The following comes from The Voice of the Seventh Angel and gives an account: …of the race of mankind, as they existed not less than twelve thousand years ago; representing their character and degree of advancement in symbolical language, and by such significant terms, as heaven, earth, and waters:—The firmament, sun, moon, and stars; all these beautiful symbols were used by the Lord God and His only-begotten Son; representing the great governing power, through the institution of law and the highest order of government, apprehended and centered in the Most High, affecting all intelligent beings; testing their character, and revealing their order, whether of the sun, moon or stars.
In these beautiful symbols used by Moses, is set forth in mystical language, the organization of mankind in eternity.
Through this arrangement the race was divided in two grand divisions: One represented by the light of Day, the other by the darkness of Night.
Those beings represented by the Day are they who receive a fullness of light; and are the governmental power of the race.
Next to this order of beings, is the one typified by the moon; which constitutes a grand division between those who love the light of the day, and they who love the darkness of the night.
The next order of the race is represented by the stars, and is composed of an innumerable host who love the darkness rather than the light because their deeds are evil.
The fourth grade of human existence is represented by the night, and cannot abide the light of the stars.
These four orders comprise the whole of the human race; the highest one being the center of light and government;—the lowest one the center of darkness, or the absence of light; this order of beings cannot endure the reflected light of the stars;—the second order of mankind is composed of those beings who love the day more than the night and are called the children of light; the third order consists of those beings who enter in at the broad gate of destruction, loving darkness rather than light their deeds being evil.
This arrangement of the heaven and earth and sea, placed all mankind in a position to prove their nature, order and character; and what should be their eternal reward, corresponding with their actions and choice.
Then are we to understand that the Creation of the World is simply the organization of the race, and the classification of all creatures according to their order and nature? Yes, nothing more and nothing less.
What are we to understand by the days occupied in the work of creation? They are periods of one thousand years each.
Did the race of mankind exist before the period allotted for the work of creation? Yes, for untold ages.
Then the race was not brought into life when Adam was made and placed in Eden? No, verily no.
Then in what sense was Adam the first man? In that he was the first being of all the millions of the race who apprehended and obtained knowledge of God.
If Adam was the first man by what other names were mankind known? They were distinguished and called in the language of the Bible, by the terms “beasts of the field, fowls of the air, and fishes of the sea,” because they had not reached the standard of a man. Or, in other words, the human family was classified, distinguished, and characterized by the four elements of light, air, earth, and water.
What are we to understand by the garden of Eden? It represents a condition of bliss and happiness that could not endure because not established on the principle of freedom and choice.
Who was Adam? He was the great representative of mankind, chosen out of the human family to stand at the head of his race. Or, in other words, he was the first to apprehend and know the great Eternal Father.
What was the condition of the world when God revealed Himself to Adam? It was in a state of spiritual darkness, without knowledge of good and evil or truth from error.
What was the office and work of Adam when placed in the garden of Eden? That of Prophet, Seer and Revelator, whose mission was to declare the word of God and to rule the world or keep the garden, to replenish the earth with sons and daughters of the Almighty.
What are we to understand by the Tree of Life in the midst of the garden of Eden? It is a representation of God the eternal One, in the person of the Most High of the race.
What are we to understand by the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil? It is a representation of Satan in the person of the most subtle individual of the human race. Or, in the language of the Bible, it represented that serpent which was more subtle than any beast of the field.
Then what are we to understand by the serpent that beguiled Eve and persuaded her to eat of the forbidden fruit? It was satan, who came to her in the shape of a man, or she came in contact with a person of serpentine nature, having a flattering voice and a lying tongue.
Why was it that Adam was not able to find a companion among all the beasts (people) of the field (world)? Because none of these had a knowledge of God, and did not understand the character of Adam, neither his work nor mission.
Then how did Adam obtain his wife? The Lord God took one of Adam’s own ribs and made a woman of it. Or, in other words, he took one of Adam’s family (bone of his bone flesh of his flesh), and taught her the same principles, which constituted Adam the first man, and that made her the first woman. We find that this arrangement wounded the feelings of Adam, still he became willing to let this very important matter be according to the spirit of revelation; and the will of his spiritual Father, he troubles himself no further about it, and he takes a good rest (falls into a deep sleep). This rib (person) was taken from him (his family), and after being taught of God those principles which constitute womanhood, she was brought back to him, and commanded to remain with him.
Thus we have the first representative man and woman made and formed, or taught and instructed by the Most High; that the earth might be replenished by sons and daughters of God on the principle of choice and the highest knowledge.
Why was the tree of life guarded by a flaming sword after the act of transgression? Because if Adam had eaten of this tree, he would have become immortal while in a condition of disobedience and the great plan of redemption would have been frustrated and would have resulted in one eternal round of transgression without any opportunity of repentance.
How long was the way to the tree of life hid from Adam? For many years he was shut out from the presence of God, and fulfills the decree “to till the earth and eat his bread by the sweat of his brow.” The heavens were closed upon him, communication with his Father was cut off, and a period of darkness followed.
Then Adam was not the father of all the different races of mankind? No, verily no, although but one common origin for all; yet in the order of creation there are necessarily those conditions which forbid the idea that all have come through the loins of Adam—for instance—the condition of nature which produced the white race, could not bring forth the black race, and so with every distinct family of mankind.
In what sense then are we to understand that Adam and Eve were the father and mother of all living? In that they were the first of all the families of the earth to know God, by the revelation of the Father. Adam being quickened by the Holy Ghost, taught the principles of salvation first to his own family and then to all the families of the earth; or, in other words, he called upon men everywhere and commanded that they should repent, and as many as repented and was baptized were saved or born again of the spirit, became the living, Adam being the Father, and as many as believed not, (the message of Adam,) should be damned (or were proven to be spiritually dead, Satan being their father,) wherefore the words went forth in a firm decree out of the mouth of God (Adam), wherefore they must be fulfilled.
In what condition was the human family when Adam proclaimed his work and mission to the world? In a state of spiritual darkness, not knowing good from evil, being without the divine law, and consequently without condemnation or judgment, they were innocent because ignorant of the order of heaven and a true knowledge of God.
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And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. What are we to understand by this expression? We are to understand that a certain individual was prepared and chosen by the Most High to represent the race—the breath of life signifying revelation from God; hence, the man became a living soul, being quickened by the word of God. The first man and the first flesh upon the earth having a knowledge of God.
Then were there human beings upon the earth before this time? Yes, for untold ages the human race had lived and died, and lived again, or, in other words there had been one continued production, change and reproduction, until that great event took place, that gave to the world a law by which a knowledge of our origin and of our eternal Father and mother, and of all things could be obtained and verified.
What is the meaning of the words “First Spiritual, Second Temporal,” and again: “First Temporal, Second Spiritual?” First spiritual represents the condition of the world before time began. The second temporal and first temporal is the period of man’s probationary state; and the second spiritual is the state of mankind after the end of time.
In the first spiritual the race was necessarily without knowledge of God, confusion and darkness prevailed over all the earth, but mankind had arrived at that point when it became imperative for the welfare of all, that they should be set in order, classified, separated and named in accordance with their development and character. But in order to accomplish this grand change and revolution in the history of this globe, laws were instituted which pointed to a power and government not apprehended and known before to the race.
The inauguration of these laws compelled all mankind to advance by them, or to come into judgment through them; and by their application and operation the human family was divided into three grand Divisions—represented by the heaven, and earth and seas, or the sun, moon and stars. The accomplishment of this great work reached over a period of six thousand years, (called six days) from which point time began, or, the probation of the race.
What is the condition of the race in the Second Spiritual? It is the resurrected state, or the restoration to good or evil, life or death, light or darkness, in accordance with their own act of obedience or disobedience to the laws, or principles revealed in the great plan of salvation; the second spiritual state being then the same as the first spiritual plain of mankind, i.e., the same powers will rule the Night and the Day. The sun, moon and stars will give and reflect their light; still causing the day to praise Him, and the darkness of the night to acknowledge the power, the glory, and the dominion of the Most High.
What are we to understand by the Second Death? It is the final condition of all those who will not obey the gospel of the Son of God.
Why is it called the second death? Because after the intervening period of probation is ended, all who have refused to advance, or to obey the law of eternal life, will re-enter the first state, (which was that of spiritual death) hence it is termed the second death.
Some six thousand and five years ago, a portion of eternal duration was divided off by the Most High, consisting of seven days, reaching over a period of seven thousand years and which was determined for the probation of this globe, with all the inhabitants thereof. The expiration of the six days virtually closed the probation of man and fixed his destiny forever and ever, while the remaining day of one thousand years, being the term of final judgment, will place all mankind in their proper positions for eternity, according to their works.
Consider the following symbolic meanings as you read the Genesis account of the creation of the world:
Legend:
- Creator = Organizer
- Adam = The First Man Formed After The Image Of God
- Angel = Messenger
- Beasts = Men / Person
- Creature = The Organized
- Mankind = Beasts Of The Field, Fowls Of The Air, And Fishes Of The Sea
- Rib = Person (Adam’s Rib = One Of Adam’s Family (Bone Of His Bone Flesh Of His Flesh))
- Serpent = Satan (Who Came To Eve In The Shape Of A Man, Or She Came In Contact With A Person Of Serpentine Nature, Having A Flattering Voice And A Lying Tongue)
- Dust = Race
- Eden = America
- Field = World
- Gardens = Stakes Of Zion Or Sacred Enclosures
- Ground = Mankind
- Heaven = The Seat Of Government
- Rivers And Fountains Of Waters = Nations And Peoples And Tongues
- Pleasant Fruit = False Doctrines
- Sand Of The Sea = People Of The Telestial Order
- Stars = Twelve Apostles
- Sun = Power Of God
- Sun = Prophet / Kingdom Of God
- Tree = Chief Shepherd Or Leader
- Tree = Leader Or Shepherd
- Beautiful Tree = False Prophet
- Tree Of Knowledge Of Good And Evil = Satan As The Most Subtle Of The Human Race
- Tree Of Life = God, The Most High Of The Human Race
- Waters = Races / Nations
- Zion = The Pure In Heart
- Dead = Those Who Do Not Know God And Jesus Christ
- Formed = Instructed
- Living = Those Who Know God And Jesus Christ
- Made = Taught
- No Breath In Them = Spiritually Dead
- The Breath Of Life = Revelation From God
- Till = Teachings