THE TRUTH AND EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S SALVATION

Lesson Nine

IX. The Result of Man’s Fall

A. The problem of death – Rom. 6:23a

1. The spirit being deadened so man cannot contact God – Gen. 2:17; Eph. 2:1, 5a

Burden to Impart:

Death comes to fallen men in different stages: his spirit is dead today, so sinful man is unable to contact God. Death works in man over his entire lifetime, causing him to age, weaken, become sick and eventually die physically. Finally, all those who do not receive God’s salvation will be resurrected to stand before God for His final judgment (Heb. 9:27). They will be cast into the lake of fire, spirit, soul, and body. This is the second death (Rev. 20:14-15).

Memory Verse: “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17)

Facts to Teach:

1) The first mention of death in the Bible is in a warning God gave to man. Death was not part of God’s plan for man; death was entirely avoidable. God warned Adam that the day he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he would surely die.

2) However, when Adam disobeyed God he did not seem to die. In order to understand what God meant when He said that Adam would die in the day he ate of the forbidden tree we need to look at some verses from other parts of the Bible.

3) According to 1 Thessalonians God created man with three parts: spirit, soul, and body. On the day that Adam sinned he in fact did die; he died in his spirit. Man’s spirit enables him to have contact with God and to fellowship with God. Man still has a spirit within him, but his spirit is “dead.” That is, it no longer functions as it was created to; it is no longer in contact with God.

a) Man is now “dead” in his offenses and sins (Eph. 2:1). He lives in sin and offends God, but he is unaware of God’s feelings, displeasure, and wrath. As in Noah’s day, the Spirit of God is striving with the sinners to bring them to repentance (Gen. 6:3) but they do not hear, they do not listen. Rather, they harden their hearts in ignorance, reject the feeling of reproof in their conscience and continue sinning against God (Eph. 4:18-19).

4) Death continues working in us through sin all our lifetime. Eventually death overcomes every man, regardless how strong or healthy, regardless how rich or good. No man can overcome death. Eventually God’s word is completely fulfilled, and every man dies.

5) The first death is when our-body dies. After that is judgment. Whoever is not found in the Lamb’s book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death (Rev. 20:14-15). This will be an eternal separation from God, the city and people of God (the New Jerusalem), the tree of life, and the water of life! This is to be cut off from every blessing of God and every positive thing that exists in the universe!