HopeLives365

Mark Finley: Jesus came to pay the price so that we could live forever. Coming to Jesus means you will live the most abundant life here, and most of all, we can live with him forever and ever and ever.

Guest (Female): This is Hope Lives 365 with Pastor Mark Finley. Today's message: Eden and End Times. Enjoy and remember you can always catch up with past messages and stay up to date with Hope Lives 365 and Pastor Mark by going to HopeLives365.com. And now, Pastor Mark Finley.

Mark Finley: Tina sat in the hospital at 3:00 a.m. listening to her father's painful gasps. Here was the man who changed her diapers, taught her to ride her first bike. He had been a dock worker for most of his life, but now cancer had reduced him to a frail, disoriented figment of himself. Dad was dying. He couldn't fight any longer. Tina thought she could just go on with life after the funeral, but nothing was quite the same.

She was haunted by the parent who wasn't there. A scent of Old Spice aftershave or one of his favorite songs moved her to tears. Tina says, "I know I'm an adult, and I'm supposed to be strong, but there are some days I feel like I'm four years old and all I want is my daddy." Have you ever felt that way? There's a haunting emptiness when we're separated from those we love. There's a sense of loneliness that no one else but those closest to us can fill.

Death was never part of God's original plan. It wasn't part of his design for the human race. The grave wasn't in the divine blueprint for a happy, abundant life. According to Genesis chapter one, verse thirty-one, scripture says when God created this world, he saw everything he had made, and indeed, it was very good. Then an intruder interrupted God's plan, and sickness, suffering, sorrow, and death descended upon the human family.

The Bible begins with a perfect world in Genesis one and Genesis two. And then storm clouds suddenly appear on the horizon. As a warm summer day, the evil one appears in the garden and deceives our first parents. There are four eternal lessons about the fall of Adam and Eve and the coming of death to our society that we want to look at. Out of the tragedy of the fall in Genesis three, these four eternal lessons for end-time living unfold.

In the face of death, our Lord reveals life-changing lessons on living abundantly today. They echo from Eden and speak to our hearts in the 21st century. Understanding the beginning in Genesis prepares us to understand the ending in Revelation. The devil's deceptions during the early days of Earth's history are the same in the last days of Earth's history. Times have changed, but the devil's strategy has not.

In Eden, the evil one's temptation begins with those fateful words: "Has God said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?'" The devil stirred up the dust storm of doubt. His intent was to lead Eve to doubt God. He insinuated God was unfair. He suggested that God did not have Eve's best interest in heart. He could not be trusted. The devil's subtle temptation focused on the issue of choice.

He convinced Eve she would be much happier if she followed her own independent judgment. Why obey God? Her own mind was sufficient to choose what she believed would make her happy. Here is the devil's fundamental lie: Happiness comes from a life lived independently from God. God's commands, the devil says, are restrictive and arbitrary. They limit life's greatest joys.

Satan has not changed his methods very much at all in Earth's last hour. For many, their minds are the only criteria for right and wrong. There are no absolutes. Nothing in itself is always right or always wrong, they say. It's common in the 21st century to believe every person must establish what's right for them. According to a recent survey by George Barna and the Barna Research Group, Gen X-ers, those young Americans, boycott the idea of absolute truth.

The staggering reality is this: 75% of adults and teens reject the concept of absolute moral truth. In other words, right and wrong is as subjective as your own thoughts or feelings. Joseph Fletcher, in his book *Situation Ethics*, popularized this view years ago among university students. His view was simply this, and I'm quoting from Fletcher's book: "Adultery, lying, stealing, or breaking any of the Ten Commandments is not necessarily always wrong. If the situation is right, the act may be right."

Over half of all teenagers today say that lying is sometimes necessary, not merely convenient, not merely common, understandable, or acceptable, but necessary. What is essentially wrong with the idea that everyone must determine right and wrong for themselves? It is precisely this: It places human beings above God. The God who made us knows best how we ought to live. His commands are eternal guarantees of inner happiness.

Our faulty judgment does not determine right. God's word does. Our changing feelings are not the basis for morality. God's unchanging commands are. Our choices actually have eternal consequences. Eve's choice certainly did. Genesis records that choice this way: "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate."

It's clear the choice to eat was Eve's. Adam joined his beautiful wife in that choice. No one forced them to choose to disobey God. No one coerced them. No one chose for them. They chose to believe the words of Satan and to disbelieve the words of God. Adam and Eve were deceived. Deception is accepting a lie in the place of the truth and believing it.

The results of their choice were disastrous. While the eternal principles of truth in God's word are life-giving, the consequences of disobedience are devastating. The landscape of life is littered with the corpses of disobedience. Hollow men and women live broken, bruised, battered, bloodied lives. Many are empty shells longing for meaning, purpose, and direction. They've followed their own inclinations apart from God through the darkened doorway of disaster.

When God placed our first parents in their garden home, he gave them the power of choice. They were not predestined to fall, victims of some cosmic plot or puppets manipulated by divine strings. The essence of the image of God is the ability to make moral choices. Our freedom of choice is the heart of what it means to be human. God so values our freedom of choice he allows us even to make wrong choices in order to preserve our ability to choose.

Positive choices bring positive results. Negative choices bring negative results. Cain's uncontrollable anger led him to murder his brother. He spent the rest of his life running. David's uncontrollable lust led him to commit adultery with Bathsheba. Although he experienced forgiveness, his actions devastated his family relations. Judas's uncontrollable desire for money led him to sell his Lord cheap. Judas's unusually talented life ended too soon, much too soon.

Poor choices lead to heartbreaking results, and positive choices lead to life-changing results. The history of Egypt was changed because Joseph resisted the improper advances of Potiphar's wife. He chose the moral high road. God honored him with one of the highest positions in the nation. The story of Babylon was changed because Daniel purposed in his heart to serve God.

In Daniel chapter one, we read this remarkable story. King Nebuchadnezzar attacks Jerusalem. He overthrows it, and according to the scripture in Daniel the first chapter, we read about these young Hebrews being taken captive. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, King of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it. So you have two cities, Babylon and Jerusalem. You have two rulers, Nebuchadnezzar and Jehoiakim.

Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon represent evil, wickedness, sin, rebellion against God. They attack Jerusalem, and it seems as if evil wins and righteousness loses. It seems that God's people are defeated and that there's a great triumph for the principles of evil. During this attack, Nebuchadnezzar takes captive some of the young men, teenagers of Israel.

Young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in wisdom, possessing knowledge, and quick to understand. So these young men were specimens of strength. They were handsome, they were bright, they had good discernment. They possessed knowledge and they had open and receptive minds to learn. Nebuchadnezzar's intent was to bring them back to Babylon, which he did.

There was a great feast thrown in the honor of Bel-Marduk, the chief god of Babylon. And thanking Bel-Marduk, this great false god of Babylon, for giving them the victory, Daniel and his friends were ushered into the banquet hall of Babylon. There was everything there to delight the eyes and tempt the taste. The food was offered to idols, the idol of Bel-Marduk.

As Daniel looked at that food, the scripture says, "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." Daniel was eventually given a ten-day test to see whether he could be sustained on this diet that he so chose, this simple diet of vegetables and fruits, nuts and grains.

At the end of the ten days, Daniel was wiser, stronger, healthier than any of the Babylonian young people that were there in that banquet.

Guest (Female): We'll be right back with Pastor Mark Finley. We thank you for listening and hope you're enjoying today's message. Our mission is to attractively present the Christ-centered biblical truths of scripture in a practical, relevant way to people around the world so that they may experience the abundant life that Christ offers and effectively share with confidence his life-changing truths with others. You can support this ministry and help us reach even more by going to HopeLives365.com/donate. And now, back to Pastor Mark Finley.

Mark Finley: Daniel stood for God, so God stood for Daniel. Daniel was willing to bow low before the King of the universe so he could stand tall before the King of Babylon. Eventually, Daniel interprets the King's dreams. Eventually, Daniel becomes a ruler in Babylon, ruling along with Nebuchadnezzar. Poor choices lead to heartbreaking results, but positive choices like those that Daniel made lead to life-changing results.

The history of Babylon was changed because Daniel purposed in his heart to serve God. God honored him with one of the highest positions in the nation. Daniel controlled his desires, and God let him guide the destiny of two world empires, Babylon and Medo-Persia. The history of the Roman Empire, too, was changed because Paul refused to bow down to Roman idols. Christ was the center of his life, not Caesar.

The conquests of the cross for Paul were far greater than the exploits of Rome. The choices about how we live our lives make an incredible difference, and it's never too late to make positive choices. The sooner we make those positive choices, the sooner good things will be happening. I met Pat and Joe when my wife and I were living in the area of Chicago. They were living in a suburb of Chicago.

I was there teaching for Andrews University. We were teaching theology students. We lived in Chicago from 1979 to 1985, and I just remember so well Pat and Joe. Their lives were consumed with a passionate pursuit of pleasure. They loved to party. Alcohol was at the center of their lives. It was difficult for them to consider happiness without a drink.

Beer, wine, and whiskey were part of their lives, and they were going steadily downhill. They were living in a small apartment. Their finances were tight. It was becoming more difficult to function. They seemed to be locked into negative thought patterns and destructive behaviors. Together, we opened God's word. They attended a series of meetings that I was holding in the Chicago suburb where they lived.

They were charmed with Christ's love. His willingness to forgive them touched them at the core of their being. His power to heal the sick, calm the storm, multiply the bread, and deliver the demoniacs overwhelmed them. They longed for deliverance and yearned for his power. One of the most memorable nights of my life was the night we claimed our Lord's promise in Philippians chapter four, verse thirteen: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

When I read that text to them, I sat down and said, "Now Pat and Joe, does that say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me except give up alcohol?" "No, Pastor, it doesn't say that." "Do you believe the promises of God?" "Yes, Pastor, we believe." I invited them to bring all their alcohol and place it on the dining room table.

As I recall, they brought three bottles of wine, a couple bottles of scotch. We sang Christian hymns, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "All Our Sins and Griefs to Bear." We sang wonderful hymns. We prayed. We claimed Bible promises. We popped corks. We opened cans. We unscrewed caps. And we rejoiced in the power of God to deliver as we poured twelve cans of beer, three bottles of wine, and two bottles of scotch down the toilet.

Pat and Joe felt liberated. They were no longer controlled by alcohol. We continued our weekly visits. Gradually, they grew into strong Christians. Positive choices lead to positive results. A new peace flooded into their lives. Eventually, their economic situation changed. They moved out of their small apartment. They started their own motel business. They prospered physically, mentally, spiritually, and economically.

Living at end time calls us to more responsibility for our choices. Revelation, the last book of the Bible, announces: "The hour of God's judgment has come." Judgment implies moral accountability. What did our text say? The hour of God's judgment will come? No. The hour of God's judgment what? Has come. Present tense. Judgment implies again, I say it, moral responsibility.

We're responsible for our actions, and excuses won't do. The book of beginnings, Genesis, and the book of endings, Revelation, shout at us in trumpet tones: Choices bring eternal consequences. They also reveal substitutes won't work. Let's go back to Eden again. Genesis three, verses seven and eight, state another eternal truth. When we turn from God's way, we seek substitutes to ease our pain in our hearts.

What did Adam and Eve do? They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves a covering. And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God. They were physically covered, but they were spiritually naked. Sin brings a nakedness of soul. Our first parents lost the security, peace, joy, health, and stability God created with them. Sin brings a nakedness of spirit. They were filled with despair.

They were filled with depression. They were filled with despondency. They were filled with degradation and, eventually, death. Human substitutes don't work. Jesus said in John ten, verse ten, "I've come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Come with me to the Edgewater Beach Hotel at a meeting of the world's wealthiest men in Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan.

The year is 1923. Eight of the world's most successful men met to discuss the economic future of America. The group included the president of the largest independent steel company in America, the president of the largest utility company, the president of the largest gas company, the president of the New York Stock Exchange, a member of the president's cabinet, the greatest investor on Wall Street, the head of the world's largest monopoly, the president of the Bank of International Settlements.

If success could be measured by position, power, influence, money, reputation, this certainly was a gathering of the world's most successful men. But were these men really successful? Did substituting position, power, and financial success for Jesus Christ really bring happiness? Did abandoning the eternal principles of God's word bring lasting peace and inner meaning?

What was the result of substituting the fig leaf garments of human success for the light of God's glorious presence? The president of the largest independent steel company, Charles Schwab, died bankrupt, living on borrowed money five years before his death. The president of the largest utility company, Samuel Insull, died a fugitive from justice, penniless in a foreign land.

The president of the largest gas company, Howard Hopson, became insane. The president of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney, was sentenced to prison for fraud, and he spent the rest of his life in the penitentiary. The member of the president's cabinet, Albert Fall, was pardoned to die at home. The greatest investor on Wall Street, Jesse Livermore, died a suicide.

The head of the greatest monopoly, Ivar Kreuger, died a suicide. The president for the Bank of International Settlements, Leon Fraser, died a suicide. Every one of these men achieved status, fame, and fortune, but they were spiritually naked. Their souls were barren, their hearts were restless, their lives were empty. Position, power, fame and fortune, might and money did not satisfy.

These fig leaf garments woven together by human hands leave us naked. They do not produce joy, happiness, freedom from guilt and security. But God had a plan for our first parents, and he has a plan for us too. Genesis chapter three, verse twenty-one, states it clearly: "Also for Adam and his wife, the Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed them."

God did something they could not. He met their needs. He took away the fig leaves of their own making. Where did God get the skins? Where did these animal coats come from? It's likely they came from the lamb that Adam and Eve slew as sacrifice in Eden. When our Lord ever so gently wrapped the skins around their shoulders, he clothed them with his love, with his grace, with his goodness, with his mercy, with his forgiveness, with his security, with his promise of a new future.

He clothed them with hope in the promise of a dying savior and a coming Messiah. He met the needs of their hearts. He met the longing of their souls. He met the cry of their spirit. No substitute will do. There's only one who can meet our inner needs. The old hymn states it well: "No, not one." There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No, not one, no, not one.

None else could heal all of our soul's diseases. No, not one, no, not one. There's not an hour that he's not near us. No, not one, no, not one. There's no substitute for the peace Christ can bring. There's no substitute for the forgiveness he offers. There are many counterfeits, but no substitute for his life-changing power. Positive living begins by taking responsibility for my actions and seeking his strength to change my life.

Did you notice how initially our first parents failed to take any responsibility for their actions? Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. God swept away their false disguise. He laid bare their excuses. He said, "Because you ate of the fruit, as the result of that, dying you must die." God is saying to Adam, "Stop making excuses. Positive change will never come as long as you attempt to justify your behavior."

So true today. The attempt to justify our behavior, the attempt to try to become so excuse-oriented, the attempt to say it wasn't my fault, somebody else made me do it—you know that old saying, "I didn't do it, the devil made me do it." As long as you're locked in the downward spiral of victimization, you'll never break out of bondage.

Guest (Female): You've been listening to Hope Lives 365 with Pastor Mark Finley. We hope you've enjoyed today's message and remind you that you can find more in our many ministry resources at HopeLives365.com. And you can support this ministry by going to HopeLives365.com/donate. And now, a final thought from Pastor Mark Finley.

Mark Finley: Jesus came to pay the price so that we could live forever. Coming to Jesus means you will live the most abundant life here, and most of all, we can live with him forever and ever and ever. Because he died so we can live eternally. Let's pray.

Father in heaven, we thank you with all of our hearts for Jesus. We thank you that our choices make eternal consequences. We're thankful that you've given us the power of choice. We choose to receive Jesus into our lives. Where we have been Christians, we choose to be drawn closer to him every day through prayer and Bible study.

Where we have not yet accepted him, we choose to receive the gift of eternal life that he reaches out to offer us. So, my Father, I pray for each one listening to this program. By your spirit, draw them to you and save them in your kingdom. I pray in Christ's name. Amen.