[Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things] (Isa. 40:26).
[For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God] (Heb. 3:4).
[God who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth...] (Acts 17:24).
[The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell there in] (Ps. 24:1).
[The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord's but the earth He has given to the children of men] (Ps. 115:16).
Our Father who has begotten us is the most skillful carpenter in the universe. Peerless in His superb skill, this is probably why Jesus of Nazareth, His Son, was also a carpenter while on this earth.
[It is He (our heavenly Father) ... who stretches out the heavens like a curtain] (Isa. 40:22).
[For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers] (Ps. 24:2).
He [has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure, weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance] (Isa. 40:12). With an elaborate design and accurate measurement [He founded it: He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited] (Isa. 45:18, NIV). And then [He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth] (Acts 17:26). [Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good] (Gen. 1:31).
What an excellent workmanship of our Father it is! What a loving, tender care He has for His children! The first home that our Father made for us was not as it is today: dark, dreary and filthy into which, because the roof (sky) collapsed, rain and snow pour down. It was always new, bright, sunny mild and comfortable because there were no snowstorms or rainstorms. Beautiful flowers never faded and not a leaf from the tree fell to the ground. There were no tears, no pain, no sorrow, no sigh; and no sounds of mourning over death of family members. It was a home in which no shadow of sorrow could be found. Instead, it was always full of joy and happiness, immortal life, unceasing pleasure, cheerful smiles and songs of praise. This beautiful world was not always a haunt of horrible demons where thieves swarm like they do today. Neither burglars, murderers nor even mischievous boys who mimic thieves were found there. Lions and deer, wolves and lambs, all sorts of animals and birds lived together; neither the sound of roaring nor even a breath of fury, or anger were heard the. They were all one family, loving and helping, playing together in peace, joy and love. O what a beautiful home it was! But now, where has it disappeared to? Why must we live in this terrible home? It has become so horrible that daily events of terror make us doubt what we see and hear, trembling with surprise and fear. Why has it become like this? Before we search for the reason, let us take a look at the first home our Father made for us with His own hands in devotion and love.
After God had created the heavens and the earth, on the earth He [planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food; the Tree of Life also in the midst of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river] of life [went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four river heads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which encompasses the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second ... the third ... the fourth... The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend it and keep it] (Gen. 2:8-15). [And indeed, it was very good] (Gen. 1;31). And above all, [God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it] (Gen. 2:3).
While reading a book called [the Story of Redemption,] I was attracted by the following story. "As the earth came forth from the hand of its Maker, it was exceedingly beautiful. Its surface was diversified with mountains, hills, and plains, interspersed with noble rivers and lovely lakes; but the hill and mountains were not abrupt and rugged, abounding in terrific steeps and frightful chasms as they do now. The sharp, jagged edges of earth's rocky frame-work were buried beneath fruitful soil, producing a luxuriant growth of verdure everywhere. There were no loathsome swamps or barren deserts. Graceful shrubs and delicate flowers greeted the eye at every turn. The heights were crowned with trees more majestic than any that now exist. The air, untainted by foul miasma, was clear and healthful. The entire landscape outvied in beauty the decorated grounds of the proudest palace. The angelic host viewed the scene with delight, and rejoiced at the wonderful works of God."
"As Adam came forth from the hand of his Creator, " from the womb of his Father, "he was of lofty stature and perfect symmetry. His countenance bore the ruddy tint of health and glowed with the light of life and joy. Adam's height was much greater than that of men who now inhabit the earth. Eve was somewhat less in stature; yet her form was noble and full of beauty. The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory such as the angels wear. So long as they lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud them."
"Everything that God had made was the perfection of beauty, and nothing seemed wanting that could contribute to the happiness of the holy pair; yet the Creator gave them still another token of His love by preparing a garden (Eden) especially for their home. A portion of their time was to be occupied in the happy employment of dressing the garden and a portion in receiving the visits of angels, listening to their instruction, and in happy meditation. Their labor was not wearisome, but pleasant and invigorating. This beautiful garden was to be their home, their special residence.
In this garden the Lord placed fruit trees of every description, for usefulness and beauty, also lovely flowers which filled the air with fragrance. Everything was tastefully and gloriously arranged. These were to be the food of the holy pair as He had designed. There were lovely vines growing upright, laden with fruits unseen after the fall of Adam and Eve. The fruits were big and in a variety of colors, some soft red, red, dark red, soft green, and so on. It was the work of Adam and Eve to train the branches of the vine to form bowers, thus making for themselves a dwelling from living trees covered with foliage and fruit. There were fragrant flowers of every hue in rich profusion. In the midst of the garden stood the Tree of Life, surpassing in glory all the other trees. Its fruit appeared like apples of gold and silver, and had the power to perpetuate life, and the leaves contained healing properties.
Very happy were the holy pair in Eden. Unlimited control was given them of every living thing. The lion and the lamb sported together peacefully and harmlessly around them or slumbered at their feet. Birds of every variety of color and plumage flittered among the trees and flowers and about Adam and Eve, while their mellow-toned music echoed among the trees in sweet accord to the praises of their Creator. Adam and Eve were very happy surrounded by the little singers, listening to their songs of joy. This holy pair sang with them songs of love and praise and admiration to God and to His son for all the work of His love that surrounded them. Unceasingly appearing beauty and glory of Eden so filled them with greater reverence, that they expressed their gratitude and admiration to their Creator (their Father)."
This was the original home that our real Father provided for us in the beginning. but to this peaceful home a great storm of misery, disaster, and misfortune approached. This peaceful home was suddenly invaded by Satan, the outrageous, lawless enemy of the universe, the notorious murderer, the bandit, the well-known deceiver with his innumerable agents. They did not carry out their plan like the unwise armies of the world do, flourishing sword, riding on horses or blowing trumpets with a battle cry. If they had invaded in this manner, we could have easily defeated them. [The great dragon ... that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world] (Rev. 12:9), who was thrown down from heaven defeated by [Michael, the great Prince] (Dan. 12:1, Rev. 12:7), He is the chief of treacherous, tricky thieves, notorious for his deceiving wit and schemes; who succeeded in seducing one third of the heavenly angels] (Rev. 12:4). And it was he that devised a scheme to plunder our peaceful home.
Commanding his innumerable agents to be silent, he sneakingly encroached upon the earth and crawled deeply into the midst of our Eden home. He gained access to Eve who was naive and inexperienced. After gaining control over the pure and innocent Eve with ease, the cunning enemy used Eve, a loving companion of her husband Adam, to seduce him as well. And so Adam was ensnared by the scheme of the merciless enemy, and immediately our peaceful home fell into the murderer's hands, steadily becoming what it is today, a den of thieves and burglars. Since then we have been wandering aimlessly from place to place as homeless nomads for six thousand years until now.
Our real Father loved us so much that He personally begot us, raised us, and made us a beautiful home (the earth) and a garden (Eden) as our eternal nest. But He became terribly worried when He found that His loving children had fallen into the hands of Satan, that outrageous deceiver. And so, in order to reclaim us, He wandered about day and night looking for His lost children, sacrificing Himself completely until now. At last He is able to possess us into His bosom as He so earnestly desired. Oh what a persevering love it is! What a wondrous love it is! What a love it is!
* Back to Our Home Again
Now let us go back to our home, our original home; back to our sweet home that our Father has made for us and restored for us. The enemy who had robbed us of our home has been forever defeated by the Lord Jesus our Eldest Brother, who has recovered for us our home after a bloodshedding battle. On top of our recovered home is raised the glorious bloodstained banner of Immanuel. And our Father stands waiting for us, to lead us back to our home that He has made with such great love and dedicated elaboration.
My dear brothers and sisters! Let us all together return to our sweet home, our eternal home, where our loving Father stands waiting for us. Let us enjoy a life of eternal happiness with our Father there, forever and ever!
[And you, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem](Micah 4:8).
[You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land anymore be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her), and your land Beulah (Married); for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married](Isa. 62:4).
Praise the Lord! Glory to our Father!
