of God. In fact, we need God. We need our Best Friend
and Companion in order to be complete. This is why we are all con-
stantly looking for that perfect friend or lover. We'll never be happy
away from God, trying to pretend to be like God. And God knows this.
A PLACE OF EDUCATION
The physical world, while it may give some illusion of some
independence and some dominance, is primarily a place of education.
Here we are slowly and gradually educated. Here we are taught that we
all need love. Here we are taught that when we hurt others, we are hurt-
ing our closest family members. Here we are taught that we need a
protector — and we can't do it alone.
So why did the Supreme Being and His associates create the
physical world? Remember that His indirect separated expansions -
expansions of His expansions - were created with the freedom of
choice: We can choose to love the Supreme Being or not.
Quite simply, the physical world and these temporary physical
bodies were created to house those of us who chose NOT to love and
care for the Supreme Being. Each of us individually rebelled against
the Supreme Being, and this caused each of us to fall to the physical
world, away from the spiritual realm.
And this is why the physical world is full of lessons, and physi-
cal suffering.
In fact, many will ask: If God is good, why is there so much
suffering in the world?
Or they will ask: If God exists, why is there so much suffering?
63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or they might ask: If God loves me, why is there so much suf-
fering?
Or another version: If there is a God, why did my ______ (in-
sert wife, parents, friend, pet) have to die and leave me?
In other words, we question God's existence or love for us be-
cause of the suffering of the physical world.
But we have to remember two things:
1) that these physical bodies are not us. They are like cars, that
might get fender-benders or might break down. Our eternal spiritual
selves are not touched by the suffering of the physical body (other than
the lessons we might learn).
2) that the Supreme Being set this world up as a rehabilitation
center in hopes that we might someday decide to return to Him and His
world. He ultimately wants us to be happy, and we'll never be happy
away from Him and His world. So He created this world as a learning
center.
After all, we know scientifically speaking that life cannot
originate from DNA. The living being is spiritual in essence. Thus the
living beings were, in fact, impregnated into the physical dimension,
and have individually been evolving through the different species of
physical bodies.
We might compare the consequential sufferings of the physical
world to how a child might be properly disciplined by caring parents.
Parents do not want to, nor like disciplining their child. But they do it
out of love. They do it because they ultimately want the best for the
child.
If the Supreme Being had set up the physical world to be this
perfect place where there is no pain or suffering, we'd never want to go
home to the spiritual realm.
But He also set it up so that we only come home if we decide
we really want to. We must make a commitment to go home. We can
stay as long as we want, cycling through body after body. If we want to
stay away from Him, He allows that. But at the same time, He also
encourages us to decide (on our own) to come home. It is rather perfect,
actually.
Just consider, for example, a person whose consciousness was
so dark that he only thought of himself, and considered others as ob-
jects of his enjoyment. So he hurts others, abuses others, even kills
others without concern. What is needed to rehabilitate such an individ-
ual?
First, they need to recognize that there are others outside of
himself and that he isn't the only person who exists. He also needs to
64
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
realize what it feels like to be hurt because he has no concern for the
hurt of others. He also needs a little dose of humility to realize that he's
not so great after all. This person is a candidate for being attacked in a
moment of weakness at some point - if not in this lifetime, perhaps in a
future lifetime.
LEARNING UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE

In the same way, our education process requires us to have a
strong foundation for understanding the nature of love, compassion,
care and nurturing. Why? Because this is part of our rehabilitation
process for returning to the spiritual dimension. As we graduate up the
'grades' and evolve spiritually once within the human form, we begin to
learn 'post-graduate' lessons, such as how to care for and nurture others
who are less fortunate, or from lower species. In the higher human spe-
cies, we begin to learn the finer lessons of love, such as how to serve
others, and how to remain humble even when others admire us or need
us.
The spiritual world is replete with these aspects to the absolute
degree. God's world is full of love and relationships. It is a blissful
world where everyone loves each other and cherishes God and His
associates. It is the place where we yearn for (and people like John
Lennon sang about), but could never have in the physical world - be-
cause the physical world is full of 'works in progress.'
Here everyone is looking desperately for fulfillment. Fulfill-
ment, however, is only available when we return to our eternal
relationship with God as one of His loving servitors.
And the emptiness we all feel here in the physical world can be
immediately resolved by our deciding to return to Him. He wants us
back in His loving arms because He knows that only this will make us
happy. Only loving Him and caring for Him, and returning to our
unique relationship with Him will give us the happiness and fulfillment
we seek.
65
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful
fruitful and
increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and
ground.””
over every living creature that moves on the ground.
(Genesis 1:28)
This describes God's release of some spiritual living beings
into the physical world. The spiritual individual is from another plane
of existence - the spiritual world. In the spiritual world, God dwells,
surrounded by innumerable living beings who relate with him in a vari-
ety of ways. These spiritual individuals are God's loving servants, each
exchanging a relationship with Him in one mood or another.
THE FREEDOM TO LOVE

In other to have real love, the spiritual individual is given the
freedom to love God or not. For those who have chosen not to love
God, God designed a place that gives those spiritual individuals who
have rejected their relationships with Him a place where we can seem-
ingly be away from Him. This is the physical world.
We might compare this verse to a situation where a person is
taking a fish out of the ocean and putting it in an aquarium. A person
might set up an aquarium with some plant life, various facades of rocks
and coral structures to swim through, and maybe some crabs or other
creatures. Then an oxygenation system so that the fish will get enough
oxygen. The whole aquarium is set up in such a way that the fish will
be able to survive outside of its natural home - the ocean.
Now once the aquarium is set up, the person brings the fish to
the aquarium and puts the fish in the aquarium. As he does this, he
might, if he talked to fish, say something like what God said to human-
ity in the verse above. He might say: “This is your aquarium and you
can multiply and rule over it. You can manage the crabs and the other
species, and take care of things as you want to.”
In other words, the aquarium owner is giving the fish some
autonomy in terms of its new digs. It is giving the fish the freedom to
have its own little kingdom.
AND THE FREEDOM TO NOT LOVE

This is a similar situation for us. God has given each of us the
ability to dominate over others, and pretty much rule over the place.
66
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why?
One of the aspects of our rejecting God in the spiritual plane, as
we'll see as the analogy of Adam is unfolded, is that we desired to en-
joy as God enjoys. We wanted to be the center of attention and have
others serve us. We saw God enjoying in this way, and we became
envious, in other words.
So as part of the physical world that God set up for us, He al-
lows us to operate these temporary physical bodies designed with the
ability to outsmart and dominate others. In this way, we can pretend
we're in God's position of being the enjoyer and being served by others.
Consider how this has played out. Each of us so many opportu-
nities to rule over others, whether it be animals, inferiors at work,
children or those we lead in some group. These little 'king-ships' each
come with consequences, however.
For example, practically every person has the opportunity to
have children, or at least some sort of pet or even both. The children
and the pet are subservient to the commands of the parent and/or pet
owner, and the parent and/or pet-owner enjoys being the master of an-
other living being. However, at the same time, the parent and/or pet
owner has to take care of the child or pet. The parent and/or pet owner
has to feed and clean the child or pet, and take the child and/or pet out
to the park and so on. In this way, the child and/or pet and the parent
and/or pet owner develop a relationship, which may become, to some
degree, a loving relationship.
WHO IS SERVING WHO IN THESE RELATIONSHIPS?

Now, these relationships are no accident. It is no accident that
we have these freedoms here to create these types of relationships, and
then we undergo a series of lessons regarding caring, making sacrifices
and ruling over another. These are all intended to teach us the meaning
of loving relationships.
In fact, even though the physical world was designed to give us
certain freedoms, it was also designed specifically as a rehabilitation
center. The physical world teaches us about relationships. It teaches us,
gradually, how to love again.
The intention is to prepare us for our return home to the spiri-
tual dimension. We cannot dwell or stay in the spiritual dimension
when we are envious of God and self-centered. We just do not have the
right consciousness for the spiritual dimension in that state. So God set
up a place that teaches us about loving service and relationships, in an
attempt to bring our consciousness back to a state where we can resume
our loving relationship with Him.
67
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every step of our physical lives within these temporary bodies,
we are constantly given choices. With each choice is a consequence.
Should we decide to help another, or care for another, there will be a
good consequence. Should we decide to take advantage of another, or
abuse or hurt another, there will be a negative consequence - one that
shows us directly how it feels to be treated in that way. This is all due
to the incredible programming of this physical world by the Supreme
Person, God.
The question is which way we will go? Will we use our God-
given freedoms in the physical world to hurt others and try to dominate
others, or will we care for others and try to help others? This is our
choice. One choice brings us closer to returning home and the other
takes us further away.
For those who have, as they have evolved, chosen to care for
others and try to help others, they are directly given a chance to return
home by having contact with one of God's loving servants - who God
periodically sends to the physical world in an effort to bring those who
are ready back home.
The books of the Bible, in fact, provide a history of some of
these loving servants, including Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon,
Joshua, Job, Jonah, John the Baptist, Jesus, Jesus' disciples and others -
all of whom God sent specifically to bring those who were ready to
'graduate' from the physical world back to our in the spiritual world.
THE PATH BACK HOME

These representatives of God have all taught that the path back
home is to re-establish our loving relationship with God. This is why
Moses instructed:
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your strength.” (Deut. 6:5)
And why Jesus instructed when asked:
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
(Mark 12:29)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
(Mark 12:30)
and why Moses also instructed:
“...obey the commands I am giving you today--to love the
LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and
with all your soul...” (Deut. 11:13)
68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then God said, “I give you every seed-
seed-bearing plant on
the face of the whole earth and every tree that has
fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
food.”
(Genesis
(Genesis 1:29)
THE PRESCRIBED HUMAN DIET
This verse clearly identifies the food that God designed for
humans. It is clear that humans were intended by their Creator to eat
fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and roots, and not animals.
One might argue that the previous verse also gave humanity
permission to eat any kind of fish or animal:
“Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and
over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
(Genesis 1:28)
However, this does not say that the fish, birds and animals will
be our food as this verse clearly says. It says that humans may “rule
over” them. The correct interpretation of this statement is not that we
would kill these creatures, but that we would care for them.
To “rule over” does not mean that we maliciously rule over
them, and take advantage of them. A king or a government, for exam-
ple, may rule over the people. But their purpose is not to hurt the
people but to care for and help protect the people.
This is the same with regard to fish, birds, and animals. God
asked that we care for the animals. That we help protect them. Not kill
them for our food.
We find later in Genesis that God did permit the offering and
eating of animals later on. But this was not necessarily His preference.
Because there was little fruit, grain and vegetable foods available in the
dry Middle East, they needed to kill animals for food. He thus permit-
ted them to eat limited kinds of animals. But these were to be eaten
only after they completely drained the animal's blood and offered it to
Him.
God's preference, however, is that we eat fruit, vegetable,
grain, and baked foods, after first offering them to Him. For example,
we find God's statement from Isaiah:
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?”
says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in
the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.” (Isaiah 1:11)
69
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUFFICIENCY WITHOUT BLOODSHED

Plant-based foods not only provide all the vitamins, minerals,
proteins and fats that our bodies need: They also prevent disease. Re-
search has found that plant-based foods contain hundreds and even
thousands of phytonutrients that prevent cancer and many other dis-
eases. The reason plant-based foods do this is quite simple: God
intended humans to eat plant-based foods, as indicated by this verse in
Genesis.
Since these foods can be eaten without shedding the blood of
innocent animals, the vegetarian diet was the preferred diet for many of
the Prophets. This includes Daniel, Isaiah, John the Baptist, Isaiah, as
well as Jesus and his followers - with the exception of fish.
It is clear from Biblical statements that following the exodus,
when Moses and his followers were traveling through the desert with
little to eat, that animals were okay to consume if the blood was thor-
oughly drained. But it is clear that before and after the exodus, the
prescribed food for humans remained plant-based.
Yet as always, God still gave us the choice to follow His
wishes or not.
70
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of
the air and all the creatures that move on the
ground – everything that has the breath of life in it –
I give every green plant for food.”
food.” And it was so.
(Genesis 1:30)
This verse illustrates two important conditions for life for liv-
ing creatures of this planet:
1) that within every living creature dwells “the breath of life.”
2) that plant-based foods provide the best form of nutrition for
most species of animals and birds.
WHAT IS THE “BREATH OF LIFE?”

Here the phrase “breath of life” has been translated from the
Hebrew word ‫( נֶפֶשׁ‬nephesh). The Hebrew lexicon defines this word to
mean: “soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being,
desire, emotion, passion; a) that which breathes, the breathing sub-
stance or being, soul, the inner being of man.” This is describing the
living substance within each creature - including animals, birds, and so
on.
“Breath of life” means that there is a qualitatively equal living
personality within each organism. We can see this quite simply by
looking at a pet or any other animal. What do we see when we look into
the eyes of a living creature? We see them looking back at us. We see
life. We see a living individual, with a will of its own. We see within
each creature a distinct personality. This personality, the organism's
“breath of life,” is the spiritual individual.
The spiritual individual living within each physical body lies
within another plane of existence. This is why when a person dies,
every physical element - every atom, molecule, nerve, cell, organ, and
tissue system - remains in the dead body. Something else has left the
body at death, but we cannot see it. We only know that it existed in the
physical body because when it was there, the body had movement,
metabolism and sought to achieve particular needs. For animals and
humans, this need revolves around survival, but an even more basic
need of the living being within is love.
We might compare this to a car and its driver. The car just sits
there until a driver steps in, sits down and drives the car away. The car
only moves when it is driven by someone. The physical body is no
71
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
different. Within each physical body is a driver - a distinct spiritual
individual.
LOVE IS THE MOTIVE OF THE SOUL

The predominating motive of the spiritual individual is love.
Each of us needs love. Every one of us searches for true love in the
form of mates, friends, and groups, throughout our lives. Animals also
seek love but through their own cultures. They seek love in families,
mating and pets.
As for pets, their search for love includes humans. We can see
this clearly in a pet. Even when the pet is full of food, the pet will still
hanker to be petted and played with. They need love just as we do.
This is further evidence that the living individual within the
physical body is the same, regardless of the type of body we might be
wearing. This is why we can grant equality to all people of a popula-
tion, regardless of whether their bodies have dark skin, brown skin or
light skin. Each of us is equal within. This equality is also the same
with animals. Within each animal is the same type of living individual
as within the bodies of humans.
The difference is that the spiritual individual within the human
body is more evolved spiritually than the spiritual individual within the
animal body. The spiritual individual within the human body has risen
to a point of higher consciousness. The spiritual individual (“breath of
life”) within the human body has an opportunity to regain our original
spiritual consciousness, and remember our relationship with God.
RAISING CONSCIOUSNESS
Those in lower forms of life have not evolved to that point.
This does not mean that they won't, however. The physical world is
meant to gradually raise our consciousness by running us through vari-
ous lessons.
Just as each level in school prepares us for the next level or
grade, each lesson within the physical world is designed to take us to
the next level should we learn the lesson presented.
In fact, most of the lessons of the physical world are related to
learning about relationships. Learning to treat others fairly and learning
to care for others. Those who learn these lessons more quickly rise
faster in their spiritual evolution.
PLANT-BASED FOODS
As does the previous verse, this verse confirms God’s design
that plant-based foods provides the ultimate nutrition for humans. This
72
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
is why plant-based foods are anti-carcinogenic and supply an array of
complete nutrition – even protein.
Why then do so many creatures, including humans, eat meat?
Because God also created free will, and if one desires to eat meat, one
can kill an animal (or hire someone else to) and eat meat. This doesn't
mean meat is what God prefers we eat. Certainly, if there is no plant-
based food available, we would need to eat meat to keep the body alive.
But it is clear from this statement that God prefers we not eat meat.
While the ultimate diet God arranged was from plant-based
foods, He will still accept the worship of those who eat meat. This is
why He allowed meat-offerings in His temple, along with grain, fruit
and other offerings.
Meat offerings had strict guidelines, however. The meat had to
be drained of blood and could be only from certain types of animals,
and had to be prepared specially. Allowing them to make offerings with
what they ate allowed them to re-develop their relationship with Him.
(This is the purpose of offering our food to the Supreme Being prior to
eating it: To help us re-develop our relationship with God).
The ultimate goal is for us to come to a point where we want to
return to our loving relationship with God in the spiritual plane. This
physical world is like a rehabilitation center. It is set up to teach us, so
that one day we can resume our original identity as one of God's loving
servants.
73
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God saw all that He
He had made, and it was very
very good.
And there was evening, and there was morning – the
sixth day. (Genesis 1:31)
According to this, the physical world was created in six days.
IS THAT SIX HUMAN DAYS?

The Hebrew word ‫( יום‬yowm) being translated to “days”
within Genesis can mean “day” or “time” or “year.” It can also mean
a “general time period” according to the lexicon.
A day to a human is basically one rotation of the sun around
the planet. What is a day to God? As Albert Einstein described in his
famous Theory of Relativity, time is relative to the observer of that
time, and the observer's position is relative to whichever moving object
the observer is positioned on.
However, God is above and beyond time and physical space,
and He controls these elements. God's universe is the spiritual dimen-
sion, where time does not exist. Time is a specification of the physical
world, because the physical world is a temporary manifestation: The
physical world has a beginning and an end, while God does not have a
beginning or an end.
God is ageless. This is why depictions of God as an old man
with a long flowing beard - as da Vinci pictured Him - are incorrect.
God is the most beautiful, ever-youthful being. He never gets old, and
He never dies.
GOD IS NOT LIMITED

God is never subject to or limited by time or space.
Scientific evidence has shown that the creative process of the
physical universe took millions if not billions of human years.
This indicates that a “day” with respect to God's creative ef-
forts is a relative expression. A “day” in this respect could be 100
million years. It could be 250 million years or a billion years long.
It doesn't really matter. The meaning of Genesis is that the
creative process of assembling the physical universe was a gradual,
stepped process governed by God. God didn't just say “poof” and the
whole thing was done. As Genesis clearly states, He created the ele-
ments first, which included the elements of earth, water, gas, heat,
space and time. Then He created light. Then He created living organ-
isms, from the simplest first. Living organisms were programmed in
74
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
such a way that as they “multiplied,” they evolved. This was built into
their genetic code, just as a software program is coded into a computer.
We know from archaeological research that this process of evo-
lution did not take place in six human days. It took place over millions
of years. The other elements of the physical universe are a lot older. We
know this too. Are we to disregard science?
The only conclusion is that the “day” being discussed here is
allegorical. Consider who the audience is. Consider just how little hu-
mans know about the physical universe even now. Now consider how
little humans knew about the universe thousands of years ago, as the
knowledge of Genesis was handed down from teacher to student over
many generations. This was handed down first through oral tradition
before it was finally put into written form.
THE ALLEGORY OF GENESIS

The information in Genesis is allegorical and it has always
been understood as allegorical by those humbly passing it down. What
does allegorical mean? Allegorical means that the information given in
the text contains symbolic elements that provide a broader understand-
ing.
Let's say, for example, that a mother has to answer her child
who is asking why daddy has to leave every morning. Will she tell the
child that Daddy is a stock analyst who studies the stock market and the
financials of different companies and writes reports for the investment
bank he works for? The child will be lost at the word “stock.”
The mother will most definitely simplify the situation, and tell
the child that daddy is going to a big building so he can bring home
some money for their family to buy food. Or something like that. The
mother will use a big dose of allegory as she tries to describe where
daddy is going in a way the child will understand.
Genesis is the same way. Its language was aimed at an audi-
ence that was very simple and lived basic lives that revolved around
survival and the basic necessities. These folks had little understanding
of solar systems, galaxies, black holes, red stars and so on. They had no
idea what a bacteria was. They did not know what a cell was.
So the intended audience of Genesis could be categorized as
less technically educated than modern humans, but they were wiser in
many other ways. Their ability to understand the allegorical nature of
Genesis was obviously stronger, however.
In other words, they didn't argue about whether God really cre-
ated the physical universe in six human days or not. Do we see Moses
debating with his students about this? No.
75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The central meaning of Genesis is that the physical universe
was not an accidental event. It was a programmed event. It was
planned. It was designed. The complexity of DNA alone should tell us
that. Scientists have been calculating the chances that the complexity of
DNA alone could have taken place by chance. The number is gigantic.
It is about one chance out of 3 with about three thousand zeros behind
the three. The chance is so small that it is practically no chance at all.
THE UNIVERSE IS NOT CHAOTIC

Furthermore, we can see around us that this universe is not
chaotic. A chaotic, random universe would not display connected
events. One event would not cause another event. Yet we see in this
universe that every event is connected to another event. This scientific
observation is often termed “cause and effect.” For every effect, there
is a cause. This means that the universe is not chaotic or random. It
means that nothing in the universe takes place randomly, because every
event that has taken place is connected to its cause.
If all events are connected to causes, this not only means there
is no chaos and no randomness. It also means that there is a design to
the physical universe. It means that there was an original cause, and
that original cause began the process with a design and purpose. That
Original Cause is God.
And since the physical universe is complete with living beings
- individual personalities - we know that the Original Cause also must
contain an original personality. In other words, God is a Person. He is
not a vague force. He is not a particle. He is a Person with a will and
objectives.
The physical universe displays functionality and design. This
functionality serves to teach us. Throughout our lives, we are presented
with consequences to our decisions and actions. Every act has a conse-
quence. Why? To teach us.
Such a universe designed to teach through consequences could
only come from a Person with the intention to teach.
And what is the subject that the world's consequences serve to
teach us? It teaches us about how we treat others: It teaches us about
love. Why? Because God created the physical world as a place of reha-
bilitation. A place where we could re-develop something we lost:
Our relationship of love and loving service with Him.
76
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all
their vast array. By the seventh day God had
finished the work He had been doing; so on the
seventh day He rested from all His work. And God
blessed the seventh day and made
made it holy, because
on it He rested from all the work of creating that He
had done. (Genesis 02:1-3)
Here the word 'heavens' is being translated from the Hebrew
word ‫שׁ ַמי ִם‬
ָ (shamayim), which means 'visible heavens, the abode of the
stars, universe, atmosphere, visible sky.' This reference is not the spiri-
tual dimension.
THE ETERNAL DIMENSION

The spiritual dimension has no beginning. It is eternal, as is
God. Both the spiritual dimension and God are above the element of
time and the jurisdiction of time. Time was created by God as ex-
plained in Gen. 1:5. God created periodicity, which is the pacing of
time.
This also means that God was neither born nor created. Many
have asked: Assuming God created the universe, who created God? No
one created God because God has always existed and will always exist.
This may seem inconceivable to the human mind, but that is
because our mind's notion of time has been derived from observation of
the physical world. Our minds have no ability to enter the spiritual
dimension because they are physical, and they collect physical observa-
tions.
Time is, in fact, an alien element to those who dwell with God
within the spiritual dimension.
However, the souls who have rejected their relationship with
God become trapped within temporary physical bodies, and this shack-
les the person to the element of physical time.
The purpose of time within the physical dimension is not
unlike the pacing of grades for children. A child will advance from one
school grade to the next as they pass the tests needed to graduate to the
next grade. In the same way, God established time as a system for us to
be rehabilitated gradually, to a point to where we can choose to return
home to our relationship with God.
77
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVOLVING SOULS
Within each lifetime we have time-paced sections that include
childhood, adolescence, young adult, adult and elderly years. Each
period teaches specific types of lessons. Then each of us lives multiple
lifetimes, each within different bodies where again we learn distinct
lessons - enabling us to evolve.
As we graduate up the levels of these lessons, we come to a
point where we can consciously decide whether we want to return to
God or not. This occurs within the human form of life. Should we
choose to return to our home with God - the spiritual dimension - then
God will personally take us through the advanced course, and help us to
become purified enough to return to Him.
In order to create this system of learning, God created the con-
stant advancing of time, measured by periodic movement and the
motion of atomic particles.
God's process of creation also utilized time, to pace with our
evolution. God programmed DNA to reflect the individual's conscious-
ness so that our particular physical body at a particular time would
reflect our personal evolution - our level of rehabilitation.
If we compare this to the grading system in school, each pro-
gressive grade has different activities. Kids in the seventh grade, for
example, can now pick course electives, because they have advanced
through the first six grades where they had no choice in the subjects. So
these seventh graders utilize a school that is set up differently - with
more choice.
In the same way, as we advance through the lessons of the
physical world we do so in successive lifetimes and different bodies. In
the human form, we have a higher consciousness and more choices.
Now we can choose how we make our living - or survive. We can also
choose whether we want to be nice to people or be mean to people.
These choices are permitted because we rose through the lessons that
the lower forms of life taught us: Such as the value of survival, the fact
that others exist with different experiences, and others experience
things separately from us.
This process of growth - our rehabilitation - is symbolically
represented in the six days of creation. God created the elements first,
and put into motion with the element of time. Then He designed and
stimulated the process of evolution by creating the bacteria and aquatic
plant life with specialized DNA, which evolved into the more complex
creatures by design. With each passing “day” the creatures became
more complex.
78
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why? Because those living beings within those bodies were
going through their rehabilitation process, and with each progressive
body they learned more progressive lessons. As we rose in our evolu-
tionary process, we eventually have the chance to gain the human form
of life. This occurs on the sixth day, because it is the height of the evo-
lutionary process - the point where we are given greater consciousness,
and the choice of whether we want to return to God.
DECIDING TO RETURN HOME

Those who decide they want to return to God enter the sym-
bolic seventh day, where they begin learning how to devote themselves
to God. This is the holy period. It is also a day of “rest” because during
this stage of our lives we can stop focusing our consciousness upon
survival issues - which relate to the desires to eat, have sex, and defend
ourselves. In this advanced stage, we can refocus our consciousness
towards serving God.
This is why, for example, Jesus did not stop his work serving
God on the seventh day.
Should we arrive at this point in our existence, we can re-
establish our loving relationship with God, and after the end of this
lifetime, return to God in His spiritual dimension.
Those who do not use this human form of life to advance spiri-
tually are sent back to the lower forms of life. This is because they have
not learned those lessons they were supposed to learn.
For example, if an individual in a human form has not learned
to treat others with kindness and fairness, and they hurt others, they
will suffer the same consequences of their treatment of others, either
within another human form (if they made any advancement) or within
the form of an animal. Depending upon their consciousness, they may
fall within the species to the point where their rehabilitation process can
be renewed. This is what is described in the scriptures as “hell.” Lower
forms of life live within a hellish world of constant fear and violence.
ALLEGORICAL 'DAYS'
The six days of creation and the seventh day being a day of rest
are both allegorical. As we've discussed, we know scientifically that
God did not produce the universe and all the creatures in six 24-hour
days. But we do know that the process of creation took place in a grad-
ual, stepped process. This gradual pacing illustrates God's process as
He designed and programmed an epic physical universe replete with
the pacing of time to allow for an evolutionary rehabilitation process.
“In all their vast array,” the physical universe is massive and complex.
79
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We cannot even begin to fathom it with our minds, let alone fathom the
spiritual dimension.
What we can fathom, and why this creative process is boiled
down to six days - with the seventh day being a day that is to be spent
focused upon our relationship with God - is that we really don't need to
know all the minute details about this atomic element or that atomic
element, or this DNA gene or that DNA gene. We only have a limited
amount of time within this human form, and we need to use it wisely to
re-develop our relationship with God. This was realized late in the lives
of two of the greatest modern scientists, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albert
Einstein.
In his elderly years, Albert Einstein said:
“I want to know how God created this world. I am not
interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this
or that element. I want to know His thoughts. The rest are
details.”
And Leonardo da Vinci:
“It is true that impatience, the mother of stupidity, praises
brevity, as if such persons had not lived long enough to serve
them to acquire a complete knowledge of one single subject,
such as the human body; and then they want to comprehend
the mind of God in which the universe is included, weighing it
minutely and mincing it into infinite parts, as if they had to
dissect it!”
In other words, knowing God is the only true knowledge worth
anything. And to know God is not like knowing an inanimate object.
God is a Person. Therefore, just as we cannot really know another per-
son unless we have a relationship with them and they allow us to know
them, we also cannot know God without having a relationship with
Him and Him allowing us to come to know Him.
In other words, knowing God is the only true knowledge worth
anything. But knowing God is not like knowing an inanimate object.
God is a Person. Therefore, we cannot really know another person
unless they allow us to know them. And in God’s case, we are intro-
duced by someone who already enjoys a relationship with Him. This is
why Moses, Jesus and all of God’s representatives introduced their
students to God and taught this most important instruction:
your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
80
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, His
decrees, His laws and His commands always.” (Deuteronomy
11:1)
“So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you
today – to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all
your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 11:13)
“If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you
to follow – to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His
ways and to hold fast to Him – “ (Deuteronomy 11:22)
“…because you carefully follow all these laws I command
you today – to love the LORD your God and to walk always
in His ways – “ (Deuteronomy 19:19)
“For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to
walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and
laws” (Deuteronomy 30:16)
“…and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His
voice, and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life....”
(Deuteronomy 30:20)
“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law
that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the
LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His
commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your
heart and all your soul.” (Joshua 22:5)
“So be very careful to love the LORD your God.” (Joshua
23:11)
“Love the LORD, all His saints!” (Psalms 31:23)
“Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for He guards the
lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of
the wicked.” (Psalms 97:10)
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and
greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)
81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when
they were created. When the LORD God made the
earth and the heavens–
heavens–and no shrub
shrub of the field had
yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field
had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent
rain on the earth and there was no man to work the
ground, but streams came up from the earth and
watered the whole surface of the ground.
ground.
(Genesis 2:4-6)
This part of Genesis takes us to another entire discussion.
Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 took us all the way through the process of the
creation of the physical world and its evolution of species, speaking in
allegorical terms. It discussed God's creation of the elements of space,
time, fluids, gasses, light, heat, electromagnetic radiation and the ele-
ment of earth or solids. Then it surveyed God's creation of the most
simplest forms of life first, who multiplied and evolved into more com-
plex creatures, and finally humans.
A NEW DISCUSSION FROM A DIFFERENT WRITER

Hebrew scholars have calculated that this discussion comes
from a different writer than Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3. The accepted
description of the first writer (1:1-2:3) is called “E” - which stands for
Elohim - and the fact that all of these verses refer to God as Elohim
‫'( ֱא הִים‬elohiym).
But in the verses of Genesis 2:4 through at least until Genesis
4, God is referred to as Elohim and Yahweh ‫( י ְהֹוָה‬Yĕhovah). This is
being translated as “LORD God” instead of just “God.” And in Gene-
sis 4, the referral is just to Yahweh, converting to just LORD. And
throughout the Old Testament, we find many stories differently de-
scribed and often mismatched, linked with one or another of these
names. The verses that mention Yahweh are thus referred to as written
by “J” (for Jehovah, a transliteration).
Is this really the case? Are we talking different writers of the
Bible?
The reality is that these teachings were initially passed on
among ancient teachers through the oral tradition, from teacher to stu-
82
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dent who then became a teacher and passed it on. At some point, some
of these oral teachings were put into writing. And because there were
different lineages in place - there are slightly different orations, which
teach the same ultimate Truths, but with some trivial differences. This
is especially true when allegory or symbolism was used - which ancient
teachers used a lot.
And those scribes who put these oral teachings into writing did
so at different times and places. But then the different recorded orations
were combined by sectarian scribes trying to create a single institution -
for political purposes.
And thus within the Old Testament, we have a mixture of oral
teachings, pieced together with political purpose by sectarian institu-
tions over the centuries.
AN INSTRUCTIONAL PARABLE
These verses, from Genesis 2:4 through Genesis 3:24, tell a
specific instructional parable, completely distinguished from Genesis
1:1-2:3.
The key Hebrew word to understand here is ‫תּוֹלְדוֹת‬, which can
mean 'descendants, results, proceedings, generations, genealogies,' and
more specifically, 'the account of men and their descendants,' according
to the lexicon.
This is followed by a translation to “the heavens [ ָ‫ ]מַ יִםשׁ‬and the
earth [‫]אֶ ֶרץ‬.” How does this tie into the previous - relating to human-
ity?
The word ‫שׁ ַמי ִם‬
ָ can mean the physical 'heavens' which include
the stars, but it can also refer to the spiritual world. The Hebrew word
‫ א ֶֶרץ‬can mean earth specifically, or land or territory or even people of
the land.
Understanding that Genesis already discussed God's creation of
the physical world and all the species including humanity, the correct
interpretation of this phrase would be that it is a preamble for a discus-
sion that describes the account of how we descended from the spiritual
world to become enmeshed within the physical world. This might better
be translated:
This is the account of how we fell from the spiritual sky into
the physical world.
The next sentence begins to describe an event that takes place
prior to there being any plants, rain and no man to work the ground.
Yet we know from Genesis 1:20-30 that God had created all the fish,
the plants, the animals on the earth and also created man and woman
(Gen. 1:27). He also told them to “be fruitful and increase in number;
83
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
fill the earth and subdue it.” (Gen. 1:28) So we know that this does not
fit within a chronological description of the creation of the physical
universe.
We also know that Genesis already described how God had
created all the living plants, and from Genesis 1:29 we know that God
gave man the plants to eat:
“I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole
earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be
yours for food.”
Yet in this new verse, it speaks to a time prior to rainfall,
plants, and man: “there was no man to work the ground.”
WHAT DOES “NO MAN TO WORK THE GROUND” MEAN?

The Hebrew word being translated to “work” is ‫ ָעבַד‬. This word
can mean to 'labor or work,' but it can also mean 'service.' For example,
if the word is written with God's name behind it, the phrase will mean
'service to God.' Together with the Hebrew word ‫ ֲאדָ מָה‬it means another
type of service. Yes, ‫ ֲאדָ מָה‬can mean 'ground,' but it can also mean earth,
land, country, or territory. In other words, it can also refer to the physi-
cal world as opposed to the spiritual realm.
So what are we talking about here? The translation and inter-
pretation of the text into English is obviously lacking in application and
context. Rather, the correct interpretation is that this statement serves to
point out the period before we became servants of the physical world -
often described as 'mammon' as well as “the devil.”
As Jesus and so many of the prophets taught, we basically have
two choices. We can serve God with love and devotion or we can work
to serve ourselves - trying to enjoy and make ourselves happy. We
always have this choice. But the consciousness of serving ourselves is
transformed into the service of the passing elements of the physical
world and its illusory nature, as we seek our own happiness away from
God. This has also been described as “serving mammon.”
Now should the reader insist on the translations to “work the
ground,” “earth” and so on, then we could just as well conclude that
these references are wholly symbolic, and symbolize the same interpre-
tation of describing a time before the fall. The Hebrew text is broad
enough to allow for this symbolic translation, as Genesis is rich in alle-
gory and symbolism. The purpose is to portray complex spiritual issues
in an understandable way.
Let's use an example. Let's say that a young child asks his par-
ents how a house is built. The parents will not get into a technical
discussion of how permits are given and architects draw plans using
84
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAD. They will not be discussing the technical aspects of installing
insulation or wiring. Rather, they'll use allegory and likely some sym-
bolism to explain the process to a young child.
They might tell the child that first, a big man goes into the for-
est and chops down some really big trees. Then he cuts some of the
trees into pieces. Another man rolls out a big carpet made of stones on
the ground and the big man stands tree trunks on each side and then fits
all the tree pieces together to build the house.
This is a very simplified explanation of building a house, using
symbolism and allegory. The big man in the woods symbolizes timber
companies that take their equipment into the forest and cut trees down,
and the carpet made of stones symbolizes the concrete foundation of
the house. And so on. If the parent went into a big discussion about
timber companies and concrete pads, the child would likely fall asleep
- not having learned a thing.
Now assuming the parents were talking about a house made
primarily of wood, the allegorical story would be quite informative.
The young child would learn that houses are made primarily from trees
and rock - concrete.
In the same way, the description of how we rejected God and
fell into the physical world and took on these temporary physical bod-
ies is quite technical and complex. Also, note this knowledge was
orally passed down over generations of teachers to their students prior
to being written. This means the verses were accompanied by an oral
purport of their meaning.
SIMPLIFYING A COMPLICATED EVENT

The bottom line is that this Genesis description simplifies an
event (our fall from the spiritual world) down to the basics - as will be
described in the next verses.
Any other interpretation of this is wrought with ignorance. To
assume a literal translation of these verses is to not only be grossly
inaccurate regarding the events that have occurred within nature: It also
misses the large and important lessons they purvey. Over the past two
centuries, humans have found significant archaeological evidence
showing an evolutionary process took place within the earth's history.
To abide by a strictly literal translation of Genesis is to ignorantly deny
this physical evidence, and miss the real message of Genesis.
We must, therefore, be wise. We cannot ignore the scientific
evidence that refutes a literal translation of Genesis. What we can do -
which is the purpose of our having this scientific evidence - is reach for
the deeper meaning within the text. And it is there.
85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many scientists have assumed that because the physical evi-
dence refutes the literal translation, Genesis must be false. This is also
an assumption made in ignorance because it leaves behind the signifi-
cant evidence showing that there is another dimension - the origin of
the living spirit-person - that we cannot see with these physical eyes.
This is why we cannot find any physical element missing in a physical
body at the time of death. We do not see the spirit-person leaving the
body because these eyes are physical, not spiritual.
And it is precisely this reason - the lack of vision into the spiri-
tual realm - that has caused Genesis to be mistranslated and
misinterpreted by sectarian teachers who have not received its wisdom
from the right sources.
The bottom line is either course - one of trying to take away a
literal translation from Genesis, or rejecting it altogether because it
does not comply with the physical archaeological evidence - is short-
sighted. We must see the deeper wisdom hidden within these texts.
86
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the
ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7)
THE 'BREATH OF LIFE'
While this verse indicates the difference between the physical
body and the living being within (the “breath of life”) the verse is not
discussing the creation of the species of man/humanity. Its use of these
terms serves two purposes: To illustrate the difference between the
physical body and the spirit-person within; and utilize this fact allegori-
cally to describe the appearance of the living being – the spirit-person –
within the spiritual realm.
Remember that the first chapter of Genesis already discussed
the creation of the physical universe and all the species, including man,
within the six “day” period.
This description is not a redundancy. It is another discussion: It
is the discussion of how each of us, the living beings or living souls, are
parts and parcels of God. Each of us spirit-persons is God’s children.
The Hebrew verse here is:
‫שׁ ַ ֣מת ְבּ ַא ָ ֖פּיו ַויּ ִפַּ ֥ח ָ ֣ה ֲאדָ ָ֔מה מִן־ ָע ָפ ֙ר הָ ֽאָדָ֗ ם אֶת־ ֱא ִ֜הים י ְה ֨ ָוה ַויּ ִי ֶצ ֩ר‬
ְ ִ‫וַ ֽי ְִה֥י ַח ִיּ֑ים נ‬
‫ֽאָדם‬
ָ֖ ָ‫ ַח ָיּ ֽה׃ לְנֶ ֥פֶשׁ ה‬.
While this verse has been construed to say that God created
man from the dust of the earth and breathed life into the man, this trans-
lation is incorrect.
The key to the verse’s meaning is in the first Hebrew words
and the last Hebrew words:
The first words are ‫ֽאָדם‬ ֖ ָ ָ‫ ַח ָיּ ֽה׃ ְל ֶנ֥פֶשׁ ה‬. These indicate that the Su-
preme Being formed or fashioned something.
The last words in the verse are ‫לְנֶ ֥פֶשׁ ַח ָיּ ֽה׃‬. These indicate “living
soul” (King James translation) or “living being” (this New Interna-
tional Version translation). These are also consistent with the lexicon.
GOD CREATES LIVING BEINGS

The beginning and the ending of this verse clearly indicate that
it is describing God’s creation of the living being or soul - the spirit-
person.
Now is this living being the same as the physical body? The
translation of this verse seems to indicate this. However, we know this
is not true.
How do we know this is not true?
87
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The living being (or soul) is of a spiritual substance, while the
physical body is a temporary physical substance. The physical body is a
temporary vehicle for the living being, or soul. This can be proven sci-
entifically. Consider just a few reasons we can clearly establish this:
1) When the physical body dies, the life leaves, yet all the
physical elements (all the body parts, organs, cells,
molecules, blood, lymph and so on) are all still there in the
dead body. Nothing physical is missing.
2) Clinical death research has established that the living being
can leave the body, rise up above it, and observe the events
surrounding their former body even though the body lies
there unconscious.
3) Clinical death research has also established that the living
being can leave the room where the body lies and observe
events occurring outside the hospital, such as what a relative
might be doing, even at a distant location.
4) Many have experienced leaving their body (called out-of-
body experiences) and observing remote things without a
clinical death (when someone legally dies in the hospital).
5) When there is no living being present in the body after
death, the body begins to decompose.
6) We tend to deny the aging of our bodies. No one feels we
are old, even though we might have an old body on.
7) Most cells are replaced within a few years, and all of the
molecules making up the body are recycled within five years.
This means that we are functionally wearing a different body
every five years. It might be compared to a waterfall, where
the water in the waterfall is always changing.
These points and many others confirm that we are separate
from our physical bodies. We might lose an arm, a leg or even have a
heart replaced, but we are the same person inside.
Noting these facts, we can now understand this verse a little
differently. Yes, this verse is describing how God created living beings.
But did He create them out of the “dust of the ground,” as many have
translated and interpreted?
'DUST OF THE GROUND'

The Hebrew word ‫( ֲאדָ מָה‬adamah) which is being translated to
“ground” is related to the word ‫( אָדָ ם‬adam). ‫( אָדָ ם‬adam) can be trans-
lated to ‘man, human being, mankind’ as well as Adam, symbolically
88
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the first man. And ‫( ֲאדָ מָה‬adamah) can refer to the earth or ground, or it
can refer to a particular ‘land, territory or country.’
In other words, ‫( אָדָ ם‬adam) can refer to the individual, and ‫ֲאדָ מָה‬
(adamah) can refer to the world where that individual comes from.
We must remember that this discussion is steeped in allegory
and symbolism. Consider, for example, a verse later in this discussion
(Genesis 2:21-22), where God made woman from the ribs of the man.
Is this not a clear sign of allegory and symbolism?
Going back to this verse (Genesis 2:7), ‫( נָפַח‬naphach) ‫( אַף‬aph)
is being translated to “breathed into his nostrils” and ‫שׁמָה‬ ָ ְ‫( נ‬nĕshamah)
‫( חַי‬chay) is being translated to “breath of life.” Is this really what this
means?
While there is little argument for the translation of “breathed
into him,” the “breath of life,” ‫שׁמָה‬ ָ ְ‫( נ‬nĕshamah) can be translated to
‘breath,’ but also to ‘spirit’ or even ‘God’s spirit.’ We are talking about,
in other words, the living spirit coming from God’s spirit.
So God breathed the living spirit into Adam’s nose?
Again, this is steeped in allegory, as well as symbolism. Let’s
break down the symbolism of the verse in its entirety:
‘Adam’ here symbolizes the independent living beings created
by God to exchange love with Him. Each of us is a living being, and
each of us was created by God to exchange a particular type of relation-
ship with Him. However, God also gave each of us the freedom to love
Him or not. More on this later.
SYMBOLIC MEANINGS
‘Dust’ and ‘ground’ ‫( ֲאדָ מָה‬adamah) thus symbolize the spiritual
essence and spiritual territory that we each are made of and come from.
We are each spiritual beings, and we are made of spiritual ‘dust’ from
the spiritual dimension.
‘Breath of life’ here illustrates that our essence is spirit: a re-
flection of God’s spirit. In other words, we are each a part and parcel of
God. We are not God, but God created us from Himself, as separated
living individuals. We thus are made of God’s essence.
‘Breathed into his nostrils’ is simply a symbolic way to com-
municate how we were created by God with God’s spirit. Just consider
what happens when a person is given CPR after drowning. Should we
breathe into their lungs, the air from our lungs becomes utilized by their
body in order to give them oxygen? Our breath is thus infused into their
body. This is an allegorical way of describing the fact that each of us is
infused with God’s spirit. We are ‘cut from the same cloth’ so to speak.
89
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We must understand that these are spiritual concepts being
communicated to those who have forgotten our spiritual identity, and
only have material concepts to compare to. Thus, allegory and symbol-
ism are required.
Let’s consider an example. Let’s say that we fly on a plane to a
tropical island where the natives have never seen an airplane – and they
didn’t see our airplane land. They come to us and ask us: How did we
arrive on their island? Because they have never seen an airplane we
cannot explain it to them. So instead, we say that we flew on a giant
bird and arrived on the other side of the island. We might say this be-
cause we know they have seen many birds so they can relate to the
concept of a big bird.
Note that some might say that it is misleading for the visitors to
say they flew on a giant bird because there are certainly many differ-
ences between a bird and an airplane. However, under the
circumstances, this was the only way to communicate with any clarity
that the visitors flew in because this was all the natives could relate to.
In the same way, this description of how God created us living
beings must compare the process to something the audience could re-
late to. It may seem inaccurate to those who have scientific minds
today. But this would relate perfectly to those who heard this symbolic
story of Adam and Eve through the oral tradition thousands of years
ago.
DESCRIBING ANOTHER DIMENSION

As we will see in the coming verses, this allegorical story of
Adam and Eve also serves to try to describe a place of another dimen-
sion – the spiritual world – for those whose physical minds could not
conceive of such a place. It is specifically for this reason that this verse
and story has been mistranslated and misunderstood.
Those who do not realize their true identity as spiritual and
their origin as coming from the spiritual dimension has no right to be
attempting to translate or interpret this text. They are simply wandering
in the dark, trying to guess what these ancient spiritual teachers were
describing.
The bottom line is that this verse describes that each of us was
created by God in the spiritual realm from Himself. He ‘breathed’ His
life into us to make us independent living beings that indeed reflect
Himself. We each carry God’s essence, yet not God’s completeness.
We are made of God, but we are not God. We are God’s independent
associates, created by Him to exchange a relationship of loving service
90
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
with Him – should we choose to, because real love also requires free-
dom.
We can thus humbly offer a more appropriate translation of this
verse:
The LORD God formed the living being from the essence of
the spiritual realm; and into him was infused God's spiritual
qualities, which produced the living being.
91
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east,
in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed.
(Genesis 2:8)
This verse has been incorrectly translated by those who misun-
derstand the subject being discussed. And as a result, many have been
searching the planet for this place referred to as “Eden.”
THE GARDEN IN THE EAST

The word “planted” here is taken from the Hebrew ‫( נָטַע‬nata),
which can mean ‘to plant,’ but also to ‘fasten, fix, establish.’
“A garden” is translated from the Hebrew ‫( גַּן‬gan) which can
mean ‘garden,’ ‘enclosure,’ or ‘enclosed garden.’
“In the east” is being derived from ‫( מִן‬min) and ‫( קֶדֶ ם‬qedem).
‫ מִן‬means ‘from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above,
than, so that not, more than’ according to the lexicon. And ‫ ֶקדֶ ם‬can be
translated to ‘east,’ but also to ‘antiquity, front, that which is before,’ or
‘aforetime.’
So while those who are fixed upon the assumption that this dis-
cussion relates to a physical man and woman (“Adam and Eve”) and a
place on this planet, there is an entirely different and more appropriate
translation to be derived from this Hebrew phrase:
“Established” is a more appropriate translation of ‫נָטַע‬. While
“garden” is acceptable for ‫גַּן‬, “enclosure” should not be ignored.
‫ מִן‬and ‫ קֶדֶ ם‬are more accurately describing, instead of a direc-
tion like the “east,” to a time before antiquity: A period before we
existed within these physical bodies.
What is being allegorically described is God establishing a
place for us – spiritual beings – in the spiritual world after He had cre-
ated each of us. The “garden” is an enclosed space or section within
the spiritual realm. This is the place where our spiritual selves dwelled
prior to our fall to the physical world. This fact is confirmed by the
words ‫ מִן‬and ‫ ֶקדֶ ם‬, which refer to a time and place prior to our physical
existence.
In other words, Eden is a section of the spiritual world.
WHO IS ADAM?
While the Hebrew word ‫( אָדָ ם‬adam) is being translated to
“man,” this reference, as clarified in the previous verse, describes the
living being – the spirit-person. This entity has also been called the soul
92
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- although many mislabel the soul as some sort of organ - as in, “my
soul.”
But really, each of us is the soul.
Beneath each temporary physical body dwells a unique and in-
dividual living being. This is the personality within the physical body,
who lives before and after the death of the body.
This is confirmed scientifically. Our physical body is always
recycling molecules and atoms. When we look at a picture of our
physical body when it was a baby, we are looking at a different body
than the one we have on now. Science has established that all the mole-
cules and atoms are different, and most of the cells in the baby body
have died and been replaced by new cells. We are thus effectively
changing bodies constantly. Like a waterfall that flows with different
water every minute.
So when we look at that baby body, and then in the mirror at
our physical body now, neither one is our real identity. We are the
driver of the physical body. Just as a person sits down in a car and
drives a car away, we are seated within this body and are now driving
the body.
The question now becomes, why are we in these temporary
bodies, and where did we come from?
These questions are answered, allegorically, in this discussion
of “Adam and Eve.” First, in this verse, it describes a beautiful section
in the spiritual realm where, after He formed us from Himself, He
placed us. This doesn't necessarily mean we all were put in the same
section either, as the spiritual realm has many domains: “In my Fa-
ther’s house are many rooms.” (John 14:2)
A MORE APPROPRIATE TRANSLATION

Given these elements, a more appropriate translation of this
verse (Genesis 2:8) is humbly offered:
Prior to our fall to the physical world, the LORD God
established a section of the spiritual realm where He put the
living being He had formed.
This verse and the rest of this discussion in Genesis is not a
complete description of the spiritual world. Just as Jesus had in his
statement about “many rooms,” this verse uses allegory and symbol-
ism.
This description is meant for a particular audience. This is an
introduction to the concept that there is another world – the spiritual
realm – beyond this one, where God dwells and where we dwelled prior
to our existence within these physical bodies.
93
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We might compare the use of allegory and symbolism here to
how an adult might describe a complex task – like their occupation – to
a young child. They would drastically simplify things so the child
would get the main thrust, but many details are left out and/or mas-
sively simplified.
In the same way, the main thrust of the spiritual environment is
described here: We were each formed by God and placed in a particular
section within the spiritual world. Thus it is clear that we owe our exis-
tence to God. He is in every respect our Creator, but also our Best
Friend and Soul Mate.
Just consider if you were God, and you could create anything.
What would you create? You would likely create someone to share
your life with, right? A playmate and companion, right? Now if you
wanted to have a real relationship with that person you wouldn’t create
a robot that would mindlessly do anything you wanted. You would
create a person with some freedom. You would give that person the
freedom to like you or not, right? You would have to if you wanted to
exchange a real relationship with them.
In other words, we were made to be with God, but we are also
given the freedom to choose between having a relationship with Him or
not. This is because God created us to exchange a loving relationship
with Him. And love requires freedom. We cannot be forced to love
someone. We have to be given complete freedom in order to truly love
someone.
LOVE IS THE BASIS FOR OUR EXISTENCE

Why should this be surprising? Each of us is constantly search-
ing for real love. From the moment we are born into these bodies, we
seek someone to love who will truly love us. We seek love by trying to
gain people’s attention. We seek love by trying to find a mate. We seek
love as we strive for power and authority. In all these efforts, our focus
is love. Even the most powerful, wealthy and famous people are seek-
ing love, despite all the attention people give them, and all their power
and wealth.
This means that not only is love what we need the most: We
cannot find true love within the physical world.
This is because our true love is God. God is that perfect person
we are seeking. God is that perfect soul mate we are looking for. God is
that best friend who will never abandon us. God is that person who will
always protect us. In other words, it is God we seek as we search for
true love.
94
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Love is part of our essence because we were made for love. We
were formed by God to exchange a loving relationship with Him. We
might compare this to how we might make anything with a purpose.
Say we manufacture a refrigerator. The refrigerator is made specifically
to keep our food cold. That is its purpose. It is designed for that pur-
pose. So it does this pretty well. The fridge won’t drive us around like
our cars will, but it will keep our food good and cold.
In the same way, love is so important to us because God made
us for the purpose of love. This is why relationships are so important to
us. Everyone needs relationships because we were made for loving
relationships.
We were created by God to share a loving relationship with
Him and His associates within the spiritual realm, and this is what is
being described in this discussion in Genesis.
95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out
of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye
and good for food. In the middle of the garden were
the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)
A WEALTH OF ALLEGORY AND SYMBOLISM
This verse is rich in symbolism and allegory. As for those who
attempt to derive a literal translation from these words, what is a “tree
of life”? And what is a “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”? Have
we ever seen such trees? If we are to believe that there was a physical
‘garden’ planted somewhere on earth with these two trees in it, why
aren’t there any of these trees left? How come the only types of trees
we see on this planet are trees with leaves, bark, and fruits?
We have never seen such trees because these are not physical
trees. They are symbolic: Just as this entire description of the “garden”
is symbolic and allegorical.
This does not mean that the place and the event being described
did not exist or happen. It simply means that the event and place are
being described in such a way the listener or reader could relate to.
Symbolism and allegory are used to describe complex and
technical events all the time. Just consider how a parent might answer
this question from their young child: “Mommy, how are kids made?”
Mom will likely use a significant amount of symbolism and allegory to
describe the process of procreation between a man and a woman. She
might say something like: “A man gives a woman a package of seeds
and she plants them in a garden and after nine months, a baby sprouts
up.”
Now, this description of procreation between a man and
woman is not literally or technically accurate, but it is functionally
accurate. The package of seeds, the garden, and the sprouting are all
symbols that represent something that really happens. But they cannot
be taken literally. She doesn’t want the child out digging up the garden
looking for a younger brother or something.
In the same way, Genesis uses symbolism to describe the event
of the fall of the spirit-person from the spiritual world.
We know that this is certainly not a description of the creation
of the physical world because that was already described, including the
creation of plants and trees, in the first chapter of Genesis. And God
96
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
had already given humankind the fruits from the trees and the plants to
eat in Genesis 1:29. This would conflict with that version if it were to
be considered as part of the creative process.
WHAT DO THE TREES SYMBOLIZE?

Remember from the previous verse that the “garden” symbol-
izes the spiritual world. As such, the “trees” symbolize the activities of
the spiritual world. Within the spiritual world, there are so many activi-
ties taking place. These activities relate to the loving exchanges that
take place between God and His associates, whom He created. God has
innumerable associates, and each of us shares a distinct and unique
personal relationship with God. As such, God is involved in so many
different events with multiple individuals, all simultaneously. This is
the nature of God: He is able to expand Himself without limit, and
share a unique relationship with each of us.
So these trees that are “pleasing to the eye and good for food”
represent the various activities that take place in the spiritual world,
that come from the variety of loving relationships between God and His
children. These activities are “pleasing” because they are fulfilling to
His children and to God. They are “good for food” because they pro-
vide the sustenance of those within the spiritual world: Love and loving
service.
Love pervades the spiritual world. Everyone there is infected
with a rampant love for God. Their focus is to please God and make
God – their Beloved – happy. All of this love is centered around each
spirit-person’s intimate relationship with God and their loving service
to God. The entire atmosphere of the spiritual world is love, and every-
one feeds off of this love. This love can thus be adequately symbolized
by the word “food.”
“In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil.” What does this mean?
The “tree of life” symbolizes love for God. This is what gives
life to each of the living beings within the spiritual world, because each
of us was created to love, and loving God is the lifespring of the living
being.
Just consider, every living being here in the physical world is
constantly looking for love. We look for love in our parents, our
friends, our workmates, our fans, our teachers and whatever other op-
portunities we find. The search for love in the physical world translates
typically to gaining the attention or admiration of others. We seek the
attention and the admiration of others constantly because we need love.
97
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We also spend a significant amount of our life looking for our
soul mate. We attempt to find that single person who fulfills our need
for exchanging an intimate relationship of love. The problem is, we can
never seem to find that perfect person here in this world. No matter
how hard we try, we always end up compromising with someone. It is
for this reason that so many marriages are unhappy, and so many peo-
ple break up and/or divorce. It is because these relationships are not
fulfilling. We are in fact looking for our lost relationship with God in
others.
Now when a person cannot find any love among their family,
friends, spouse or others, we become depressed. We become empty and
forlorn. In other words, we are empty without love.
WHAT IS THE TREE OF LIFE?

Notice that the “tree of life” (love for God) is planted in the
“middle” of the “garden.” Why is it in the middle? Because it is the
most important “tree.” It is the most important aspect of the spiritual
world. It is the most important activity of the spiritual world. It is the
essence of life, and this is why it is called the “tree of life.”
But next to the “tree of life” is another “tree.” This is the “tree
of the knowledge of good and evil.” What does this symbolize and why
is it next to the “tree of life”?
“Good” here is taken from the Hebrew word ‫( טוֹב‬towb), which
does not mean “good” in the sense of righteousness, as placing it next
to the word “evil” suggests. Rather, ‫ טוֹב‬means something that is ‘pleas-
ant, agreeable, rich, happy, prosperous’ and ‘valuable in estimation’
according to the Hebrew lexicon.
Furthermore, “evil” is being translated from the Hebrew word
‫( ַרע‬ra’), which can mean ‘evil’ or ‘wicked,’ but the more practical
translation, according to the lexicon, is ‘bad, disagreeable, malignant,
unpleasant, giving pain, displeasing, sad, unhappy’ and so on.
In other words, the “knowledge of good and evil” is a poor
translation of the Hebrew, put forth by those without a clear under-
standing of the event and situation Genesis is describing. The more
precise translation would be something akin to the “knowledge of
pleasure and displeasure,” or better, the “knowledge of pleasure and
pain.”
What we are talking about is self-centeredness. If someone has
the knowledge of pleasure and pain, or the knowledge of pleasure and
displeasure, they have become focused upon themselves. Just consider
a person who is not focused upon themselves. They are not aware of
their own pleasure or pain because they are focused elsewhere. They
98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
won’t be able to understand what is truly pleasing or enjoyable. And
they do not understand or “know” the opposite of pleasure, pain.
Consider, for example, a person who is working for the pleas-
ure of someone else, and focused only upon that other person’s
pleasure. And say, during the execution of their work, they are met with
some potentially pleasurable experiences. Do they feel that pleasure?
Not so much, because their focus is on the other person’s pleasure.
Now, what if the same person working for the pleasure of
someone else is met with some painful experiences during their effort?
Do those experiences feel painful? Again, not so much, because they
are working for someone else’s pleasure. Their focus has been drawn
away from themselves.
Rather, if that person’s efforts indeed please the person they are
working for, then their pleasure will become connected to the pleasure
of the person they are serving. They will be pleased if they please the
person they are working for.
So why is self-centeredness being represented by one of the
‘trees’ in the ‘middle of the garden’? It is because God is ultimately the
Enjoyer in the spiritual world. He enjoys the love and the loving service
of His children. Because He understands (“knows”) pleasure and pain,
He is the ultimate Enjoyer.
The citizens of the spiritual dimension enjoy God’s enjoyment.
When God is pleased, they experience pleasure. So their pleasure is
connected with His pleasure.
This might be compared to a finger. By design, the finger can
only be healthy if the stomach receives food. If the stomach has no
food, the finger withers. But if the finger helps bring food to the stom-
ach, the finger becomes healthy. In the same way, by design, our real
pleasure is connected to pleasing God.
But we know from this verse that God offers us the choice to
also know pleasure and pain. We have the choice to try to become en-
joyers. Though it is not our natural position, we still have the choice to
seek to enjoy independently of God.
This sort of “knowing” enjoyment is about wanting what God
has. By wanting to experience enjoyment independently, we are effec-
tively wanting to take God’s position. This is called envy, and it is at
the root of why we are away from God. This was symbolically con-
firmed by the serpent later on in Genesis:
“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be
opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
(Genesis 3:5)
99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again, the words “good and evil” are mistranslated from the
Hebrew words described above, and better translated to “pleasure and
pain,” ultimately meaning the desire for independent enjoyment – self-
centeredness. And envy is understood here, with the symbolic serpent’s
phrase: “and you will be like God.”
The bottom line is that we were created as God’s lovers and
loving servants, and God is our Beloved.
GOD IS THE ENJOYER

This makes God effectively the Enjoyer. He enjoys our loving
service, and we (in our natural position) enjoy pleasing Him and ex-
changing a relationship with Him.
However, we can also desire to be the enjoyer, and be the be-
loved. We can strive to enjoy for ourselves and try to attract others to
love and worship us. This is our choice: To love God or be envious of
God. Being envious of God is equivalent to striving for His position as
the enjoyer.
But having the “tree” in the garden and eating of its “fruit” are
two different things altogether.
For example, let’s say we work at a company that has a person
in the human resources department assigned to receive complaints from
employees. It is one thing to have the assigned employee at the com-
pany for complaints, and another for an employee to actually go in and
complain about their boss.
They are two different manifestations. The assigned complaint
person is a product of the company offering that choice to its employ-
ees. While an employee who takes that opportunity and complains
about their boss rather than trying to resolve that complaint directly
with their boss is often times a disgruntled employee who would
probably be happier if they left the company, the existence of that com-
plaint department represents the employee’s freedom of choice to
complain and even leave the company if they wish.
WE ARE GOD'S SUBJECTS

By nature we are inferior, and God is superior. God is the
Knower and we subjugate our knowing and enjoying to God’s knowl-
edge and enjoyment. God is the Enjoyer, and we were created to help
God enjoy. This is our natural position, and ultimately, this is what
fulfills us.
However, if we become envious of God, we want to be the en-
joyer independently. We want to experience pleasure for ourselves.
This is by nature God’s position, but because we were created by God,
100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
we have a piece of God, and we thus have the potential (and freedom)
to become jealous or envious of God’s superiority: Because God wants
us to love Him out of choice; He gave each of us this freedom to be-
come envious.
We see this element throughout this physical world. We see
that most of us are struggling to enjoy, often at the expense of others.
Yet none of us are satisfied with this enjoyment. No matter how much
wealth, power and fans we may have, we are not satisfied.
That is why so many wealthy movie stars succumb to drugs,
alcohol, and suicide. They are not satisfied with their wealth and fame.
This is because our natural position is not being the enjoyer. This is not
fulfilling. We derive more satisfaction from serving. And we derive the
ultimate pleasure by loving and pleasing God because this is our natural
position within the spiritual realm.
101
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from
there it was separated into four headwaters. The
name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the
entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. (The gold
of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are
also there.) The name of the second river is the
Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. The
name of the third
third river is the Tigris; it runs along the
east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the
Euphrates. (Genesis 2:10-
2:10-14)
ARE THESE THE SAME RIVERS WE FIND ON EARTH?
Sectarian Bible interpreters have assumed that because these
verses name some rivers that are known as existing on earth. To them,
this means Eden is a physical place on the planet earth.
But the key to this description is the beginning: “A river water-
ing the garden flowed from Eden.” In other words, the river within
Eden was the source of these rivers: “from there it was separated into
four headwaters.”
A headwater is the beginning of a particular river. This is con-
sidered the source of the river. Since the river flowing from Eden is the
source of the headwaters of these four great rivers, we are not talking
about a physical location on the planet, because there is not a single
physical location on the planet where these mighty rivers (most of
which still flow mightily) can be found originating from.
Since there is no physical location where these four rivers di-
verge from existing on this planet, we can know that this discussion is
not describing Eden as a physical location on the planet. Rather, this is
a discussion of the transcendental realm. The water (“river”) of the
transcendental realm is the source of these mighty rivers from a deeper
context.
The context is the spiritual meaning given to these four mighty
rivers and their representation of the transcendental world. Why would
the source of these rivers be represented as the transcendental world?
While water is a physical element, the nature of water repre-
sents part of the nature of the transcendental world.
102
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WATER IS A HUMBLE ELEMENT

Water softly seeps between rocks and soils and moves down-
ward. Water is soft to the touch and can be penetrated easily. Water
supplies life to all living organisms, and is pervasive within the body.
Water is also strong and durable, and its motion can gradually wear
away even the hardest of elements, such as rock.
By nature, the spirit-persons within the transcendental world
are like water, in that they are soft and humble. They are giving and
permissive. They also seek the lowest point because they are humble.
Water is also purifying. It is cleansing both inside the body and
outside. It carries away dirt, debris and microorganisms. As such, water
has been utilized in religious ceremony for many centuries, for its puri-
fying nature.
The spiritual world is pure. It is a place where there is no greed,
no suffering, no envy and no hatred. It is full of love and kindness. In
this way, the spiritual dimension is also purifying to those of us living
within this hate-filled, envy-filled, hellish physical world. Water thus
symbolizes the purifying nature of the spiritual world.
This purifying giver of life (water) and the rivers that form
from water has long represented the transcendental world for these
reasons and more. The mighty rivers of water that have flowed through
the Middle East and Asia have thus been considered sacred, and many
peoples and cultures have considered their waters sacred because the
nature of these waters has their ultimate source from the Supreme Giver
of Life, God.
We can also see water’s practical side, as we find that water
was the central element during the creation of the physical universe (the
Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2)). Where did
these waters come from? They came from God, and God’s transcenden-
tal world.
Thus, this description of Eden’s river as the source of the
headwaters of these mighty rivers is allegorical, symbolic and practical
at the same time. We can also see that there is a pragmatic message
behind this description. The meaning is that from this place “Eden” –
the spiritual world – comes purity, humility, love, and life itself.
EDEN IS OUR HOME

Eden is the spiritual realm. This is where each of us is from.
We are not these temporary physical bodies – which get diseased, get
old, and eventually, die and decompose. Each of us is a living spirit-
103
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
person. We are eternal. We do not die when the body dies. We lived
before this body was born, and we will live after it is dead.
This is a scientific reality. The body is constantly being recy-
cled with new atoms, molecules, and cells. The body is not a permanent
structure no more than is a waterfall whose waters are constantly
changing. When we look at a picture of our body when it was a baby,
we are looking at a different body than the one we have one now. All
the atoms are different and all the molecules are different, and the cells
are new. So what is the permanent person that I describe as “me”?
This is the spiritual living being. And where does that spiritual
living being come from then? Each of us comes from Eden – the spiri-
tual world – a place that is transcendental to the physical world. This is
the reason for this description of Eden as the source for these mighty
rivers. What is trying to be conveyed here is that we and everything
around us have originated from the headwaters of the spiritual realm –
the Supreme Being.
104
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The LORD God took the man and put him inin the
Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
(Genesis 2:15)
Many Biblical interpreters and translators have breezed right
over this verse without understanding what is being described. The
incorrect assumption is that what is being described is a place on earth,
and this has blurred and veiled the real meaning of Genesis as a whole,
including this verse.
WHERE IS THE GARDEN OF EDEN?

Let’s clarify the location being described here. The word “gar-
den” is being translated from the Hebrew word ‫( גַּן‬gan), which also
refers to an enclosed garden or section.
The ancient use of the word ‘gan’ would typically include be-
ing enclosed within a barrier that prevented robbers or animals from
coming and stealing food from the garden. Many archaeological digs
have confirmed the use of enclosed gardens during ancient times. The
application here is that the garden was protected. It was a safe place, in
other words: An enclosed section.
The word “Eden” is translated from the Hebrew ‫`( עֵדֶ ן‬eden),
which is described in the lexicon as being ‘the first habitat of man; site
unknown.’ The root of this word means ‘luxury, dainty, delight, finery’
and ‘pleasure’ according to the lexicon.
So how does this root meaning of Eden connect with the appli-
cation of a protected or enclosed garden or section where “man” was
placed? Many have concluded that what is being described is a “pleas-
ant country in Asia” where this garden supposedly was and the first
humans were supposedly placed.
This is not only pure speculation: It is simply incorrect.
The key to the true location being described here is the Hebrew
word ‫`( ָעבַד‬abad), which is being translated into the English phrase “to
work it.” Others have translated this word to “cultivate” as they imag-
ine Adam being sent to the garden of Eden to become – what else – a
gardener!
However, the correct translation within this context for the He-
brew word ‫`( ָעבַד‬abad) is, as taken from the Hebrew lexicon, to serve,
and more specifically, to lovingly serve God.
105
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For example, this word was used by Joshua when he made this
statement (the bolded phrase is derived from the Hebrew word ‫ָעבַד‬
(àbad)):
LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His
This correct translation of ‫`( ָעבַד‬abad) provides us with a true
context of this place being described as the Garden of Eden. Eden is
derived from the root word ‘pleasure’ and ‘delight’ because what is
being described is the spiritual world.
This is the place where each of us comes from. This is the
place where we lovingly serve our Best Friend and Companion, the
Supreme Being. And we derive complete fulfillment and true pleasure
from this loving service to God.
WAS ADAM A GARDENER?

This ‘section’ or ‘garden’ is a part or location within God’s
spiritual world. As Jesus described in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house
are many rooms.” So what is being described here in Genesis is one of
those rooms – or sections – of the spiritual world.
Finally, we find at the end of this verse, the Hebrew word ‫שׁמַר‬ ָ
(shamar) which is being translated to the English phrase “take care of
it.” The assumption with this translation is that God plunked down
Adam into a garden to take care of it. So God created Adam to be His
gardener?
Let’s consider this carefully. Why would God, the Supreme
Being, Who has so much power that He created the entire universe –
containing billions and billions of galaxies including our own – need
Adam to take care of a little garden somewhere in Asia? Are we saying
that God cannot take care of His own gardens when He can maintain an
entire universe?
This is a preposterous allusion: That God somehow needed
Adam to take care of His garden.
The reality is that the Hebrew word ‫שׁמַר‬ ָ (shamar) means, ac-
cording to the lexicon, to ‘observe, take heed, beware, protect,
celebrate, keep’ and ‘treasure up (in memory)’. Thus, the sum and sub-
stance of this word is, 'to care for.'
This verse is not referring to caring for a garden – it is referring
to loving and caring for God.
106
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, it is allegory, used throughout the Scriptures to reserve
meaning for those who are serious about God.
It is one thing to lovingly serve God, but it is yet another to
care for the Supreme Being. Caring for someone introduces another
principle: A loving relationship.
When a person cares for another, they do not simply like the
person: They look out for the person they love. They care for them. If
someone threatens the one we love, we intercede. We protect them.
This is part and parcel of love. It means there is a relationship.
While the Supreme Person does not need protection, He allows
His loving servants to serve Him and care for Him in the spiritual
world. It is an exchange of a loving relationship.
GOD IS PERSONALLY PRESENT IN HEAVEN

In the spiritual world, God is present personally. It is not as
though God is some sort of vague force or booming voice. God has
spiritual form and personality (and He is not an old man with a long
gray beard as imagined by many). The Supreme Being has feelings,
emotions, likes, and dislikes. While God is a person He is still the Su-
preme Person. He is the best at everything and the creator of all. Yet He
still relates personally with each and every one of us.
God created each of us to exchange a unique relationship with
Him. He is thus our Soul Mate. He is the Person we each look for
throughout our lives as we look for mates, friends and family members.
We are always looking for that perfect friend, mate or family member,
but never finding it here in the physical world. This is because our per-
fect Beloved is God, and our personal relationship with Him lies within
the spiritual dimension.
This means that the spiritual world is filled with activity and
variety. It is a place of complete happiness and pleasure. It is that place
that John Lennon was imagining. The reason why John and the rest of
us all look for this place is because it exists. This is where each of us is
from. This is our original home: Eden.
Here in this physical world, our physical bodies are not our-
selves. They are temporary vehicles we drive around for a while, and
then they die and decompose. Within these bodies resides our true
selves: Our spiritual selves. Our spiritual selves were born in Eden.
The phrase “the man” in this verse is being translated from the
Hebrew ‫‘( אָדָ ם‬adam). While the word can be translated to the allegori-
cal first man, “Adam,” this Hebrew word ‫ אָדָ ם‬can also be translated to
mean, according to the lexicon, ‘human being’ and ‘mankind.’ What is
being described allegorically is the spirit-person: the living being.
107
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is important to understand the context of the event being de-
scribed. The first chapter of Genesis already described the creation of
the physical world, where the water, earth, sky and so on were created,
and the plants, the fish, the beasts, and humankind were all created and
populated the earth (“be fruitful and multiply”). Are we saying that this
description was not enough? That now Genesis has to describe the crea-
tion of man within the physical world a second time, but this time
changing it to occur within a garden in Asia, and the first man as a gar-
dener? No. Genesis does not have to re-state God’s creation of the
physical world. And there is absolutely no foundation for the ‘garden of
Eden’ being in Asia.
What is being described here, in allegorical terms, is the crea-
tion and placement of each of us as spirit-persons within a location in
the spiritual world. The ‘garden’ or ‘section’ of Eden is a protected
section of God’s spiritual world: It is our original home.
This is confirmed by later verses in Genesis that describe God
walking through Eden. Jesus described God as “Our Father in heaven”
because the spiritual realm is characterized by God’s personal presence.
Each of us was created by God and placed into a designated
section of God’s spiritual dimension where we could each exercise our
unique loving relationship with the Supreme Being. Caring for God
within our natural relationship with God is what gives us true happi-
ness. This is why this location is being described as Eden, meaning a
place of ‘pleasure’ and ‘delight.’
We can see that we are each by nature loving servants when we
experience pleasure from engaging in the loving service of our spouse
and family members as we care for them. We can see that this caring
drives people to do so many things on behalf of their families. This is
our real nature: We are caring, loving servants. The problem occurs,
however, when the bodies of our family members die or otherwise
leave us. We become heartbroken. This is because we were created to
care for God and His children within the spiritual world – Eden. This is
why Moses and Jesus both taught that love for God was the most im-
portant commandment:
your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5,
Mark 12:30)
108
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
commanded the man, “You are free
And the LORD God com
to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not
eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
die.”
(Genesis 2:16-
2:16-17)
This is an allegorical description of something that happened to
each of us. “Man” here is being translated from the Hebrew word ‫אָדָ ם‬
('adam), which can mean a particular 'man,' or 'mankind,' according to
the lexicon. Furthermore, it can indicate a 'being' or 'beings' in general.
In this case, as we've shown with earlier verses, this event is describing
something that happened to each of us, as spiritual beings, in a section
(or “garden”) of Eden - the spiritual world.
THE SYMBOLISM OF TREES

As we described earlier, the 'trees' of the 'garden' represent the
relationships and activities of the spiritual kingdom:
And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the
ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for
food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:8)
These are not physical trees. They are symbolic. Have we ever
seen a tree of life or a tree of knowledge growing anywhere?
Within the spiritual world there are so many activities. These
all revolve around the various relationships that exist between the Su-
preme Being and each spiritual living being. In other words, each of us
has a unique relationship with the Supreme Being, and there are differ-
ent types of relationships. Each type of relationship comes with
particular activities, as we render loving service to the Supreme Person
- and exchange our particular flavor of relationship with Him.
These relationships with God are symbolically 'trees' - because
they give 'fruit' that is “good for food” - because these loving relation-
ships are effectively our spiritual 'food.'
The verse then describes two important 'trees.' Why are they in
the “middle of the garden?” This is not the geographical “middle”
being discussed. This indicates the center: these are the most important
'trees:' These are the central 'trees.'
109
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'tree of life' is love for God. It is central to the various rela-
tionships that exist within the spiritual realm because all of these
relationships are based on feelings of love for God.
And the 'tree of knowledge of good and evil' represents the
ability to reject the Supreme Being and try to become God-like – essen-
tially becoming envious of God. This is why God says eating the ‘fruit’
of this ‘tree’ would cause them to “surely die.” This is because reject-
ing our loving relationship with God causes us spiritual death: The
death of our loving relationship with Him.
LOVE REQUIRES FREEDOM

Yet such an ability to choose is critical in the spiritual realm
because in order for real love to exist there must be freedom of choice.
God created this tree of choice because without the choice to not love
God, we could not truly love Him. It would be slavery if God created
us without the choice to love Him. We would effectively be robots.
We have to remember that God put the 'tree' of 'knowledge of
good and evil' there. Why would God put a 'tree' with attractive 'fruit' in
the middle of the 'garden' and then ask Adam not to eat its 'fruit'? God
didn't have to put this 'tree' there, let alone in the 'middle' of the 'gar-
den.' If He really wanted to make sure Adam didn't eat of its fruit, He
would not have put it there in the first place. This only confirms that
putting the 'tree' there and then asking 'Adam' not to 'eat' the 'fruit' of
the 'tree' symbolically means that God has given us the freedom to love
and serve Him, or not.
God created each of us in order to freely exchange a loving re-
lationship with Him. This is why we are all so crazy about love. Just
listen to any song or watch any movie. They are all mostly about seek-
ing love or exchanging love. Everyone needs love because we were
created to love. Love is in our nature.
But we are never happy with the so-called love we find here in
the physical world. It never seems to be enough. Why? Because God
created us to love Him. And until we are loving the Supreme Person,
God, we are never satisfied.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL

So what does the “knowledge of good and evil” have to do
with the freedom to love God or not? “Good” here is taken from the
Hebrew word ‫( טוֹב‬towb) which does not mean “good” in the sense of
righteousness, as it insinuates when placed next to the word “evil.” ‫טוֹב‬
means something that is 'pleasant, agreeable, rich, happy, prosperous'
and 'valuable in estimation' according to the lexicon.
110
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Furthermore, “evil” is being translated from the Hebrew word
‫( ַרע‬ra'), which can mean 'evil' or 'wicked,' but these are fairly low in the
grammatical hierarchy of the word. The more practical translation,
according to the lexicon is 'bad, disagreeable, malignant, unpleasant,
giving pain, displeasing, sad, unhappy' and so on.
In other words, the “knowledge of good and evil” is a poor
translation of the Hebrew, put forth by those with a poor understanding
of the event Genesis is describing. The more precise translation would
be something akin to the “knowledge of pleasure and displeasure,” or
the “knowledge of pleasure and pain.”
THE ISSUE OF ENJOYMENT

What we are talking about is enjoyment. If someone has the
knowledge of pleasure and pain, or the knowledge of pleasure and dis-
pleasure, then they become aware of enjoyment. They become able to
enjoy. Just consider if a person does not know what is painful or dis-
pleasing. They won't be able to understand what is pleasing or
enjoyable. They cannot enjoy unless they understand (“know”) the
opposite of enjoyment.
So why is knowing enjoyment a big deal in the 'garden'? It is
because God is ultimately the Enjoyer in the spiritual world. He enjoys
the love and the loving service of His children. Because He understands
(“knows”) pleasure and pain, He is the ultimate Enjoyer. In the spiri-
tual dimension, we enjoy God's enjoyment. When God is pleased, we
experience pleasure. So our pleasure is connected to His pleasure. This
exists within the loving relationships of the spiritual realm.
But we know from Genesis that God also offered us the choice
to also know pleasure and pain. We have the choice to try to become
independent enjoyers. Though it is not our natural position, we still
have the choice to seek enjoyment independently of God.
This sort of “knowing” enjoyment is all about wanting what
God has. By wanting to experience enjoyment independently, we are
effectively wanting to be in the position of God. This is confirmed by
the serpent later in Genesis:
(Genesis 3:5)
Again, the “good and evil” here is taken from the Hebrew
words described above, which are better translated to “pleasure and
pain,” ultimately meaning enjoyment.
And the operator in the serpent's statement is: “you will be like
God.”
111
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bottom line is that we were created as God's lover and lov-
ing servant, and God is our Beloved. This makes God effectively the
Enjoyer. He enjoys our loving service, and we (in our natural position)
enjoy pleasing Him and exchanging a relationship with Him.
However, we can also desire to be the enjoyer, and be the be-
loved. We can strive to enjoy for ourselves and try to attract others to
love and worship us. This is our choice: To love God or be envious of
God. Being envious of God is the same as striving to take His position
as the enjoyer.
Essentially this is none other than self-centeredness. And self-
centeredness is the “fruit” of the “tree” that God instructed us - sym-
bolically, Adam - not to eat.
ENVY AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS

By “eating of” this “fruit” of self-centeredness we become en-
vious of God, and effectively lose our loving relationship with Him.
By becoming self-centered, and envious of God, we “die” in
the spiritual sense. As we read on in Genesis we find this confirmed:
Adam does not die in the physical sense from eating the fruit. Does this
mean that God was lying to Adam? No. The type of death God is de-
scribing is the worst type of death: It is losing our natural position
within the spiritual realm. This is confirmed:
So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden.
(Genesis 3:23)
The event being described in Genesis is our falling from the
spiritual world. Because the spiritual realm is populated with love and
loving relationships, envy and self-centeredness have no place there.
Each of us comes from the spiritual realm, but we do not have
to stay there if we don't want to. Each of us has the choice to love God
or decide to love ourselves first and foremost.
Those of us who have chosen not to love God by default be-
come self-centered and envious of God. We have eaten the fruit God
asked us not to eat, and thus now find ourselves banished to this hellish
physical world, away from Our Best Friend God and our natural loving
relationship with Him.
This is why this physical world is so full of sadness, wars, vio-
lence, greed, and envy as everyone struggles to enjoy at the expense of
others: We have fallen from the spiritual realm and have forgotten our
loving relationship with God and our natural position as His loving
servant.
112
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be
alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
him.”
(Genesis 2:18)
ALONE IN THE GARDEN?
The word “alone” is being translated from the Hebrew word
‫בַּד‬. This can mean “alone” in some sense but its appropriate meaning,
drawn from the lexicon, is ‘by itself.’ This indicates a single as opposed
to a group. The use of the word “alone” here indicates loneliness, and
this is not the case.
The assumption the translators have made is that what is being
described is a place on earth (Garden of Eden) and Adam has been
created and just left alone there. This is not accurate.
What is actually being discussed is God’s creation of spirit-
persons within the spiritual world. This is being taught within allegori-
cal and symbolic prose. “Eden” is the spiritual realm. It is not a
physical place somewhere on the earth. The word “man” here is being
translated from ‫( אָדָ ם‬adam) which can mean ‘man’ or ‘mankind,’ but
also ‘human beings.’
The first chapter of Genesis already described the creation of
the physical world and all the plants and creatures, including man.
What is being allegorically described now is God’s creation of the indi-
vidual spirit-persons, and (in the next verses) why some have fallen to
the physical world.
God did not create us and just leave us alone. Are the transla-
tors trying to insinuate that God abandoned Adam? Rather, God created
spirit-persons to exchange loving relationships with Him. Each living
being has a unique and functional relationship with the Supreme Being,
and the Supreme Being enjoys each of those loving relationships. No
one is alone.
OUR PURPOSE IS LOVE

We were thus all created for the purpose of love. This is why
we are each love-crazy. We are constantly searching for love and
someone to lovingly serve. Unfortunately, we are willing to put that
tendency upon practically anyone. This is why people do so many stu-
pid things to impress others. We want to be accepted by others. We
want to be liked by others. We want to please others so they will (hope-
fully) love us.
113
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately, we remain empty and unfulfilled as long as we
strive to impress others and please others. This is illustrated by the so
many movie and television stars who impress millions of fans with
every performance, yet remain unfulfilled, to the point of drug abuse,
alcoholism and even suicide. Why are they unhappy if happiness lies in
impressing and pleasing others?
Because we were created by God to please Him. This is our
natural position. Serving and pleasing God within a loving relationship
with Him is completely fulfilling to each of us. He is the Perfect Per-
son, someone we can completely trust and rely upon. And this is why
each of us constantly looks for a soul mate and perfect person. We are
actually needing to resume our loving relationship with God.
Just how could God have created a single spirit-person and
then abandoned him? Could that even be possible? Could any one of us
live for any stretch with no one?
No. God is there with each and every living being. He does not
abandon anyone. None of us are alone, even if our physical bodies are
sitting alone in a vacant room. God is always spiritually present for
each of us, and He always has been. How is this? It might be compared
with broadcasting. Today we can broadcast a voice, movie or television
program across thousands of miles. In the same way, God is always by
our side, as He uses the ultimate spiritually-based broadcasting net-
work.
A COMMUNITY OF LOVERS
What is actually being discussed in this verse is that while each
of us relates with God individually, and He enjoys this exchange, God
also enjoys relating with multiple spirit-persons, who cooperate to-
gether to please Him. This creates what we refer to as “community.”
In other words, this verse is communicating the creation of
spiritual community. We can see all around us that there are innumer-
able individual spirit-persons. Within each physical body is a unique
spirit-person who has fallen from the spiritual dimension into the
physical world. Yet we tend to huddle up in groups, because we are by
nature, part of the same spiritual community.
It’s funny how people have imagined the spiritual world. In
previous centuries, many imagined it as this place up on the clouds,
where people sit alone on cloud tips playing harps, and God kind of
zips around with a long flowing beard and white hair. In recent times,
popular movies have depicted the spiritual world as this darkened,
foggy and barren place where people limp around in their old bodies.
Worse are speculations of the spiritual realm as being the earth after the
114
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
great apocalypse, with the “chosen” sitting around all day on lawn
chairs sipping lemonade.
These are all speculative renditions of the spiritual realm com-
ing from the physical mind – a physical recording device that has only
experienced the physical world.
The real spiritual realm is a beautiful place; full of life, com-
munity, events and so many relationships. It is not unlike the physical
world in its variegation. But the physical world is a temporary and per-
verted reflection of the spiritual world. The spiritual realm is full of real
loving relationships, community, and events that are full of joy and
bliss. The physical realm also has relationships, community, and
events, but the relationships are based upon self-centeredness – and the
events of this world are usually driven by self-centered purpose, often
leading to the exploitation of others.
The physical world is temporary and fleeting. The spiritual
realm is eternal and permanent. All of the forms of the physical world
are in transition. They are fleeting. A physical body might look youth-
ful and beautiful for a few years, but eventually, it becomes old,
wrinkled, and dies. Then it decomposes. Similarly, everything in the
physical world degrades and erodes eventually. Nothing here is perma-
nent.
The spiritual realm is complete with permanent beauty and
bliss. And the Supreme Being is not an old man. He is ever-youthful
and beautiful.
A PERVERTED REFLECTION
The physical world is like seeing a tree across a lake by look-
ing at its reflection on the lake’s surface. The tree in the reflection is
not the tree, but it looks like it from the reflection. In the same way, the
physical world reflects the real community of the spiritual world, but it
is not that community.
In other words, the physical world is a perverted reflection of
the spiritual realm. The spiritual world is full of love and care, and this
love is centered around everyone’s loving relationship with the Su-
preme Being. Each person is focused upon how to please the Supreme
Being, and this gives each of us fulfillment. And because God has lov-
ing relationships with each person, real love also exists between every
person in the community of the spiritual realm. Therefore, every person
is constantly loving and caring for each other, as they humbly love and
care for the lovers of the Supreme Being.
There are many types of loving relationships between the living
beings and the Supreme Person. This is symbolized in Genesis with the
115
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
description of the various trees, each of which is described as “good for
food.” Each type of relationship with God is fulfilling, and happiness is
derived from the service related to that loving relationship.
At the same time, the loving cooperation within the community
of the spiritual world renders a type of bliss that people here can only
dream of. We’ve heard so many people dream of a place where there
are no wars, no violence, no hatred, no bigotry and so on. But we never
seem to find that place in the physical world. Many have even tried to
develop special societies or communes in hopes of creating this sort of
community among humankind. But these have always failed to bring
about their intended purpose.
Why? Because the physical world is that place where those of
us go who decided we did not want to participate in the community of
loving God. Those of us who began to care more about ourselves than
God and God’s community fell from this community – and took on
physical bodies.
Here, within these physical bodies in this temporary physical
dimension, each of us can act out our self-centered desires. Here we
can carve out a position for ourselves (temporarily of course) in order
to try to enjoy others respecting us and serving us. Instead of loving
and serving God and others, we decided we want to be loved and
served. In other words, we want what God has. We became envious –
as Genesis describes as eating the “forbidden fruit” – and now we have
been given the freedom to act out that envy.
The event of our fall from the spiritual realm (each of us, indi-
vidually) is being described allegorically in these verses of Genesis.
Yes, Genesis is rich in symbolism and allegory. The idea of having a
“helper” in this verse is not that God left us alone and felt we needed
playmates so we wouldn’t be lonely. Nor is it suggesting that women
are inferior to men, created only to be men's helpers.
Rather, this verse is symbolically describing the reality that
God did not just create one living being to exchange a loving relation-
ship with. Rather, He created a community of loving, living beings,
who lovingly cooperate with each other – and help each other – in ac-
tivities that please our common Best Friend, the Supreme Being.
116
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all
the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air.
He brought them to the man to see what he would
name them; and whatever the man called each living
creature, that was its name. (Genesis 2:19)
WAS ADAM REALLY NAMING ALL THE SPECIES?
This verse has been mistranslated by those who did not under-
stand the topic being discussed. Is Genesis really describing a time
when Adam named all the species? Was Adam a biologist then? Did he
really name the hundreds of thousands of species? And what does this
have to do with the previous verse?
The word “beasts” here is the first mistranslation. This is taken
from the Hebrew word ‫( חַי‬chay), which means, according to the lexi-
con, ‘living, alive’ when used as an adjective and when used as a noun
in the masculine, ‘relatives’ or ‘life.’ When used as a feminine noun, it
can mean ‘living thing’ and ‘life,’ or ‘community.’
Furthermore, by the translation, one would assume that the
creatures being discussed are those upon the planet earth. However, the
description of their creation came in the first chapter of Genesis:
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures
according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along
the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.”
And it was so. (Gen. 1:24)
In this Genesis 1:24 verse, the word “creatures” comes from
the Hebrew word ‫( נפש‬nephesh). In Genesis 2:19, the word “creatures”
comes from the word ‫( חי‬chay), which actually means, ‘soul, self, life,
person, living being’ according to the lexicon. In 1.24, the word “liv-
ing” before the word “creatures” is being translated from this word ‫חי‬
(chay).
This distinction is made because 1.24 is clearly discussing the
creation of the physical organisms – which contain the self or soul (‫חי‬
(chay)), whereas 2.19 is discussing those living beings (‫( חי‬chay))
themselves. The living being – each of us – is a spiritual entity. We are
not these physical bodies. Rather, we are the spirit-person dwelling
within these physical bodies. We are operating them or driving them.
MEANING OF OTHER WORDS IN THIS VERSE
117
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Genesis also clearly makes this distinction between the physi-
cal organisms, translated to the phrase “Let the land produce...” This
comes from the Hebrew word ‫‘( ארץ‬erets) – pertaining to the ‘earth,’
‘soil’ or ‘ground’ according to the lexicon. This is allegorically describ-
ing that the physical organism is a product of the physical universe.
But the word used in Genesis 2:19 for “ground” is ‫ֲאדָ מָה‬
(‘adamah) which may refer to ‘ground’ or ‘land’, but with something
that is ‘yielding sustenance.’ It is a substance that yields or constructs,
according to the lexicon. This contrasts with ‫‘( א ֶֶרץ‬erets) of 1:24, which
refers to ‘earth’ - the physical world.
Furthermore, “field” in Genesis 2:19 is being translated from
the Hebrew word ‫שׂדֶה‬ ָ (sadeh) which can indicate ‘field’ or ‘land’ but
not just any field or land: Rather, this word comes from the root ‘to
spread out’ which indicates a cultivated or prepared field or land – an
especially fertile, productive or creative land. This indicates 2.19 is
discussing the spiritual world – from whence everything is produced.
Remember also that 2:19-20 follows the verse discussing the
community of the spiritual world (see discussion with Genesis 2:18).
We’ve already shown that this section beginning with Genesis 2:4 is
not a rehashing of the creation of the physical world – as described in
the first chapter of Genesis. Rather, it is the allegorical description of
the appearance of the spiritual living beings and how some fell down to
the physical world.
Again, this is confirmed by ‫( נֶפֶשׁ‬nephesh), which is being in-
correctly translated to “creature.” ‫( נֶפֶשׁ‬nephesh), remember, means
‘soul, self, life, person, living being.’
MISUNDERSTANDING OUR IDENTITY

The reason why translators have mistranslated this verse is be-
cause of a basic lack of understanding of our true identity. Our physical
body is temporary and transitory. This is a scientific fact. The body’s
cells, molecules, and atoms are constantly being recycled. Scientists
have estimated that within five years, every atom and molecule of the
body has been replaced. This means that within five years, we are
wearing a new body.
Furthermore, every body dies and once the living soul leaves,
the body decomposes. The fact that the living being – call it the soul or
the self – leaves the body at death has been confirmed scientifically in
hundreds of thousands of clinical death cases – where a person floats
up above their body after the body has been pronounced dead in the
hospital, and later gets revived, and the person recalls the event.
118
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many cases have confirmed the person indeed floated above
their body because the person accurately recalls seeing things happen-
ing around them – or elsewhere in the hospital – while their body was
lying dead on the operating table or hospital bed.
What leaves the body is the self – the spiritual living being.
Each of us is spiritual living beings. We are not these temporary physi-
cal bodies.
However, when we are within a physical body, we have the il-
lusion that this physical body is our identity. This is God’s design, to
give us the illusion that we are away from God, and able to act out our
desires (mixed with a heavy dose of education).
This misidentification with the body is the disease of the spiri-
tual living beings trapped within the physical world. But one must have
a clear understanding of our true identity as spiritual living beings in
order to properly translate Genesis from its Hebrew into English or any
other language.
In other words, this verse is not describing Adam naming all
the species as supposed by the translators. Rather, this verse is describ-
ing something entirely different.
THIS VERSE IS DISCUSSING GOD'S NAME

The Hebrew word that is being translated to “name them” and
later “called” is ‫( ק ָָרא‬qara’). This means ‘to call, call out, recite, read,
cry out, proclaim.’ More specifically, according to the lexicon, ‘to call
with the name of God.’
Furthermore, the word ‫( שֵׁם‬shem) which is being translated to
“that was its name” has a more specific meaning in this context, as it
relates to ‘reputation, fame, glory’. According to the lexicon, ‫( שֵׁם‬shem)
can specifically mean ‘the Name as the designation of God.’
Is Genesis not talking about God? Why would Genesis be dis-
cussing Adam naming the hundreds of thousands of species? Is this a
biology textbook or a book written to glorify God?
The answer is the latter. The Book of Genesis is not a biology
textbook. There is no need for Adam to name hundreds of thousands of
species that roam the earth. Plus this has nothing to do with the subject
matter anyway.
Rather, what is being described is God’s creation of the spiri-
tual community of living beings (namely, us), and the fact that the
spiritual living beings of the spiritual community glorify God’s Holy
Names. This is a common activity of the spiritual realm because the
central component of Eden – the spiritual world – is the common love
of its inhabitants upon the Supreme Person.
119
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF PRAISING GOD'S NAMES

Glorifying God’s Holy Names is a spiritual activity that has
been promoted throughout the books of the Bible, by so many of God’s
representatives. Just consider these verses:
At that time men [of the earth] began to call on the Name of
the LORD. (Genesis 4:26)
From there he [Abraham] went on toward the hills east of
Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on
the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on
the Name of the LORD. (Genesis 12:8)
...and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called
on the Name of the LORD. (Genesis 13:4)
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he
called upon the Name of the LORD, the Eternal God.
(Genesis 21:33)
Isaac built an altar there and called on the Name of the
LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a
well. (Genesis 26:25)
“You shall not misuse the Name of the LORD your God, for
the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His
Name.” (Exodus 20:7)
the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His
Name.” (Deuteronomy 5:11)
“...he may minister in the Name of the LORD his God like all
his fellow Levites who serve there in the presence of the
LORD.” (Deuteronomy 18:7)
“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does
not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has
not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not
be afraid of Him.” (Deuteronomy 18:22)
“The priests, the sons of Levi, shall step forward, for the
LORD your God has chosen them to minister and to
pronounce blessings in the Name of the LORD and to decide
all cases of dispute and assault.” (Deuteronomy 21:5)
“Then all the peoples on earth will see that You are called by
the Name of the LORD, and they will revere You.”
(Deuteronomy 28:10)
120
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I will proclaim the Name of the LORD. Oh, praise the
greatness of our God!” (Deuteronomy 32:3)
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with
sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the
Name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel,
whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45)
Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn
friendship with each other in the Name of the LORD, saying,
‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your
descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left,
and Jonathan went back to the town. (1 Samuel 20:42)
He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up
from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the
Name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the
cherubim that are on the ark. (2 Samuel 6:2)
After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and
fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the Name of the
LORD Almighty. (2 Samuel 6:18)
The people, however, were still sacrificing at the high places,
because a temple had not yet been built for the Name of the
LORD. (1 Kings 3:2)
“You know that because of the wars waged against my father
David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the
Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies
under His feet.” (1 Kings 5:3)
“I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the
LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when He
said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place
will build the temple for My Name.’” (1 Kings 5:5)
“My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the
Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (1 Kings 8:17)
“The LORD has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded
David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as
the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name
of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (1 Kings 8:20)
When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon
and his relation to the Name of the LORD, she came to test
him with hard questions. (1 Kings 10:1)
121
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the
Name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire – He is
God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.” (1
Kings 18:24)
With the stones he built an altar in the Name of the LORD,
and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs
of seed. (1 Kings 18:32)
The king said to him, “How many times must I make you
swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the Name of the
LORD?” (1 Kings 22:16)
He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on
them in the Name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of
the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. (2 Kings 2:24)
But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he
would surely come out to me and stand and call on the Name
of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure
me of my leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:11)
“Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the
life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.” (Jeremiah
20:13)
After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and
LORD. (1 Chronicles 16:2)
So David went up in obedience to the word that Gad had
spoken in the Name of the LORD. (1 Chronicles 21:19)
David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build
a house for the Name of the LORD my God.” (1 Chronicles
22:7)
“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your
God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that
you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the
sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be
built for the Name of the LORD.” (1 Chronicles 22:19)
Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the
LORD and a royal palace for himself. (2 Chronicles 2:1)
“Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD
my God and to dedicate it to Him for burning fragrant
incense before Him, for setting out the consecrated bread
regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and
122
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
evening and on Sabbaths and New Moons and at the
appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is a lasting
ordinance for Israel.” (2 Chronicles 2:4)
Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 6:7)
“The LORD has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded
of the LORD, the God of Israel.” (2 Chronicles 6:10)
LORD?” (2 Chronicles 18:15)
The other events of Manasseh’s reign, including his prayer to
his God and the words the seers spoke to him in the Name of
the LORD, the God of Israel, are written in the annals of the
kings of Israel. (2 Chronicles 33:18)
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will
depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may
the Name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21)
“I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness
and will sing praise to the Name of the LORD Most High.”
(Psalm 7:17)
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in
the Name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
“The nations will revere the Name of the LORD, all the kings
of the earth will revere Your glory.” (Psalm 102:15)
“So the Name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and His
praise in Jerusalem.” (Psalm 102:21)
“Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise
the Name of the LORD.” (Psalm 113:1)
“Let the Name of the LORD be praised, both now and
forevermore.” (Psalm 113:2)
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the
Name of the LORD is to be praised.” (Psalm 113:3)
“Then I called on the Name of the LORD: “O LORD, save
me!” (Psalm 116:4)
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the Name of the
LORD.” (Psalm 116:13)
123
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the Name
of the LORD.” (Psalm 116:17)
“That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to
praise the Name of the LORD according to the statute given
to Israel.” (Psalm 122:4)
“Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven
and earth.” (Psalm 124:8)
“May those who pass by not say, “The blessing of the LORD
be upon you; we bless you in the Name of the LORD.”“
(Psalm 129:8)
“Praise the LORD. Praise the Name of the LORD; praise
Him, you servants of the LORD” (Psalm 135:1)
“Let them praise the Name of the LORD, for He commanded
and they were created.” (Psalm 148:5)
“Let them praise the Name of the LORD, for His Name alone
is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.”
(Psalm 148:13)
“The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run
to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
“At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD Almighty
from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people feared
far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose
land is divided by rivers – the gifts will be brought to Mount
Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD Almighty.” (Isaiah
18:7)
“Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the
Name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the
sea.” (Isaiah 24:15)
“Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the
Name of the LORD and rely on his God.” (Isaiah 50:10)
“And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve
Him, to love the Name of the LORD, and to worship Him...”
(Isaiah 56:6)
“From the west, men will revere the Name of the LORD, and
from the rising of the sun, they will revere His glory.” (Isaiah
59:19)
“At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the
LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the
124
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the
stubbornness of their evil hearts.” (Jeremiah 3:17)
Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and
the prophets, “This man should not be sentenced to death! He
has spoken to us in the Name of the LORD our God.”
(Jeremiah 26:16)
Now Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim was another
man who prophesied in the Name of the LORD (Jeremiah
26:20)
“You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will
praise the Name of the LORD your God, who has worked
wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.”
(Joel 2:26)
“And everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD will be
saved” (Joel 2:32)
“...we will walk in the Name of the LORD our God for ever
and ever.” (Micah 4:5)
“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the
LORD, in the majesty of the Name of the LORD his God.”
(Micah 5:4)
“Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them
may call on the Name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to
shoulder.” (Zephaniah 3:9)
“But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust
in the Name of the LORD.” (Zephaniah 3:12)
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
(Matthew 21:9)
“‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
(Matthew 23:39)
“Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!” (Mark
11:9)
“‘Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.’” (Luke
13:35)
“Blessed is the king who comes in the Name of the Lord!”
(Luke 19:38)
“Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!” (John
12:13)
125
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“And everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be
saved.” (Acts 2:21)
So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in
Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the Name of the Lord. (Acts
9:28)
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed
with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His,”
and, “Everyone who confesses the Name of the Lord must
turn away from wickedness.”“ (2 Timothy 2:19)
“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering,
take the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord.”
(James 5:10)
“Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.”
(Romans 10:13)
These verses confirm that the praising and glorifying of God’s
Holy Names is the highest devotional activity – an activity that can, if
performed with humility and respect, elevate us back to the spiritual
dimension and our spiritual family, where love for God runs rampant.
THE COMMUNAL ACTIVITY OF PRAISING GOD

So instead of this verse discussing Adam becoming a biologist
who names all the species, this verse actually describes a central activ-
ity of the spiritual community: Praising and glorifying God.
One might ask: How did the translators of Genesis 2:19 from
Hebrew to Latin, English and other languages miss this reference to
God’s Holy Names? The answer is that professional translators from
the various sectarian institutions have not been interested in praising
God’s Holy Names. This is evidenced by the fact that so many profes-
sional sectarian teachers virtually ignore all the other Biblical
references to praising God’s Holy Names as evidenced above. They not
only have ignored this important aspect of devotional activity among
their teachings, but they have virtually ignored God’s Holy Names in
their congregational rituals.
The above evidence suggests a more appropriate translation of
Genesis 2:19-20:
Within the spiritual dimension God created a community of
living beings, some of whom roamed the fields and some who
flew as angels. God gathered them together with Adam, and
they all called upon and glorified God’s Holy Names.
126
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So the man gave names to all the livestock, the
birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So
the LORD God caused the man to fall into a
deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took
one of the man’
man’s ribs and closed up the place
with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman
from the rib he had taken out of the man, and
and
he brought her to the man. (Genesis 2:20-0-22)
This verse, along with Genesis 2:19, have been widely misun-
derstood. In many respects, they have also been mistranslated into
English, although their allegorical, symbolic meaning can still be de-
rived from the English assuming the context of the discussion is
understood.
In other words, this is not a description of the creation of the
first woman from the rib of the first man, as has often been portrayed
by paid sectarian interpreters.
THE CREATION OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS

As mentioned previously, there are two contextual issues to
remember about this section of Genesis. The first is that what is being
discussed is the spiritual dimension, the creation of the spiritual living
beings, and (later) how each of us fell from the spiritual dimension into
the physical world.
The second issue to remember is that the spiritual world cannot
be seen by the physical eyes. Nor can it be perceived by the physical
mind - a memory bank of sensory events of the physical world. This
makes the spiritual dimension a bit difficult to describe. Therefore,
Genesis is full of symbolism and allegory. Jesus also used symbolism
when describing the spiritual world:
“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I
would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for
you.” (John 14:2)
We can see here that Jesus is comparing the spiritual dimension
- the dimension where the Supreme Being is the center of love and
127
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
activity - to a house that has many rooms. Both the use of “house” and
“rooms” are allegorical and symbolic. Jesus is obviously describing
that the spiritual dimension has many different sections or territories,
much like our universe has many planets or our planet has many coun-
tries and environments.
Now, through allegory and symbolism, Genesis is discussing
the concept of community within the spiritual dimension. God created
living beings to enjoy a loving relationship with Him. He did not just
produce one living being. He produced a community of living beings,
who were all connected and related to each other. This describes us:
God's children of related living beings.
These verses describe just how we are all connected to each
other.
WE ARE ALL FAMILY

The Hebrew word translated to “Adam” or “the man” here is
‫'( אָדָ ם‬adam), which can mean, according to the Hebrew lexicon, 'man,
human being, man, mankind' As the context of this discussion is the
spiritual realm being described allegorically, ‫ אָדָ ם‬is describing the spiri-
tual living being - the occupants of the spiritual realm outside of God
and His expansions.
The word “helper” is derived from the Hebrew word ‫ֵעז ֶר‬
('ezer), meaning, according to the lexicon, 'help, succour'. “Succour”
means to give assistance to. The better translation in this context would
thus be to lovingly serve.
Remember from Genesis 2:15 we found that Adam - represent-
ing the living beings - was not put in Eden to become Eden's gardener.
His purpose was to serve and care for God. This is the purpose of all
living beings. Each of us was created to care for God. Each of us was
created to be God's loving servant and exchange a unique relationship
with Him. This is confirmed throughout the books of the Bible, inclu-
sive of Moses’ teachings. Consider one of Moses' clear statements to
his students:
“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of
you but to fear [revere] the LORD your God, to walk in all
his ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all
your heart and with all your soul” (Deut. 10:12)
Now the creation of a “helper” to the symbolic Adam is being
described. Let’s delve further into this description and its meaning.
First God causes the symbolic Adam to fall into a deep sleep.
“Deep sleep” is being translated from ‫( תַּ ְר ֵדּמָה‬tardemah) which means
128
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
either ‘sleep’ or ‘trance’ according to the lexicon. What was this
“sleep” or “trance”?
Then it states, “while he was sleeping.” This is taken from ‫יָשַׁן‬
(yashen) which means to be ‘asleep’ and ‘to remain a long time’ ac-
cording to the lexicon.
What is sleep anyway? Sleep is a state of illusion or trance, as
one focuses upon dreaming instead of the waking world. Now we could
figure that Adam fell into a conventional sleep as we know it. But does
God operate on people when they sleep? Don't be ridiculous.
Rather, God – who can influence our consciousness – simply
encourages a particular consciousness among the living beings of the
spiritual dimension: A consciousness of mutual love.
ENCOURAGING LOVE
This encouraging of consciousness is very practical. Consider
what happens at a concert. Here, the band is able to create a mood or
consciousness among the audience by playing a certain type of music
or speaking to the audience in a certain way. Skilled speakers and poli-
ticians can also do this, as they select words and speaking mannerisms
that influence their audience's consciousness one way or another.
So while the spiritual living beings created by God – symbol-
ized by Adam – are in this loving state of consciousness influenced by
God, God takes a part of symbolic Adam to create the symbolic Eve.
What is this part?
The word “rib” is being translated from the Hebrew word ‫ֵצלָע‬
(tsela), which can mean 'side,' 'rib' or 'beam' according to the lexicon.
The 'beam' usage is taken from shipbuilding, where a ship is made of
beams that make up the central structure of the ship. The beams of a
ship, in order words, give the ship its stability. Its beams give the ship
its strength and foundation. “Side” and “rib” also convey this concept,
as these are critical structural components of the body or any structure.
What is being conveyed is a core element of composition: A critical
part.
What is being described here is that a core element is being
taken from one living being to create another. Are we really saying that
some of us (notably those in female bodies) were originally created
from ribs? Certainly not. This has no scientific or biological basis
whatsoever.
In fact, what is being described has nothing to do with the
physical bodies of men and women. These physical bodies are all tem-
porary. They provide a vehicle for the spiritual living being for a few
years, and after the living being leaves, the body begins to decompose.
129
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In other words, the spiritual living being has nothing to do with the sex
of the physical body.
In the spiritual world, each of us has a spiritual form based on
our unique relationship with God. In the spiritual dimension, God is the
dominator and we are all dominated living beings. There is no room for
male chauvinism in the spiritual world because the Supreme Being is
always Supreme. But God's rule is benevolent. He is ever loving and
forgiving.
THE CREATION OF COMMUNITY

What Genesis is describing is the creation of community
among the living beings of the spiritual world. Adam symbolizes each
of us, but Eve symbolizes how we are all connected. We were each
created directly by God to exchange a unique loving relationship with
Him. But each of us also has a part of each other within us - making us
each relatives - and each other's helpers.
This part we share is a piece of the main element of our com-
position: Our tendency to love and serve. We each were created with
the natural tendency to lovingly care for and serve God. But this same
element also relates to our spiritual relatives: we were also designed to
lovingly care for each other in relation to our care for God.
This is why Jesus quoted Moses' teaching:
“And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'“
(Matt. 22:39)
after his most important teaching:
“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and
greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38)
“Like it” is derived from the Greek ὅµοιος (homoios), which
means to be 'similar' or to 'resemble' something else. In other words,
loving our spiritual relatives is inseparable from our love for God. If we
care for and love God, we'll automatically care for and love our spiri-
tual relatives, God's children.
This is because we are related to each other in the most inti-
mate fashion.
We see a glimpse of this in the physical world, as we often feel
an intimate bond with our physical brothers and sisters. Because we
have a common bond of caring for our mother and father, we often feel
intimate with our brothers and sisters. However, these relationships of
the physical body are temporary. Once our various relatives' bodies die,
and then our body dies, those physical relationships cease. We may still
130
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
share a relationship with those spiritual persons, but after the death of
our bodies, they are no more related to us than any other living being is.
In the spiritual world, we are feeling related with every living
being - our true relatives. When we are loving God with all our heart
and soul, we are loving others intimately as relatives that share a com-
mon Beloved - the Supreme Being.
This is why even the most wealthy person in the physical world
is still empty even with all their wealth, yet they will gain a glimpse of
real joy by serving others with their wealth.
This is the hidden meaning within this symbolic, allegorical
discussion of Adam, Eve and the so-called rib: We each share a part of
each other - that part is our tendency to love and serve. This is the key
to the kingdom of God: Loving service.
But truly loving and serving others is incomplete without un-
derstanding who we are. We are not physical bodies. We are the
spiritual living beings within these temporary physical bodies. There-
fore, our love and loving service must be connected to and reflect our
spiritual loving relationship and loving service to the Supreme Person,
God.
131
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh
of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,
oman,’ for she was
taken out of man.”
man.” For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother and be united to his wife, and
they will become one flesh. The man and his wife
were both naked, and they felt no shame.
(Genesis 2:23-
3-25)
These verses have been incorrectly interpreted and translated to
indicate the physical bodies of man and woman and Eden being a
physical location somewhere on the planet earth, where the first two
humans were put to work in 'the garden' and one was created from the
other's rib. Are we really to believe that the first two humans were na-
ked gardeners somewhere in Asia, with one being born of the other's
rib?
IS GENESIS REALLY DISCUSSING ADAM NAMING “WOMAN”?

No. As we've shown from the previous verses, this is an alle-
gorical explanation of our creation in the spiritual world (Eden), and
(later) our eventual fall into the physical world. These verses are rich in
symbolism and allegory. Why? Because the creation of the spiritual
living beings and our fall to the physical world are extremely complex
and technical events. Because our minds and brains have been pro-
grammed by the physical world and its sensual events, we have little
means to comprehend the technology involved within God's creation.
Let's use an example. Let's say we were trying to explain to
someone living two thousand years ago - or even to a child today - how
television images are broadcast from a single location into millions of
households using today's technology. How would we do this? Would
we give them the schematic drawings of satellites, radio transmitters,
satellite dishes and television circuitry to explain how the technology
works? Certainly not, because this information would be over their
heads. They would not understand anything.
What we would have to do is somehow relate and compare the
technology to something they had already experienced. If we were
explaining this to a ten-year-old child, for example, we might compare
the technology to multiple people watching the same kite flying in the
sky. Or we might compare it to the soldier game the child likes to play.
132
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If talking to someone living thousands of years ago, we might try to
compare television and radio to one king sending out the same message
using a thousand messengers on horseback going to different places.
Whatever allegorical symbolism we would use, it would be
meant to try to get across the central purpose of the information ex-
change: What is the intended message?
UNDERSTANDING OUR ESSENCE

As we read Genesis, we must understand the source, the in-
tended audience, and the ultimate purpose of the discussion. In this
case, this is information being handed down from spiritual teachers to
their students thousands of years ago, and at some point having been
put to writing. The information ultimately came from God through
these teachers, and its intended purpose is to enlighten the listeners and
readers about the nature of the spiritual world and how we landed here
in the physical world. The only problem is that its real meaning has
been shrouded by mistranslation and misinterpretation.
We can see the meaning of Genesis as we explore the symbol-
ism coming from the Hebrew. Consider, “This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh.” The Hebrew being translated to “bones” is ‫ֶעצֶם‬
('etsem). ‫'( ֶעצֶם‬etsem) can be translated to “bone” but also to “essence”
or “substance” according to the lexicon. In other words, the symbolic
Adam is saying that he and the symbolic woman share the same es-
sence or substance.
As for “flesh,” this is taken from Hebrew ‫( ָבּשָׂר‬basar), which
can mean the flesh of the body, or used in a more expansive manner,
such as “all living things” or “mankind,” according to the lexicon. In
other words, instead of “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my
flesh,” the message being communicated is:
“We are of the same essence - all living beings share the
same essence”
And who was the symbolic Adam actually saying this to? Since
he is discussing “woman” (symbolizing the community of the spiritual
realm) in the third person, this would leave God. Thus, this symbolic
discussion takes place between the symbolic Adam and the Supreme
Being.
As for, “she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of
man,” this phrase utilizes the same context and language discussed in
Genesis 2:20, which mistakenly translated ‫( ֵצלָע‬tsela') to “rib” instead
of “part.” The Hebrew being translated to “taken out of” is ‫ָלקַח‬
(laqach). This can certainly be translated to “taken out of,” but it can
also be translated to “get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy,
133
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
bring, marry” and so on. It can also be translated to “take in the hand”
or “take and carry along.”
The concept being communicated here is a shared essence
among our spiritual community. The living beings within the commu-
nity of the spiritual world are connected together. We are all made of
the same essence. We carry with us a part of each other.
WHAT IS OUR COMMON PART?

It is the part connected to caring and loving, which is con-
nected to the caring and loving of the Supreme Being. Remember in the
previous verse that it was God who created both the symbolic Adam
and Eve, and they shared this common characteristic or part. It was not
as though Adam owned this part (or “rib”) and gave it to Eve. The part
comes from God. This is our nature: to love and care for God. We all
share this nature, and like it, we also share a common love and care for
each other - in our pure state. This renders the meaning of the next
verse:
“For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and
be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
“For this reason” is connected to the symbolic Adam and the
symbolic Eve sharing this characteristic (or “part”): They are sharing
this need to love and care for God and each other. And it is “for this
reason” that we find the attachments of family and marriage in the
physical world.
Yes, the reason why there is this community called family in
the physical world - common amongst all humans, and even animals,
insects, fish and plants - is because we each share this common need
for our larger spiritual community of God and His children. This is why
we find a glimpse of joy in caring for our spouse, our children and our
parents. We all need to care for others outside of ourselves.
EMPTINESS PREVAILS IN MATERIALISM

This is also why those of us who seek joy by selfishly consum-
ing and striving for the respect and admiration of others are perpetually
empty. We can see this clearly among famous movie stars and media
personalities, who have as much money and admiration as they could
possibly desire. But do these things bring them happiness? No. This is
why so many stars succumb to drugs and alcohol: Despite their abun-
dance, they are empty.
But we can also see that those stars that pursue their family life
in private will find some real joy in that family life. This is because
they are participating in a reflection of our spiritual community. They
134
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
are caring for others outside of themselves, and this care gives them a
glimpse of joy.
This joy, however, is also filled with pain because they are
connecting their love and care with the physical bodies of their family,
which will eventually become sick and die. In other words, all our fam-
ily and loved ones will eventually leave us: if not by divorce or
physical separation, then by the death of the physical body.
Our spiritual community, however, is perpetual. Our relation-
ship with the Supreme Being is always there, and by reconnecting with
that relationship, we also re-connect with our nature of loving and car-
ing for God and the rest of our spiritual community - His children in
their spiritual forms. This is our real family. And this family can never
be separated from us or taken away.
And as far as Adam naming the symbolic “woman,” this is a
mistranslation. The Hebrew used here is ‫( ק ָָרא‬qara') which means to “to
call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim” according to the lexicon,
and most specifically, in this context, “to call unto” or “call (with
name of God)”. This, as we showed when this term was also used in
Genesis 2:20, Adam is not naming things. He was not a biologist who
was going around naming things.
Rather, what is being communicated is that the two of them
(symbolically representing our spiritual community) shared a common
nature not only to love and care for each other but to share a relation-
ship with and worship God - being symbolized by their “calling out to
God”. In other words, what is being communicated here is not “she
shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man” but rather:
“we share this common essence as we call upon and worship
God.”
This understanding brings us to the last part of this verse: “The
man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” What is
being communicated here?
Remember that the previous verses are discussing how we all
share this nature of spiritual community, of loving and caring for God
and each other. This is our pure state. This is our state within the spiri-
tual dimension. This contrasts with the physical world, where each of
us is covered up by our false identification of thinking we are these
temporary physical bodies.
THE SYMBOLISM OF NAKEDNESS

“Naked” is being taken from the Hebrew word ‫'( עָרוֹם‬arowm),
which can also be translated to “bare” according to the lexicon. In
other words, Genesis is not discussing clothing here.
135
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consider the phrase, “to bare my soul.” This is used to indicate
we are revealing our inner nature to someone. This is the application of
“naked” or “bare” in Genesis. The symbolic Adam and Eve (the com-
munity of the spiritual realm) were, at this point in their existence, pure
spiritual living beings, who were embracing God and their spiritual
community. They were in a state of being “bare” or better, “pure.”
The common “part” shared by Adam and Eve reveals our pure
(or “bare”) identity of being God's loving servants. And it is in this
state that we feel no shame, and no guilt.
Shame and guilt in this context are synonyms. What is guilt
anyway? When we do something selfish we usually feel guilty or
shameful. Why? Because our real nature is to love and care for the
Supreme Being and His children without any self-centeredness - with-
out expecting anything in return. This is our pure nature, and when we
abandon it in favor of self-centeredness, we feel guilty because we
know being selfish is not our true nature. Thus we can also say that
since our essence is given to us by the Supreme Being, guilt is also a
message from the Supreme Being trying to remind us of our true na-
ture. Thus, guilt is actually God calling us back home to Him.
136
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild
animals the LORD God had made. He said to the
woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from
any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the
serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the
garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit
from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and
you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not
surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God
knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be
opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and
evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)
THE MEANING OF THIS ALLEGORICAL EXCHANGE
Understanding the meaning of this exchange is critical to real-
izing the message of this allegorical story from Genesis.
These verses are not, as some sectarian teachers from various
institutions have proposed, to be taken literally. There is no physical
place called Eden somewhere on earth, where God planted trees of life
and trees of knowledge, and God put a man, then removed a rib from
the man and used it to make a woman, and then put a snake there to
tempt the woman into eating the fruit that God didn't want them to eat.
That would be a ridiculous story if taken as literal. What are trees of
life and trees of knowledge? Is man missing a rib? If God didn't want
them to eat from that tree why did He put the tree there in the first
place? And why would God put a serpent there who supposedly ac-
cuses Him of deceiving Adam regarding the results of eating the fruit?
These are only a few of the problems presented by the assump-
tion that these verses are to be taken literally. A literal interpretation
produces a variety of mistranslations here and in other sections of this
text.
Rather, these verses are discussing - in allegorical terms rich
with symbolism - how some of the citizens of the spiritual world fell to
the physical world.
137
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SYMBOLISM USED IN GENESIS 2 AND 3
Here is a listing of some of the symbolism used up to this point
in the allegorical story of Adam and Eve in Eden - as referenced from
earlier verses:
Eden represents the spiritual world. This is the part of God's
creation where He is personally present. This is the location where the
Supreme Being created and placed the spiritual living beings and en-
joys exchanging unique relationships with each of them (each of us).
Adam represents the spiritual living beings created by God in
the spiritual world (each of us). The living beings were created to care
for God. Each of us thus has an inherent unique relationship with God.
And since the living beings are created by God, each of us has some of
God's essence. We each are made of a part of God, but we are not God.
Eve represents the spiritual community within the spiritual di-
mension. There are countless living beings in the spiritual world, and
they all cooperate with each other and help each other, primarily in
conjunction with their loving relationship with God.
The “rib” (a mistranslation - should be part or essence) repre-
sents the fact that all the spiritual living being share the same essence,
given by God. That essence is our natural position of caring for God as
His servant and caring for God's children and associates. This is our
natural state: Our pure state. This is why we are always searching for
someone to love and serve during our physical lifetimes: We are
searching to regain our natural state, and the one we are searching for
(our “soul mate”) is actually the Supreme Being.
The tree of life is one of the two symbolic trees in the “middle”
of Eden. The tree of life represents love for God. This is symbolized by
a tree because a tree gives fruit that can be nourishing and sustaining.
This symbolic tree of love for God gives each citizen of the spiritual
world their sustenance: Complete fulfillment. Loving and caring for
God within our unique relationship with Him is the lifeblood of every
spiritual living being within the spiritual world. This is why it is in the
symbolic “middle” of Eden.
The tree of knowledge has been mistranslated to “good and
evil.” As discussed with Genesis 2:9, the Hebrew words ‫( טוֹב‬towb) and
‫( ַרע‬ra') are more appropriately translated to self-centered pleasure and
pain. This 'tree' is also in the “middle” of Eden, symbolizing its impor-
tance, and necessity along with the tree of life.
This 'tree of knowledge of self-centered pleasure and pain'
represents, as confirmed by the serpent here, freedom. Without the
freedom to love God or not, there could be no real love. We would be
138
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
virtual slaves if we didn't have the freedom to love and care for God -
or not.
As an example, consider a teenage boy who must decide
whether he wants to go to college. His parents want him to go to col-
lege, but the boy knows he can also choose not to go to college. The
fact that the boy can choose not to go makes going to college ultimately
the boy's decision. It is the same with our relationship with God. God
made available the choice to not love and care for Him. This makes
loving Him our decision.
Should we choose not to love God: We must live to please our-
selves instead of living to please God. If we live to please God, we stay
sheltered within our relationship with God. And we remain at home in
the spiritual world (Eden), a place of ultimate happiness and satisfac-
tion.
In other words, choosing not to love God creates a huge hole in
our lives. The place that was once filled by our love for God is now a
hole - and we must now seek to fill it by trying to satisfy ourselves.
That need to satisfy ourselves produces an envy of God. Why?
Because God is self-satisfied. He is completely fulfilled within Him-
self. He does not need anything or anyone else to become satisfied.
We, on the other hand, are not self-satisfied. Our satisfaction is
connected to God's satisfaction. We must please God to be satisfied.
This might be compared to a finger. A finger cannot be nourished by
eating food directly. The finger has to feed the food to the mouth to get
the food to the stomach in order to become nourished. In the same way,
we must care for God in order to be fulfilled.
KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL

Again the Hebrew translated to “good and evil” (‫( טוֹב‬towb)
and ‫( ַרע‬ra')) is more appropriately translated to 'pleasure and pain.'
When we are acting within our natural position of loving and pleasing
God, our pleasure is derived from our relationship with the Supreme
Being. Should we seek our own pleasure, and elect to act outside of our
relationship with God, we then must deal with the consequences of our
activities directly. In that case, we must experience pain and pleasure
directly as a result of our attempt to be independent of God. Therefore,
the most accurate translation would be self-centered pleasure and pain.
The critical feature of the serpent's statement is “you will be
like God.” Why is this important, and who the heck is this serpent fel-
low anyway?
139
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The desire to be God (envy) becomes the immediate disease for
someone who wishes to become independent of God. This desire for
independence means we need to get what God has: happiness. Yes,
God experiences both pleasure and pain, but His pain is connected to
love, so it is also pleasurable to Him - and He remains fulfilled, because
both are all part of His pastimes.
But when we desire to experience self-centered pleasure, we
also experience self-centered pain - and neither of these is fulfilling.
Our self-centered pleasure is empty, and our self-centered pain is also
empty. Our envy results in emptiness.
Let's use an example. Let's say that two people have been close
friends since childhood. They've shared everything for several decades,
and they are very close. Then they find themselves running for the
same office in their high school. One gets elected, and the other be-
comes envious that their friend won the election and they didn't. For
their entire relationship up til then, when one succeeded, the other sup-
ported that success and was happy when their friend succeeded. But
now, after to their competition for election, one has become envious of
the other. This changes everything. Their entire relationship changes
because of this envy. They can no longer share or support each other,
because one of them is envious of the other. And what is left of their
relationship? Pain. Emptiness.
In the same way, becoming envious of God changes every-
thing. In the spiritual world, we were intimate with the Supreme Being.
He was our entire life. We shared everything with Him. We did every-
thing to please Him and He reciprocated in that relationship. It was
pure bliss.
Then we become envious and everything changed. We wanted
to enjoy like He enjoys. And that changed everything. We became self-
centered instead of God-centered.
What came first, the envy or the desire for independence of
God? The two are so intertwined that it is useless to separate them.
Wanting independence from the Supreme Being and becoming envious
of the Supreme Being are two branches of the same tree.
WILL THEY DIE?

So what did God mean by telling the symbolic Adam and Eve
“you will die”? And why did the serpent say that was untrue? Was God
lying to the symbolic Adam and Eve?
Absolutely not. God is not a liar. It is a matter of reference. The
death that God communicated is spiritual death. This death is the loss
140
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of our loving relationship with God. The serpent, on the other hand, did
not value our relationship with God in the same way.
That brings us to the notion of the serpent. Just what does the
serpent represent and why would God put such a symbolic creature in
the spiritual world to basically tempt the spiritual community?
Remember that Eve represents the spiritual community of the
spiritual world. The members of the spiritual community must all have
the choice to love God or not. If they didn't have the choice, there
would be no real love. This doesn't mean they have to act on that
choice. But they have to know they have the choice.
In order to have the freedom of choice, two possible options or
avenues must be set up. For example, the boy who is deciding whether
he wants to go to college or not must know there is an alternative to
going to college. He must realize that he could travel the world and
work odd jobs all his life instead of going to college, for example.
SYMBOLISM OF THE SERPENT

In the same way, God had to give us an alternative to loving
and serving Him. So He gave us the potential to become self-centered
and envious - the opposite of loving and giving.
So the serpent represents our desire for independence, and our
potential to become self-centered and envious of God. These are the
more “crafty” elements of each of us, as they allow for optional behav-
ior - behavior outside our natural or pure state. Snakes are also known
to bite, and poisonous ones will inject a lethal venom. In the same way,
self-centeredness and enviousness will also bite us - they are poisonous
to our spiritual life.
The 'bite' is that they give us the ability to turn from our loving
relationship with God. Why are these forces - self-centeredness and
enviousness - strong enough to make us turn from God?
Their strength makes the choice fair. If the Supreme Being did
not give us a fair choice, then we could not make a real decision - and
our choice to love Him would not be as relishing to Him.
In the same way, if the boy decided to go to college and gave
up the notion of traveling the world working odd jobs, this would give
his parents great satisfaction that their son made a wise decision.
This analogy about the boy and college has its weaknesses,
however. In the case of our freedom, this is given to us by God, and the
child's inherent freedom to go to college or not is part of our culture.
Also, when we are choosing God we are choosing to love Him over our
self-centeredness. It's a lot more personal than deciding to go to col-
lege.
141
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, love is what drives the pleasure of the spiritual dimension.
We all seek love and someone to love. Just about every movie, every
popular song, and every effort we make during our physical lives are all
about love. We all want to exchange love. We want someone to love
who will truly love us back. And we want to care for and serve the one
we love. We are each driven by love from every angle.
This is because we were created by the Ultimate Loving Per-
son. God feeds off of love. He is all about love. He doesn't need our
love, but He enjoys our love. The Supreme Being is completely self-
fulfilled, but His pastime is the exchange of love with the living beings
- us. And we also enjoy giving our love to God. This completely fulfills
us. It is our true nature, and the joy and bliss of the spiritual world.
This is why all of God's representatives ask us to return to our
loving relationship with God. This is why Moses said:
your soul and with all your strength.” (Deut. 6:5)
decrees, His laws, and His commands always.” (Deut 11:1)
today - to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all
your heart and with all your soul” (Deut 11:13)
to follow - to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His
ways and to hold fast to Him - “ (Deut. 11:22)
“because you carefully follow all these laws I command you
today - to love the LORD your God and to walk always in His
ways - “ (Deut. 19:19)
laws” (Deut. 30:16)
“and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His
voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life....”
(Deut. 30:20)
And this is why Moses' student Joshua taught:
LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey his
142
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23:11)
And David:
and why Jesus taught:
143
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was
good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also
desirabl
desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate
it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with
her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:6)
This verse from Genesis has been grossly mistranslated by
those who have failed to understand its meaning, and the meaning of
the surrounding verses.
WHY WAS THIS CONDEMNED FRUIT GOOD FOR EVE?

If the “fruit of the tree” was “desirable for gaining wisdom”
why did God advise them not to eat this fruit? Was God trying to keep
them in ignorance? Why did God say, “you will die” if they even
touched the fruit if it would allow them to gain wisdom? This would
make God out to be deceptive, if not dishonest.
This mistranslation is grounded in the interpretation that this
story in Genesis is to be taken literally.
Rather, this is an allegorical story that uses symbolism to de-
scribe our fall from the spiritual world to the physical world. ‘Eden’
symbolically represents the spiritual world, while ‘Adam’ represents
each of us, and ‘Eve’ represents the community of the spiritual world
(here that part of the community that fell with us). The ‘part’ (mistrans-
lated to ‘rib’) taken from Adam is our nature to care for God.
The ‘tree of life’ represents love for God and the ‘tree of
knowledge of self-centered pleasure and pain’ (mistranslated to the
“tree of knowledge of good and evil”) represents the choice we all have
to not love God - making love for God our choice. The ‘fruit’ of this
tree symbolizes our potential to become self-centered and envious of
God, while the ‘serpent’ represents our desire to become independent
of God and disobey God.
HOW WOULD THEY DIE?

This symbolic interpretation of the text allows all the pieces to
fall together, and it clarifies the translation of this verse. God told them
not to eat this symbolic fruit because they would die: They would die
spiritually. This means they would lose their love for God, and their
intimate loving service relationship with God. This is the worst kind of
death because it means the loss of our loving relationship with our Best
Friend.
144
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This loving relationship with God is the source of our happi-
ness and fulfillment. Without it, we are like fish out of water. Just
consider a fish out of water: It flaps around, gasping for its natural en-
vironment. This is no different than we are acting here in this physical
world without our relationship with the Supreme Person. We run
around from one desire to another, looking for happiness and fulfill-
ment – yet never finding it. We go from one goal to another, always
seeking a new one once the current one is reached. Why? Because these
goals are not satisfying. We also go from relationship to relationship –
between friends, family, marriage and so on – looking for that perfect
person who will fulfill us, but never finding that person.
Why? Because that person we are seeking – that relationship
we are seeking – is the Supreme Being. We are seeking to return to our
loving relationship with Him.
This relationship was cut off as soon as the symbolic Eve and
the symbolic Adam – each of us as individuals and our community of
associates – decided that it wasn’t enough to please God and do what
the Supreme Being considered best for us. We wanted more, and we
wanted it all.
But we can’t have it all. This is because we are not God. We
are God’s loving servants by nature: Our role is to care for the Supreme
Being. Our role is to play with the Supreme Person. Our role is to
please the Supreme Being. When we function within these roles, we are
fulfilled because this is our inherent nature - why we (the spiritual be-
ings) were created.
But since love requires freedom, we must be given the choice
to love and please God or to chase around the idea that we can go it
alone – and achieve happiness for ourselves without the Supreme Per-
son.
THE SYMBOLISM OF THE FRUIT

This is confirmed in this verse. The Hebrew verse does not in-
dicate that the fruit was “desirable for gaining wisdom.” The Hebrew
‫( חמד‬chamad) definitely means desirable, but this is followed by ‫שכל‬
(sakal), which is its adjective. ‫ שכל‬means ‘to be prudent, be circum-
spect’ or ‘to look at or upon, have insight.’ Yes, the symbolic fruit was
desirable, and the symbolic Eve certainly desired it. But the desire
came as she gazed upon the fruit, and contemplated what she would
gain if she (symbolically) ate it. The correct translation of this phrase,
instead of ‘desirable for gaining wisdom’ would then be (re-translating
the whole sentence):
145
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Eve saw that the fruit of the tree looked good to eat, and
was attractive and desirable, she contemplated upon it, and then picked
some and ate it.
Contemplation is the key word here. Not only was the symbolic
fruit attractive, but it became the subject of contemplation. While
something can look attractive and desirable, it is contemplation that
breeds our lust for it. We must first contemplate that for which we have
become attracted to in order for our desire to become resolute.
This verse is wise not only in its description of our fall from the
spiritual world: It also can be applied to our ongoing existence. The
physical world – designed by the Supreme Being - constantly presents
us with choices. We are typically presented with a choice to do some-
thing that we know deep within is right, and the choice to do something
we know deep within is either wrong or not so right.
Yet when we contemplate the attractiveness of the wrong
choice – in other words, how it will benefit us in some way – that con-
templation seals our desire. That contemplation provides the impetus to
execute that choice we know deep within is not the right choice.
And once we follow the path given by that choice, we spiral
downward into the abyss of the results of that activity and its related
activities.
So what did the symbolic Eve contemplate, and what does it
mean? In this case, her contemplation was upon what she (each of us)
could achieve for ourselves if we disregarded God’s desires and de-
cided that our desires are more important. This, of course, is a self-
centered contemplation.
Sometimes, for example, we might find ourselves in a day-
dream in the middle of the day. Here we are, in the middle of
something, and we suddenly coast off to a place of contemplation.
What are we contemplating during a daydream? For most of us, we are
contemplating something for ourselves – something we achieve or ac-
complish. It may be sex, money, power or prestige. In other words, we
are selfishly pondering our future.
This is the kind of contemplation that captivated the symbolic
Eve before she ate of the symbolic fruit. She got lost in self-centered
contemplation about what she might attain if she ate the fruit. This is
what we all did before we decided that we would rather please our-
selves than please the Supreme Being. This is what we all did before
we decided that “I” am the most important thing in my life.
And this is our ongoing disease, and the cause of all the suffer-
ing that takes place within the physical world. The human form part of
the physical world on this planet is populated by billions of living be-
146
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ings, each of whom believes that they are the most important person:
Each of us believes that we are to be pleased first. Therefore, we each
seek our own pleasure, typically at the expense of others.
This understanding from this verse and event is confirmed by
this statement from the Gospel of Philip:
“There are two trees in the spiritual realm – one produces
beasts and the other produces devotion. Adam consumed
from the tree that produces beasts. He became animalistic
and gave birth to beasts.” (Gospel of Philip 91)
THE WORLD OF BEASTS

The physical world is the world of beasts. It is designed for
those who wanted to escape from their relationship with God. So God
designed this world for us self-centered souls who have abandoned our
real nature of loving and caring for God and all His other children –
instead caring about ourselves first. This is why the physical world
maintains a strict system of cause and effect. Every self-centered activ-
ity we decide to do has a consequence. This is designed to rehabilitate
us, to help us understand that self-centeredness is not our real nature.
While we seek our happiness and fulfillment in self-centeredness, we
remain unhappy and empty. This physical world is therefore like a
classroom.
If we take this clear view of this verse in Genesis, we can begin
to see our own past. We can see that each of us feels, deep inside, that
we are missing something, and that we have lost something. This some-
thing is our intimate relationship with the Supreme Person. We lost this
because we contemplated selfish happiness without Him. And once we
contemplated that, the Supreme Being – the most gracious and wonder-
ful Person – gave us that freedom. Even though it saddened Him – and
continues to sadden Him – He granted us our wish to be away from
Him.
So how do we return home to Him? We can simply turn to
Him. We can feel sorry for our self-centeredness. We can ask Him to
help us return to our loving relationship with Him. We can begin to
contemplate Him and His nature, rather than our next desire. We can
say His Holy Names to help us contemplate Him. Should we do this,
He will hear us, and He will begin to work His magic to bring us home
to Him.
This is because while we left Him, He never left us. He has al-
ways been with us, hidden from view by our identification with these
physical bodies. Our Best Friend has always been waiting for us to turn
to Him and return home to Him because He loves each of us.
147
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then the eyes of both of them were opened,
opened, and they
realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves
together and made coverings for themselves. (Genesis
3:7)
The meaning of this verse has been shrouded by the literal mis-
interpretation of this section of Genesis. The literal interpretation
thoroughly misses the entire meaning of this allegorical story of the
symbolic Adam and Eve. The symbolism used in this part of Genesis
has been described.
Now we see new symbolism being introduced, following them
eating the 'forbidden fruit.'
THE TREE OF CHOICE

Remember that the tree that God warned the symbolic Adam
and Eve about eating from represents the choice we each had (and still
have) to become self-centered rather than God-centered. We were all
created to love and care for God. But real love requires freedom of
choice. So God gave each of us the choice to love Him or not. This is
the reason for the existence of this second tree, which was put in the
“middle” of Eden (remember, Eden represents the spiritual dimension
here).
So their eating of this fruit symbolizes our having chosen self-
centeredness over caring for God. We decided that we want to please
ourselves rather than please God. Once we made this decision, the
world of self-centeredness - the attempt to enjoy ourselves as God en-
joys Himself - was opened up to us.
This is represented by the statement, “Then the eyes of both of
them were opened.”
It is not as if God was trying to keep Adam and Eve in igno-
rance by asking them not to eat the fruit, as insinuated by the serpent
(who symbolizes our envy of God). Rather, God was simply asking
them to remain within their natural relationship with Him. Within our
natural position of loving God, we are immersed in thoughts about our
Best Friend and Protector. Within this relationship, we are always
thinking of His pleasure and His happiness. And this gives us real hap-
piness.
We get a small glimpse of how loving another gives us happi-
ness when we love and care for our body's spouse and/or family. We
can compare this with selfishly consuming or looking out for ourselves
148
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
in general. These activities do not bring any happiness, as we can see
by observing the many wealthy and famous people who commit suicide
or succumb to drug and alcohol abuse even with all their wealth and
fame.
At some point in time, when each of us was in the spiritual di-
mension, we decided we'd rather seek our own happiness rather than
love God.
Once we turned selfish, we no longer had the consciousness
that allows us to remain a citizen of the spiritual world. This is because
the spiritual dimension is full of love and caring for God and each
other. There is no self-centeredness in the spiritual dimension.
WHAT NAKEDNESS SYMBOLIZES

Did Adam and Eve really run around naked?
Rather, this is a symbolic point to describe the state of their
souls in the spiritual realm prior to their fall. Nakedness relates to the
state of pureness. Our pure state is free from materialism and greed.
And this pure state is symbolized by nakedness in the story of Adam
and Eve.
The symbolic Adam and Eve were naked - pure - before they
ate the fruit. But once they ate of the fruit - became self-centered - they
were not longer comfortable with their pure state. In the same way,
once each of us became self-conscious, we were no longer comfortable
in our natural state within the spiritual dimension.
Consider the change of consciousness that would suddenly
make someone “realize they were naked.” Consider a young child who
ran around naked for two or three years who suddenly becomes aware
they are naked. As the child becomes self-conscious, the child becomes
aware of how they appear to others. That self-consciousness of sud-
denly feeling naked is being used here to illustrate how we went from
the innocence of our pure state of loving and caring for God, to becom-
ing self-conscious due to our desire for self-enjoyment.
ADAM AND EVE'S COVERINGS

So Adam and Eve “made coverings for themselves.” Putting
on fig leaves to cover nakedness symbolizes the beginning of our re-
quiring a physical body to cover our true consciousness. Here in the
physical world, we are all wearing a type of 'clothing': The physical
body that covers the spiritual person within.
In other words, we suddenly needed a physical body in order to
feel comfortable seeking our own happiness. We could compare this to
a person going to a war zone without a gun and other military gear. A
149
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
person might feel comfortable without a gun and military gear in their
own peaceful home, but as soon as they decided they were going to
war, they could only be comfortable when they donned a gun, a helmet,
and other military gear.
In the same way guns and helmets are needed for war, these
physical bodies are perfectly designed for our search for self-centered
happiness. Every sense organ, every appendage, and every faculty of
our body is designed to support our goal of self-centered enjoyment.
We are wearing our bodies much as a person might wear a suit of ar-
mor.
This is supported by one of the possible translations of the He-
brew word ‫ חֲגוֹר‬used in this verse: “armor.” This is appropriate
because the body that covers the spiritual being within is like a suit of
armor.
This is also known scientifically. Millions of people have now
undergone clinical death and have reported floating above their physi-
cal body - looking down upon it. At the time of death, the spiritual
person leaves the physical body. In other words, our physical body is a
covering we wear for a few years before it dies.
The physical body is an incredible vehicle we drive. It is
equipped for our seeking pleasure, and it is also equipped for experi-
encing pain. It is, in fact, designed as a vehicle for learning, and it is for
this reason that the physical body undergoes so many trials and tribula-
tions.
Just think of all the pain and suffering in the world. People of-
ten ask why, if God were so loving, is there so much pain and suffering
in the world. That pain and suffering, in fact, does not happen to us -
the pure spiritual being. While we experience it, we only experience
pain virtually. That pain happens to this vehicle we call the physical
body. This is because the physical body - while designed for our seek-
ing enjoyment - was also designed to help us rehabilitate: To help us
hopefully one day return home.
Like any vehicle, the physical body is made of several layers.
The elements each provide a layer, which includes liquids (blood,
lymph, etc.), solids (tissues, bones) and gases (oxygen, nitrogen, carbon
dioxide). The electricity that runs through our nervous system is also a
type of layer or covering (like the electronics of a vehicle). And the
mind is yet another layer of the physical body covering the spiritual
person.
But underneath these more dense layers is an even more subtle
layer covering the spiritual person. This is the layer of false identity.
150
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the element that makes us identify with our physical body - a
layer of misidentification.
We need this first subtle covering in order to believe that we
are these physical bodies. We can know that this is a false identity be-
cause we each leave our physical body and its identity at the time of
death. The physical body changes throughout our lives, and then gets
old and dies. Then we leave it. So our identification with our physical
body is false.
AN ILLUSION OF IDENTITY
God created the physical world with the illusion that we are
these physical bodies. It is like a video game. A person can become
temporarily immersed in a video game. While playing the game, the
person identifies with the icon-persona he assumes in the game. If it is
a war game, the person identifies with being a particular soldier in the
game - that is, until the soldier is blown up and the game is over. Then
the person can turn off the computer and detach from that video game
and soldier persona.
God programs the physical world with the illusion to allow us
to forget Him.
The initial false self-identification - allowing us to forget God
and our true selves by assuming a new identity - is what is being sym-
bolized with Adam and Eve putting on leaves. They are in the process
of transitioning from the consciousness of the spiritual realm (love for
God) to the consciousness of the physical world (self-centeredness).
The transition begins as our pure state becomes covered by our self-
consciousness.
This is a very subtle technology - well beyond the ability of our
minds to comprehend. For this reason, the spiritual teachers who ini-
tially passed down the symbolic story of Genesis to their students used
this deep symbolism: because the technology is very difficult for the
physical mind to comprehend. Understanding our nature as spiritual
beings are already difficult for the physical mind. The physical mind
only collects data from the physical senses, and the physical senses
cannot perceive the spiritual dimension.
Thus this allegorical story of Adam and Eve, deep in symbol-
ism, portrays the process of our falling from the spiritual dimension.
We fell from our pure state of being the Supreme Being's devoted lov-
ing servants and playmates to a consciousness of seeking of our own
self-centered happiness.
That is what landed us in this physical dimension, and the rea-
son why the physical dimension is full of so many self-centered people
151
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- each of us struggling for our own fulfillment, yet never finding it.
This is because we can only be fulfilled when we are in our pure state
of loving and caring for our Best Friend, the Supreme Being.
152
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the
LORD God as He was walking in the garden in the
cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God
among the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8)
This verse confirms that the Eden being discussed in Genesis is
not a physical place on planet Earth: Eden symbolizes the spiritual
world.
A PERSONAL GOD
This verse also indicates that the Supreme Being is not some
kind of vague force or amalgamation: Rather, God is a Person. He is an
individual being, complete with a personality, desires, wishes, inten-
tions and relationships. This is why each of us also has an individual
personality, desires, wishes, intentions and relationships.
Why would God create something that He Himself doesn't
have? If we can have personal relationships, certainly God can too. If
we can have our own individuality, so can God. In fact, the reason why
each of us has these unique personalities and relationships is because
God has them.
This was communicated clearly by God:
“Let Us make man in Our image... (Genesis 1:26-27)
The spiritual world is that location where the Supreme Being is
present personally. The Supreme Being walks the spiritual world sur-
rounded by His associates and His loving servants who care for Him
and play with Him.
The Supreme Being enjoys the various relationships of the
spiritual world. Here He enjoys so many pastimes involving His loving
relationships with His associates and loving servants. In fact, within the
depths of the spiritual world, God's associates and loving servants do
not realize that God is the Supreme Being: They simply love Him as
their dear-most friend, companion, beloved and so on - whatever their
unique relationship with Him may be.
Many have stated that “God is love” but what does this actu-
ally mean?
The fact is, God loves. God loves to love and loves being
loved. God is absorbed in love because love is wrapped around caring
for those He loves - each of us.
153
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOD HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH ADAM AND EVE
So in this verse of Genesis, God is walking through the sym-
bolic garden. Why? This verse assumes that God would normally meet
up with the symbolic Adam and Eve as He was walking through the
garden. How do we know this?
they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden
This indicates that normally God would meet up with them.
What would they do once they met up? Naturally, they would exchange
some type of relationship. This confirms that the living beings and the
Supreme Being exchange loving relationships within the spiritual
world.
Remember that this event discussed in Genesis is an allegorical
tale rich in symbolism - discussed with earlier verses. Adam symbol-
izes each individual person created by God, Eve symbolizes the
community of the spiritual world, the serpent symbolizes our potential
to desire to be like God, the fruit represents self-centeredness, the tree
of life represents love for God, and the tree of knowledge of pleasure
and pain (correct translation - not 'good and evil') represents our free-
dom to not love God - after all, love requires freedom.
Then there are the other trees of the symbolic garden of Eden:
ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for
food. (Genesis 2:9)
As discussed earlier, these various other trees represent the
various relationships that occur within the spiritual dimension.
Now we find that the symbolic Adam and Eve are hiding from
God by hiding in these trees. What does this mean? Could someone
really hide from someone like God behind some trees?
What is being communicated here is that once the symbolic
Adam and Eve became self-centered - they ate the 'forbidden fruit -
they then felt self-conscious about their nakedness. This represents
them being uncomfortable with their pure state of being God's loving
servants. Once they became self-centered, they had to cover themselves
up - by assuming false identities.
WHY DID THEY HIDE FROM GOD?

Think about this. Once they became self-centered, they were no
longer comfortable with their pure state of being loving servants. Then
they hid from God.
This is what we are all doing as we seek the false enjoyment of
the physical world within these temporary physical bodies and false
identities: We are each hiding from God.
154
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is not as though God cannot see us, however. God is the Su-
preme Being, and He knows each of us intimately. We cannot really
hide from Him.
But we can hide from Him virtually by trying to ignore Him.
This is what we do in the physical world. We wrap ourselves
up in our temporary physical identities and the relationships related to
them - first as babies, then as children, then as teenagers, then as col-
lege kids, then as a young married family, then as middle-aged
professional parents, then as elderly grandparents.
In each stage, we identify with the physical body and those re-
lationships around us in such a way that allows us to ignore God. This
is God's design, and this is equivalent to hiding behind some of the
other trees - hiding behind other types of relationships, in other words.
THIS STORY IS ABOUT EACH OF US

The symbolism involved in Adam and Eve hiding from God
describes both our past and our current state, along with our future
choices. The depth of this symbolic story is well beyond the ability of
our minds to completely grasp. It is a spiritual lesson - a lesson that we
can continue to learn from as it awakens from within our hearts.
The lesson of Eden discusses our past because it shows us how
each of us fell from the spiritual world and our loving relationship with
the Supreme Being. It shows how we had the choice between loving
and caring for Him or becoming self-centered. And once we became
self-centered, we began our journey out - we fell, in other words - from
the spiritual world into this physical dimension.
And at the same time, every day, each of us makes the choice
made by the symbolic Adam and Eve. Over and over, we choose be-
tween our self-centered desires and what we know is right - what God
communicates to us deep from within:
The Supreme Being wants us back. He wants us to return to
His loving arms. But we have to choose to return to Him. That choice,
by His design, is put in front of us each and every day and at every
moment.
155
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are are you?”
you?”
He [Adam] answered, “I heard you in the garden, and
I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
hid.” And He
[God] said, “Who told you that you were naked?
Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you
not to eat from?”
from?” (Genesis 3:9-11)
This exchange between the Supreme Being and Adam is rich in
symbolism and allegory, and is pertinent to our past and present spiri-
tual condition.
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS IS SYMBOLISM?

We know this is a symbolic event because the Supreme Being,
knowing everything, would not need to ask Adam where he was. The
reason for this question is to clarify to the audience the symbolism in-
volved in not being in God's presence, and the symbolic concept of
nakedness.
As we've clarified in earlier verses, this is an allegorical story,
but it is a true event. We might compare this with how parents would
tell a child how a baby is conceived. They wouldn't get into all the
technical details. They would compare it to something the child has
seen and could connect with.
In the same way, this allegorical story of Genesis describes
symbolically how each of us fell from the spiritual world to the physi-
cal world.
Remember, Adam symbolizes each of us. Eve symbolizes the
community of the spiritual world. The serpent symbolizes our potential
to desire to be like God. The fruit represents self-centeredness. The tree
of life represents love for God. The tree of knowledge of pleasure and
pain (correct translation - not 'good and evil') represents our freedom to
not love God - after all, love requires freedom.
WHY DID ADAM FEEL NAKED?

At this stage in the story, after the symbolic Adam (each of us)
has eaten the fruit that God asked us not to eat, Adam felt naked. Adam
was also not in God's presence - which caused God to ask Adam where
he was.
The texts of the Old Testament use the concept of being out of
the presence of God multiple times. To be out of God's presence does
156
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
not mean that God cannot see us, or that God is away from us. It means
that our consciousness is away from God. It means that we are no
longer linked up with God. We no longer care about Him. We no
longer want to be with Him.
This is the product of self-centeredness. The pure citizens of
the spiritual realm are not self-centered. They are God-centered. Their
lives revolve around pleasing the Supreme Being and loving Him
within their natural relationships with Him. But because love requires
freedom, each of us has the choice to be focused on pleasing God or
focused upon pleasing ourselves.
Those of us who have left the spiritual realm and living in tem-
porary physical bodies in the physical world are here because we
decided to become self-centered rather than God-centered. When we
made that choice, we left the presence of God in that we became fo-
cused on ourselves rather than Him. This is the symbolic meaning of
God calling out, “Where are you?”
Notice that being out of God's presence in this story coincides
with Adam's realization that he is naked. As described with an earlier
verse, nakedness represents purity in Genesis. To realize one is naked
represents a change in consciousness - from one of being pure to one of
not being pure.
We can understand the use of this sort of symbolism because
young toddlers will often walk around naked without being self-
conscious for some time, and then suddenly realize they are naked at
some point. The baby realizes its nakedness and suddenly becomes
ashamed by it. Prior to this, the baby's consciousness was seemingly
purer - as the baby was not so self-conscious. While this event does not
fully describe what is taking place for Adam, it provides something we
can relate to. Most of us can relate to a baby suddenly becoming self-
conscious and realizing their nakedness.
In this case, Adam's realization he is naked represents our
change of consciousness from being pure (lovingly God-centered) to
becoming self-centered. It represents the dynamic involved in our fall
from the spiritual realm.
OUR PREVIOUS PURITY

At some point, we were each pure in the spiritual realm. Our
consciousness was focused upon pleasing and loving the Supreme Be-
ing, and we enjoyed a unique relationship with God. This is represented
in this story by the fact that God was walking through Eden looking for
Adam. God wants to exchange this loving relationship with us, but we
have fallen into a state of self-centeredness - becoming envious of God.
157
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once we fell into the desire to enjoy as God enjoys, we became
self-centered and envious of God. This took away our purity. This
made us feel ashamed, and we began to hide from our pure selves with
a new consciousness - one full of desire and envy. This is symbolized
by Adam hiding from God.
The reason why God asks, “who told you that you were na-
ked?” is because He knows that self-centered behavior is connected to
the desire for self-enjoyment. It is not as though He doesn't know what
happened. The story is connecting the dots for the audience.
Self-enjoyment is not our nature. It is God's nature. The reason
why even the richest, most famous people - who get whatever sensual
thing they want including sex - are empty and unsatisfied is because
enjoyment is not our true nature. We were created by God to give Him
enjoyment. We are God's loving servitors, and God is the Enjoyer.
This is also why even the wealthiest persons, after years of be-
ing wealthy and trying everything - end up feeling the most enjoyment
in caring for their family, society, and often caring for others who are
less fortunate. They are feeling more joy in caring for others than in
serving themselves. Even with all that fame and wealth.
This is the clear proof that our natural position is are not being
the enjoyer. We are caregivers by nature. And while serving others and
caring for others gives us joy, our most extreme joy comes from caring
for and serving the Supreme Being.
WHY GOD DIDN'T WANT ADAM TO EAT FROM THAT TREE

And yes, while God 'commanded' the symbolic Adam not to
eat from the tree of self-centeredness, God did put that symbolic tree
there, in the 'middle' (Gen. 3:3) of the Garden no less. And God did
certainly put the tree there, and even permitted Adam to eat its sym-
bolic fruit.
So why did God put the symbolic tree in the middle of Eden
and allow Adam to get to its fruit if He didn't want Adam to eat that
fruit? Did God lose control over the situation?
God never loses control. This is why He is God. God is the Su-
preme Being, and He created all things and controls all things.
However, God also wants to exchange love with those He cre-
ated. In order to exchange real love, there must be freedom. If we were
forced to love God that would not be love. That would be slavery.
God granted each of us the freedom to love Him or not. He
asked us not to become self-centered, as that would certainly mean the
end of our loving relationship with Him, but certainly, He allowed us to
become self-centered if we desired so.
158
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The man said, “The woman you put here with me – she
gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
it.”
(Genesis 3:12)
DENYING RESPONSIBILITY
Here the symbolic Adam (“man”) is denying responsibility for
his forsaking God's request not to eat the fruit. What does this mean?
This is an allegorical story, but it is not an untrue story. Nor is
it a simple story. Within this story lies the depth of our origin in the
spiritual realm, the central components of our relationship with God,
and the reason why we are now here in this physical world, away from
God.
It also symbolically illustrates how we fell from the spiritual
realm, and why we continue to not be able to see or connect with God.
Adam (here the “man”), represents each of us. Eve (here the
“woman”) represents the community of the spiritual realm. The tree of
the forbidden fruit represents our innate freedom not to love God if we
choose, and the fruit represents self-centeredness. The serpent repre-
sents the desire to be like God - envy.
So in the story, God comes walking through the garden and
finds Adam hiding and feeling ashamed for his nakedness (nakedness
symbolizes purity). God immediately knows Adam has disobeyed his
request not to embrace self-centeredness.
Now the symbolic Adam denies responsibility. He blames Eve.
In other words, instead of admitting our error, we want to blame every-
one else.
Even the proposal of the “original sin” theory as portrayed by
sectarian institutions tries to pin the fault of all of our sinning on Adam
and Eve. In other words, we want to, at all costs, deny any responsibil-
ity for our self-centeredness and sinful ways.
Isn't this what we are all doing right now? No one wants to be-
lieve that we have done anything wrong. We all want to blame
someone else. How come we feel empty inside? Why is there so much
suffering all around us? It's always someone else's fault. It's never our
fault. We are so pure, and everyone else is so bad.
Or when we do something we know is sinful, we want to blame
the devil. “The devil made me do it” is the oft-used statement. We
aren't the evil ones - someone else is.
This “it's someone else's fault” potential goes hand-in-hand
with self-centeredness and envy of God. When a person switches from
159
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
being one of God's loving servants to a self-centered person, self-
righteousness goes along with it. A self-centered person is self-
righteous. We can do no wrong. Everyone else is wrong, but we are
not.
ENVY IS THE ROOT

This is rooted in our envy of God. Being “right” all the time is
God's role. Wanting to be “right” all the time is the same as wanting to
take God's position.
Even for most of those who partake in religious activities, we
still consider ourselves the center, and everyone else revolves around
us. For those of us who pray, most of us are simply ordering stuff from
God. We ask him for money, to get healed, or for one of our family
members. It is like He is our waiter or servant, and we just ask Him
whatever we want. In this way, our self-centeredness and enviousness
of God does not change. Everything still revolves around us.
This enviousness of God is the first “sin.” When we became
envious of God, we became self-centered. This is symbolized by
Adam's eating the forbidden fruit. Now the symbolic Adam blames the
symbolic Eve to illustrate how we simply can not admit our error. We
had to blame someone else.
And we still blame others for our issues. Even though we are
here in the physical world by our own choice, and we are in our par-
ticular current situation by our past activities - we still seek to blame
someone else.
Each of us is our own problem. Our decisions and actions got
us where we are today. God set up the physical realm as a place of con-
sequence, in order to teach us. Our current situation in the physical
world is like a mirror. It simply reflects us. There is no one else to
blame but ourselves.
And only we can decide to change. In order to return home to
our natural position as one of God's loving servants in the spiritual
realm, we have to take the first step. We have to decide that we want to
change. Only then can we begin our journey back home.
160
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this
done?” The woman said, “The serpent
you have done?”
deceived me, and I ate.”
ate.” (Genesis 3:13)
EVE DENIES RESPONSIBILITY TOO
After Adam - symbolizing each of us - denied responsibility for
his decision to disobey God and eat the fruit (becoming self-centered
and envious of God), the symbolic Eve now also denies responsibility
and wants to blame her role on the serpent.
Eve (“the woman”) in this story symbolizes the part of the
immediate community of the spiritual realm that supported our decision
to become self-centered, and envious of God. This doesn't mean that
the whole spiritual community fell from the spiritual realm.
We can simply look around us and see that countless individu-
als made the same decision to reject God and become self-centered.
Thus we know that we are not alone in this decision. Why is this?
IT'S ABOUT FREEDOM OF CHOICE

The reality is that love requires freedom. In order to exchange
real love with those He created, God had to give us the freedom not to
love Him. This is represented in the story of Eden by the “tree of
knowledge of self-centered pleasure and pain” (as discussed with
Genesis 2:9, the Hebrew words ‫( טוֹב‬towb) and ‫( ַרע‬ra') are more appro-
priately translated to 'pleasure and pain' rather than 'good and evil').
God, as the Supreme Controller, can put whatever choices in
front of us that He wishes. If He wanted us to be His robots or slaves,
He would not have given us the choice to love Him or not. But the fact
that so many of us have chosen to ignore Him here in this physical
world is a testament that God indeed wanted to give us the freedom to
love Him or not.
This doesn't mean that He doesn't want us to love Him. He
does want our love, but He wants us to give it freely. This is why in this
allegorical story in Genesis, He asked them not to eat of the fruit, but
still made the fruit available to them.
The fact that God created us to exchange a loving relationship
with Him also shows in the fact that He was disappointed at the deci-
sion. He doesn't need our love. He has plenty of other children that love
Him out of volition. However, He knows that we will only be happy
when we are exchanging love with Him. So He is disappointed in our
decision to reject our relationship with Him.
161
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SYMBOLIC PARABLE
This story is basically a parable. A parable is an allegorical or
symbolic story meant to communicate some basic truths.
Here God is disappointed that Eve has chosen to eat, and influ-
enced Adam to eat the fruit. But instead of taking any responsibility,
Eve is now denying responsibility.
In other words, those among us in the spiritual community who
supported and even partnered in our decision to reject love for God and
became self-centered, also denied responsibility. There is a hidden
meaning here, but part of it is simple: We all want to deny responsibil-
ity for our decision. We want to blame someone else. This is part of the
disease of self-centeredness: Self-righteousness.
Remember that the purpose of this story is to put in symbolic
terms what actually happened to each of us. The symbolism must be
carefully considered in order to understand this parable. This makes the
parable unavailable to some and available to others. Why is that?
Some of us simply do not want to know. We want to live
within our pretend identities within the temporary physical world and
our temporary physical bodies. We want to play out our physical lives
as if we are these bodies and the identities that go along with them.
To understand that we are spiritual in nature, and we originated
in the spiritual world and fell to the physical world would quite simply
destroy our fantasy. So most of us refuse to understand this allegorical
story of Eden.
Most of the sectarian institutions refuse to accept the meaning
of this story. From popes, priests and reverends, to deacons, cardinals
and others, the individuals making up these organizations want to pre-
tend that the Garden of Eden was a place on the planet earth, and Adam
and Eve were the first two humans to occupy the earth. This is a con-
venient way to avoid the Truth.
Even though many of these sectarians accept the eating of the
fruit as symbolic to the “original sin,” many do not want to understand
that each of us did this. Many want to blame the “original sin” on
Adam and Eve so we can all deny responsibility. Many simply want to
fit the story into their current physical positions within the church, ig-
noring the real meaning of the story.
THE DEPTH AND BEAUTY OF THIS PARABLE
This is the incredible depth and beauty of this story, so rich in
wisdom. The depth of the story allows some of us to deny its true
meaning so we can continue with our fantasies here in the physical
world.
162
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deep within this verse is yet another lesson, one that gets to the
heart of our fall from the spiritual world.
Eve blames the serpent, saying, “The serpent deceived me, and
I ate.” What does this mean?
The Hebrew word being translated to “deceived” is ‫נָשָׁא‬. This
is an ancient word with deep primitive meaning. On the periphery, it
can mean to become a creditor, charging interest. In its more deeper
meaning, it means to cheat or trick someone.
Remember that the serpent in this story of Eden symbolizes our
enviousness of God - our desire to be the enjoyer and the center of at-
tention (as He is in the spiritual realm). This is confirmed by this verse,
spoken by the serpent:
“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.
(Genesis 3:4-5)
In other words, the serpent is tempting Eve to eat the fruit, say-
ing, “you will be like God.” Thus the symbolism is quite clear.
WHY DOES EVE SAY THE SERPENT DECEIVED HER?

Remember that the serpent in this story symbolizes envy -
wanting to enjoy like God. This is why the serpent pitched Eve on eat-
ing the fruit.
Because we were created by God, we each contain a small part
or essence of Him. While we were created to care for Him and love
Him, we each also have the ability to desire to be Him. This is part of
the freedom He granted us, but it also contains a trap. This is the why
the serpent is being described as having deceived Eve.
The deception is that while we have the ability to desire to be
God, we can never be God. No matter how hard we try, we can never
take God's position of Supreme Controller and Creator - despite the
many philosophies that maintain that we are God. God will always be
our superior - our Master - and we will always be His inferior. No mat-
ter how hard we try, we are never in complete control of others and our
environment.
But once we succumb to the desire to be like God, we fall into
the deception. We begin to strive to be someone we are not. We begin
to lust after pleasure - and experience pain as a consequence.
Our natural position is to care for God and give God pleasure.
When we are in our natural position, our pleasure is connected with His
pleasure. We don't have our own pleasure, and thus, we don't have our
own pain. Any pain that might be connected to giving God pleasure is
163
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
also pleasurable to the living being. Thus we really do not experience
real pain in our natural position.
But when we try to achieve pleasure for ourselves, real pain
comes along with it. This is because God must be fair to us: He must
give us a real experience if we want to be out on our own. Even though
we will never really be on our own, He must give us a virtual experi-
ence of pretending to be Him in order to exercise our freedom not to
love Him.
How does God achieve this? By creating the physical world.
The physical world is a temporary, changing environment that allows
the eternal spiritual living beings who rejected God (us) to take on tem-
porary physical bodies in order to play out our self-centered fantasies.
Because we can never really be independent from God, God had to
create the illusion of independence.
A VIRTUAL PHYSICAL WORLD

We could compare the physical world to a computer game. A
person sits down at the computer and gets involved in the game. He
takes on a particular icon, and gets immersed in the game's environ-
ment. People get addicted to computer games because we can lose
ourselves in them. While we are playing the game we can forget our
responsibilities for awhile and pretend to be someone else. This is go-
ing on the physical world too, as we (from the spiritual world) have
taken on these virtual, temporary physical bodies.
So we take on temporary physical bodies and live out a few
decades - and lifetimes - selfishly focused on our desires. We are each
pretending to be God - the Enjoyer - and therefore are searching fran-
tically for self-fulfillment.
Yet none of us - even the most wealthy, famous and powerful -
are fulfilled in this role. We continue to be empty here, always search-
ing for that special someone to fill our “hole.” That 'special someone'
is actually God - Whom we forsook. This is the real pain that we must
endure. The physical pains of the body are merely virtual reflections of
this real pain of loneliness and emptiness we feel without our Best
Friend, God.
God created the physical world to also teach us. He didn't just
set us free in this virtual world to become lord over everyone. That
would be cruel, because that would never allow us to return to our real
identities. We'd be lost here forever in this state of emptiness.
So God designed this physical world with consequences. As we
go forth to achieve our goals, we are also taught various lessons - via
the consequences of our actions. Most lessons are centered around our
164
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
innate ability to care for others. Most of these lessons teach us - some
gradually - that being lord is not our natural position. Our natural posi-
tion is to care for God and care for others. We need to love, in other
words. This is why Jesus and Moses' teachings - which give us the
pathway back home - were centered around loving God:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-38 and Deut. 6:5)
165
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you
have done this, cursed are you above all the
livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on
your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your
life.”
fe.” (Gene
(Genesis 3:14)
3:14)
SHOULD THIS BE TAKEN LITERALLY?
For those who take this allegorical story in Genesis as literal,
this verse makes little sense. If we believe this took place literally, be-
fore God cursed him, the serpent must have been walking around. But
if he was walking around, he wasn't a serpent, because serpents
(snakes) don't walk around.
Serpents also don't talk. But this serpent apparently did. He
wasn't much of a serpent was he?
And if this story is literal, where did the talking, walking ser-
pent come from? Did he sneak into the Garden without God knowing
it?
The bottom line is that making this symbolic teaching story of
Genesis out to be a literal story of creation is so full of holes that every
verse can be challenged as to its scientific accuracy and authenticity.
This of course reflects poorly upon the scriptures in general, as they
lose credibility due to those without spiritual vision attempting to inter-
pret it.
The reality is that this story in Genesis accurately describes our
fall from the spiritual realm using allegory and deep symbolism. It is
only when we understand its symbolism that we can decode the story
and understand its meaning.
This explains that the talking serpent symbolizes our potential
to become envious of God. This is why the symbolic serpent was said
to state, as he was trying to convince them to eat the fruit:
(Genesis 3:5)
This strategy of connecting an idea, thought or event to a sym-
bolic entity is a common form of story-telling, one that we still use
today. This is how most children are taught things by their parents
(such as the “birds and the bees”). Parents will connect a process or
situation with a “fun” creature so the child can slowly digest and un-
166
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
derstand over time what is trying to be communicated, without all the
technical details - which they would likely not understand.
We also find that many spiritual teachers have used symbolic
allegory to communicate complex spiritual concepts. Jesus, for exam-
ple, was famous for teaching using parables, and even said once to his
disciples that:
He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of
God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables,
so that, “'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing,
they may not understand.'“ (Luke 8:10)
Jesus was quoting Isaiah 6:9 in this statement, as Isaiah also
communicated that so many people may pretend to listen, but do not
really hear what is being taught. Parables tend to filter out those who
are not serious.
ALLEGORY REVISITED
So what is the meaning of God's statement in Gen. 3:14, to the
symbolic walking, talking serpent?
This statement by God is the crux of the event. By becoming
envious of God, we no longer can retain our loving relationship with
God. The pureness of that relationship (symbolized by Adam and Eve's
nakedness before eating the symbolic fruit) becomes tainted, and there
can no longer be an exchange of love between us and God.
This is common among any relationship. We can't be envious
of someone and have a loving relationship with them at the same time.
The two emotions are simply not compatible.
Therefore, envy is not compatible with being in the spiritual
realm.
The spiritual realm is full of love, humility, kindness, giving,
play, laughter, games and so many other events. None of these events
are compatible with envy, however. A person who is envious of God -
the Supreme Being and the center of attention in the spiritual realm -
simply cannot continue to reside in the spiritual world.
God's cursing of the serpent to “crawl on your belly and you
will eat dust all the days of your life” symbolizes the fact that once a
person becomes envious of God, and selfishly motivated, we must
leave the spiritual world, and this requires us to take on a physical body
within the physical world. Thus, “crawl on your belly” symbolizes
taking on a physical body, and eating “dust all the days of your life”
symbolizes becoming a citizen of the hellish physical world.
“Dust” here is translated from the Hebrew ‫`( עפר‬aphar), which
means, according to the lexicon, “dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth,
167
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ground, mortar, rubbish.” The meaning is clear. Not only are we talk-
ing about the physical world here, but it is being described as desolate,
burnt and trashy.
This physical world is precisely that. While there is joy, love
and play among the loving relationships of the spiritual realm, the
physical world is full of war, hatred, violence, crime and greed. Here
we are all competing with each other.
This physical world is the dark side of existence. While so
many worry about going to hell, few realize that this is hell. This is the
place where those of us who became self-centered and envious of God
were sent to play out our desires to rule over others and attempt to en-
joy ourselves.
This hasn't worked out very well. On a worldwide basis we
find starvation, disease, drought, and people born into slavery and suf-
fering. Why is this? Why has God permitted so much suffering? Is God
a mean God?
What God simply did is programmed the physical world with
consequences. This feature makes it so each person must experience -
in this life or the next - the results of our activities. Activities that
helped the physical bodies or minds of others result in good things hap-
pening to our physical bodies or minds, while activities that hurt the
physical bodies or minds of others result in a similar suffering to our
physical bodies or minds.
It is like looking at a mirror. If we raise our hand as we look in
the mirror, the reflection shows a hand raised. This allows us to see
what we just did. God programmed the physical world in the same way
- our activities are reflected back at us in the form of experiencing what
we put others through in the past.
Thus, we can see that our actions are the cause of the suffering
in the physical world. We have caused our own suffering by our previ-
ous actions. Each person who now suffers, caused others to suffer
previously.
This is meant to teach us. God designed this world with conse-
quences to teach us, just as parents teach children through consequence
learning. This form of discipline, by the way, has been found by child
researchers to be the most effective way to learn. Why? Because we
learn by understanding the consequences of our actions. We learn
through experience.
THE SUFFERING OF THE BODY IS TEMPORARY

Luckily, no matter how much our physical body might suffer,
we are not the physical body. We are spiritual beings temporarily occu-
168
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pying physical bodies - just as a person occupies and drives a car.
Therefore, if our body is starving, we are not starving. Our suffering is
related to the extent that we identify ourselves as these physical bodies.
Once we leave the physical body at the time of death, our connection
with it - outside of its lessons and consequences - vanishes.
This physical world is like a virtual classroom. It is meant to
gradually teach us that love, kindness, and caring for others is our true
nature - and what truly makes us happy. We are not enjoyers by nature.
We became envious of God because He is the Enjoyer.
He created us to care for Him and exchange a relationship of
love with Him. Thus our natural position is His loving servant, and this
is the only thing that will truly fulfill us.
But we must have the choice in order to truly love, so God
gave us each a little part of His essence, which contains the desire to
enjoy like God. This gives us each the choice to love God or not. For
those of us who allowed the “serpent” of envy to gain a foothold in our
consciousness, we now need rehabilitation. And that's what the conse-
quence learning system of the physical world gives us.
That is, if we want to return to the spiritual realm. Some of us
want to continue ignoring God and ignoring our true nature as spiritual.
For those of us, we find all kinds of reasons to convince ourselves that
God does not exist. We make all kinds of “scientific” postulations that
assume that the universe was created through a big explosion, and eve-
rything - including living organisms with the innate ability to love or be
envious - was all a big accident.
Like a prisoner who believes that jail-time and a life of crime is
better than being a law-abiding citizen, God has given each of us the
choice to love Him and return to Him, or ignore Him in this prison-like
physical world.
Ultimately, by His design, we make the choice. This is because
love requires choice – and this prison is the result of our past choices.
169
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and
between your offspring
offspring and hers; he will crush your
head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
What is being described here in this verse - spoken by the Su-
preme Being to the serpent? Those who take this allegorical story
literally would say that God is cursing a particular type of species to be
an adversary of humans.
BUT IS THIS REALLY THE CASE?

Are serpents - snakes - really the adversary of humans? Most
snakes, in fact, shy away from humans, just as do most other reptiles,
mammals, birds, insects and fish. What is so different about snakes?
There is actually little difference between the relationship between
snakes and humans and most other creatures.
Many different creatures can bite and even poison a human in
one way or another. In fact, most creatures have a significant defense
mechanism that is hurtful or even deadly to some other creature, if not
humans.
Sorry, but snakes were not produced by this curse spoken by
God in this allegorical parable. Rather, what is accurately being de-
scribed, using symbolism, is the eventual course that we who rejected
God and became envious of Him were destined to take - a course that is
unfolding before us in the physical realm.
The reality - as shown previously - is that the serpent represents
our envy of the Supreme Being. This type of symbolism - of comparing
a characteristic or trait to a particular type of animal is quite common
among ancient teachings, as we've discussed. It is also common today,
especially when a knowledgeable person tries to explain something
complex to someone who is not as knowledgeable about the subject
matter. For example, a person might say, “that job was a bear.” Or one
might say, “he was a tiger” or perhaps “a tortoise.”
So how did we become envious of the Supreme Being? We are
each created as parts and parcels of the Supreme Person and thus we
maintain a small portion of His essence - and the capability to want to
be like Him.
While He created us to serve Him and exchange a loving rela-
tionship with Him, He also gave us the freedom to love Him or not.
170
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If we choose not to express our natural position of loving and
caring for God, this leaves a void within us. This void - or emptiness -
causes us to become envious of God.
We can compare this to becoming envious here in the physical
world. When a person sees another becoming successful and becomes
envious of that success, what does that indicate? It indicates the person
is empty inside. He is envious of the person's success because he is not
fulfilled within himself.
THIS IS PART OF OUR HEALING

Each of us has fallen to the physical world and taken on a tem-
porary physical body because we turned our back on our relationship
with God - and the emptiness caused by this choice resulted in us be-
coming envious of Him. This requires healing.
Essentially, we decided that instead of loving and serving God,
we wanted what He has: We wanted to be like Him. This is expressed
within Genesis by the clear statement of the serpent:
(Gen. 3:5)
With this understanding of the symbolic serpent - like the ser-
pent symbolizes our envy of God - this curse by the Supreme Being
becomes clear. By God cursing the serpent, He is saying that our envy
of Him will cause us great strife and conflict. And truly, it has.
Just look around. What do we see? We see that everyone
within the physical world is involved in some kind of conflict or an-
other, created by our enviousness of what others have. We want what
appears to belong to another, so we struggle to obtain what someone
else has accomplished or gained.
Most of the world struggles in one form or another, if not to
gain what others have, then simply to keep the body alive.
In other words, our struggles to gain what others have cursed
us to the very need for physical survival. For this reason, most of the
world lives in abject poverty and must toil daily for our food and shel-
ter.
For the more affluent, the struggle might be physically easier,
but this is typically replaced with psychological strife as we struggle
with each other for positions, titles, paychecks, political power and
other resources. Within the more affluent societies, the struggle for
survival is replaced by economic conflict and financial battles that must
be fought and won for survival.
171
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The more affluent societies must also engage in brutal me-
chanical warfare to protect their affluence. This comes in the form of
sending young men and women to battlefields to engage enemies that
threaten that country in one form or another.
In fact, our very existence in the physical world necessitates
conflict. From the time we are born into these bodies we fight disease,
we fight for authority, we fight for position, we fight with peers, we
fight for our rights, we fight against humiliation and discrimination, we
fight for political position, we fight for food, we fight for shelter, we
fight for jobs, we fight old age, and then we fight death. Our entire life
if filled with conflict. Why?
WHAT DOES THIS CURSE BY GOD MEAN?

This curse by the Supreme Being explains it. We became envi-
ous of Him. We wanted to “be like God,” as the symbolic serpent said.
We wanted authority. We wanted to be the enjoyer. We wanted to be-
come the center of attention.
These are all things He has and we do not have, because we
were created to care for Him and love Him. But since we got envious
and wanted those things that only He has, our future course is now
littered with conflict as we struggle to obtain what is not ours.
Yes, the Supreme Being is explaining that this enviousness of
Him will result in constant conflict, where there was previously none
(when we loved and cared for God). “I will put enmity between you and
the woman” symbolizes the various conflicts we now endure due to our
envy of God. And “...he will crush your head, and you will strike his
heel” signifies the conflicts necessitated by the struggles required to
survive within the physical world - which include struggling for terri-
tory and authority.
This is the reality of our existence - for those of us in the
physical world. We are all struggling for what essentially belongs to
God. We see so many battles being fought for territory around the
world. We see the peoples of Israel and Palestine fighting each other to
claim property that actually belongs to God. Each side says that the
land belongs to them, and both sides say that owning the land is their
God-given right.
Yet neither side owns the land. None of us own anything. We
come into the physical world with nothing and leave with nothing. We
thus own nothing. Only God owns the land and all the resources of the
physical world. Thus fighting over it is senseless.
These two conflicts along with so many others, are the result of
this curse - or better, prediction - given by the Supreme Being: Due to
172
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
our envy of Him, we will suffer continual conflict within the physical
world as we struggle to achieve some portion of His position and au-
thority.
Why must we struggle within the physical world? Because
envy has no place in the spiritual realm. The spiritual realm is full of
love, joy, happiness and loving relationships. In the spiritual realm,
God is the center of attention and the One who is loved by all. And He
exchanges that love with each spiritual being and each spiritual person
loves each other as well. There is no room for conflict because there is
only love and no envy. No one is struggling for His position.
This is the world that we all dream of when we look for peace
within the world. When John Lennon sang his song, “Imagine,” he was
envisioning the spiritual world.
But these visions are usually empty because we still want to ig-
nore God - the One Person who is the Source of the love of the spiritual
world. We want to have the spiritual world but we don't want to
change. We still want to remain self-centered and envious, but we want
to live in a place where no one else is self-centered and envious but us.
God created the physical world to house those of us who be-
came self-centered and envious. The physical world allows us to play
out our enviousness of Him by struggling for some part of His position.
Here we can work hard and struggle in order to be served by others and
respected by others.
THIS ALLOWS US TO LEARN

And what do we learn? We learn that being served by others
and being the center of attention does not make us happy. This is evi-
denced by so many wealthy and famous people who are unhappy
despite their success, as they wallow in drug abuse, alcoholism, and
depression.
Thus, while the physical world offers us the ability to pretend
to be like Him (owning things and trying to be the center of attention)
in some respect or another, it is also a rehabilitation center.
The spiritual world is God-centered. The only person who is
self-centered in the spiritual realm is God: because He is God. Being
self-centered is not the natural position for the rest of us. We are by
nature caregivers: We are servants by nature.
This is why even the most powerful and wealthy people are not
satisfied with their positions of authority, and eventually find more
satisfaction by using their positions to help others. We find more ful-
fillment being caregivers. This is because by nature we are caregivers
and servants.
173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But our tendency to care and serve is only completely fulfilled
when we are caring for and serving the Supreme Person. We do find
some fulfillment by serving each other, but this is shallow unless it is
connected to a loving relationship with the Supreme Being.
This is what God is trying to communicate to us through this
allegorical story of Adam and Eve and the serpent - which functionally
describes the path each of us now living in the physical world took. We
will only be happy when we return to our natural position: Our loving
relationship with Him. When we love God, we naturally want to please
Him, care for Him and serve Him. This brings us complete fulfillment.
Loving God means we have to change our consciousness from
being self-centered to being God-centered. This is the purpose for the
various processes of religious activity: Praying to God, offering to God,
praising God and His Holy Names, and studying His scriptures. These
activities bring us closer to God, allowing the Supreme Being to slowly
and gradually become the center of our lives again. Once this process
changes us and purifies our enviousness, we can return to Him and
leave this world of conflict behind, as we embrace the core instruction
of scripture:
174
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pains
in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to
children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he
will rule over you.”
you.” (Genesis 3:16)
IS GOD REALLY CURSING ALL WOMEN HERE?
Once again, a literal interpretation of these verses in Genesis
would lend to a faulty and unscientific process of creation. This verse is
not explaining the creation of woman's features and relationship with
man. If it were, it is a very weak one, because most women of modern
countries are certainly not ruled by their husbands, and many do not
even have husbands.
And today's modern childbirth in hospitals is typically accom-
panied by pain medication, dramatically reducing if not eliminating
most of the pain experienced by women during childbirth.
Does this mean that God's curse is actually pretty weak? That
our modern inventions and society can overturn God's curses? Cer-
tainly not - and these are only some of the dangers of a literal
interpretation of these verses in Genesis.
What we can see from these verses is that during that period of
time when this story was handed down by ancient teachers, the prevail-
ing society held that the man of the family ruled over the woman and
childbirth was typically very painful. So the teachers of that day util-
ized those norms as part of the symbolism of this story. As mentioned
previously, this would be compared to parents explaining something
complex to a child using toys or animals as symbolism (the “birds and
the bees” for example).
WHY IS SYMBOLISM BEING USED?

The use of symbolism in ancient teachings also has another
purpose: It ferrets out those who are not serious about learning the les-
sons being taught. To those, the symbolic story remains mysterious,
because they are not so interested to know the truth. This was clearly
communicated by a number of ancient teachers, including David, Isaiah
and Jesus.
For example, Jesus indeed used one of Isaiah's statements when
asked by a disciple why he spoke in parables:
“This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they
do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” (Matt.
13:13)
175
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is certainly the case among so many of the sectarian insti-
tutions and their teachers that have tried to interpret Genesis literally.
Their intent is so focused upon gaining and retaining followers to sup-
port their leadership positions that they have not only failed to
understand the meaning of Genesis: They have misled others as well.
Rather, this verse is not describing a literal event. This verse is
part of an allegorical teaching story (a parable) that is accurately de-
scribing, rich with symbolism, our fall from the spiritual world to the
physical world, and our eventual fate within the physical world.
Let's review this. So far in the story, God asked Adam and Eve
not to eat the fruit of the “tree of knowledge”. The serpent then came
along and said the following about the fruit:
(Gen. 3:5)
We've discussed the symbolism involved in Genesis. As de-
scribed, the tree of knowledge represents our freedom to love God or
not. God gave us this facility because love requires freedom. No one
can force a person to love them.
BY NATURE WE ARE CAREGIVERS

God created us to love Him and care for Him. This is the pur-
pose of our existence. But because love and caring must be given
voluntarily, God also gave us the freedom to choose to love Him or not.
So should we elect not to love God, we have created a gigantic
void within us. When we are no longer loving the Person we are inti-
mately connected to, we are lost. We are alone. We have no shelter and
no protection.
What then would drive us not to love our Dearmost Friend,
God? Envy. The desire to be God. Because we were created from God
we have this tendency. This is why the symbolic serpent said: “your
eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.”
In other words, the desire to be God is what drives those of us
who dwell within the physical world to avoid God while we try to en-
joy ourselves.
Envy always ruins love. A person who becomes envious of
someone else cannot love that person. Why? Because their focus is
upon themselves and what they want rather than upon the other person
and what makes the other person happy. Love is wanting to make
someone else happy while disregarding our own happiness.
This is precisely why those who preach that we must love our-
selves before we can love others are wrong. “Loving ourselves” is
176
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
simply being self-centered. Loving others is unselfish. The two are
diametrically opposed.
The symbolism of this story in Genesis becomes clear with this
understanding: The serpent represents our enviousness of God, and
eating the fruit represents our becoming consumed by self-centeredness
and envy of God.
This state of enviousness and self-centeredness has no place in
the spiritual dimension. Why? Because the spiritual dimension - our
original home - is populated by those who love God and love each
other. The spiritual dimension has no envy and self-centeredness. Thus
there is no greed, no dishonesty and no hatred in the spiritual dimen-
sion.
Isn't this the place we always imagine for ourselves? So many
people have talked about, and even worked to try to make the physical
world “a better place.” But it never seems to get any better. Why?
Because this physical dimension is the world where all of those who
chose envy and self-centeredness over love of God have been sent.
This is clearly being explained in this allegorical story in Gene-
sis. After becoming envious, God is explaining - again in symbolic
terms - the fate of one who becomes envious of God.
Once we become envious and self-centered, we must leave the
spiritual world and enter the physical world. In order to live in this
temporary dimension, we must take on these temporary physical bod-
ies. These temporary physical bodies have a number of characteristics:
- These bodies are built for physical pain. Pain is part of birth,
and continues intermittently throughout the body's duration through
disease and injury. Even with the advent of pain medication, our bodies
are a source of pain.
- Our physical bodies age and die. This illustrates that this is
not our home. We are from another dimension, where we have a per-
manent existence. It is like being sent to prison: Knowing that we have
a ten-year prison sentence indicates that we have an existence outside
of prison.
- While in our physical bodies, we begin to identify with them.
We falsely think these bodies are us. This enables multiple things at
once: It enables us to escape God. For awhile, we get to pretend that we
are the center of the universe, and God does not exist. It also enables us
to try to carry out our desires: We get to play out our fantasies such as
having others serve us, or having others pleasure us. These come from
our initial envy of God: We want to enjoy like God.
- But because we are not God, this physical world is also pro-
grammed to gradually teach us this reality. God programmed
177
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
consequences into the physical world: Every action here done selfishly
has a consequence. If we hurt another person, we get hurt in the future.
These consequences teach us how it feels to hurt others or otherwise
take advantage of others.
- This is precisely why there is so much suffering in the physi-
cal world. The suffering in the physical world is caused by our actions -
each of us, individually. Anyone who is suffering today is suffering
because of something we did previously - whether previously in this
physical body or when we occupied a previous physical body. This is
precisely why Jesus' disciples, knowing this teaching, asked this ques-
tion about a man who was born blind:
His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his
parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2)
They asked this question because Jesus had previously taught
them the law of consequences, and the fact that our past activities cre-
ate our current situation.
This consequence training has two sides. Helping others im-
proves our future situation. When we do things that have a positive
effect upon others, we will experience similar positive effects in the
future.
THE BENEFITS OF CONSEQUENCE LEARNING

Child psychologists have determined through testing that con-
sequence learning is the best way to raise a child. Why? Because we
learn by experiencing the consequences of our actions.
God is the ultimate parent, who ultimately wants us to return to
our natural state in the spiritual world. Why? Because He knows only
this will bring us happiness.
Why would God care about us? Why not just throw us into the
pit of the physical world and let us selfishly suffer here forever?
This is called mercy. God has mercy upon us because He loves
each of us dearly. So He keeps trying to teach us and give us second
chances.
He knows we will never be happy in our current state, no mat-
ter how successful we become. This is illustrated by the many wealthy
and powerful people in our world today who are not happy. This is why
even those with millions of adoring fans and all the money and power
they could ever use can't get enough or succumb to alcohol abuse, drug
abuse, and even suicide.
These indicate that our natural position is not being in God's
position. We'll never be happy in a powerful position. We'll never be
happy if we have all the enjoyments at our disposal: All the sex we
178
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
want; all the food we want; all the attention we want. This will never
make us happy, and God knows this.
You see, God cares about us and wants us to be happy. This is
why He set up the physical world with pain and consequences, and this
is why He sends us His representatives such as Moses, David, Jesus,
and others: To hopefully teach us and encourage us to return to Him.
To allow us the opportunity to re-develop our lost loving relationship
with Him.
By nature, we are each loving caregivers. This is why even the
most powerful, wealthy people often turn to work for the welfare of
others. They realize that all that money and power doesn't give them
happiness.
This is because we cannot by nature, truly enjoy by being the
master. Our real enjoyment is caring for others.
GOD IS THE REAL ENJOYER

By nature, God is the Enjoyer, and this is His natural position.
We are His eternal servitors, and we are the caregivers of His other
children. This is our natural position, and what brings us happiness.
We see mirror images of this type of relationship throughout
the physical world. We see bees surrounding and caring for the Queen.
We see soldiers serving kings, presidents, and generals. We see doctors
and nurses caring for patients. These are all reflections of the situations
that preside permanently in the spiritual world, but with God at the
center, and mutual care-giving amongst all.
The variegated-ness of the physical world, is, in fact, a reflec-
tion of the spiritual world - albeit a perverted reflection. The spiritual
world is not devoid of relationships and community as many have con-
jectured. In fact, all the temporary relationships and organizations of
the physical world simply indicate a permanent state of relationships
and organizations originating elsewhere - the eternal spiritual world -
the world where God is in charge and we are His servitors.
God is also the ultimate beloved. We must remember that this
story in Genesis is allegorical. God is the perfect person - so wise, and
so caring. He exchanges a unique loving relationship with each of us,
and our relationships with others are based upon our unique relation-
ship with God. The reflection of this in the physical world is how many
of our relationships here are based upon our job or position in a family.
The difference is that our spiritual relationship with God and His other
children gives us each complete fulfillment. The spiritual world is our
home. It is the only place we can sustain fulfilling relationships without
those we care for dying or breaking up with us.
179
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now God, who truly wants us to be happy, simply wants us re-
turn to Him and resume our natural relationship as His lovers and
servitors. But we must make the choice. He never forces us. He may
nudge us, and try to teach us through the consequences of this physical
world and the teachings of His representatives. But never will He force
Himself upon us. Love requires freedom, and God simply wants our
love.
This is why Moses' and Jesus' most important instruction was:
your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'“
(Mark 12:30 and Deut. 6:5)
180
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Adam He said, “Because you listened to your wife
and ate from the tree about which I commanded you,
‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground
because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and
thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the
field. By the sweat of your brow you will eateat your
food until you return to the ground, since from it
you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you
will re
return.”
turn.” (Genesis 3:17-
7-19)
THE FATE OF THE ENVIOUS
Here the Supreme Being is describing, in allegorical terms, the
fate of those of us who became envious of Him and wanted to enjoy as
He enjoys.
Enviousness of God is represented in this symbolic parable by
the serpent, who described what would happen when we - represented
by Adam and Eve - ate of the symbolic fruit:
(Genesis 3:5)
Since Adam and Eve ate the fruit after the serpent said this, we
can know that eating the fruit represents our deciding we wanted to be
like God. Our enviousness took form, in other words.
And what form did it take? It resulted in our taking on these
temporary physical bodies and temporary identities within the physical
dimension.
This is the meaning of the verse, “By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you
were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
The Hebrew word ‫'( אדמה‬adamah) means “ground” or “land”,
but more specifically, “earth substance, ground as earth's visible sur-
face,” and “land, territory, country.” This is referring, allegorically, to
the physical world: The material world, as opposed to the spiritual di-
mension.
181
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WE ARE NOT PHYSICAL
The physical body is like a vehicle that we, the spiritual being,
gets into and drives for a while. This might be compared to how a
driver steps into a car and drives it for a while, and then steps out.
Once in this physical body, we become enmeshed in our tem-
porary identity, and all the trappings of the physical world. We might
compare this to how a person might become engrossed in a computer
video game.
This is the meaning of “for dust you are and to dust you will
return,” Once within the physical world, we begin to identify with this
physical body. Then the physical body eventually dies and decomposes,
returning to ‫` עפר‬aphar, or “dust.” If we become ensnared by the physi-
cal world, we will return, taking on another body according to our
consciousness and deeds of this lifetime. This is the meaning of “and
to dust you will return.”
Here in the physical dimension, we are functionally separated
from God. As we assume these virtual, false identities related to the
physical body, we can forget God, and seek our own enjoyment as
though we were the center of the universe.
In this way, we utilize these physical bodies to seek out our de-
sires. We use them to try to enjoy consumption, sex, wealth,
admiration, attention and hopefully, complete fulfillment. Here we
want everyone to love us. Here we seek sexual enjoyment. Here we
seek to be the head of a big family. Here we seek to be famous and
admired by all. Here we seek power and authority. What are we seek-
ing with all of these ambitions? We are seeking to enjoy as God enjoys:
We want to be the supreme being.
WE ARE NOT GOD

We were created to be God's eternal servitors. God created us
to exchange a loving, caring relationship with us. We were made to
care for Him and love Him. Yet love requires freedom, and we must
have the freedom to truly love, so God gave us the freedom to love Him
or not. And since He made us from Himself, we also have the capacity
to become envious of Him.
For those of us who became envious, we had to have a place to
exercise our envy. This is the physical world.
Yet God still loves us, and wants us to be happy. We will never
be happy separated from Him, because our natural position is His servi-
tor. Therefore, He also programmed the physical world to rehabilitate
us.
182
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is why the physical world has, along with facilities for us
to act out our desires, so many challenges. Here we have to work hard
for our food and shelter. Here we have so many challenges, including
disease, pain and old age.
Here we struggle with environmental challenges of heat and
cold. Here we struggle with the challenges of insects and wild animals.
Here we struggle with each other for territory and governance. Here
many of us struggle with starvation and thirst. This might be a world
where we can seek out our plans to enjoy, but this comes with signifi-
cant hardship. Why? To teach us that this is not our real home.
So is God cruel? God, in fact, is the most gracious and kind be-
ing. He is the most loving and caring person. This is why He gives us
the freedom to love Him or not. While the verse says “I commanded
you,” we know it wasn't much of a command, because Adam and Eve
ate the fruit anyway. So either God's commands have little power, or
the command was actually a request.
The tellers of this ancient allegorical parable were trying to de-
scribe using symbolism, why we are here in this physical world. The
fact is, God is the most gracious loving being, and while He certainly
hopes that we would not become envious of Him, He graciously gave
us that choice.
“If you love someone, set them free” was written by the musi-
cian, Sting, many years ago. It is appropriate here because God, who
loves us, set us free. We can freely choose to love God or not.
Not only that but if we choose not to love Him - symbolized
here by Adam and Eve eating the fruit - then He gives us a space where
we don't even have to see Him. Here in this physical world, we can
completely forget God. We can ignore Him and pretend that He doesn't
exist. Now that is love.
WHY DOES ADAM LISTEN TO HIS WIFE?

What is the meaning of Adam listening to his wife? Remember
that in this parable, each of us is individually symbolized by Adam, and
the community of the spiritual world who partnered with Adam's deci-
sion - becoming envious of God - is represented by Eve. Thus, the
meaning of Adam listening to his wife might be compared to peer-
pressure. The fact is, part of the decision we made to become envious
of God and separated from Him was based upon the encouragement of
others who also felt envious. Each of us made the decision for our-
selves - and are responsible for our decision - but we were also
encouraged.
183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We can see this sentiment reflected throughout our physical ex-
istence, as people - and all creatures - tend to go along with our peers.
Most people, in fact, wait until others are doing something before we
feel comfortable doing it. Some call this “herd mentality.” Why do we
have such a “herd mentality?”
It is because by nature we are connected. We were all created
by the Supreme Being, and as such, we are all one big family. While
we do not like to think of each other as part of the same family, we are,
and this is why we are always so interested in what everyone else is
doing.
This is also part of why we strive so hard for the acceptance of
others. While we might be seeking love and attention of others as part
of our attempt to play God, we also need the love of others. It is intrin-
sic. We need love, because we come from a place - the spiritual world -
where we are always being loved by the Supreme Being, and all of
God's servitors - our brothers and sisters.
This love that pervades the spiritual world is hard to shake. It is
part of us. Beneath our false identity that this body has created due to
our envy, each of us needs love, and the care of our Best Friend, God.
And those of us who are trying to avoid God here, we instead
seek to obtain this love and care from our families, our so-called
friends, our spouses, our clubs, our churches, and/or other institutions
that provide the illusion of love.
And these are illusions. We gain no real love from these people
or groups: They are simply after their own satisfaction. What passes for
love within most families and others is mostly sentiment. Love - caring
for someone more than we care about ourselves - is different than sen-
timent.
There might be a little love mixed with a lot of sentiment in
many families. But for most people, sentiment is mostly all there is.
By God programming the physical world with “thorns and
thistles,” we are being told that this place isn't our real home. Just
imagine if God made this a great place with no suffering. Why would
we want to leave? Why would we question our (false) identity? Why
would we want to go home?
But why would God ordain such a fate of suffering? Again, is
God cruel? This question is often asked in another form, as people who
see suffering around the world ask the question:
IF GOD EXISTS, WHY DO PEOPLE SUFFER?

The answer to this lies first in the fact that it is not us who are
suffering. It is our temporary physical bodies. It is like driving a car
184
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
with a bad engine that breaks down. The driver does not become sick if
the car breaks down. The driver simply steps out of the car untouched.
In the same way, the spiritual being is separate from the physi-
cal body. We only suffer to the extent that we identify with the physical
body. Outside of that, there is no actual suffering. It is only learning.
It is like playing a video game. Our game icon might be blown
up or punched or shot many times. Are we shot when our game charac-
ter is shot? No. We turn off the computer and walk away unharmed.
Now let's imagine that we are playing a computer video game,
and the game is set up with a system of tests and challenges, with
score-keeping. As we play the game, we are being taken through vari-
ous lessons.
Every time we do something that hurts another person in the
game, our computer icon suffers in the same way and loses points. And
when we do something that helps another, our computer icon gains
points and experiences good things. What does this teach us?
This is what is going on the physical world. Our physical bod-
ies suffer as consequences to our previous actions. Therefore, all the
“suffering” of the physical world is caused by each of us, individually.
We each cause our physical body's suffering by our past choices, either
in this lifetime or a previous lifetime. This produces lessons - each
teaching us.
God is not only the most lovable, giving and caring Person. He
is not only our Best Friend and constant Companion (even when we are
here, He is still with us, hidden from our physical view).
God is also the most intelligent person. Just consider the intel-
ligence to create this virtual world, the physical world, where we have
the facility to seek out our own enjoyment while being able to ignore
Him, yet with the facility to learn so many lessons. Such an intelligent
and resourceful God!
And what do the lessons of the physical world ultimately teach
us? How to love again. The consequence learning of this world is set up
to first give us choices as to which path we want to take. Should we
make the right choices, the world teaches us how to care for each other
and love one another. This ultimately prepares us, if we so desire, to re-
develop our love for God and return to the spiritual world.
THIS IS GOD'S PURPOSE

This is ultimately God's purpose, because God wants us back.
He is saddened that we are seeking our happiness outside of our rela-
tionship with Him. He is saddened that we are seeking our love “in all
the wrong places.”
185
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why is He saddened? Because He knows that we'll only be
happy when we are back in His loving arms, in our natural position of
exchanging an intimate relationship with Him. He knows our natural
position as His loving servitor is the only thing that will make us
happy. And He wants us to be happy because He loves us uncondition-
ally.
This is why Jesus and Moses, and all the great saintly persons
teach the same message:
your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'“
(Mark 12:30 and Deut. 6:5)
186
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become
the mother of all the living. (Genesis
(Genesis 3:20)
A MISTRANSLATION
This reverent verse has been grossly mistranslated by sectarian
institutions and their scribes - and misinterpreted by sectarian teachers
as a result.
The mistranslation and misinterpretation stem from a lack of
understanding combined with a lack of common sense. Are we to ac-
cept that even though Adam and Eve were married, that Eve had no
name, and Adam had to name her? Are we to accept that this supposed
first human woman, who had disobeyed and upset God, is now the
“mother of all the living”? As mentioned before, why would Adam
need to go around naming things?
Certainly, all of these assertions are false, the worst of which is
the idea of a literal Eve, who disobeyed God, is now “the mother of all
the living.”
THE MISUNDERSTOOD PARABLE

The reality is that this story in Genesis is an allegorical parable.
It is not a description of the first humans on earth. There are a number
of obvious signs of this. For example, have we ever seen a “tree of
knowledge of good and evil” or a “tree of life” on earth? Have we ever
seen a talking serpent?
No, because this story is an allegorical discussion. It is an an-
cient parable handed down through the ages by ancient spiritual
teachers who were describing, heavy with symbolism, our fall from the
spiritual dimension to the physical world. We have described much of
the meaning of this symbolism in this commentary.
THE REAL MEANING

Now let's get to the heart of the meaning of this particular verse
above, utilizing the original Hebrew:
The first part of the verse, ‫'( אדם‬adam), is translated to
“Adam,” but as described previously, Adam represents each of us indi-
vidually. ‫'( אדם‬adam) is also used to address mankind.
The Hebrew word, ‫( קרא‬qara') is being translated to “called,”
but it's original meaning relates to the calling out or reciting of God's
name. This is confirmed in the lexicon:
to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
a) (Qal)
187
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
Calling out or reciting God's Holy Name is an ancient practice,
as we'll discuss more below.
The Hebrew, ‫'( אשה‬ishshah) is being translated to “his wife's”,
but the actual meaning of the word relates to the feminine. It is indicat-
ing a feminine aspect, rather than specifically one person of Adam's
wife.
The Hebrew word ‫( שם‬shem) is being translated to “name”
here, but its actual meaning, is much deeper, confirmed by the lexicon.
While “name” is one possible translation, the word more relates to
“reputation, fame, glory”, and more importantly, “the Name (as desig-
nation of God)” according to the lexicon. Thus we find that translating
this word to “name” is a very shallow interpretation of the word.
Rather, the word, together with the rest of the phrase, is an invocation
to glorify God's Holy Name.
Furthermore, this invocation is being made, as mentioned
above, with regard to God's feminine aspect - His feminine expansion,
which is, indeed, “the mother of all the living.” This is being commu-
nicated with the Name, ‫( חוה‬Chavvah), which means, literally, “life” or
“living.”
The next word, ‫'( אם‬em) is a reference to the word “mother”
because God's expansive powers are the mother of all living beings.
God maintains both masculine and feminine characteristics. His mascu-
line aspect is His Original Self. His feminine aspects include His
creative and expansive powers, which in turn produce His separated
parts and parcels, the living beings - each of us, in other words.
The Hebrew word ‫( חי‬chay) has been correctly translated to
“the living” here.
The Hebrew word ‫( כל‬kol) indicates “all” as in “every” living
being. We certainly cannot accept that someone who was supposedly
created from Adam's rib is now the “the mother of all the living.” This
is a contradiction, because if Eve is “the mother of all the living” then
why did God have to create her and how come Adam (who was also
living) was created before her?
As we can see, this verse has been entirely misconstrued and
mistranslated by those who firstly, did not understand what was being
communicated, and secondly, only portrayed a narrow perspective of
God because they had no deeper understanding of God.
Rather, this ancient and reverent verse is glorifying God and
His Holy Name. It is glorifying the female aspect of God - namely,
188
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God's expansive and creative element - the source of the creation of all
living beings - each of us, in other words.
CALLING UPON GOD

The glorification of God's Holy Names has been a tenet of the
ancient Hebrews for thousands of years. We can see a glimpse of this in
the following Biblical verses:
At that time men [of the earth] began to call on the Name of
the LORD. (Genesis 4:26)
(Genesis 21:33)
the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his
“If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does
be afraid of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:22)
189
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Deuteronomy 28:10)
'The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your
descendants and my descendants forever.'“ Then David left,
LORD. (1 Kings 3:2)
Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies
under his feet.” (1 Kings 5:3)
said, 'Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place
will build the temple for my Name.'“ (1 Kings 5:5)
“The LORD has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded
190
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire — He is
Kings 18:24)
LORD ?” (1 Kings 22:16)
20:13)
22:7)
191
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LORD ?” (2 Chronicles 18:15)
The other events of Manasseh's reign, including his prayer to
“Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will
(Psalm 7:17)
of the earth will revere your glory.” (Psalm 102:15)
192
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
me!” (Psalm 116:4)
be upon you; we bless you in the Name of the LORD.” (Psalm
129:8)
(Psalm 148:13)
land is divided by rivers — the gifts will be brought to Mount
18:7)
(Isaiah 56:6)
193
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.” (Isaiah
59:19)
(Jeremiah 26:16)
Now Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim was another
man who prophesied in the Name of the LORD (Jeremiah
26:20)
(Joel 2:26)
(Micah 5:4)
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
(Matthew 21:9)
“'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' “
(Matthew 23:39)
11:9)
“'Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.' “ (Luke
13:35)
194
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Luke 19:38)
12:13)
9:28)
“Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed
turn away from wickedness.” “ (2 Timothy 2:19)
(James 5:10)
(Romans 10:13)
WHY DON’T THE SECTS GLORIFY GOD'S NAMES?

We can see from the above verses and others that glorifying the
Holy Names of God is a universal tenet of the Prophets and Jesus. Yet
the subsequent teachings of the sectarian Christian organizations which
began with the Roman Catholic Church have virtually ignored the recit-
ing and praising of God's Holy Names.
Why? The only logical answer is that these organizations do
not seek to glorify God. They were not established for the purpose of
glorifying God. They seek to gain followers, and therewith, power and
authority. That is the purpose of their existence. And those who have
controlled these organizations have sought to exercise such power and
authority over others.
And what is the result of this perceived authority? Materialism.
Lucrative salaries to the various professional preachers and church
leaders. Posh offices and headquarters, extravagant living quarters,
limousines, popemobiles, and lots of respect. In some cases, we can add
the abuse of innocent children.
The desire of these organizational leaders has been power.
They do not desire to glorify God, as the teachers of the Bible, includ-
ing Abraham, David, Samuel, Moses, Joshua, Job, Noah, Solomon,
John the Baptist, Jesus, and his disciples sought to do. They simply
195
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
want us to join their churches, pay our alms, believe that we are saved,
and go home so they can enjoy the prosperity of our joining their “re-
ligion.”
This strategy was cemented by the Roman government, as they
developed the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic church, and together
with that, the translations of the Biblical texts that fit their teachings.
The other sects followed with little change in structure and overall hier-
archy, with teachers who are elected as though representing God was a
democratic process.
But they could not completely erase God and the teachings of
His messengers from the Biblical texts. God would not permit that.
Thus some of the Hebrew is simply too obvious to translate otherwise
(such as the verses quoted above).
With this in mind, we put forth a more appropriate translation
of this verse of Genesis 3:20:
Glory to God's Holy Name in the feminine aspect, because
God's creative energy is the Mother of the living.
Or, if one wanted to maintain the parable storyline, then this
translation could also be applied:
Adam glorified God's Holy Name in the feminine aspect,
because God's creative energy is the Mother of the living.
196
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The LORD God made gar garments of skin for Adam and
his wife and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)
WHAT ARE GARMENTS OF SKIN?
This verse has been the subject to many misunderstandings and
misguided depictions of Adam and Eve. These have been the result of a
lack of understanding of what is being communicated within the sym-
bolism of this important parable.
Let's first clarify the Hebrew translation, before we review the
symbolism involved:
The two first words of the verse, LORD, and God, are being
translated from two Holy Names of God, ‫( יהוה‬Yĕhovah) and ‫אלהים‬
(Elohiym). Contrary to the speculative teaching that God has no Name,
this phrase indicates that God not only has a Name, but has multiple
Holy Names - including the Holy Name of Yehovah (or Jehovah) and
Elohim. (Here is a list of more of God's innumerable Holy Names.)
The next word ‫`( עשה‬asah) is translated to “made” here, but the
word means to produce, do, work, act with effect or effect. So “made”
is appropriate but in the context of activity, which includes designing
and producing.
“Garments” is being translated from ‫( כתנת‬kĕthoneth), which is
specifically used in Hebrew to describe a tunic or undergarment - worn
underneath the clothes - as confirmed by Gesenius' Hebrew Lexicon.
“Of skin” is translated from ‫`( עור‬owr), but specifically means
human skin, the skin of the gums, and more appropriately, the physical
body, according to the Hebrew Lexicon. While it can also mean the
skin of animals, this usage is more obscure.
“For Adam and his wife” is translated from ‫'( אדם‬Adam) and
‫'( אשה‬ishshah). The word ‫'( אשה‬ishshah) can refer to 'woman,' 'wife,'
'female,' 'each' or 'every' according to the lexicon.
“Clothed them” comes from the Hebrew word ‫( לבש‬labash),
which refers to becoming clothed, covered or enveloped.
While this seems like a very straight-forward translation, there
is a deeper meaning here, and this deeper meaning is revealed by the
use of the word ‫( כתנת‬kĕthoneth), which describes undergarments as
mentioned. In other words, underwear.
Why would Adam and Eve, who were previously naked ac-
cording to the parable, suddenly put on underwear? And what were
they planning to wear over top of the underwear? Or were they plan-
ning on running around in their underwear?
197
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The use of this word indicates that underwear is being used
symbolically. And the symbolism is cemented by the use of the Hebrew
word, ‫`( עור‬owr), which means either the human skin or the human
body as mentioned above.
The interpretation of animal skins here is not only odd, but it is
not practical. Why? Because the word before it says that God actively
“made” the underwear made of skin. If the verse were referring to
animal skins, then it would have indicated that God hunted down a
couple of animals and skinned them.
THIS IS DESCRIBING THE BODY

Rather, this verse clearly indicates that the underwear made of
skin was produced by God. This clearly indicates not some kind of
garment, but the human body itself.
Consider that the human body is like an undergarment, because
it lies beneath one's clothing. The human body was designed and pro-
duced by God. The human body was designed to envelop, clothe, or
cover the spiritual living being, just as a suit of armor is designed to
envelop, clothe or cover the body, and just as an automobile is designed
to envelop, clothe or cover a driver.
This is also consistent with the other symbolism used in this
parable, as discussed previously. Eden is not a physical place on planet
earth, and Adam and Eve were not the first people born on the planet
5,000 years ago - disproven by numerous human remains dating back
hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Rather, this part of Genesis is an allegorical story that describes
how we fell from the spiritual world to the physical world and took on
these temporary physical bodies.
One can scientifically arrive at the understanding that we are
not the physical body. (Here is a breakdown of the science). We are
each spiritual beings, temporarily occupying a physical body, much as
a driver temporarily drives an automobile. Once the driver is behind the
wheel, the driver steers the car. Sometimes the driver even begins to
identify with the car.
In the same way, once within the physical body, by God's de-
sign, we begin to identify ourselves with the body. We then begin to
seek out our happiness as though we were these physical bodies.
THIS IS WHY NONE OF US ARE TRULY HAPPY

We are seeking happiness outside of our natural habitat. Con-
sider, for example, this analogy:
198
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let’s say a fish were found flopping on a boat dock, having in-
advertently jumped onto the dock from the water. Several people
surround the fish. One says, “he’s gasping. Maybe he’s got a disease of
the gills.” Another says, “he’s flopping around. Maybe he has a prob-
lem with his fins.” Another says, “he’s flopping around like he wants
food. Maybe he is hungry.” And another says, “he’s flapping his tail.
Maybe he is anxious and needs a comfortable place to rest.”
Are any of them right? The fish may indeed have some of these
issues, but the central problem is that the fish is out of its normal habi-
tat, the water. When a fish is out of the water, it gasps, flops and flaps
around in desperation because it is outside of its natural element - wa-
ter.
In the same way, we are each spirit-persons who have become
enveloped within a physical body. After some time in it, we begin to
identify with this temporary vehicle – we think that our body is “me.”
Once we misidentify ourselves, we begin to seek our happiness within
that identity. This leads to depression, anxiety and other issues, simply
because we are misidentifying ourselves, and are outside of our natural
element – the spiritual realm.
That begs the question of why God sent us here to the physical
world, and “clothed” us within these physical bodies.
Genesis is clear through its symbolism, that we are here be-
cause we became envious of God. The symbolic snake clarifies this in
Genesis 3:5:
While this has been slightly mistranslated, the meaning is clear:
The snake is clarifying that by eating the fruit, they “will be like God.”
Then, of course, they eat the fruit after the snake says this.
What does this tell us? It tells us that Adam and Eve (symbolizing each
of us as individuals and as a community) became envious of God. We
wanted to “be like God.”
And isn't this what we are each trying to do within these physi-
cal bodies? Just look around. Each of us is trying to find our little
“niche” where we are special. We want to be appreciated. We want to
be loved by others. We want to be wealthy, powerful, famous. We want
to be the center of attention in some way or another. In other words, we
each want to carve out our own scenario where we can be in God's
position: We want to be the center of the universe.
We want to stake out our own little “kingdom” where we are
king. For some of us, it is our family. For others, it is our occupation
and career. For others, it is our community club or our sports team. For
199
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
others, it is our physical enjoyment of something - perhaps our next
meal or our next sexual encounter. For many, it is a combination of
these and maybe others.
All of these efforts are the same: They are self-centered. They
are aimed at making ME happy. This is the expression of our envy of
God.
Why? Because God is the center of universe, including the
spiritual realm. He is loved by everyone there. He is the Enjoyer of
everything. He is served. He is given pleasure. This is because He has
the position of God. And we don't.
What is our natural position then? We are God's servitors. God
created us - the spiritual beings - to exchange a loving relationship
with, and lovingly care for Him, according to our unique relationship
with Him.
LOVE REQUIRES FREEDOM

But because love requires freedom, God also gave us the free-
dom to love Him or not. We have the freedom to care for Him or not.
And since we have a little piece of God within us, we have the potential
to become envious of Him.
So those of us who have chosen not to love Him and care for
Him - symbolized by our disregarding His instructions and eating the
fruit - He sent us away to the physical world and gave us temporary
physical bodies to express our desires to be separate from Him and try
to enjoy like Him.
But it's not working out so well. None of us are happy here,
even those who have achieved their wildest dreams and become
wealthy, famous and powerful. We are all still empty here, as we seek
fulfillment where there is none. Regardless of what we have - whether
it be a tight-knit family, a nice car, big house, great job, lots of so-
called friends, great career and all the trappings - we are still empty
here. Why?
Because this is not our natural position. Our natural position is
spiritual, and our home is the spiritual realm. And our role is loving and
caring for the Supreme Being within our unique relationship with Him.
This is why Moses, Jesus and all of God's representatives have
taught us the same clear message:
your soul and with all your strength.” (Deut. 6:5, Matt.
22:37, Mark 12:33, Luke 10:27)
200
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
said, “The man has now become
And the LORD God said,
like one of Us, knowing good and evil. He must not
be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from
the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
forever.”
(Genesis 3:22)
Though parts of it are slightly mistranslated, this verse con-
firms the symbolism used in this chapter of Genesis, as it describes the
consequences of our becoming envious of God.
Following is a review some of the key Hebrew phrases of the
verse, together with the symbolism being used:
'ONE OF US'?
“The man” is translated from ‫'( אדם‬adam), which is used to in-
dicate man, mankind or human being. It is being used here to
symbolize each of us.
“Has become like one of Us, knowing” comes from ‫ידע אחד היה‬
(hayah 'echad yada`). This indicates not that we have become like God,
but rather, it indicates a change of consciousness from one of God's
loving servants to one of wanting to enjoy as God enjoys. In other
words, we are now seeking our own satisfaction rather than seeking to
please God. This is akin to becoming envious of God's position.
Notice the plural in “Us.” This confirms God's ability to ex-
pand Himself. This is how He simultaneously relates with each of us
individually.
We were created by God to love and serve God. Thus, our
normal position in the spiritual realm is God's servitor. By nature, our
joy is giving God enjoyment. Yet because love requires freedom, we
also have been given the freedom to seek God's position of being the
enjoyer. Should we become envious of His enjoyment, we seek to be
“like” God.
This phrase also indicates that the position of being self-
focused is God's position. Therefore, the meaning of the phrase is not
that we became “like” God - but that we now seek God's position. We
seek to be like God.
'GOOD AND EVIL'

“Good and evil” are being translated from ‫( טוב‬towb) and ‫רע‬
(ra`). The more accurate translation of these two are “self-centered
201
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pleasure and pain.” Those in the spiritual realm whose lives are fo-
cused upon pleasing the Supreme Being do not experience self-centered
pleasure and its natural consequence, pain.
Citizens of the upper spiritual realm are only focused upon
God's pleasure, and thus they only experience spiritual pleasure - the
pleasure connected to love. And even what could be supposed as pain
for the inhabitants of the spiritual realm - mainly the pain of separation
from God - is also spiritually pleasurable to those inhabitants.
The next part of the verse is substantively translated, but it is
important to understand the meaning. God is saying that because we
now seek His position, we will know self-centered pleasure and pain on
our own. We will thus have to experience the results of a self-centered
existence - fleeting flashes of pleasure combined with pain.
BECOMING COVERED
Remember that this verse is following the previous verse where
God “clothes” the symbolic Adam (us) and the symbolic Eve (the
spiritual community who fell with us) within the “skin” of physical
bodies.
What this means is that our change in consciousness from one
of loving God to one of becoming self-centered results in our becoming
covered within a temporary physical body. Why is this?
Once we became envious, there was no place for us in the spiri-
tual realm. We fell away from the spiritual realm due to our self-
centered desires. These desires became manifest by our taking on a
particular type of temporary physical body. Our physical bodies are
designed, in other words, to execute our desire for self-centered enjoy-
ment and independence from God. Our bodies were designed for us to
play out our desires to be in God's position.
And this is surprising? Just look around. Everyone around us is
wanting to achieve self-centered desires. Each of us wants to be given
attention, and ultimately be served by others.
We can see this even amongst babies. We come into the world
crying for comfort. We want to be free of pain. Then we want to be fed.
When we don't get fed, we cry. What is being fed? Being fed is being
served by someone. Do babies come into the world wanting to give
anything back to mama who carried them for nine months? No. We
want more. We want food. Then we want attention. Then we want toys.
As we grow older, we want the other kids to respect us. We want our
peers to like us, and give us respect. We also want bigger toys. And
later, we want to enjoy sex.
202
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As we grow older, our self-centeredness expands. We want to
make lots of money. We want a beautiful husband or wife. We want a
big job, a big house and we want to drive a big car.
When these do not satisfy us, we want a family. We want kids.
We want to “create” little people who will look up to us and love us.
Then we want to teach our little “creations” our great wisdom, so they
can do want we want them to do.
Then, later on, we want to retire. We want to sit back and enjoy
life. We want to take a cruise. We want our grandchildren to come
around to love us and serve us.
This is how most of us see becoming happy here in this world.
And what is all this? This is the desire to be like God. We want to be
loved, be served, own stuff, create people and be the king of our own
little kingdom. This is God's position. And this is what we want.
None of the people living in the physical world want to serve.
No one wants to be a servant. We all want to be masters. We all want to
rule over others. This is our disease, and this is why we are here in this
physical world, away from God.
The last part of the verse confirms this. It indicates that once
we choose self-centeredness over our natural position of God's loving
servant, we are escorted out of the spiritual world, and we will no
longer taste the exchange of our loving relationship with God. This is
symbolized in this parable by the statement, “He must not be allowed
to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and
live forever.”
THE 'TREE OF LIFE'

The “tree of life” was described earlier in Genesis as being in
the “middle” of the “Garden.” The “tree of life” symbolizes our lov-
ing relationship with the Supreme Being, and its “fruit” is love for God
- what ultimately fulfills us. This is why this symbolic tree is described
as being in the “middle” of the “Garden” - which symbolizes the spiri-
tual realm.
But once we became envious of God - symbolized by eating of
the other “fruit” - we then had to give up our loving relationship with
God.
This is typical amongst relationships. Let's say that we had a
childhood friend for many years, and suddenly found ourselves com-
peting with that friend to be captain of a sports team. Then let's say that
we became captain, and our friend didn't. They then become jealous
that we became captain and they didn't. Could we continue our child-
203
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hood friendship as it was? No. That jealousy would interfere with our
friendship. Our friendship as it was would be dissolved by the jealousy.
It is the same with God and each of us - the living beings He
created. Once we become envious of God's position, we thereby give
up our position of one of God's loving servants and playmates within
the spiritual realm.
The fact that this parable is differentiating between the physical
world and the spiritual world is confirmed by the use of ‫( עולם חיה‬cha-
yah òwlam). This indicates living forever.
This is critical because in the physical world, these bodies are
temporary. They are born, get old and then die. They are temporary
vehicles from which we attempt to play God's role - focusing on our
own pleasure and trying to have others love us and worship us.
Our spiritual selves, however, are eternal. In the spiritual realm
we never get old. We never die. In the spiritual world we are our bod-
ies. In the physical world, we are not our bodies. We operate them, just
as a driver operates a car.
It is within the spiritual realm that we are truly happy. We are
happy because we are exchanging love with God and love with all of
God's other children. We can see that this is our natural position as we
look around and see that everyone including us is seeking love and to
be loved. Yet we are never satisfied with the type of love we find in the
physical world, because all the other citizens of the physical world are
also trying to be in God's position. So we struggle and compete with
each other for position and attention. We struggle for God's position, in
other words.
And what little love exists within this world is predicated upon
our temporary physical bodies. We typically love only those who have
bodies within our body's family, or those who marry our bodies, or
those who somehow prove their devotion to us. Otherwise, we don't
love others, and others don't love us. This is not really love; because it
is conditional.
REAL LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL

When someone really loves another, it doesn't matter what
body they have on or what family their body comes from. It doesn't
matter if the person hates them. Real love is unconditional.
This is the kind of love we are desperate for. This is the type of
love that comes from the Supreme Being, and those within the spiritual
world who love God unconditionally - they also love others uncondi-
tionally. It is like an infection: Those in the spiritual realm are all
infected with spiritual love.
204
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But once we decide that we want more for ourselves - we want
what God has - it all dissolves. In an instant, we find ourselves fallen
from the spiritual realm, and sucked inside of a physical body's sperm
to be fertilized. Then the body develops around us, and we begin to
identify with a temporary physical body, as we seek to use it for
achieving our self-centered goals.
We abandoned our love for God and became jealous of Him -
so we were pushed out of the spiritual realm. This is what this verse
explains.
205
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of
Eden to work the ground from which he had been
taken. (Genesis 3:23)
GARDEN OF EDEN IS NOT ON EARTH
This verse has been misconstrued and mistranslated. Sectarian
professional translators and teachers have interpreted this section of
Genesis to be describing a location on the planet earth - the “Garden of
Eden” - and Adam and Eve as being the first humans on the planet.
This misunderstanding has created many imaginative and
speculative journeys to find the location of the Garden of Eden some-
where in the Middle East. Others have suggested that its location is in
Asia. Millions of dollars of tithings have been wasted on these hunts, to
no avail. They have also performed archaeological digs in hopes of
finding the bones of Adam and Eve, again to no avail.
The reason no one has found the Garden of Eden on the planet
is that the Garden of Eden was never on the planet. And the reason they
find no evidence of Adam and Eve is because they didn't exist as por-
trayed.
In fact, this section of Genesis is not describing God's creation
of the physical universe. The creation of the physical universe together
with the human species is clearly and adequately described in the first
chapter of Genesis, which began with:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
(Genesis 1:1)
and ended with:
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their
vast array. (Genesis 2:1)
Between these verses the creation of humanity and all the other
species of life is described:
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the
livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that
move along the ground according to their kinds. And God
saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make man in
our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of
the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the
earth, and over all the creatures that move along the
ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image
206
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of God He created him; male and female He created them.
(Genesis 1:25-27)
So why would Genesis describe two different scenarios for the
creation of humanity? Because there aren't two different scenarios.
God's creation of the physical universe is made clear in the first chapter
of Genesis.
GARDEN OF EDEN DOES EXIST

However, this doesn't mean there is no Garden of Eden.
The reality is, this depiction of the Garden of Eden and Adam
and Eve, together with the talking, walking serpent and the tree of life
and the tree of knowledge, is an allegorical parable describing how
each of us fell from the spiritual realm down to the physical world.
This is confirmed by the first part of Genesis 3:22:
So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden....
The word “banished” is being translated from the Hebrew ‫שלח‬
(shalach), which means to be 'to send away' or 'to let go' according to
the lexicon. It can also be described as 'to let loose,' 'to cast out,' 'to
dismiss,' or 'to be divorced.'
So is “banished” the right word to use? “Banished” sounds
like losing a country club membership or something. It doesn't commu-
nicate the event accurately: God is casting Adam (us) out of the
spiritual realm. God kicked us out, in other words.
So where is God casting us out of? The Hebrew being trans-
lated to Garden of Eden as ‫( גן עדן‬gan 'Eden). ‫ גן‬refers to an enclosure, a
space protected by adequate barriers; and Eden refers to a location of
pleasure.
Notice that the depiction of the Garden of Eden does not de-
scribe any kind of walls or fortress around this enclosed Garden. If
Eden were on the earth, these walls would have to be pretty big to be
enclosed. And in order to be cast out, there must be something to be
cast out of.
These problems illustrate that the Garden of Eden was never on
the earth. Rather, Garden of Eden is a section of the spiritual realm.
And the word Eden is associated with 'pleasure' because the spiritual
world is pleasurable. In the spiritual realm we experience the ultimate
pleasure.
AND WHAT IS THAT PLEASURE?

This is being symbolized in the story by the “Tree of Life,” lo-
cated in the “middle” of the Garden. The “Tree of Life” represents love
207
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
for God. This is the core of the spiritual realm. It is love for God that
gives us complete fulfillment and the ultimate pleasure.
Just consider how we all search for true love with so much in-
tensity. Even if we have wealth, prestige and fame, we still pine for true
love. Most of us focus our love upon our family members, friends and
spouses. But still this is not enough. Most people keep on searching for
love, whether it is a new lover, friend or respect (as we want others to
love and appreciate us). We perpetually seek that perfect person who
will love us unconditionally: that special someone we can give our
heart to and care for.
In other words, we are engineered for love. We are all about
love. Our most popular songs are about love. Our most popular movies
are love stories.
But we are typically frustrated with the love found within the
physical realm. It just doesn't do it for us. This is why there are so
many divorces and breakups. This is why kids leave home. This is why
people get depressed. This is why people feel lonely, even when sur-
rounded by people.
The love in the physical world doesn't work for us. Why? Be-
cause the inhabitants of this physical world are just like us - they were
also cast out of the spiritual world.
Yes, we've all been thrown out of the spiritual world. Why?
Because we became envious of God. We wanted to be like God. We
wanted what the Supreme Being has. The Supreme Being has power,
fame, glory, beauty, all the attention, and many other attributes. We
wanted all that. We got jealous.
We were each created to love and care for God in our own
unique way. But with this, He also gave us the freedom to love Him or
not - because love requires freedom. This explains the two symbolic
trees of the “Garden.” We can either eat from the “Tree of Life” - love
of God - or we can eat from the “tree of self-centered pleasure and
pain”. In other words, we can either love God and act in such a way to
give God pleasure, or we can become self-centered and seek our own
pleasure - and experience its consequence, pain.
HOW WERE WE THROWN OUT OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM?

Were we just cast off into space? No. We were pushed into
these physical bodies. We, the spiritual living beings, were each forced
to take on a particular temporary physical body within this virtual
physical domain, the physical universe.
We could compare this to how a person might get forced into
an automobile. Let's say a big person stuffs us into the driver's seat of a
208
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
car. Because there isn't much else to do in the driver's seat of a car, we
start the car and begin driving it. Because cars were built for streets and
highways, we find ourselves within an environment of streets and
highways. That is akin to finding ourselves stuffed within a physical
body born within the physical environment.
Now let's say the car was specially designed by a very smart
engineer to be so functional that once we began driving it, we began to
identify with it. We forget who we were before we got stuffed into the
car, and because the car is so functional, after some time we lose the
ability to walk on our own. We become completely dependent upon the
car, and forget who we were before we got in the car.
This is our situation with these physical bodies. The verse just
before this one says:
The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife
and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)
What are the “garments of skin”? They symbolize our physical
bodies. God designed these physical bodies for us to occupy. Then he
cast us out of the spiritual realm and into these physical bodies.
This leads us to the real meaning of the rest of this verse, 'to
work the ground from which he had been taken.'
The Hebrew word ‫`( עבד‬abad) means to 'cultivate' or 'work,' but
it also means 'to serve', or more complete, 'to serve as subjects'.
The Hebrew word ‫'( אדמה‬adamah) can refer to 'ground,' but also
'land, territory, country,' or the 'whole inhabited earth.' In other words,
the physical world.
The Hebrew word ‫'( שרא‬asher) is a conjunction or pronoun par-
ticiple that serves to connect, either with 'which,' 'who,' 'that which,'
'that,' 'when,' 'since,' 'as,' or the conditional use of 'if.' Here it is trans-
lated as “from which,” but this is speculatively assuming that Adam
came from what is being described here as “the ground.” This would
be a contradiction, because God is throwing Adam out. How could
Adam be made of the stuff that he is being thrown out into?
The key to the meaning of this last section of the verse comes
from the meaning of the Hebrew ‫( לקח‬laqach) which is assumed to
mean “taken from.” This, however, is an incorrect usage of the word,
as ‫ לקח‬means to be 'taken' in the sense of being 'taken by,' 'taken away,'
or to be 'carried off by' something. It has been used to describe how a
man might take or snatch away a wife. It is also used to describe being
taken away or captured by something.
Thus, the translation of this verse would not be, 'to work the
ground from which he had been taken.' Rather, it should be something
like:
209
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'to toil with the physical body and be captured by the physical
world.'
Yes, we are indeed each captured by the physical world. We
are trapped within these physical bodies, and forced to work hard to
keep it alive and safe. We have to work to feed the body, keep it warm
or cool, and keep it healthy. This means we have to defend our body
from danger caused by the physical environment or others - be they
other humans, animals, insects or microorganisms. It is not easy to keep
the body alive and safe. We have to toil at it.
WE ARE CAPTURED BY THE PHYSICAL WORLD.

We are enamored with the world. We identify with our physi-
cal body, and our physical family, house, car, job, community, country
and so on. We strive to gain the acceptance of others, and we strive to
achieve fleeting sensations of pleasure, amid a constant battle against
discomfort, sickness, aging, stress, pain and death.
Even though everything dissolves at the time of death, we are
still captured by this world. Even though we will lose our house,
money, house, fame, family, friends, position, country and physical
identity at the time of death, we are still captivated by them. Even
though everyone around us is dying, we live as though we will never
die. Now, this is being captured.
Ironically, the very mistranslation and misinterpretation of this
verse by sectarian translators and teachers is caused by their assump-
tion that we are these physical bodies, and this physical world is our
home. They have also been “captured by” the physical world and its
illusion that we are these temporary physical bodies.
The very purpose of this scripture - and all scripture - is to
teach us that this world is not our home. God teaches within scripture
that the physical world is a temporary place, and our true identity and
natural position is as one of His loving servitors in the spiritual realm.
Scripture is trying to teach us that this is where we will find real happi-
ness - not within this temporary physical place surrounded by greed,
envy and self-centeredness.
It is sad, this mistranslation of this beautiful and magical text of
Genesis into English. This wonderful text that describes, with prose and
elegant symbolism, how we each rejected being one of God's loving
servitors by becoming envious of Him, and subsequently fell from the
spiritual realm into the physical world and these temporary physical
bodies.
The saddest element is that these mistranslations hide the true
message being communicated through the text: That the Supreme Be-
210
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ing wants us to come home to Him. He wants us back. He doesn't want
us to selfishly suffer any longer within this world of greed and envy.
He wants us to return to His loving arms. This is why Jesus, Moses and
other messengers from God gave this clear instruction:
211
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After He drove the man out, He placed on the east
side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming
sword flashing back and forth to guard the way
way to
the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)
It is obvious from this English version that the translators did
not understand the message and meaning of this verse of Genesis. This
is a critical verse to the mechanisms and understanding of our fall from
the spiritual realm to this physical world.
KEY HEBREW TRANSLATIONS

Let's break down the Hebrew and get to the bottom of this
verse's meaning:
‫( גרש‬garash) is being translated to “he drove..out”. It can also
mean being 'cast out,' 'put away,' 'divorced' or 'thrust out' according to
the lexicon.
‫'( אדם‬adam) is being appropriately translated to 'the man,' al-
though here, ‫ אדם‬symbolizes each of us.
‫( גן‬gan) and ‫`( עדן‬Eden) are being correctly translated to “Gar-
den of Eden,” but ‫( קדם‬qedem) is being translated to “On the east side”
here. “On the east side” would be inappropriate in the context of what
is being described.
The symbolic Adam (us) has been cast out of the spiritual
world. Now the text is describing that God placed a barricade or barrier
between the physical world (where we (Adam) were thrown out to) and
the spiritual realm. There is no reason to utilize “east side” in this con-
text. The Hebrew word ‫ קדם‬can also mean to 'the front' or 'in front' in
addition to 'to the east.'
“In front of” would thus be the better translation, as God has
placed a barrier “in front of” the spiritual realm - or better, “in be-
tween” the spiritual realm and the physical realm.
A BARRICADE BETWEEN
Let's use an example. Let's say that there is a protest, and the
police want to keep the protesters outside of a particular building. The
police will typically form a barricade in front of the building in order to
keep the protesters out. While the barricade is in front of the building,
the position of the barricade lies in between the protesters and the
building. In other words, if the protesters were in the lobby of the build-
212
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ing, there would be no use putting a barricade in the front of the build-
ing outside.
And this is precisely what the next part of the verse refers to: a
barricade.
The Hebrew ‫( שכן‬shakan) is being translated to “placed,” but
'stationed,' 'set,' and 'established' are also words that satisfy the meaning
of this Hebrew word.
WHAT IS A CHERUBIM?
The Hebrew word ‫( כרוב‬kĕruwb) here is being translated to
“the cherubim.” What the heck is a cherubim? According to the He-
brew, it is considered 'an angelic being,' a 'guardian of Eden,' a 'flank
for God's throne,' or the 'chariot of Jehovah.' In this application, the
meaning relates to a barrier protecting Eden (“guardian of Eden”), but
it is clear there is another dimension to the word, in that “an angelic
being” refers to a living being rather than an inanimate object.
This is consistent with the fact that the Supreme Being typi-
cally utilizes living beings to support His activities in the spiritual
realm. Everything is living in the spiritual realm. There are no inani-
mate objects in the spiritual realm.
‫( להט‬lahat) is being translated to “and the flaming,” but the
lexicon is clear that this sort of flame is not an ordinary flame. It is a
special type of flame that comes from an “angelic sword” according to
the ancient Hebrew.
AND THE FLAMING SWORD?

“Sword” here is being translated from ‫( חרב‬chereb), which can
mean sword, but it can also refer to a 'sharp edge.' This latter applica-
tion is most appropriate. Remember that the verse is talking about a
barricade being placed between the spiritual realm (the “Garden of
Eden”) and the physical world - where Adam (we) was driven out.
How would a flaming sword adequately block the entrance to the spiri-
tual realm?
The better translation is that barricade was “impenetrable.”
The next two Hebrew words indicate the inability to penetrate
the barrier. ‫( הפך‬haphak) and ‫( שמר‬shamar) are being translated to
“flashing back and forth to guard...”
Yet ‫ הפך‬can also mean to 'transform,' 'turn about,' 'to change,'
'to turn over,' or 'to overthrow.' The notion of a fiery sword flashing
back and forth and turning is speculative. The translators are trying to
insert the words into their vision that Eden was a physical place on the
213
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
planet. Therefore, they imagined some kind of mechanical thing with
swords flashing back and forth like some sort of big chopping system.
The better application of ‫הפך‬, however, relates to completeness
or totality, as it relates to the next word. After ‫ הפך‬follows ‫שמר‬, which
is being translated to “to guard,” but can also mean 'to keep,' 'to pre-
serve,' 'to watch' or 'to beware.' This indicates the barrier is simply
being described as completely guarding or completely protecting the
“Garden” (spiritual realm) from intrusion.
A BETTER TRANSLATION
The combination of the Hebrew of this verse so far would more
appropriately be translated within its context to something like:
After He cast Adam [us] out, God positioned an impenetrable
fiery living barrier between the spiritual realm and the physical world
to completely protect....
There are two elements here that must be remembered. One is
that the “flaming sharp edge” is being characterized as a living
“guardian of Eden,” an “angelic being.”
The element of a living guardian of the spiritual realm relates
to the fact that any entry to the spiritual realm must accompany per-
sonal permission. Our entry must be invited. We must be escorted in.
We could compare this to how a large venue such as a concert
or professional sports event will be staffed with people - doormen,
guards or gatekeepers - who will personally screen people before they
get into the event's venue. They will check the ticket or invitation and
check people's purses or backpacks. If a person does not have a ticket
or invitation, or they are inappropriate for the venue - say it is a black-
tie event and the person is wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt - then
the staff will deny entry to the person.
Often these gatekeepers have some weapon or defense measure
in the case of an unruly person. In some venues, like nightclubs, where
the doormen are called “bouncers,” they are often large and strong
people so they can handle people who get unruly or try to get in with-
out their permission.
The bottom line is that these gatekeepers are people because
entering the venue requires a personal preview of each person. It is not
automated because there are too many variables. The door-person has
to make a personal judgment call for each person.
The other thing to remember is that the verses before this, par-
ticularly Genesis 3:21, describes that Adam (we) became covered by
these physical bodies.
214
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thus we need to understand that re-entry into the spiritual
realm requires that one is specifically prepared for entry, has personal
permission, an invitation, and an escort.
And this very point is why sectarian translators have such a
hard time translating this and the other verses of Genesis from Hebrew
to English. Their ability to see into the spiritual realm and the personal
elements involved is covered by their desires to gain recognition from
their peers and followers; and to maintain their professional positions
within their respective organized religious institutions.
In other words, the translators of these verses of Genesis have
typically consisted of professional clergy or scholars who are beholden
to their respective organizations and their professional positions. They
were not empowered through the lineage of those ancient teachers who
originally spoke this beautiful parable, deep in wisdom and spiritual
power. They were not thus empowered by loving service to God. So
they had no entrance into the deep subject matter being discussed here.
These restrictions are actually part of the barrier that guards our
re-entry to the spiritual realm. The makeup of our physical eyes and our
physical minds, together with the illusion that this world is our perma-
nent home protects the spiritual realm and the Supreme Being from
being perceived by us. There are many layers to the illusions of this
word which clog our minds with what our senses have picked up, to-
gether with our proud assumption that our physical senses and physical
minds can perceive spiritual matters; and the spiritual realm in general.
These are only parts of the totality of the barrier. Yet these are
bound together by our false identification of ourselves as our temporary
physical bodies, and this false identification is bound together by our
envy of God and our desire for God's position (being the center of at-
tention, being powerful, being served by others, etc.). Thus, the self-
centeredness that got us tossed out of the spiritual realm in the first
place is also the central element that prevents us from being invited
back to the spiritual realm. And the material desires that result from our
self-centeredness are part of the fiery barrier preventing our entry to the
spiritual realm.
We can see these points is in the next part of this verse.
THE TREE OF LIFE

‫( דרך‬derek) is being translated to “the way” here, and ‫`( עץ‬ets)
is being translated to “to the tree,” and ‫( חי‬chay) to “of life.”
However, ‫ דרך‬can also be translated to 'path,' 'road,' 'journey,'
'direction,' and 'of life.' In other words, what is being described it is not
215
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
necessarily a physical road, path or way, but rather, a path, course or
direction in life.
To understand this verse, we must understand the symbolic
meaning of the “tree of life” in this parable. It is symbolizing love for
God, which is why God placed this “tree” in the “middle” of the Gar-
den (Gen. 2:9). Let's explain this symbolism a little further.
In ancient times, a tree was seen as symbolizing a course or di-
rection in life, because it rooted itself deeply, branched out, and gave
fruit. This represents having a foundation (establishing roots), expres-
sion (branching out) and rendering the results (giving fruits).
This is why even in modern English, this symbolism still ex-
ists, as we often talk about “putting down roots” or “branching out” or
“giving fruit.” The reason we use these phrases is because our ances-
tors - thousands of years ago - considered the tree symbolic to our
particular direction in life.
Thus the “tree” symbolizes the different choices in life people
can take. Each choice has its specific form of foundation (roots), ex-
pression (branching out) and its particular results (fruits). The fact that
this particular tree is a tree of “life” brings us another dimension of the
wisdom of Genesis and this parable about our fall from the spiritual
realm.
Genesis also described different types of trees within Eden:
ground - trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for
food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)
In this context, the “all kinds of trees” is describing the variety
of life within the spiritual realm.
The spiritual realm is full of so many different lifestyles, just as
the physical world contains so many different lifestyle choices. How-
ever, the difference between the spiritual world and the physical world
is that here our lifestyle choices revolve around our self-centered search
for happiness, while the lifestyles of those in the spiritual realm revolve
around what makes the Supreme Person happy.
In other words, Eden's “all kinds of trees” represents the vari-
ous types of loving relationships that exist between God and His
children.
Understanding the two “trees” in the “middle” of Eden is criti-
cal. The “tree of life” represents love for God; and the “tree of
knowledge of good and evil” (better translated to “self-centered pleas-
ure and pain”) represents our freedom to love God or not.
216
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Love for God and loving service to God are being symbolized
by “life” in this parable because love for God and loving service to
God is our real life. It completes our existence. Each of us was created
by God to be His servitor, and to exchange a loving relationship with
Him. This is what will ultimately fulfill us - because we were made for
this reason.
This is why we are all so desperate for love. This is why each
of us constantly looks for love within the physical world, whether it be
in our “soulmate” or friends, family or even fame and glory. Our
books, movies, television shows, and culture revolves around love sto-
ries. This is because we are all chasing true love. We were each created
to love and care for the Supreme Person, God.
WHY GOD BUILT A BARRIER BETWEEN US

Why would God put a barrier between us and the spiritual
realm? Let's consider again the barrier discussed in this verse. Now
why would God put a barrier between us and the spiritual realm? It is
because Adam (we) disobeyed God? Is God upset because Adam (we)
ate the fruit that God said not to eat?
Don't be ridiculous. God is not a petty person. God is the Per-
fect Person. Every trait that we admire (or want to admire) in someone
else - God has in the fullest extent possible. God is magnanimous, un-
derstanding, merciful, loving, giving and gracious. He does have
emotions and was certainly upset that Adam (we) decided to rebel
against Him. But this emotion is pure love. He deeply cares for us, and
wants the best for us. He doesn't need us, and He doesn't need us to
love Him. But He knows we will be happy when we are loving Him.
So why were we cast out of the spiritual realm then? We
wanted out. We wanted to get away from the Supreme Person. We
wanted to be on our own. God tossed us out because we wanted to get
away from our loving relationship with Him. Why?
Because we became envious of God. We became jealous. We
wanted what He has. We wanted the attention, fame, admiration, pleas-
ure and power that God has. We got jealous of Him. This is symbolized
by the serpent's statement:
(Genesis 3:5)
As we know from practical life, a person who becomes jealous
of another cannot continue having a loving relationship with that per-
son. It is impossible to love someone and be jealous of them at the
217
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
same time. Jealousy takes over the relationship, as we no longer want
to please the other person. We want what they have.
So we wanted to get away from God. We needed to have our
own space so we could try to exercise our desires for pleasure, power,
and independence. This is why God designed and created the physical
dimension. This world is part playground and part rehabilitation center.
And this is also why God created a virtually impenetrable bar-
rier between the spiritual world and the physical world. We cannot get
back to the spiritual world - our home - until we are ready. And then we
have to be invited back in by the Supreme Being, and escorted by Him
and/or His loving associates.
But this must come when He knows we really want to return to
His loving arms. This requires us to be serious. We cannot return
whimsically.
We can compare this with any relationship. If we broke up with
a former girl- or boyfriend, or spouse, and ran off, and then called them
up out of the blue asking to come back to them, would they let us back
in their arms right away? Not likely. They would likely want to start
slowly. They would want us to reacquaint ourselves first and take it one
step at a time. Because there is a trust issue here. How do they know we
won't run off again? They want to be sure we are serious this time.
It is no different with the Supreme Person. He wants to make
sure that we are serious before we can return to Him. He doesn't want
us to whimsically be running back and forth between the physical and
spiritual worlds - back and forth between our self-centeredness and a
relationship with Him.
Is this any different than any loving relationship? Any loving
relationship requires commitment. It requires dedication. Our loving
relationship with the Supreme Being is no different - and even requires
more dedication because this is a very deep relationship.
This is why this verse discusses the “way” back to the “tree of
life” as a path or journey. Here is a more appropriate translation of the
verse:
After He cast Adam [us] out, God positioned an impenetrable
fiery living barrier between the spiritual realm and the physical world
to completely protect and guard the path back to the tree of life.
There is a lot of work to do for us to prepare for returning to
the spiritual realm. It is not easy, as it requires a complete change of
heart. It requires us to refocus ourselves upon our loving relationship
with Him and focus our lives upon pleasing Him. Our preparation thus
consists of thinking of Him, praying to Him, offering gifts to Him and
singing/repeating His Holy Names.
218
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As we begin this journey, we can know that He will be there to
guide us. For every step we take, He takes a thousand. As we seriously
continue our journey He speeds it up.
He wants us to come home to Him. He wants us back in His
loving arms. But only we can start that journey. Only we can decide to
change course and begin our journey to return home to Him.
219
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant
birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of
and gave birth
the LORD I have brought forth a man.”
man.” (Genesis 4:1)
THE THIRD HUMAN?
Sectarian translators and interpreters of Genesis would have us
believe that this chapter is describing how a historical Adam, the first
human on the planet, together with Eve, gave birth to the third human.
This interpretation, however, has numerous problems.
PROBLEMS WITH AN HISTORICAL ADAM

The first problem is that if Cain is the third human and he kills
the fourth human (Abel - Gen. 4:8), this would mean the only other
humans on earth are Adam and Eve, and perhaps later some other sons
or daughters that Adam and Eve might have given birth to in the mean-
time.
So why would Cain need to have a mark put on him by God,
'so that no one who found him would kill him'? (Gen. 4:15) Where did
the others who might threaten Cain's life come from?
This problem is further evidenced when Cain lays down with
his own wife (Gen. 4:17). Where did the wife come from? Did Adam
and Eve give birth to a daughter? If so, why doesn't it say that Cain laid
down with his sister? This would also mean that humanity is a product
of incest, right?
The confirmation that this text is allegorical in context is the

following verse:
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
(Gen. 4:9)
We know this event is allegorical because God knows every-
thing. God doesn't have to ask Cain where Abel or anyone else is, just
as God didn't have to wonder where Adam was when he and Eve were
symbolically hiding in Eden. (“Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9)).
We also have Cain speaking with sarcastic disrespect to God,

saying:
“I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?” (Gen. 4:9)
These points and many others indicate these verses are not his-
torical events of the first humans on the planet earth.
220
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CENTURIES OF MISINTERPRETATION
The problems with these verses lie not with whether the facts in
them are true or not: Rather, it is that they have been mistranslated and
misinterpreted. Sectarian scribes and clergy have created these prob-
lems because they did not understand the meaning of these verses.
Rather, in an attempt to create credibility for their respective religious
groups, they have attempted to create a false historical chronology with
these verses.
This doesn't mean that these verses are not factual or historical.
Rather, they are simply misunderstood and mistranslated.
The fact is, the speculative interpretations of these verses have
no credibility. For example, scholars have established that if this inter-
pretation of these texts is true, humans could only have lived on the
planet for about 5,000 years. This creates a real credibility gap, because
archaeological evidence has traced humans on the planet back hundreds
of thousands of years, and the ancestors of humans back millions of
years.
And while the precise time measurement of their history - re-
quiring carbon dating - may have some minor calculation error (most
agree 5-25% margin of error), there is no doubt that the time span of
humanity is far longer than this false historical lineage portends.
Sectarian teachers are thus faced with two choices: Maintain
their stance that archaeological evidence is all in error and this is an
accurate genealogy of humanity, or consider another interpretation of
these texts that can embrace the observation of science.
This is a big reach for the fundamentalists because if they em-
brace science, they will need to be open to the possibility of evolution -
something they have been opposed to. The idea that humanity devel-
oped progressively over time through the species is diametrically
opposed to the concepts these texts supposedly communicate.
We say supposedly because the interpretation and translation of
these texts have been performed by those scribes and clergy that have
already been indoctrinated into the supposition that Cain was the third
human and this is how humankind developed. Thus the translation and
interpretation of these texts are in fact a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is
actually no worse than the archaeologist who interprets bone fragments
with the preconceived notion that those bones he finds are from a first-
born species of humanoid.
MENTAL RUMINATIONS
These kinds of speculative assumptions are created in the mind.
They have nothing to do with reality. The reality of the bone fragments
221
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
is that this is one fragment found in one location among a gigantic earth
full of other possible locations where more advanced humanoids could
have existed at the same time or prior to that humanoid. Their bodies
may not be found easily because they have been burnt by volcanic
eruptions or burned in burials, for example.
The fact that archaeological speculation also has its limitations
is proven by the fact that many recent dig findings have outdated previ-
ous findings that archaeologists have insisted were the oldest
humanoids. By this fact alone we can understand that grandiose claims
of finding the first human by archaeologists is just as prone to error as
assuming that Cain is the third human - as both assumptions are based
upon speculations from small minds drawing upon limited sense per-
ception.
Getting beyond the speculation, these texts in Genesis: 1) have
historical significance outside the scope of our sense of chronological
earthly history; and 2) focus on specific events in order to impart par-
ticular lessons.
For example, if they were historical persons, there would be
numerous other events that took place in the lives of Adam, Eve, Cain
and Abel. Yet we find only a few isolated events. What kind of history
of humanity would be so brief about the lives of the supposed first and
second humans?
The fact is, this is not a history of humankind. The historical
significance is being created by the translators and interpreters. The fact
is, most of the “chapters” (actually sections, because some run to-
gether) of Genesis were separate scrolls, as each of the genealogies
described is divided by what is called by Hebrew scholars a colophon.
A colophon is a separating element, signifying that the next
text came from another scroll or manuscript. Most Hebrew scholars
believe that there were at least 7 different scrolls that were patched
together to form the book of Genesis.
This is also why we tend to see, should we read through all the
chapters of Genesis, a jumping back and forth between people and
events in terms of chronology.
ORAL TO STONE TO PARCHMENT

These ancient scrolls were taken from ancient teachings that
before they were recorded onto parchment or papyrus, were passed
down from teacher to student(s) orally.
While some teach that Moses wrote Genesis, scholars now ad-
mit that different people wrote the original Hebrew scrolls, some of
222
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
which were translated into Greek before being bound together as
though they were one book called Genesis.
Then we must ask, what sort of genealogy is being described
here? Were the original scrolls aimed at creating a chronological his-
tory of the Jewish religion? No. It was sectarian clergy in the following
centuries (including Jewish high priests and scribes that Jesus railed
against) from these sectarian institutions that sorted the various scrolls -
whilst tossing out many - trying to piece them together as a historical
chronology to make a case that their religious institution is the only
legitimate one.
This is why these texts do not cover in the least, the long histo-
ries of other cultures, such as those of South America, India, China,
Egypt and elsewhere.
Rather, the various scrolls that documented the oral teachings
of the ancient teachers were recording significant events that took place
concerning specific persons - sometimes symbolic persons as Adam
and Eve - and sometimes historical persons.
This was the ancient method of teaching. A teacher may de-
scribe a particular event to convey a spiritual lesson to be derived from
that event. Sometimes the events were symbolic. Sometimes they were
historical. Jesus used both symbolic events (parables) along with his-
torical events describing David, Samuel, and others as he taught his
disciples, for example.
SYMBOLIZING OUR FALL

As these various lessons were collected by ancient scholars,
some rascals sought to organize them to achieve a purpose they were
not originally intended to achieve. Thus we end up with a mix of
patched-together teachings of particular events, together with a specula-
tive attempt to tie them together by sectarian scribes that sought to
provide credibility for their respective organizations. This occurred
among the different sectarian institutions at different times, effectively
building upon each other.
Thus, while one can find historical relationships with God
through the ages, the intent of the original scrolls was not to create a
history of mankind. The intent was to teach us - through some key
events - some historical and some symbolic - lessons on who we are
and what our purpose in life should be.
In other words, the original lessons are still contained in these
verses. God has made sure those lessons have been preserved, and that
is what makes this scripture. Perceiving those lessons within the
murkiness of the translations and interpretations may be difficult, but
223
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
there is an ultimate purpose for this: It provides a veil or barrier for
those who are not serious about returning home to God.
Remember that in the previous chapter, the symbolic Adam
was tossed out of Eden, and a barrier was put between him and Eden so
any return to Eden was physically impossible. This took place after
Adam ate the symbolic fruit that God asked him not to eat. This barrier
to returning to the spiritual realm has innumerable manifestations, in-
cluding misinterpretations of scripture.
Now we find, after Adam's symbolic fall, that both Adam and
Eve (actually “man and his living wife” from the Hebrew) are still
cognizant of God, as God has been given credit for the birth of Cain.
However, within the text is a clear communication: The He-
brew word being translated to “Cain” literally means 'possession.' This
is combined with the symbolic Eve's statement, “....I have brought
forth a man...” of which “I have brought forth” is derived from the
Hebrew word ‫( קנה‬qanah), which literally means, 'to get, acquire, cre-
ate, buy, possess,' according to the lexicon.
These two words in the verse confirm a deeper meaning than
simply the first two humans giving birth to a third human. The verse
indicates the beginning of the concept of possession: That we, after our
fall from the spiritual realm, began to perceive our offspring and other
elements of the physical world as our possessions.
This element of possession is the first phase in the progression
of our continued downfall into the depths of the physical world.
Thus we find this event is symbolic, and the central players are
also symbolic:
• Adam symbolizes each of us individually.
• Eve symbolizes us as a community.
• Cain symbolizes our error of conceived possession
within the physical world.
As is explained in chapter three of Genesis, we were cast out of
the spiritual realm due to our envy of God (we wanted to be “like God”
(Genesis 3:5). As we were thrown into the physical world, we were
given “garments of skin” (Gen. 3:21) or these physical bodies. Then
God placed a barrier between the physical world and the spiritual realm
so we couldn't return whimsically.
Now we see the first event of our lives within the physical
realm, as we begin to identify with these physical bodies and feel that
we “possess” our children and other material possessions. While we
can see that Eve still gives credit to God for Cain, this concept of “pos-
session” is what gradually leads to further acts of selfishness, as we'll
see later in this chapter.
224
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the central reasons the sectarian translators and inter-
preters of these ancient teachings did not understand this concept is
because they, too, were entrapped by the illusion of possession, think-
ing that they and their sectarian organizations have some right of
possession. So they attempted to rearrange the ancient scrolls in such a
way as to suggest chronological history, in order to suggest their sectar-
ian religious organization offers the only means to being saved - as well
as being the only rightful owners of the supposed “promised land.”
This problem is specifically why there is so much violence in
the Middle East. Each side is claiming their sectarian institution has the
right of possession of the lands they occupy or don't occupy around the
Middle East.
The fact is, the Supreme Being owns everything. He owns all
the land, all the mountains, deserts, oceans, forests, and every other
material element. He owns all of the Middle East: Every speck of sand,
every sand dune, and every oasis.
We can know simply that we own nothing on this planet be-
cause ownership requires control. Each of our physical bodies will die
and decompose, and we will leave them behind. With them, we will
also leave behind whatever we thought we possessed. Because we will
leave those possessions behind, we have no control over them. Thus we
have no ownership.
Only God has ownership because He has complete control over
all the elements.
Therefore, it is ridiculous to fight over God's property.
This element, possession, provides a foundation for all the
greed, violence and hatred that exists around the planet. We are think-
ing that we can own the stuff of this world, and what we don't possess,
we want to, because we want to own it. This is rooted, again, in our
envy of the Supreme Being. He is the rightful owner of everything, yet
we want to own what He owns.
Understanding these two lessons: that we are not these physical
bodies, and everything is owned and controlled by God, provides our
first step in returning to our natural position in the spiritual realm as the
Supreme Being's loving servitors.
225
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel
kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course
of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil
as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat
portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The
LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
offering,
but on Cain and his offering He
He did not look with
favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was
downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are
you angry? Why is your face downcast?
downcast? If you do
what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you
do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your
door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.it.””
(Genesis 4:2-7)
AN ALLEGORICAL PARABLE
As discussed with the last verse, we can know by key parts of
these verses that this is not a historical event, rather this is an allegori-
cal parable meant to convey certain lessons.
One of the many reasons we know this is because the Supreme
Being would not need to ask Cain why he was upset. God knows our
hearts immediately. He does not need to ask us anything. And God is
not a politician - He doesn't need to fain His interest in us.
Another indicator is that the Supreme Being does not favor the offering
of one over another's. The Supreme Being is fair to each of us.
Rather, any perceived favor from the Supreme Being is merely
part of an exchange of a relationship: The more care we put into that
relationship the more the Supreme Being will respond.
This is true of any relationship. Either party can worsen or bet-
ter a relationship by what that person puts into it. God, however, always
loves us unconditionally. So there is no question of His love: Rather, it
is us who become selfish and self-absorbed, and thus miss out on a
relationship with the Supreme Being.
226
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFERING TO GOD
As indicated in this verse and throughout the scriptures, mak-
ing offerings to the Supreme Being is a critical facility for reaching out
to God and re-establishing our loving relationship with Him. This has
been recognized and taught not only by God, but all of God's represen-
tatives, including Jesus (as his “giving thanks” were actually private
offerings to God). This was an ancient tradition:
“Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God
by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the
LORD your God has given you.” (Deut. 16:10)
All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to
the LORD freewill offerings.... (Exodus 35:29)
A “freewill offering” - also called a “fellowship offering” - in-
dicates that the offering is made with love and devotion. It is not that
God is forcing us to make an offering. Rather, it is an offering that
represents our desire to re-establish our relationship with Him.
And it is not the offering that God wants. He doesn't need the
stuff. God already owns everything.
This might be compared to a young child picking up one of his
toys and offering it to his parents. The parents don't want the toy. They
bought the toy in the first place, and they already own the toy. But they
appreciate the love and the care extended by the child as the child of-
fers the toy. “It's the thought that counts,” is often said when a gift is
given that is not important to the receiver: They recognize the care the
gift represents.
This means that while Cain might have been thinking that his
offering just wasn't good enough and was therefore neglected, we can
know by God's statement that it was not the gift. It was Cain's approach
to the matter. He was thinking that his offering needed to be recog-
nized.
This, in fact, is the meaning of the Hebrew word, ‫( שעה‬shaàh).
This word is being translated to the phrase “look with favor.” How-
ever, it's real meaning relates to recognition or regard.
Cain was upset because God seemed to give Abel more recog-
nition for his offering than He gave Cain for his offering. This is
indicated by the Hebrew words ‫( קין‬Qayin) and ‫( מנחה‬minchah) which
connect Cain to his offering. We know from the verse that God recog-
nized and regarded Cain, otherwise, He would not have spoken with
him.
But it was Cain's attitude that is at issue. Cain didn't think his
offering was recognized as much as God recognized Abel's offering.
227
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And therein lies one of the numerous lessons imparted by this
parable. Our focus upon ourselves and what we get out of our relation-
ship with God is not condoned. This also goes for comparing our
situations with others.
THE MESSAGES
This reveals one of the core issues the ancient teachers are try-
ing to convey with this parable: That one of the biggest hurdles we face
is our self-centeredness and our enviousness of others. Not only did the
symbolic Adam become envious of God (“you will be like God,” the
serpent advised them in Gen. 3:5): After we fell from the spiritual
world to the physical world and took on these physical bodies, that
envy is now expressed towards others, as we become envious of what
our neighbor has.
This envy of others is rooted in self-centeredness. Self-
centeredness is diametrically opposed to love. Love means to give of
oneself completely to another, while self-centeredness is to consider
oneself more important than others.
And this is why the modern teaching by so many 'self-help gu-
rus' that we need to “love ourselves before we can love others” is
wrong. The reality is - as spoken by Moses and Jesus in the “first and
foremost” commandment - that we have to love God before we can
truly love others.
So we find that Cain is so focused upon himself and how much
recognition he is receiving for his offering, that he has become jealous
and angry. To this, God says to him:
“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you
do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it
desires to have you, but you must master it.”
This is yet another lesson conveyed in this deep parable. God is
communicating that “sin” - self-centeredness - is something that will
grab us and entangle us, eventually bringing us down into the depths of
anger and violence. This is what God is trying to warn Cain of. That his
self-centeredness (“sin”) will result in a downward spiral.
“What is right” is being translated from the Hebrew word, ‫יטב‬
(yatab). This is a poor choice of translation. The Hebrew word means
“to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad” according to the lexicon.
Thus in this context, “to be pleasing” is a better translation.
What the verse is conveying is that if we do what is pleasing to
God, then this will protect us from self-centeredness. But if we do what
is not pleasing to God, we are not protected. In that case, self-
centeredness will grip us (“desires to have you”) and we will spiral
228
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
down into the depths of hell - as we contend with our own hatred, vio-
lence and the consequences of our activities.
Thus we can draw multiple lessons from these verses. Here are
a few:
• Making offerings to God provide a means for our re-

establishing our relationship with Him;
• God recognizes all our offerings to Him, not by what
we give, but by the love we give them with;
• We should not compare what we have been given with
what others have been given. We all have our own les-
sons to learn;
• By focusing our activities upon pleasing God, we are
protected from the ravishes of self-centeredness, which
wraps us up and wrecks us.
The essence here is the critical instruction of Moses and Jesus:
Only this will truly fulfill us.
229
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the
field.”.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked
his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said
to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,”
he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
keeper?” The LORD
said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s
blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are
under a curse and driven from the ground, which
opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood
from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no
longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless
wanderer on the earth.”
earth.” (Genesis 4:8-12)
As this symbolic parable of Cain and Abel unfolds, we can see
the deep messages being communicated from within it.
HOW DO WE KNOW THIS IS SYMBOLISM?

We know this is symbolic because along with the scientific
problems, God does not need to ask Cain what happened to Abel. “The
LORD” means Supreme Being, controller of everything. This means
He knows everything. He doesn't have to ask Cain or anyone else
where someone is.
And no one would be addressing the Supreme Being with such
disrespect and sarcasm, as Cain says, “Am I my brother's keeper?”
But there is a symbolic meaning to Cain's disrespect and sar-
casm.
Using symbolism to describe some of the complexities of spiri-
tual reality is used throughout the teachings of the Bible, including
Jesus, who used symbolic parables like the parable of the wedding ban-
quet, the vineyard, and many others. While these are symbolic, they are
still true. They are describing factual realities using symbolic charac-
ters.
While the conversation itself is symbolic, the exchange that
takes place between God and Cain does actually occur - translated into
230
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
events - between the Supreme Being and each of us who have fallen to
the depths of the physical world.
In other words, the story of Cain and Abel is communicating
what has taken place for each of us as we progressively fell from the
spiritual realm.
OUR DOWNFALL INTO THIS WORLD

The first phase of our fall came after we decided we wanted to
be “like God” (Gen. 3:4) and we ate “the forbidden fruit” of self-
centeredness and envy. We then were “cast out” (Gen. 3:23) of Eden
(the spiritual realm), and we took on “garments of skin” (Gen. 3:21) -
which are these temporary physical bodies.
Just after our fall to the physical world, we were still in a
higher state of consciousness (relative to our current state). In this state,
we still related to and recognized the Supreme Being, illustrated by
Cain and Abel's making offerings to God.
But our envy and self-centeredness began to take further hold
of us, as we became envious of each other. This is symbolized by Cain
becoming envious of Abel (Gen. 4:5). His envy led to anger and vio-
lence, and Cain kills his brother.
Abel's death symbolizes how self-centeredness took hold
within each of us to the extent that we were willing to kill others to
achieve our goals. God explained the process earlier, as he told Cain,
“But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it
desires to have you, but you must master it.” Obviously, Cain, like each
of us, does not master it.
This illustrates how each of us have continued to fall into the
depths of mutual envy, lust, greed and violence as our self-centeredness
(“sin”) has continued to grip our consciousness (“have you”).
This envy and greed also color our declining relationship with
the Supreme Being during this progressive fall, as we began to look to
God with disdain - symbolized by Cain's disrespectful and sarcastic
response to God's question.
As a result of this progression of self-centeredness, hostility,
and violence, God then tells Cain that he will lose the ability to grow
crops, and that he “will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” What
does this mean?
This consequence Cain must deal with symbolizes the law of
consequences existing within the physical world. We must each suffer
the consequences of our actions, whether good or bad.
It also illustrates how we continued our fall into the physical
realm through the different species. Being “a restless wanderer on the
231
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
earth” symbolizes our wanderings from one physical body to the next,
and even one species to the next - as we have descended into the depths
of hell in a progression of one physical body after another.
CONSEQUENCE LEARNING
The design of the Supreme Being is that whatever self-centered
action taken in the physical world has a reaction that is perfectly re-
flected back to us, either in this life or a future physical lifetime. This
includes things that we do that might help others - which affect us posi-
tively in the future. The balance between the two, combined with the
state of our consciousness (desires), determines our future fate.
This provides for what we might call consequence learning.
The Supreme Being's design utilizes the best way to learn.
Child psychology research has even illustrated that 'consequence learn-
ing' is the best way for a child to be trained. This is because we learn
best by experiencing the consequences of our actions.
The Supreme Being's consequential learning system pro-
grammed into the physical world has certain definitions. It only impacts
us to the degree of our awareness and the awareness of those we affect.
Thus humans will receive clear consequences because we humans have
the awareness of how our actions can help or hurt others. Animals, fish,
insects, plants, and microorganisms are generally in survival mode.
They do not suffer consequences because they are not aware of how
their actions affect others.
If we hurt another without realization then there is less conse-
quence. But to the degree we know our actions will hurt another, there
will be a corresponding reaction. This is also reflected in our justice
system, which punishes crimes of premeditation (such as “murder”)
more than accidental crimes (“manslaughter”).
Some have called this “as you sow, so shall you reap.”
Others have called this consequence system the “law of
karma.”
Still others have referred to it as “going to hell.”
WHAT ABOUT 'GOING TO HELL'?

In fact, every scriptural reference to “going to hell” includes
the concept of consequence. It is not as if a person “goes to hell” by
accident. We “go to hell” because of our activities. “Going to hell” is
'consequence learning.'
But where is hell? Many imagine hell as an underground fiery
cave with people chained to walls while a horned red devil beats them.
232
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, but we are in hell right now. Hell is a place of suffering,
with each of our bodies suffering precisely to the extent of the conse-
quences of our prior actions.
The creatures around us - the animals, fish, insects and even
microorganisms - are all living in hell. These bodies present relative
degrees of hell to the person inhabiting that body.
Humans also experience hell. This is why one person can be
living in Somalia, undergoing torture and rape at the hands of evil mer-
cenaries (devils) while another person is living in Hawaii in a luxurious
house on the beach. It is also why some children are born into wealth
and inheritance while others are born into abject poverty.
This is precisely why many people think that God is not fair.
They put forth an important question:
“If God exists, why does He allow so much suffering?”
The reason most of the organized sectarian institutions today
cannot answer this is that their professional teachers do not know the
answer. This, of course, leads to intelligent people straying from their
faith in God.
There is a clear answer to this question, however. It comes in
the form of understanding our identity.
UNDERSTANDING OUR IDENTITY

First, we are not these physical bodies. Our bodies are tempo-
rary vehicles, which we operate for a few decades. They are like
automobiles that we get in and drive for a while and then get out. This
means those things that happen to our physical body do not actually
happen to each of us. It is like a car getting in a fender-bender. The car
may be totaled, but we can get out and walk away. (Not the best anal-
ogy because people also get hurt in car accidents.)
Better yet, we might compare this world and these bodies to
playing a video game. We can sit down at the computer, select an icon,
and start playing a video game. Our icon can get shot at, run over or
beat up by the virtual reality programming. Our icon might even be
killed. No matter what happens to our icon, we can still turn off the
computer and walk away, no matter what happened inside the video
game.
Just as a person might start identifying with their video game
icon, we also begin to identify ourselves with these temporary physical
bodies. As we do this, we get immersed in the programming inherent in
the physical world, just as a person gets immersed in a video game.
As we get immersed in the physical world, we forget our real
identities as spiritual, where we came from, and the fact that our natural
233
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
position is with the Supreme Being in the spiritual realm. This is, of
course, by design, because we wanted to get away from the Supreme
Being - which is why Adam, symbolizing each of us, ate the “forbid-
den fruit” in the first place.
This is also why we spend so much of our lives looking for that
perfect mate who will love us, care for us and fulfill us. This is also
why we all share this feeling that we belong in a world that is peaceful,
where everyone loves each other. Innately it is the Supreme Being we
are looking for, and it is the spiritual realm we are trying to return to.
In other words, we do not physically suffer - only our virtual,
temporary physical bodies suffer. They suffer by design. Our bodies
suffer - each uniquely, depending upon our past actions - during birth,
when teething, when hungry, when sick, when hurt, when cold, and
when hot. They also suffer from diseases, aging, and eventually death.
But this suffering is happening to the physical body, not us. We
are each spiritual persons 'driving' a temporary physical body.
THIS WORLD IS TEACHING US

Second, this system of 'consequence learning' is designed to
teach us, in order to raise our consciousness. Should we ignore the op-
portunity to raise our consciousness, we are plunged into species of
ignorance - precisely to the extent we want to ignore reality.
But if we embrace the lessons physical life teaches us, and we
seek the wisdom from them, then our consciousness becomes raised, as
we learn more and more about who we are and what our purpose for
existence is.
OUR ESCAPE HATCH

And finally, most importantly, the Supreme Being has set up an
escape hatch for us. We might compare this to the old cartoon, “Tooter
the Turtle” - about the turtle who asks the wizard to get sent into dif-
ferent situations. Then, when the turtle gets into a tough situation, he
shouts “Mr. Wizard, Mr. Wizard, help me!” and the wizard then pulls
the turtle out of the situation and back home.
The Supreme Being has a similar escape hatch set up for each
of us. At any time, at any place, regardless of our situation, we can call
the Supreme Being and He will pull us out of this 'consequence system'
and bring us back home to Him. This is His promise - His covenant -
with each of us.
Plus He is always calling us back home through His representa-
tives and through scripture.
234
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are like children who have run away from home. But in this
case, our parent happens to control everything. So He designed a place
- this physical world - where we could feel that we are really away
from home. This place He designed gives us independence and the
facilities to act out our desires.
He also programmed the physical world with facilities that
teach us. We might compare this to a Dad who builds a tree-house for
his son, so his son could get away from the house and pretend he has
his own house. But like the good Dad who built the tree-house, the
Supreme Being is always there for us, lovingly waiting for us when we
want to return to Him.
But we must remember that we also have to be ready to return
to Him. Most of us are not ready, because we are immersed in the
depths of self-centered consciousness. This requires a purification
process.
For anyone who sincerely asks the Supreme Being to return
home to Him, He begins to guide us and prepare us for our return
home. This is a personal training process unlike the consequential
learning system, because it is custom-designed for each of us, to help
us re-establish our lost loving relationship with Him.
And this is the purpose for all the spiritual teachers that God
has sent through the ages. They have been sent specifically to help train
those who have requested from God to help them return home to Him.
This is also why the “first and greatest commandment” as
taught by Jesus and Moses, focuses on returning to our loving relation-
ship with God:
235
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cain said to the LORD, “My pun
punishment is more than I
can bear. Today you are driving me from the land,
and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a
restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds
me will me.” But the LORD said to him, “Not so; if
will kill me.”
anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times
over.”
over.” Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that
no one who found him would kill him. So Cain went
out from the LORD’
LORD’s presence and lived in the land
of Nod, east of Eden. (Genesis 4:13-
3-16)
This set of verses has been mistranslated by those who failed to
see the meaning of this ancient parable.
HISTORICAL EVENT?
While it has been misconstrued that this is a historical event
concerning the third person on the planet who murders his brother, the
fourth person, there is no logic or scientific reasoning to accept this
interpretation. If Cain was the third person on the planet, then why
would he and God be concerned about someone else finding him and
killing him, enough to put a special mark on him? Wasn't there only
Adam and Eve on the planet outside of Cain, and later perhaps some
other siblings of Cain? Wouldn't they recognize their brother if so?
And what is this “land” that he was in that he could grow
crops, versus the “land” of “Nod” that he suddenly could not grow
crops in? Noting that this is thousands of years ago (Biblical scholars
say if we follow the supposed timetable of these translations, we are
talking 5,000 years ago) then there were plenty of regions around the
world that had arable land that could easily be cultivated.
Oh, but we are to imagine this single third human is walking
alone on the planet, just wandering around?
These are all ridiculous and practically impossible scenarios.
They are also scientifically unsound because archaeological evidence
has determined that humans have been populating the earth for hun-
dreds of thousands of years and their relative ancestors, for millions of
years. So unless we are to believe that all the bones found that indicate
236
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ancient ancestors were all fabricated by hundreds of different research-
ers, or that carbon dating systems are radically incorrect, these verses
regarding Cain simply did not happen as sectarian interpreters would
have us believe.
This doesn't mean the events did not happen, however.
HISTORICAL METAPHOR
The reality is that these events are describing what happened
historically to each of us, but using symbolism. The book of Genesis is
not one book written by one person. Genesis is a combination of an-
cient scrolls that were recordings of oral teachings that had been passed
down for thousands of years.
It was the sectarian organizations that hired professional trans-
lators and interpreters who combined these scrolls into a book of
Genesis in an attempt to maintain a doctrine indicating that some sec-
tarian members were the “chosen” people, and later, that such sects
were the only bonafide religions.
We must remember that in ancient times, religion was utilized
by many kings and emperors to maintain and control their empires.
While some ancient kings were devoted to God and fair to their people,
others simply manipulated religion to maintain their power and control
over the people.
Some of the most shrewd were the Roman emperors, most of
whom maintained little or no devotion to God. This includes Constan-
tine, who ordered the organization of the Roman Catholic church by
gathering together accepted teachers throughout Europe and the Middle
East, and threatened them with conviction unless they cooperated with
him to organize into one religion, which was then utilized by the Ro-
man empire for over a thousand years to control Europe and much of
the Middle East.
During this time, the Bible was created by bringing together
many scrolls from different sources and translated to Latin by profes-
sional scribes intent on establishing the domination of Christianity over
any other world religion.
This brought forth a particular interpretation of the various
scrolls, which then took hold in the form of an established doctrine,
named the “Nicene Creed.” This, along with the forced acceptance of
this doctrine - as any other interpretation would be met with immediate
capital punishment - resulted in the global acceptance of one single
interpretation of these texts throughout the region. Eventually, as Euro-
pean missionary fanatics supported by vast armies forcibly converted
237
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
millions around the world, the Nicene doctrine spread around the
world.
After thousands of years of the dominance (and later, peer-
pressure) of this single interpretation, one might more fairly character-
ize the acceptance of this doctrine as brainwashing.
THE SYMBOLISM
Rather, the event being portrayed in these verses, heavy in
symbolism, describes our continued fall away from our relationship
with God. Let's closely review the Hebrew in the text:
First, Cain is supposedly saying that his “punishment is more
than I can bear.” This implies the curse meted out by God in the previ-
ous verse, damning Cain to no longer being able to produce crops, and
becoming a “restless wanderer” (Gen. 4:12)
In this verse (Gen. 4:13), ‫`( עון‬avon) is being translated to
“punishment,” but the Hebrew word actually means “perversity, de-
pravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity” according to lexicon.
It also clarifies that the word describes: “guilt of iniquity, guilt (as
great), guilt (of condition).”
This means that while the translators are presuming that Cain is
complaining that the punishment meted out by God was too severe,
Cain is actually stating that the guilt of his depraved action (having
murdered Abel) is too great for him to bear.
Next, Cain is describing how God will be “driving” him “from
the land and I will be hidden from your presence.” This seems to indi-
cate that Cain is being physically removed from a certain part of the
countryside, where he will no longer be in God's presence. This as-
sumes that there is some piece of land somewhere where Cain was
living where God was personally present, and after Cain was kicked out
of this place, he was no longer in God's presence.
This translation makes no sense, as it contradicts the many Bib-
lical teachings and events that consistently maintain that God is always
present and can always see us. So how could Cain become hidden from
God's presence?
The Hebrew reveals a completely different meaning to the text:
The Hebrew ‫( סתר‬cathar), now translated to “I will be hidden”,
also means “to hide oneself” according to the lexicon.
The Hebrew ‫( פנים‬paniym) can mean “presence,” but more
prominently means “face.” Cain is saying, according to the text, that he
will be hidden from God's face.
Here “face” is being used symbolically, as it has historically.
In the same way, “to lose face” doesn't mean we literally lose our face.
238
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nor does it mean that suddenly no one can see our face. “To lose face”
means we lose credibility. In other words, “face” is used symbolically.
In the same way - and we also find this usage common among
older writings - to be hidden from another's face indicates losing a per-
sonal relationship with that person. In other words, Cain had lost his
personal relationship with God. What happens then?
The Hebrew ‫( נוע‬nuwa`) is being translated to “restless.” It
also means “to quiver, totter, wander, move, waver and tremble” ac-
cording to the lexicon. It also means to “be unstable.”
The Hebrew word ‫( נוד‬nuwd) is being translated to “wan-
derer.” This is an effective translation, just as ‫ נוע‬is effectively
translated to “restless.” But the usage is not literal. In the same way,
while we might call a person who is aimlessly walking the streets as
“wandering,” we might also tell a child who is sitting in a classroom
seat daydreaming that they are “wandering.”
In other words, “wandering” doesn't always mean to physi-
cally walk around aimlessly. In most uses - as is the case here - it refers
to someone who is going from one thing to another without purpose or
mission.
OUR SITUATION IN THIS WORLD

This describes our current status in the physical world. We can
see this all around us, as we see so many of us wandering from one
desire to the next, thinking that the next thing will fulfill us. We go
from eating to money to sex to becoming a star or business success to
status to a big car to a big house to a family and a white picket fence,
and still, we have no fulfillment.
We keep trying one scheme after another. When we accom-
plish one thing, we still find ourselves empty. So we move onto another
scheme. Whether we accomplish it or not, we ultimately find no happi-
ness there.
Why? Why are even the most successful and wealthy people
still not satisfied with their wealth and fame? Why are even the grand-
mothers and grandfathers of the biggest families not satisfied with their
big family?
Because we are not physical. We are spiritual in nature. We
might compare this to if we were driving our car, and suddenly felt
hungry, and decide that if we fill up the gas tank of our car, our hunger
would be gone. But it doesn't work. Filling up our gas tank with gas
fills the gas tank but doesn't fill up our stomach. In the same way, get-
ting all these physical goodies does not fulfill our spiritual emptiness.
239
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are wandering around this physical world trying to fulfill our spiri-
tual emptiness with physical things.
So how did we get here and why are we wandering around rest-
lessly? These verses explain what happened. Cain was making
offerings to God - had a personal relationship - but became self-
centered, and envious of Abel. He then killed Abel in his envy, leaving
him to a life of “restless wandering.”
WANDERING AFTER BEING DRIVEN OUT

The next verses tell us:
The Hebrew word ‫( גרש‬garash) is translated to “driven out,”
but can also mean to be “expelled” or “cast out” according to the lexi-
con.
The Hebrew ‫'( אדמה‬adamah) is translated to “of the ground”
also means “territory,” “land” or “country.”
‫( פנים‬paniym) is again translated to “presence” but directly
translates to “from the face.”
And the Hebrew ‫( סתר‬cathar) is translated to “hidden.” And
thus, again, Cain is “hidden from God's face,” which symbolically
means to lose one's relationship with God.
So this verse is not talking about Cain being tossed out of a plot
of land somewhere on the planet. It is talking about Cain losing his
relationship with God, and being tossed out of the spiritual realm into
the physical world. The symbolism of not being able to produce crops
and losing contact with that land means losing the benefits of being in
the spiritual realm exchanging a loving relationship with the Supreme
Being.
When one has a loving relationship with God, they are natu-
rally productive. There are many fruits that come from this relationship
because when a person loves God, they want to do what is pleasing to
the One they love. This means doing God's will or serving God. This
naturally produces lots of great results, which can be compared sym-
bolically to producing crops from land.
The land symbolizes the basis of our relationship, and what we
do to please God. Once we become selfishly motivated, and envious of
others, we lose that loving relationship with God. We are “cast out” of
the service we rendered for Him, and we are forced to “restlessly wan-
der,” looking for our own satisfaction.
WHAT ABOUT THE MARK OF CAIN?

So what does the last verse mean, regarding Cain's mark, and
God taking vengeance upon anyone harming Cain?
240
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hebrew word ‫( נקם‬naqam) “vengence” is adequate, but in
this context, it implies protection, just as a stronger person might say to
their friend, “if they touch you, I'll take care of them.”
And the Hebrew word ‫'( אות‬owth), now translated to a “mark,”
also can translate to “sign” or “signal,” which can include “a distin-
guishing mark” a “banner” “omen” or “warning.” It can also mean
“token.”
The Hebrew ‫( ָמצָא‬matsa') can mean “to find” but also can mean
“to meet” or “encounter.”
Symbolically, this is presenting that God is telling Cain - sym-
bolizing each of us who have become “restless wanderers” - that He
will still protect us where ever we go. The “mark” is not a physical
mark on Cain. The “mark” is better described as a “warning,” “sign”
or “signal” - a constant reminder - that God will ultimately protect
Cain (us) where ever he (each of us) decides to wander.
These verses conclude with Cain (us) leaving his (our) relation-
ship with God, and then settling within the physical world, away from
our relationship with God:
The Hebrew phrase translated to “out from the presence” but
literally meaning “away from his face” or away from his relationship
with God.
The Hebrew word ‫( ישב‬yashab) meaning “and settled.”
The Hebrew word ‫'( ארץ‬erets) is translated to “in the land,” but
can mean “territory” or “country.” It is describing the physical world,
“away” from God.
The Hebrew word ‫( נוד‬Nowd) is translated to “of Nod” as
though “Nod” was a physical country or location on the earth. Actu-
ally, the word literally means “wandering,” indicating that Cain (us)
effected his wandering.
The Hebrew word ‫( קדמה‬qidmah) is translated to “east,” but
can also be translated to “in front of” “over against,” “front” accord-
ing to the lexicon.
This is followed by ‫`( עדן‬Eden) or “Eden.”
How does Cain's wandering relate to Eden? The symbolic
“Adam and Eve” were “cast out” of Eden in Chapter three of Genesis.
As described with Genesis 3:24, this phrase (‫ )עדן קדמה‬relates to being
cast out of the spiritual realm.
This story of Cain illustrates how we became envious and as a
result, moved away from our loving relationship with the Supreme
Being and become engrossed in the physical world. As we became
increasingly engrossed in our physical identities, being full of self-
centeredness and envy, and seeking satisfaction within the physical
241
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
world, we have completely lost touch with our spiritual nature, and our
loving relationship with God.
This is why the teachings of Moses, Jesus and every other an-
cient Biblical teacher maintained a consistent instruction in order to
reclaim that relationship:
greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22:37-40/Deut 6:5)
242
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cain lay with his wife, and she became pregnant and
gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city,
and he named it after his son Enoch. To Enoch was
born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and
Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and
Methushael was the father of Lamech. Lamech
married two women, one named Adah and the other
Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father
of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His
brother’
brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all
who play the harp and flute. Zillah also had a son,
Tubal-
Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of
bronze and iron.
iron. Tubal-
Tubal-Cain’
Cain’s sister was Naamah.
Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to
me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a
man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. If
Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-
seventy-
seven times.”
times.” Adam lay with his wife again, and she
gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying,
“God has granted me another child in place of Abel,
since Cain killed him.”
him.” Seth also had a son, and he
named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on
the Name of the
the LORD. (Genesis 4:17-
7-26)
Here we see some seriously improbable events if we are as-
suming that Cain is the third human and they populated the earth some
5,000 years ago, as sectarian institutions and their scribes have trans-
lated and interpreted from these texts.
243
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROBLEMS WITH THE THIRD HUMAN THEORY

Here are some of the problems with this conclusion:
- Why would Cain build a city if he were the third human?
Who was to live in the city, since there were only three, then four hu-
mans, with Enoch? A city assumes a large population.
- How was Adah “the father of those who live in tents and
raise livestock”? Everyone who has lived in a tent or raised livestock
has Adah for an ancestor?
- Same with Jubal. How was he “the father of all who play the
harp and flute”? Are all our orchestra members who play these two
instruments offspring of Jubal?
- The problem with Zilah is that if sectarian scribes are presum-
ing that this event occurred 5,000 years ago, then making tools made of
bronze and iron would traverse two eras. The iron age began between
1300 and 600 BC, while the bronze age occurred as early as 3200 BC.
These dates correspond to the earliest findings of tools made of these
particular metals. If we take this text at face value, then Zilah would
have to have lived for nearly 2,000 years in order to make tools from
both metals.
- The contradiction with archeological evidence makes this en-
tire genealogy and its interpretation that this is a historical genealogy of
humanity, suspect. Archeological evidence finds humanoids living on
the early more than a million years ago, and their ancestors over 2 mil-
lion years ago. While carbon dating does not offer pinpoint accuracy
due to periodic changes in the earth's atmosphere, it can certainly de-
termine that humans lived many hundreds of thousands of years before
sectarian scribes assume these texts indicate.
Rather than being a compilation as assumed by its present state,
Genesis is a conglomeration of separate scrolls that have been patched
together in an attempt to promote an assumption that the Jewish people
were the primary and “chosen” race, and all other races around the
world were “heathens.” This attempt to use scripture as a tool for con-
trol was advanced by sectarian institutions - the same ones railed on by
Jesus - and later by the Romans, who selected and patched together
certain Scripture scrolls in an attempt to control Europe and the Middle
East by virtue of controlling religion.
Once the Roman-employed scribes patched together what we
know today as the Bible from hundreds of sometimes disconnected
scrolls - of the thousands of scrolls that were used by different teachers
during those times and earlier - they outlawed the possession or reading
of any other scroll outside of these in their Latin Bibles (which only the
244
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
priests or Roman Catholic authorities could possess). As the Romans
systematically burnt libraries of scrolls and murdered those harboring
ancient texts, they successfully erased the bulk of the scriptural texts
that provide the context and the background for the remaining texts that
were patched together to form the old and new testaments of the Bible.
TAMPERING WITH THE BIBLE

The Bible has been pieced together in such a way as to imply
that it is a historical record. However, as many historians have found
over the years, a meaningful read through the material indicates that
these scrolls were not intended to be a history of humanity. The seem-
ing chronological nature of the periods is deceiving, as it often places
events and scrolls that were earlier, later, and vice versa.
Other evidence of tampering between the original scrolls and
the texts of the Bible - first translated into Latin by Roman scribes -
have been found as a few of the original scrolls have been discovered
over the centuries.
The recent discoveries of the Dead Sea scrolls and the Nag
Hammadi texts have confirmed that many scrolls accepted as scripture
by ancient Jews and early Christians were systematically eliminated by
the Romans, and at least some of those that were patched together into
the Bible were tampered with.
On top of that, we find there is a historical record that shows
tablets being changed as they were passed on centuries before Christ.
For example, historians have found several tablets telling of Noah's
flood. The problem is that there were significant differences between
them. For example, some of the tablets described the boat as being
circular, while others described it as square, like a tall building.
The bottom line is that this genealogy, as many others provided
in the books of the Bible, does point to some historical record, but the
context of that record is still at large.
THE FATHER OF ALL

It is only logical that someone who is “a father of all who...” is
not referring to a human, but rather, a superior individual. This text is
reminiscent of the Greek and Roman and Egyptian mythologies of the
gods, as well as Asian Sanscrit records describing various demigods.
These records all describe a superior race who were “fathers” of par-
ticular traits among human culture, including war, music, and others.
Apollo, for example, is described as overseeing music among
other traits, while Hermes is described as being the protector of the
shepherds and the creator of the lyre (a type of harp).
245
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are other parts of the Bible that point to the existence of
a superior race of some kind. For example, later in Genesis, we find:
'The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also after-
ward - when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had
children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.' (Gen.
6:4)
This obviously indicates that an advanced people lived on the
earth thousands of years ago. The use of “heroes of old,” “men of re-
nown” and “sons of God” indicate three essential characteristics: 1)
They maintained high levels of integrity and heroism. 2) They were
highly respected. 3) They were dedicated to God.
This last point is confirmed by the title “sons of God.” The
word “sons” is again translated from the word ‫( בן‬ben), which can
mean “son” but also, according to Gesenius’ lexicon, “a member of a
guild, order, class.”
In other words, the more appropriate translation of the word ‫בן‬
(ben) in this case is not “sons of God” but rather, would be something
akin to “devoted followers of God” or “loving servants of God.”
We must understand that Scripture is devotional. The Scrip-
tures document the lives of those who have been devoted to loving and
serving God. They can therefore only be understood through the eyes
of devotion.
While this commentary does not pose to speculate upon these
verses, we can state with certainty that these verses provide some kind
of historical context, but certainly not a genealogical historical record
of the first humans that sectarian institutions interpret them to be.
The most likely intention of these and the other supposed gene-
alogy verses that follow in Genesis is that this is a record of one of the
early lineages of Prophets. The Hebrew words ‫( הֵם‬hem) (translated to
“children”) and ‫( בֵּן‬ben) (translated to “son”) also have devotional
contexts. In the devotional contexts, these relate to being students or
followers.
Indeed, the use of the Hebrew word ‫( יָלַד‬yalad) - translated to
“begat” or “fathered” can also have a devotional context. That is,
being one's spiritual teacher and bringing the student to the point to
where they are born again. Such a tradition of calling one's spiritual
teacher “father” has continued even through the sectarian institutions
today, where priests are called “father.”
BORN AGAIN
Jesus also described this process of being “born again:”
246
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the
kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus
asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their
mother's womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the
kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born
again.'“ (John 3:3-3:7)
These sectarian translations of Genesis and the other early He-
brew books are certainly suspect. Especially given the power struggles
and the violence that came with these translations as these sectarian
institutions forced indoctrination upon populations of people.
However, should we assume a devotional context to these an-
cient texts, this would mean the “genealogy” listing is actually a listing
of the early Prophets, as spiritual teachers and their early students - who
may (or may not in many cases) have also been family members.
The essential issue is that the patchwork of texts assembled
into the “Bible” have been tampered with and mistranslated by those
with no authority to organize or interpret scripture.
SPIRITUAL LESSONS
Even so, the remaining texts of the Bible provide a wealth of
spiritual lessons ultimately communicated by the Supreme Being. This
was the intention of the ancient teachers that orally passed on these
teachings before they even were recorded onto scrolls. Those lessons
provide the essence of these texts, often hidden within the subterfuge of
misinterpretation and translation error.
A perfect example of misinterpretation is the teaching by some
sectarian institutions and their teachers that God either has no name or
His name is somehow unspeakable. Genesis 4:26, along with so many
others in the Scriptures, contradicts this notion:
At that time men began to call on the Name of the LORD.
(Genesis 4:26)
The words “call on” come from the Hebrew ‫( קרא‬qara'), which
means to “to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim” according to
the lexicon. More specifically, it means:
1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
3) to proclaim
247
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This indicates that we are not just talking about “calling” like
someone would make a phone call or yell for someone. It means to
devotionally proclaim God's Holy Name, in prayer, song, and recita-
tion.
This has been the essence of spiritual practice for thousands of
years, and has been accepted by all true faiths as a manner of reaching
out to God. In other words, this is a method that the Supreme Being has
authorized as a facility to reach out and connect with Him.
The fact is, praising and reciting God’s Holy Names has been
accepted by the Teachers throughout the Scriptures. The evidence is
clearly documented within the texts of the Bible (New International
Version):
(Genesis 21:33)
“If what a prophet proclaims in the Name of the LORD does
be afraid of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:22)
248
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Deuteronomy 28:10)
‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your
descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left,
LORD. (1 Kings 3:2)
Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put His enemies
under His feet.” (1 Kings 5:3)
said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place
will build the temple for My Name.’” (1 Kings 5:5)
“The LORD has kept the promise He made: I have succeeded
249
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire – He is
Kings 18:24)
LORD ?” (1 Kings 22:16)
22:7)
250
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LORD ?” (2 Chronicles 18:15)
The other events of Manasseh’s reign, including his prayer to
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will
(Psalm 7:17)
of the earth will revere Your glory.” (Psalm 102:15)
me!” (Psalm 116:4)
251
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
be upon you; we bless you in the Name of the LORD.”“
(Psalm 129:8)
(Psalm 148:13)
land is divided by rivers – the gifts will be brought to Mount
18:7)
(Isaiah 56:6)
from the rising of the sun, they will revere His glory.” (Isaiah
59:19)
252
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20:13)
(Jeremiah 26:16)
Now Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim was
another man who prophesied in the Name of the LORD
(Jeremiah 26:20)
(Joel 2:26)
(Micah 5:4)
“Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!”
(Matthew 21:9)
“‘Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.’ “
(Matthew 23:39)
11:9)
“‘Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.’ “ (Luke
13:35)
253
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Luke 19:38)
12:13)
9:28)
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed
turn away from wickedness.” “ (2 Timothy 2:19)
(James 5:10)
(Romans 10:13)
Rather than getting wound up with trying to prove minute his-
torical details among the texts of the Bible, our intent should be to draw
out the critical lessons being conveyed. And it is clear that one of the
most important lessons is that spiritual advancement is achieved
through the humble and respectful singing and reciting of God’s Holy
Names.
Remember the discussion earlier regarding the escape hatch set
up by the Supreme Being for us to be able to return to the spiritual
realm. His Holy Names provide that escape hatch for each of us.
Here is a list of God’s Holy Names accepted by various Scrip-
tures and languages from around the world:
God – The Supreme Person
Lord – Our Worshipful Master
Supreme Being – The Original, Perfect Person
Jehovah – Our Lord God, The Powerful
Eloah – The Supreme Being
Eli (Eloi) – My God
Abba – My Father
Yahweh – The LORD
Jah – Supreme Lord
Yah – Supreme Lord
Buddha – Lord Of Enlightenment
254
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yajna – The Receiver Of all Sacrifices
Allah – Lord Of Compassion
Al Rahman – The All Beneficent
Om – The All-Encompassing
Al Rahim – The Most Merciful
Manohar – Beautiful Lord
Devadidev – The God Of The Gods
Al Malik – The King, The Sovereign
Lokadhyaksha – Lord Of All The Three Worlds
Al Quddus – The Most Holy
Narayana – The Supreme Being
Elohim – Our God and His Goddess
Al Salam – Bringing Peace and Blessings
Shekhinah – He Who dwells Everywhere
Al Mu’min – The Guarantor
Rama – He Who Gives Pleasure To Those Who Love Him
Al Muhaymin – The Guardian, The Preserver
Theos – Supreme God
Al ‘Aziz – The Almighty, The Self Sufficient
YHWH – Supreme Person
Al Jabbar – The Powerful, The Irresistible
Gopinath – Receiver Of Conjugal Love
Al Mutakabbir – The Tremendous
Sakshi – All Witnessing Lord
Al Khaliq – The Creator
Jagannath – Worshipful Lord Of Everything
Al Bari’ – The Maker
Abir – Strong One
Al Musawwir – The Fashioner Of Forms
Deus – Supreme Lord
Al Ghaffar – The Ever Forgiving
Adon Olam – Master Of The Universe
Al Qahhar – The All-Compelling Subduer
Krishna – The Most Attractive
Al Wahhab – The Bestower
Ekam – The Incomparable
Aathi Param – Lord Of Absolute Bliss
Al Razzaq – The Ever Providing
Avinu Malkeinu – The Father, King
Al Fattah – The Opener, The Victory Giver
Madhava – Sweet Lord with Beautiful Complexion
Al Alim – The All Knowing, The Omniscient
255
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boreh – The Creator
Al Qabid – The Restrainer, The Straightener
Waheguru – Wonderful Lord
Al Basit – The Expander, The Munificent
Avyukta – One Who Is As Clear As Crystal
Al Khafid – The Abaser
On-kar – The Creator
Al Rafi’ – The Exalter
Ehiyet sh’Ehiyeh – “I Am That I Am”
Al Mu’izz – The Giver Of Honor
Shang Ti – The King Above
Al Mudhill – The Giver Of Dishonor
Sar Shalom – Master of Peace (Tranquility)
Al Sami’ – The All Hearing
El ha-Gibbor – The Hero and Strong One
Al Basir – The All Seeing
Bala – The Lord Of Strength
Dayanidhi – The Compassionate Lord
Al Hakam – The Judge, The Arbitrator
Dayalu – Repository Of Compassion
Al ‘Adl – The Utterly Just
Emet – The Truth
Al Latif – The Subtly Kind
Shen – Supreme Being
Al Khabir – The All Aware
Xwede – The Supreme God
Al Halim – The Forbearing, The Indulgent
Shaddai – The Almighty
Al ‘Azim – The Magnificent, The Infinite
Aparajeet – The Lord Who Cannot Be Defeated
Al Ghafur – The All Forgiving
E’in Sof – The Infinite One
Al Shakur – The Grateful
Akshara – Indestructible Lord
Al ‘Ali – The Sublimely Exalted
Ha-Kaddosh, Baruch Hu – The Holy One
Al Kabir – The Great One
Melech ha-Melachim – The King Of Kings
Al Hafiz – The Preserver
Magen Avraham – The Shield Of Abraham
Al Muqit – The Nourisher
YHWH-Rapha – The Supreme Lord Who Heals
256
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Al Hasib – The Reckoner
YHWH-Ra-ah – The Lord my Shepherd
Al Jalil – The Majestic One
YHWH-Tsidkenu – Lord Of Righteousness
Al Karim – The Bountiful, The Generous
Janardhana – One Who Bestows Boons On One And All
Al Raqib – The Watchful One
Devesh – The Lord Of Lords
Al Mujib – The Responsive, The Answerer
Vishwatma – The Soul Of The Universe
Al Wasi’ – The Vast, The All Encompassing
Vasudev – All Prevailing Lord
Al Hakim – The Wise One
YHWH-Shammah – God Who Is Here
Al Wadud – The Loving, The Kind One
Ananta – The Endless Lord
Al Majid – The All Glorious
Sarvajana – Omniscient Lord
Vishnu – All Prevailing Lord
Al Ba’ith – The Raiser Of The Dead
Padmanabha – The Lord Who Has A Lotus Shaped Navel
Al Shahid – The Witness
Jyotiraaditya –The Resplendence Of The Sun
Al Haqq – The Truth, The Real
Shyamsundara – Lord Of The Beautiful Evenings
Al Wakil – The Trustee, The Dependable
Anaya – One Who Has No Leader
Al Qawiyy – The Strongest
Sarvapalaka – Protector Of All
Al Matin – The Firm, The Steadfast
Shreshta – The Most Glorious Lord
Al Waliyy – The Protecting Friend, Patron, and Helper
Shrikanta – The Beautiful Lord
Al Hamid – The All Praiseworthy
Sumedha – The Intelligent Lord
Al Muhsi – The Accounter, The Numberer Of All
Vrishaparvaa – The Lord Of Devotion
Al Mubdi’ – The Producer, Originator, and Initiator Of all
Sudarshana – Most Beautiful Lord
Al Mu’id – The Reinstater Who Brings Back All
Suresham – Lord Of All Demi-Gods
Al Muhyi – The Giver Of Life
257
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mohan – The All Attractive God
Yoginampati – Lord Of The Yogis
Al Mumit – The Bringer Of Death, The Destroyer
Trivikrama –Conqueror Of All The Three Worlds
Al Hayy – The Ever Living
Swargapati – Lord Of Heavens
Vaikunthanatha – Lord Of Vaikuntha, The Heavenly Abode
Al Qayyum – The Self-Subsisting Sustainer Of All
Manmohan – The All Pleasing Lord
Al Wajid – The Perceiver, The Finder, The Unfailing
Adidev – The Lord Of All Lords
Ajanma – One Who Is Limitless And Endless
Ajaya – The Conqueror Of Life And Death
Al Majid – The Illustrious, The Magnificent
Danavendra – Granter Of Boons
Al Wahid – The One, The All Inclusive, The Indivisible
Anandsagar – Compassionate Lord
Al Samad – The Self-Sufficient, The Everlasting
Al Qadir – The All Able
Jayantah – Conqueror Of All Enemies
Kamalnayan – The Lord With Lotus Shaped Eyes
Al Muqtadir – The All Determiner, The Dominant
Vishwadakshinah – Skilfull And Efficient Lord
Al Muqaddim – The Expediter, He who Brings Forward
Vishwakarma – Creator Of The Universe
Al Mu’akhkhir – The Delayer, He who puts far away
Vishwarupa – One Who Displays The Universal Form
Al Awwal – The First
Narayana – The Refuge Of Everyone
Al Akhir – The Last
Niranjana – The Unblemished Lord
Nirguna – Without any Temporary Physical Properties
Sahasraakash – The Thousand-Eyed
Al Zahir – The Manifest; The All Victorious
Madan – The Lord Of Love
Al Batin – The Hidden; The All Encompassing
Achyuta – The Infallible Lord
Adbhutah – Wonderful God
Al Wali – The Patron
Hari – One Who Captures the Heart
Al Muta’al – The Supreme Self Exalted
Hiraygarbha – The All Powerful Creator
258
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Al Barr – The Most Kind and Righteous
Gyaneshwar – The Lord Of Knowledge
Al Tawwab – The Ever Returning, Ever Relenting
Aniruddha – One Who Cannot Be Obstructed
Al Muntaqim – The Avenger
Padmahasta – One Who Has Hands Like Lotus
Parabrahmana – The Supreme Absolute Truth
Al ‘Afuww – The Pardoner, The Effacer Of Sins
Govinda – One Who Is Pleasing To The Cows, Nature And
The Universe
Al Ra’uf – The Compassionate, The All Pitying
Malik al Mulk – The Owner Of All Sovereignty
Dhu al Jalal wa al Ikram – The Lord Of Generosity
Al Muqsit – The Equitable, The Requiter
Sarveshwar – Lord Of All Gods
Satyavachana – One Who Speaks Only The Truth
Shantah – The Peaceful Lord
Al Jami’ – The Gatherer, the Unifier
Aten – The Almighty God
Al Ghani – The All Rich, the Independent
Dharmadhyaksha – The Lord OF Dharma
Dwarkapati – Lord Of Dwarka
Gopalpriya – Lover Of Cowherds
Al Mughni – The Enricher, the Emancipator
Ahuramazda – Lord Of Wisdom
Al Mani’ – The Withholder, The Protector, The Defender
Hrishikesha – The Lord Of All Senses
Jagadisha – Protector Of All
Al Nafi’ – The Propitious, the Benefactor
Prajapati – Lord Of All Creatures
Al Nur – The Light
Punyah – Supremely Pure
Purshottam – The Supreme Soul
Al Hadi – The Guide
Sahasrapaat – Thousand-Footed Lord
Al Badi – Incomparable, the Originator
Paramatma – The Lord Who resides In The Heart Of All beings
Parampurush – Supreme Personality
Al Baqi – The Ever Enduring and Immutable
Kaddosh Israel – Holy One Of Israel
Al Warith – The Heir, the Inheritor Of All
Sahasrajit – One Who Vanquishes the Demoniac
259
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anaadih – One Who Is The First Cause
Sanatana – The Eternal Lord
Al Rashid – The Guide, Infallible Teacher, and Knower
Amrit – The Immortal One
Al Sabur – The Patient, the Timeless
Ha Shem – The Supreme Lord’s Name
Anantajit – Ever Victorious Lord
Balgopal – The All Attractive Lord
Kanjalochana – The Lotus-Eyed One
260
Conclusion
A careful reading of the verses, translations and commentary of
these first four books of Genesis will find deep spiritual lessons that
will satisfy the central mysteries of existence: Who am I? Why am I
here? What is my purpose for existing?
Yet unlike the literal interpretations of sectarian institutional
clergy, the information presented in this text can also be applied to our
practical lives. In other words, the information makes practical sense. It
specifically and logically answers not only the key questions of exis-
tence, but how we can solve the problems of our current lives in the
modern world.
The ability of the correct interpretation to answer these ques-
tions and solve these problems indicates that the information being
presented is not normal information. It is powerful information. It is
absolute information. It is descending information.
We can also see that the information presented fits the science
of the natural world. This is not because the information was theorized
to fit observation. It fits because it is actual knowledge. It is applicable
knowledge.
This is because the information comes from a powerful and au-
thoritative Source. The Supreme Being.
When interpreted correctly, these verses in Genesis tell us a
clear story about our existence and what kinds of goals we should con-
sider if we want to become truly happy and fulfilled. If we want to find
happiness, we need to know what will make us happy. In order to know
what will make us happy we have to know who we are and where we
come from.
If translated and interpreted correctly, this is what the first four
books of Genesis tell us. They tell us that our identities are spiritual not
physical. They tell us we originate from the spiritual realm, and the
bodies we wear are only temporary vehicles. They tell us that we were
created as God’s servitor, and our happiness is connected to resuming
that loving relationship with Him.
Everyone is pining for true love within this world. Why? Be-
cause we are looking to resume our loving relationship with the
Supreme Being. We are looking to resume our natural position of ex-
changing love with the perfect person. We are looking to resume our
position of rendering loving service to the person of our dreams: The
Perfect Person, our Soul Mate.
261
Like any relationship, to do this we need to do is reach out to

God. We simply need to ask God to allow us to come to know Him
again and re-establish our innate loving service relationship with Him.
Once we sincerely ask this from within the depth of our hearts,
He will begin guiding us back to Him. He will begin taking us through
the lessons required to raise our consciousness to the level of being able
to return to the atmosphere and consciousness of the spiritual realm. He
will begin disclosing Himself to us.
This is often a gradual process, because of our currently dis-
eased (self-centered) consciousness. Once we sincerely ask Him to
bring us back, we will undergo a gradual purification process that ren-
ders us lessons and tests that serve to gradually strengthen our humility
and our dependence upon Him. As our humility and dependence upon
Him increases, we begin to see Him more and more, and begin to ren-
der service to Him.
As part of this process, He will typically guide us to one of His
loving Servants and Teachers. Our seriousness in re-establishing our
relationship with God will cause God to give us the vision to come to
know this person is representing Him. We can then be introduced to
God on a confidential and personal basis as we are being guided by this
Teacher.
This process is the honored tradition supported by all the great
Teachers of the Old and New Testament. We find Abraham, Jacob,
Moses, Joshua, Eli, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah
and many others, including John the Baptist, Jesus and his disciples all
engaged in this process of mentorship from a beloved Teacher repre-
senting God.
As we begin to develop our loving relationship with God, we
will never get enough. The Supreme Being is the most attractive and
beautiful, gracious, loving, compassionate, fun, humorous person we
will ever know. The more we see of Him, the more we will fall in love
with Him. And the more we fall in love with Him, the more we want to
please Him, and serve Him.
Consider the many teachings that support this:
your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
decrees, His laws and His commands always.” (Deuteronomy
11:1)
262

today – to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all
your heart and with all your soul...” (Deuteronomy 11:13)
to follow – to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His
ways and to hold fast to Him...” (Deuteronomy 11:22)
“...because you carefully follow all these laws I command
you today – to love the LORD your God and to walk always
in His ways...” (Deuteronomy 19:19)
laws” (Deuteronomy 30:16)
“...and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His
voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your
life....” (Deuteronomy 30:20)
LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey his com-
mands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your
23:11)
your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great-
est commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)
These instructions all boil down to loving service. When a per-
son wants to know someone, they naturally render service. And as they
become more and more attracted to that person, they naturally want to
please the person more and more. We see this every day as people
reach out and give gifts to and do service for those they have become
enamored with.
It is no different in the spiritual realm, except the relationships
of the spiritual realm satisfy us. Our relationship with God is com-
pletely fulfilling.
263
Using our lives to please the Supreme Being is the sure way to
re-develop our loving relationship with Him. It is also the ongoing and
natural process for maintaining that relationship. Love is inseparable
from loving service.
The process of loving service – devotional service – has been
accepted by all the Saints and Teachers of the Old Testament, and
taught by Jesus and his disciples. Doing God’s will help us develop our
relationship with Him. It also opens our eyes to our true identity as
spiritual and not this physical body.
We can begin developing our relationship with devotional ser-
vice God by praying to God, praising God and calling out God’s Holy
Names. These activities also provide the ultimate service to God be-
cause they are pleasing to Him. They are pleasing to God because God
enjoys exchanging love, and praising Him with a sincere heart is an
exchange of love.
We can also re-connect with God by making offerings to Him.
We can offer God the fruits of our labor. We can offer Him our meals
before we eat them. We can also offer Him a simple flower, a leaf, or a
glass of water – at any time or place. We can make an offering silently
or out loud, simply with a sincere prayer: ‘please accept this humble
offering.’
These practices will allow us to come to know and see God
more and more. These practices do not require belonging to any church
or religious institution. They also do not require us to quit any particu-
lar institution.
Rather, these practices are done from the heart. While we can
also share these with our friends and family – singing God’s Names
together and offering together – devotion comes from within. It comes
from our inner being. Our spiritual self.
The ultimate goal of human existence is to re-establish our lov-
ing service relationship with our long-lost Best Friend, the Supreme
Being. Re-establishing our relationship with Him takes us home to
Him, back to the spiritual realm, where we can permanently live hap-
pily ever after.
264

The Meaning of Genesis

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

The Meaning of Genesis

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

The Meaning of Genesis

The Meaning of Genesis

All rights reserved.

“I have thought it expedient to instruct your Prudence to

Key elements of this letter include “professional transcribers,”

THE BIG BANG THEORY AND THE SINGULARITY PROBLEM

WHAT ABOUT THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING?

THE ORIGINAL CAUSE

THE PLURALITY OF CREATION

THE BREATH OF GOD

WHO IS GOD SPEAKING TO HERE?

SEPARATING LIGHT FROM DARKNESS

CAUSE AND EFFECT

THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION

TIME IS SET UP TO ALLOW FOR LEARNING

WHO OR WHAT CREATED GOD?

SEPARATED THE WATER?

ASCENDING VERSUS DESCENDING PROCESS

THE DESIGN OF CREATION

These two scientists, from whom much of modern science has

LOVE REVEALS THE EXISTENCE OF GOD

FIRST LIFE FORMS?

BUT WHERE DID DNA COME FROM?

Furthermore, another peer-reviewed geneticist calculated the

WHERE DID LIFE COME FROM?

THEY CAN'T FIND GOD WITH THEIR INSTRUMENTATION

MANY ASK: IF GOD EXISTS, WHY CAN'T I SEE HIM?

THE CRUX OF OUR DISEASE

THE BINARY SYSTEM

Our internal input system is combined with external

Just as the computer program is designed for inputs from the

THE CORE ELEMENT OF LIFE

TWO TYPES OF EVOLUTION

WHAT DOES “ACCORDING TO ITS KIND” MEAN?

OVERSIGHT AND APPROVAL

THE PERVERTED REFLECTION

HIS IMAGE AND LIKENESS

LEARNING UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE

THE FREEDOM TO LOVE

AND THE FREEDOM TO NOT LOVE

WHO IS SERVING WHO IN THESE RELATIONSHIPS?

THE PATH BACK HOME

SUFFICIENCY WITHOUT BLOODSHED

WHAT IS THE “BREATH OF LIFE?”

LOVE IS THE MOTIVE OF THE SOUL

IS THAT SIX HUMAN DAYS?

GOD IS NOT LIMITED

THE ALLEGORY OF GENESIS

THE UNIVERSE IS NOT CHAOTIC

THE ETERNAL DIMENSION

DECIDING TO RETURN HOME

A NEW DISCUSSION FROM A DIFFERENT WRITER

WHAT DOES “NO MAN TO WORK THE GROUND” MEAN?

SIMPLIFYING A COMPLICATED EVENT

GOD CREATES LIVING BEINGS

'DUST OF THE GROUND'

DESCRIBING ANOTHER DIMENSION

THE GARDEN IN THE EAST

A MORE APPROPRIATE TRANSLATION

LOVE IS THE BASIS FOR OUR EXISTENCE

WHAT DO THE TREES SYMBOLIZE?

WHAT IS THE TREE OF LIFE?

GOD IS THE ENJOYER

WE ARE GOD'S SUBJECTS