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Our own ways: The tree of the knowledge of good and evil Many today hold the story of the Garden of Eden in disdain. Yet the events in the garden of Eden give a foundational understanding of mankind's present situation. In the garden God instructed man to eat of any tree except "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:17). To "eat" from that tree means to reject God's instruction and then to "know" or decide on your own what is good and evil, right and wrong. To eat from that tree is to exercise total freedom of choice in our behavior, attitudes and beliefs rather than follow God's instruction. Today most of mankind has turned from God and chosen their own ways. God has set us on our own, to let us experience the consequences of our own decisions. We are now free to exercise whatever political philosophies, government systems, social structures, religious beliefs and so forth that we believe will work best for us. God knew that there would be no other fair, honest and convincing way to prove what was true and right. As events run their course we will ultimately bring ourselves to the brink of self-destruction. Then God will intervene, save us from destruction, and show us His ways in the ensuing Kingdom of God. Even while allowing us to experience the consequences of rejecting His instructions, God is exercising a plan of redemption and salvation. Ultimately, all who choose God's ways will be able to eat from "the tree of life" which was in the garden: they will enjoy eternal life with God. In the Revelation this promise was confirmed:
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