Author Topic: The Garden of Eden (Read 655 times)

MyrnaM · « **on:** January 24, 2018, 11:54:21 AM »

Where is it?

I don't really expect an answer, but it might be fun to give an opinion. If you dare!
My own opinion is, it is in another dimension.

Garden of Eden

Ladislaus · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2018, 03:11:11 PM »

I've wondered about that over the years as well.

Not sure if different "dimensions" exist per se, since those are a fabrication of modern physicists that ultimately leads back to, believe it or not, the rejection of geocentrism. And it's an attempt to explain the fact that our existence is statistically impossible ... without there being a God. I don't want to open that can of worms here, but see the movie The Principle.

Is it hidden spiritually? Was it wiped out after the flood? We'll find out these and so many other things when we pass over into eternity.

MyrnaM · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2018, 04:11:21 PM »

Thanks, I have not always agreed with you but have always respected your opinion.

I feel good just knowing I am not the only person curious about The Garden of Eden.

1st Mansion Tenant · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2018, 04:24:14 PM »

As a kid the nuns at school told us that the angel with the sword still guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden, but both he and the garden were made invisible to human eyes.

Miseremini · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2018, 07:20:28 PM »

I've wondered if after the flood the location was buried under the Sahara desert so nothing was inhabited near it.

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2018, 11:25:43 PM »

Quote from: Miseremini on January 24, 2018, 07:20:28 PM

I've wondered if after the flood the location was buried under the Sahara desert so nothing was inhabited near it.

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I think it was covered by the Mediterranean Sea, during the Deluge.
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You are aware that the Dead Sea, at the south end of the River Jordan, is more than 1,300 feet below sea level, no?
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sedevacantist · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2018, 05:47:59 PM »

Quote from: MyrnaM on January 24, 2018, 11:54:21 AM

Where is it?

I don't really expect an answer, but it might be fun to give an opinion. If you dare!
My own opinion is, it is in another dimension.

Garden of Eden

Let me begin this lengthy post by mentioning something that not too many people realize: That is, in chapter 22 of Matthew's Gospel, Christ refers to the Book of Enoch as "Scripture". And why is this important? It's important because the Book of Enoch describes Eden.

So how does Christ refer to the book as "Scripture"...
Recall the scene in chapter 22 of Matthew's Gospel wherein Christ is questioned by the Sadducees about the woman who marries seven men, all of whom die. You know the story. Anyway, Christ tells the Sadducees that they err because they know neither the “Scriptures”, nor the power of God. So exactly what “Scripture” is Christ referring to? Where in the entire accepted Canon of Scripture is this particular subject addressed? Have a look for yourself. You won’t find it. The answer is that it’s found nowhere but in the Book of Enoch. His book is the ONLY place where this subject is addressed. It's found in chapter 15.

Here we find the ancient Patriarch standing before the throne of God asking for mercy on behalf of the 200 Fallen Angels who fornicated with earthly women. In response, God instructs him to remind the Angels that because men are mortal, and therefore subject to death, they are given wives so as to perpetuate the human race - whereas the Angels are immortal, and therefore in no need of marriage. So as far as the Sadducees' question is concerned, the point is that those who die are forevermore "immortal", and therefore in no need of marriage. They have become (to use Christ's words) "like the Angels in Heaven":

"In the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels in Heaven."

Again, this is the only place in all of Holy Writ where this particular question is answered. Ergo, the conclusion is inescapable: God Himself refers to the Book of Enoch as "Scripture".

On a side note, I would briefly remind you that Enoch's writings were never formally declared "non-canonical" by the Church. Much less were they ever condemned. The book was merely put on the shelf. It's anyone's guess as to exactly why; but the reason is more than likely due to the rather uncomfortable subject mentioned above - that is, the actions of the Fallen Angels. We know, for instance, that not long after the Council of Nicea, this subject became the basis for ridicule against Christians. But who really knows? The point is, the Church never condemned the book, but merely shelved it. And so there's no harm in saying that Christ referred to it as "Scripture".

Anyway, that being said, as anyone familiar with the Book of Enoch knows, the ancient Patriarch wrote from the land of Eden. This is where he was taken by God in his 365th year, as we read in the Book of Ecclesiasticus (44:16). It’s here that he spent his time traveling and conversing with the Archangels, who showed him the great, unseen mysteries of God’s creation. Except for the years’ time when he was allowed to return to his family to explain his visions, he spent the rest of his life in Eden.

It was also to Eden that the prophet Elijah was taken in a whirlwind (4 Kings 2:11), and where he spent at least the next ten years of his life. Regarding this ten years, remember that a decade after his “disappearance”, he sent a letter to King Jehoram of Judah, berating him for his godless reign (2 Chronicles 21:12). And so we know that Elijah definitely lived somewhere on earth after his disappearance. Some might argue that he was taken to some other location in our visible world, but this doesn’t follow reason. Excepting the letter he wrote, he was never seen or heard from again after his disappearance. By anyone. This doesn’t make any sense if he was living somewhere in our visible world. Nor is it consistent with the glory of God. That is, to imagine that the great Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind and carried off in such a magnificent manner, only to be later dropped off in some nameless pagan land many miles away, just doesn’t square with the way God does things. And Elijah spent the next ten years making his way back to the land of Judah to hand a letter to King Jehoram? And then he left again on foot? Right. It sounds kind of stupid, to say the least – certainly not the way God does things. No, like Enoch, he was taken to Eden to live out the rest of his days in peace. All this to say, though somewhat shrouded in mystery, the land of Eden is an actual physical location on earth. We just can’t see it because, as you said, it’s in another dimension.

Now first of all, when I speak of “Eden”, I’m talking about the land where Enoch received his visions and instructions – and not specifically the “Garden of Eden”. According to Enoch, the Biblical “Garden of Eden” is a separate territory within the land of Eden. He calls it the “Garden of Righteousness”, but we know he’s speaking of the same place because it’s in this “Garden of Righteousness” where he says the Tree of Wisdom (a.k.a. the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) is found. Ergo, we know that the Garden of Eden is a separate territory within Eden. And so again, when I speak of “Eden”, I’m talking about the entire land of Eden, and not strictly The Garden.

The reason I mention this is because Scripture tells us that Adam and Eve were banished from the “Garden of Eden” without making any further mention of the land of Eden itself. This might be confusing to some as it seems to imply that the pair were merely banished from The Garden, and not Eden also. But it’s clear from reading Enoch’s book that the land of Eden, in general, is definitely NOT a part of our visible world. Enoch tells us, for example, that there are mountains there that are larger than any found in our visible world – some of them comprised entirely of gold, silver, and precious stones. There were also creatures in Eden, as well as vegetation, which are altogether unfamiliar to us. All this to say, the land of Eden is evidently NOT a part of our visible world. Ergo, Adam and Eve must have been banished from Eden as well as the Garden. (My personal guess is that the Garden is the entrance to Eden)

Anyway, when Adam and Eve fell from grace, they were merely banished from Eden. The territory was never destroyed. Instead, as we read in Scripture, God placed Cherubim at the entrance in order to guard it. This is important to remember. It was never destroyed. In fact, I would posit that the land of Eden is actually the mysterious “Wilderness” spoken of in chapter 12 of the Apocalypse. I believe there’s good evidence to maintain such a belief. Recall that the Wilderness is the secret place where the “Woman” (the Remnant Church) will be hidden and nourished by God for 3 1/2 years, or 1260 days (Apoc. 12:14). It’s here in this quiet, secluded, and beautiful wilderness that He will “speak to her heart”, unmolested by any outside forces. Here He will protect the Woman from the rage of the Antichrist, and from the wiles of the Devil. Naturally, the Antichrist won’t be able to find the location because it’s in another dimension. On the other hand, the Devil knows where it is, but cannot enter because there are Cherubim guarding the entrance (Gen. 3:24). This is why he sends a flood instead – to try and drown the Woman (Apoc. 12:15). You see, the Flood of Noah DID affect the land of Eden. And the Devil knows it. And so he thinks he can destroy the Remnant by sending another flood into the territory. This is why he tries this approach. All this to say, I believe there’s solid evidence to maintain that Eden is the mysterious “Wilderness” spoken of in the Apocalypse.

As for its existence at present, we find a testimony to this fact in the biography of St. Lydwine of Sheidam. This saint was blessed with frequent visits from her Guardian Angel. On one occasion, he traveled to Eden and brought her back a branch from a tree found there. The branch was said to be extremely hard (more so than any tree found in our world) and, for a time, emitted the most wonderful fragrance. It was seen and handled by many of the visitors who came to the saint for help and prayers. The branch’s fragrance remained for some time, to the delight and edification of many – that is, until a heretic touched it (isn’t that the way it goes). The point being, again, there is evidence to suggest that Eden is not only an actual place, but one that exists to this day as it did in the days of Genesis.

Finally, I maintain that our visible world, almost completely defiled with the inventions and pollution of godless men, will be done away with in the renewal of the earth following the Second Coming of Christ – and that this renewal will be accomplished by the visible emergence of the land of Eden. In other words, the land of Eden will emerge from obscurity to become our visible world, and our present visible and defiled world will become invisible. As to how it’s going to take place, who knows? God could simply wave His hand over the earth and renew it. But whatever it entails, this seems to be what Scripture alludes to. The land will become like Eden:
“The Lord therefore will comfort Sion, and will comfort all the ruins thereof: and he will make her desert as a place of pleasure, and her wilderness as Eden. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of praise.” (Is. 51:3)

And again:
“They shall say: This land that was desolate is become as a garden of Eden: and the cities that were abandoned, and desolate, and destroyed, are peopled and fenced.” (Ez. 36:35)

And so I believe it is perfectly in line with the words of Scripture that our visible world would be replaced, if you will, by the land of Eden. At any rate, it would be hard to imagine that Christ would reign gloriously for a thousand years here on earth amid the loathsome eyesore of modern man’s materialistic pollution (not to mention the actual toxic pollution of land, sea, and air). No, that position doesn’t follow reason – especially when a far greater renewal could take place with no effort on God’s part whatsoever. And so, I believe that Eden will become our new “visible world” following the Second Coming of Christ. I think this position makes perfect sense, and is consistent with the glory of God.

So in summary, we know the land of Eden exists to this day, as it did in the days of Genesis. We know from Scripture that God never destroyed it, but merely placed Cherubim at the entrance to guard it. Furthermore, according to the description of this mysterious land given to us by Enoch, reason tells us it must be in another dimension – a dimension which runs concurrent with ours. Finally, although hidden at present, this magnificent paradise will soon become our visible world when the Messiah comes again to destroy the forces of evil, purify the earth, and reign in glory upon His throne for a thousand years.

Author Topic: The Garden of Eden (Read 655 times)

MyrnaM

The Garden of Eden

Ladislaus

Re: The Garden of Eden

MyrnaM

Re: The Garden of Eden

1st Mansion Tenant

Re: The Garden of Eden

Miseremini

Re: The Garden of Eden

Neil Obstat

Re: The Garden of Eden

sedevacantist

Re: The Garden of Eden