Genesis records how it all started and how we, mankind, failed. The entire Old Testament brings us pictures of One Who will come to redeem us using the only way that is acceptable to a Holy God, which is a blood sacrifice. The life is in the blood, as the Bible indicates in Leviticus Chapter 17. 

 "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul." This was speaking of an innocent animal sacrifice, yet it was a picture of the future when a Holy Father would provide the only One Who would satisfy the requirement to save the souls of all men who would believe and accept His sacrifice for themselves.

Adam and Eve were given a pristine environment. They were not walking around on fossil graveyards that spoke of eons of death and destruction as some today would have us believe. No, they inherited a world that was "very good" as pronounced by the Creator, until they disobeyed and messed it up. Therefore, the very same Creator Jesus came to demonstrate that He still had that same creative power, still loved us, and because of His unique creative power would be the only One Who could not only provide restoration for our souls, but that someday we will enjoy fellowship with Him in a whole new creation of heaven and earth.

It comes down to this. Either we believe the Words of Jesus or we believe the words of mortal men like Carl Sagan. What did Carl do that is worth spending your life following him? He only spoke and all that happened is that some men followed his thinking, willfully ignoring God's evidence. Jesus spoke with the power and authority that was transcendent above any thing we know. He also said," Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell." Revelation sums it up, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His Judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

Our Bible, as we have received it in its preserved form, has been protected and given by God for our own generation to have the chance to make the choice of believing. It is an amazing integrated message system which details the beginning from the end, describing Jesus as the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, and the Alpha and Omega, and more importantly, Creator and Savior. Its words are intended to be believed, taught, and lived as our very lives depended upon them, which they do. May God grant us all the wisdom to see for ourselves and the boldness to tell others before it is too late.
Blessings until next time,
Ben

Please note a change in the archive location for "Timeless Truth": click on Media on the menu bar, then scroll down to Teaching Resources.