Garden of Eden

[picnic]

Where is it?

When did it disappear off the earth?

I think there is a possibility that the non-existence of the Garden of Eden in the present day suggests that the reading of Genesis 2 shouldn't be an extreme literalistic reading.

Any thoughts?

 

[Mallon]

According to the Bible, the Garden still exists. It's guarded by a cherubim (maybe an angel; maybe a chimaera) and a flaming sword. Shouldn't be hard to find.

 

[picnic]

According to the Bible, the Garden still exists. It's guarded by a cherubim (maybe an angel; maybe a chimaera) and a flaming sword. Shouldn't be hard to find.

So you would think.

 

[juvenissun]

Where is it?

When did it disappear off the earth?

I think there is a possibility that the non-existence of the Garden of Eden in the present day suggests that the reading of Genesis 2 shouldn't be an extreme literalistic reading.

Any thoughts?

It is at another dimension (4th? 5th?). It may be at where it is said, but we can not see it.

 

[Mallon]

It is at another dimension (4th? 5th?). It may be at where it is said, but we can not see it.

Why do you suppose it is in another dimension, juvie?

 

[Assyrian]

Jesus told the thief on the cross Luke 23:43 'today you will be with me in Paradise'. Paradise was Septuagint and NT Greek for the garden of Eden. Gen 2:8 And God planted a garden (LXX: παράδεισο&#957 eastward in Eden, and placed there the man whom He had formed. Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise (παραδεισ&#969 of God.' Easy to find as Malllon suggests. Getting back might be a bit trickier. Paul managed, though he wasn't sure how. 2Cor 12:3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--

 

[AliOgg]

when I read of the flaming sword I think of the aurora borealis, not sure why, but I do

 

[Mallon]

when I read of the flaming sword I think of the aurora borealis, not sure why, but I do

How do you think the northern lights would prevent people from entering the Garden?

 

[juvenissun]

Why do you suppose it is in another dimension, juvie?

Because we do not see it on the current earth.

 

[juvenissun]

Jesus told the thief on the cross Luke 23:43 'today you will be with me in Paradise'. Paradise was Septuagint and NT Greek for the garden of Eden. Gen 2:8 And God planted a garden (LXX: παράδεισο&#957 eastward in Eden, and placed there the man whom He had formed. Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise (παραδεισ&#969 of God.' Easy to find as Malllon suggests. Getting back might be a bit trickier. Paul managed, though he wasn't sure how. 2Cor 12:3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--

Good review. Thanks.
The function of the Garden of Eden is very interesting.

 

[Mallon]

Because we do not see it on the current earth.

Do you believe that everything that we do not see on earth exists in another dimension?

 

[picnic]

I've just been looking at the Answers in Genesis website to see whether I could find what response they have. I couldn't find anything that answered directly where the garden of eden is but in this article I found something resembling an answer as to what happened to the garden of Eden.

"Noah’s Flood—which destroyed the entire world, including the Garden of Eden"

The article doesn't elaborate any further on this point apart from to say why we have difficulty locating where the garden was pre-flood.

Saying the garden was destroyed in the flood just brings up a whole host of other questions.

 

[A Brother In Christ]

Where is it?

When did it disappear off the earth?

I think there is a possibility that the non-existence of the Garden of Eden in the present day suggests that the reading of Genesis 2 shouldn't be an extreme literalistic reading.

Any thoughts?

flood destroyed the garden....

 

[Assyrian]

This day you will be with me in Paradise... do you have a pair of wellies?

 

[Mallon]

"Noah’s Flood—which destroyed the entire world, including the Garden of Eden"

The article doesn't elaborate any further on this point apart from to say why we have difficulty locating where the garden was pre-flood.

Saying the garden was destroyed in the flood just brings up a whole host of other questions.

Convenient, eh? The Bible certainly doesn't say the Garden was destroyed by the Flood, so I don't see how they can be so confident about it. In fact, the Flood didn't even alter the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, upon which the Garden was supposedly established, so I can't help but feel the Garden should still be there (assuming it's a real garden, that is).

 

[juvenissun]

Do you believe that everything that we do not see on earth exists in another dimension?

Logic error.
I don't.

 

[Mallon]

Logic error.
I don't.

I only asked because it strikes me that your explanation smacks of ad hoc-ery. I mean, why would God place a cherub and flaming sword to guard the entrance to the Garden if He was just going to magically transport it into another dimension, away from human contact, anyway? To say nothing of the fact that your explanation isn't even insinuated anywhere in the Bible.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Jesus told the thief on the cross Luke 23:43 'today you will be with me in Paradise'. Paradise was Septuagint and NT Greek for the garden of Eden. Gen 2:8 And God planted a garden (LXX: παράδεισο&#957 eastward in Eden, and placed there the man whom He had formed. Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise (παραδεισ&#969 of God.' Easy to find as Malllon suggests. Getting back might be a bit trickier. Paul managed, though he wasn't sure how.

I think the paradise that Jesus mentioned is new Jerusalem, which certainly fits the meaning of paradise: a refreshing enclosed garden. See Rev 22.

That the Garden of Eden was located eastward is interesting, as many references use Jerusalem as the central geographical reference point. Eden, as described lay directly east of (the future location) Jerusalem.

Eastward also has the meaning of old, or from ancient times. I believe Eden was a special place created by God for the purpose of the temptation and fall. It may have been a reproduction of the ancient world created for the angels and where the rebellion was hatched by Lucifer. The serpent seemed quite at home there as well. That the fall of man was a type of that first fall is obvious, so why not stage it in a similiar setting.

I think too that the Cherubims and the flaming sword were symbolic: that the way, or path, to the tree of (eternal) life could not be 'freely eaten' and would now come only through the sacrifice of Christ.

Interesting as well is that New Jerusalem would be the new Eden, in that there would be no more temptations or falls from grace. Everything has been made new, or renewed, restored.

Whether it was an actual place? Mmmmmm. It is the symbolism that's important anyway.

QUOTE]2Cor 12:3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--[[/quote]


I think Paul is referring to the revelations given to John. Notice that the theme of the first few verses of chapter 12 concerns revelations. Paul won't glory in his own but will give glory to the other 'man'. John was "in the spirit" when he saw in vision both New Jerusalem (paradise) and the throne of God (in the third heaven)

owg

 

[juvenissun]

I only asked because it strikes me that your explanation smacks of ad hoc-ery. I mean, why would God place a cherub and flaming sword to guard the entrance to the Garden if He was just going to magically transport it into another dimension, away from human contact, anyway? To say nothing of the fact that your explanation isn't even insinuated anywhere in the Bible.

I don't have any other way to answer the question. And the one I said is at least acceptable in theoretical science. If paradise were the Garden, then Christian who died could get in. In that case, I am not sure what are the cherubs doing at the gate. May be to stop non-Christians.

 

[Assyrian]

I wonder if one of the cherubim guarding the way to Paradise the guardian cherub we read about in Ezek 28... It was the accuser who kept people out of Paradise, until Christ came and bore our curse on the tree.

Interesting as well is that New Jerusalem would be the new Eden, in that there would be no more temptations or falls from grace. Everything has been made new, or renewed, restored.

Revelation speaks of paradise as the Paradise of God and it even has the tree of life in it. Rev 2:7 To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.' It is the same garden even if it may well be an allegorical one.