The first book of the Bible is called Genesis, which is a Greek word meaning origin, source, generation, or beginning. In long eons past, God brought the universe into existence, creating heavenly bodies and our earth (Gen. 1:1). The verses that follow describe the ordering of this earth for human habitation. Six periods called days in the Bible were appointed by God for bringing the earth to readiness to sustain the first human pair. At the close of ‘day 6’ God created a man, from whom he created a woman, and called their names Adam and Eve (Gen. 1:26, 27). God then ceased his creative work on the 7th day. Everything that God had made was very good (Gen. 1:31).
We are told in Genesis 1:27 that God created them in his own image. This image was a reflection of the Creator’s moral attributes with free moral choice and intelligence, but no experience with sin. The new couple was given dominion over all of earth’s creation as its caretaker and benefactor. Adam and Eve were also to populate the earth with offspring. Lucifer, a mighty angel, saw the potential of having intelligent beings give him homage, and so, became an adversary [Satan] to God. By deception he got Eve to sin against God’s commandment (Genesis 2 & 3).
Adam knew he would surely die if he disobeyed God’s command, but he could not face a life without his companion Eve, and so he knowingly disobeyed (1 Tim. 2:13,14). The penalty for sin was, and still is, eternal death—the absence of life. God, however, did not instantly put Adam and Eve to death, but he set in motion the dying process. Through Adam the whole race, including you and me, are under the same death sentence. None escape it! However, God provided a ransom, the anti-type of Israel’s Passover lamb, and through our faith in Jesus’ sacrifice, we can receive eternal life (Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:22). Now is the time for reconciliation with God if you can receive it. Otherwise, reconciliation will take place during the enlightenment in Christ’s coming kingdom on the earth. Then, at the end of the 7th day, all creation will be fully in obedience to God, and again pronounced very good.