God gave us physical, temporary life. Since we are physical, we all eventually
face death. This is no accident of evolution but came about as a result
of circumstances knowable only from the Bible-involving decisions
made by our first parents in the Garden of Eden.
In the beginning of God's plan for mankind, God made available to Adam
and Eve His gift of eternal life represented by the tree of life (Genesis 2:9,16). This tree represented choosing to believe in and obey God's revealed
will, embracing His way of life.
The garden contained another tree as well, the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil (verse 9). This tree represented something altogether different-man
choosing his own way of life rather than following God's revelation -deciding
for himself what is good and evil.
Influenced by Satan, Adam and Eve made a fundamental choice that has affected
humanity ever since. They chose to take of the wrong tree, eating the forbidden
fruit. Refusing to believe and obey God, they came under the dominion of
Satan and the penalty for sin-suffering and death (Genesis 2:17).
Had Adam and Eve taken of the tree of life, they would have received eternal
life (Genesis 3:22). This is why, after they had made the wrong choice
and had taken of the wrong tree, God had to cut them off from the tree
of life "lest they live forever." God could not allow them to live forever
in their sinful, rebellious state.
