Psychedelics and Eternal Life

Look, when you get down to it, even mental states are actually only physical states, are they not? I mean, the brain is just a-a chemical supercomputer Rodney Mckay Stargate 

The brain creates chemicals which produce feelings and emotions

Like it or not, emotions share some very real biochemical links with your nervous system, immune system and digestive system.

Consciousness is a property of the brain, and the brain is a biochemical engine or its just a chemical super-computer.

So what is the difference between the 'brain' and the 'mind'?

It may seem, on the surface, that distinguishing between the brain and the mind is not important but to understand the Scriptures properly we must recognize the difference in the brain versus that which the brain produces.

The dictionary says, Brain: "That part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull". In other words it is the physical member of the body that controls the biological functions of the body in addition to producing thoughts, attitudes &c.

Mind: the element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought

Thus the Mind is thinking produced by the brain.

If you talk to anyone who’s used DMT or psilocin/psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms) at one time or another they’ll tell you they experienced some very vivid hallucinations — and an almost completely altered perception of reality. This clearly implies that brain biochemistry is consciousness. If consciousness resided in some kind of soul or spirit as the ancients believed, then taking chemicals would have no effect on your consciousness. If you can alter your consciousness by taking a chemical to interfere with or mimics neurotransmitters, on the other hand, then consciousness must be biochemical in nature.

Psychedelic drugs like Magic mushrooms demonstrate that consciousness is a property of the brain, and the brain is a biochemical engine in the same way that the engine in your car is a mechanical one.

When your car’s engine dies, does another car nearby immediately start up as the “spirit of the car” transfers from one automobile to another? Of course not. You intuitively know that makes no sense. So if consciousness is a property of the brain (which is a biochemical engine), why would it transfer from one vehicle to another when the brain dies? that doesn’t make any sense.

In allegory, "eternal life" refers to the experience of timeless rebirth, or the discovery of the fact of your true real self the Christ Consciousness. This is the true, main mystic or allegorical meaning of "eternal life".

the discovery of timeless rebirth in the Christ Consciousness, is shown and revealed and unveiled by the word of God during the uncovering or revelation of the hidden mystery.

awakening to the kingdom of Heaven while in this life is the most important thing in this life.

The mind that overcomes the world and takes a higher perspective consciously enters Heaven and the eternal life right now, in this life. That is as certain as anything could be.
Aeon, the Greek word translated as 'eternal life', means an age. For enlighten believers, Aeon refers to life in the period of the glory of the Christ Consciousness, as well as eternal life in the sense of indefinitely lasting life in the coming system of things.

Eternal life, in the sense of the higher stages of consciousness, surfaces in Rm 6:22-23. "But now that you have been set free from sin, the return you get is sanctification [awakening into the Christ Consciousness] and its end, eternal life [participation in the glory of the Christ Consciousness]. For the wages of sin is death [living a barren life], but the free gift of God is eternal life [the full manifestation of the Christ Consciousness].

Therefore, brethren, be more zealous to confirm your call [awakening of your conscience] and election [the renewing of your mind] for if you do this you will never fall [back slide into lower stages of Consciousness]: so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord [the full manifestation of the Christ Consciousness]." (2 Pt 1:11)

In 3:17-18, Peter uses the term Aeon in reference to the Christ Consciousness "Beware least you be carried away with the error of lawless men [pre-rational consciousness or the consciousness of sin] and lose your stability. But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord…to him be the glory both now [in the awakening of your Consciousness] and to the day of the age [the period of the full manifestation of the Christ Consciousness]."

the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost Are One 1 John 5:7

1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. "

Some error with this quotation of the disputed passage of 1 John 5:7. It does not read there "the Father, the Son, and the Spirit," but "the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit," which, whether the passage be genuine or fake, "are one" They are one, for John says: "In the beginning the 'Word' was the Deity, by whom all things were made"; and, in another place, he says "the Deity is Spirit." Nevertheless, though one, they are not three distinct and independent entities or persons.

In the beginning was the LOGOS - the outward manifestation of the inward thought,
the LOGOS WAS with Yahweh. God and His Divine Plan could not be separated,
the LOGOS was God - God and the Logos are one.

Jesus was not literally the Word. He was the word "made flesh". (vs. 14). Jesus is the complete manifestation of the logos - "in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Deity bodily." (Col. 2:9). It was the "logos" which was in the beginning with God, not Jesus. When the "word was made flesh" (John 1:14) then, and then only, Jesus became the "Word".

Jesus is called the Word (Rev. 19:13 cf. 1 John 1:1; Luke 1:2) since his doctrine and words came from his Father (John 7:16; 17:14). He was the logos lived out in speech and action, not merely written on scrolls..

Even if we were to assume the passage to be genuine, the passage fails to prove a "Trinity of Persons" in the Godhead. The passage can esaly harmonized with the Bible facts already learned concerning God and His modes of manifesting Himself. John says, "the Word was God," and Jesus says, "God is Spirit" (John 1:1; 4:24). The term "Word" (Greek: "Logos") means "reason," "thought," "speech." Intelligent, reasoning, thinking, speaking, organized Spirit-substance is what the three terms represent God to be. Hence, even if not fake, the passage fails to prove a "Trinity of Persons" in the Godhead, for it does not say "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

The Cosmos: Genesis 1 as a Cosmic Temple

The Cosmos Is God’s True Temple

Genesis 1 is the record of creation shown to Moses. Let the reader consider the history of the creation as a revelation to himself as an inhabitant of the earth. It informs him of the order in which the things recorded would have developed themselves to his view, had he been placed on some projecting rock, the onlooker of the events detailed.

Genesis 1 the creation as the temple of God

Genesis 1 is presenting the universe as the temple of God

23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
24 I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
25 I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
26 I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.

1 ¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

20 ¶ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

35 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:

36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

The Cosmos is God's True Temple

27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
29 That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

In other words translators have seen this as two separate heavens - the “heaven” and the “heaven of heavens”. In Hebrew “the heaven of heavens” is in the construct state and therefore a string (in this case only two) of nouns used to describe one single thing. “The heaven of heavens” is separate from the “heaven”.

Solomon's model of the cosmic temple

48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
49 Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
50 And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

1 Kings 8:48 When they return to you with all their heart and being in the land where they are held prisoner, and direct their prayers to you toward the land you gave to their ancestors, your chosen city, and the temple I built for your honor,

49 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place to theirnprayers for help and vindicate them.

50 Forgive all the rebellious acts of your sinful people and cause their captors to have mercy on them.

Solomon’s Model of the Cosmic Temple

Genesis 1: Creation of the Cosmic Temple

1 Kings 7:49 the pure gold lampstands at the entrance to the inner sanctuary (five on the right and five on the left), the gold flower-shaped ornaments, lamps, and tongs,

1 Kings 6:31 He made doors of olive wood at the entrance to the inner sanctuary; the pillar on each doorpost was fivesided.

[the doors separate the light & darkness]

1 Kings 6: 9 He finished building the temple and covered it with rafters and boards made of cedar.

[Word for firmament is only exilic; Psalm 19:1, 150:1, Ezekiel 1:22-23, 25-26, Daniel 12]

1 Kings 6:9 He finished building the temple and covered it with rafters and boards made of cedar.

[The firmament separates waters above (rain), from waters beneath (the brass Seas)]

1 Kings 7: 23 He also made the large bronze basin called “The Sea.” 

[waters below, gathered into one place]

1 Kings 6: 29 On all the walls around the temple, inside and out, he carved cherubs, palm trees, and flowers in bloom.

1 Kings 6:4 He made framed windows for the temple. 

[windows “in the firmament”; in front of the ceiling]

1 Kings 6: 4 He made framed windows for the temple.

[providing natural light at different times & seasons]

1 Kings 6:29 On all the walls around the temple, inside and out, he carved cherubs, palm trees, and flowers in bloom. 

[ the cherubs are the living things of Genesis 1:20-25]

1 Kings 7: 48 Solomon also made all these items for the LORD’s temple: the gold altar, the gold table on which was kept the Bread of the Presence, 

[for the priestly service]

Gen 1:3 let there be light

49 And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold,

gen 1:4 separting light and darkness

31 And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall.

gen 1:6 let there be a firmament

9 So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.

the firmament seprates aters above from waters beneath the brass seas

gen 1:9 waters gathered the sea

1 kings 7:23

waters below gathered into one place

gen 1:11-12 trees bearing fruit

1 kings 6:29

gen 1:14-18 lights in the firmament

1 kings 6:4

windos in the firmament in front of the ceiling

providing natural light at differnt times & seasons

The Existing One Exodus 3:14

The Existing One Exodus 3:14

The one who truly knows himself can say I am that I am and he will know the One who is the existing one

 Hebrew אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה‬ (´Ehyeh´ ´Asher´ ´Ehyeh´), ; Leeser, “I WILL BE THAT I WILL BE”; Rotherham, “I Will Become whatsoever I please.

Greek., Ego´ eimi ho on, “I am The Being,” or, “I am The Existing One”;

Latin., ego sum qui sum, “I am Who I am.”

God’s own self-designation. ” The reference here is not only to God’s self-existence but to what he has in mind to become toward others. The name not only proclaims YHWH is the “Existing One,” it also proclaims YHWH is the “One Who Will Be.” Actually, YHWH can signify any being, whether angel or human, as long as the being manifests divine authority and/or power.

(Job 23:13) And he is in one [mind], and who can resist him? And his own soul has a desire, and he will do [it].

Moses says in Exod. 3:14, 15 that Yahweh told him that His name means in the Greek "I am HE WHO IS. I am The Being,” or, “I am The Existing One" the ever living male-and-female principle.

Creation originates and exists in the Divine logos, the outward manifestation of the inward thought, of the Deity. In the creative process the Divine logos first conceive universe with itself than emanates it from its own substance . In the Scripture this ideal is named Yahweh, meaning I am The Being the ever living--He who is the uncreated and eternal spirit . The creation is first an emanation of the uncreated and eternal spirit through the activity of the Holy Spirit or active force than carried forward through the Elohim who are agents/instruments of the physical creation

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I am HE WHO IS (ho ōn): and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, HE WHO IS (ho ōn) hath sent me unto you.

Exodus 3:14  And God spoke to Moses, saying, I am THE BEING; and he said, Thus shall ye say to the children of Israel, THE BEING has sent me to you.

Philo : And God said, "At first say unto them, 'I am THE BEING', that, they may be further taught that there is no name whatever that can properly be assigned to Me, to whom only belongs the existence.

Ego eimi ho on, “I am The Being,” or, “I am The Existing One

I think, therefore I am

"As he thinketh within himself, so is he" (Prov. 23:7)

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

I am The Being  or, “I am The Existing One is God's name manifested in the mind of the true believer; it is Yahweh the logos the divine mind it is the indwelling Christ, the true inner spiritual man whom God made in His image and likeness. By use of I am The Being we link ourselves and make conscious union with the Father, by Spirit, with timeless rebirth, wisdom,love, peace, strength, power, Truth, the kingdom of the heavens within us.

Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

The I am The Being can also be explained as the spiritual name of the true inner self, as distinguished from the outward senses or our natural self. One is governed by God; the other, by self-will or ego, the carnal mind or sin in the flesh. Christ is the Scriptural name for the true inner spiritual self or the Christ consciousness. Paul called it the inner man. It is the divine logos manifested in the life of the believer, and a conscious unity or fellowship between the natural self and the Father. That is what is meant by the phrase, "he that doeth the will of my Father." We must do the very will of God in our whole being, which is virtually to surrender the whole self to God

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

The word AIL (EL)

The word AIL (El) means “power,” “force,” or plain old “energy.” The Hebrews used the same word to denote their Deity. They USED AIL (El) because that’s what the Deity of the Bible is. He is Desire, Direction, and Drive. There's no fire-flinging, brimstone-breathing behemoth. There's no gray- headed old geezer. There are no three different “Persons” who think they are one.

The Deity of the Bible is not an entity in the common sense of the word at all. The Deity of the Bible is Desire, Direction, and Drive. The power becomes personal when it is manifest by a being. The beings who manifest the power OF AIL (El) can be (and often are) taken for God. That may be how the misunderstandings began. That, as well as the blindness of Bible translators (together with the naivety of their readers) might be why such an obvious Truth has eluded so many.

article taken from the book The Final Testament (Christadelphian)

Christ's Equality With God

Christ's Equality With God

Well, then, Moses and Jesus both taught a plurality of Eloahhs. Jesus said: I am Eloahh, and my Father is Eloahh, and the children of God by resurrection, each one is Eloahh; and all together we are thy Elohim, O Israel, and yet but one Yahweh. But the Jews repudiate such a God-Name as this. It is incomprehensible to them; and in their opinion, nothing short of blasphemy. It was so repugnant to their notions of things that when Jesus taught it "they took up stones to stone him"; and declared that they did so because that he, being a man, made himself Eloahh in saying: I am the Son of All (John 10:33-36). Like Dr. de Lara, they objected to the idea of Yahweh having a son; and that son being a man; and that man consequently EIoahh or God. Hence, when Jesus asked them: "What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he?" They did not answer: "He is the Son of God" -- to have done so would have been to admit that he would be equal to God, which they considered blasphemy. They, therefore, adhered to the fleshly view of the matter, and replied: "He is the Son of David." This was equivalent to saying that he was equal with David only; and consequently, not equal with Deity. But this position was pregnable, and easily turned. Jesus saw their weakness, and immediately exposed it by inquiring: "How then doth David in spirit call him Adon (lord, superior, ruler, &c.,) saying: Yahweh said unto my Adon, Sit thou at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Adon, how is he his son?" They could not answer this; "no man," says Matthew, "was able to answer him a word" (Chapter 22:41- 46).

The point in this argument is a question of equality; and therefore of Deity, or of mere humanity. If Messiah were to have been simply son of David, then he would be equal in natural descent, and inferior in rank. If equal in natural descent he would have been no more than a son of Jesse; and if simply David's son, he would have been socially inferior, inasmuch as in society, and especially in Hebrew society, fathers take precedence of sons. This being admitted as contained in their premiss, upon what known principle could David speak of such a Messiah as his Adon or Sovereign Lord? Here is a notably weak point in the Jewish understanding of the doctrine concerning the Messiah. As in the days of their fathers, so to the present time, "They judge after the flesh." They can only see in Christ a son of David, having no higher origin than blood, or the impulse of the flesh, or the will of man. They have no conception of a Christ, who should be formed by the Eternal Spirit from the substance descended from David, as Adam was formed by the same Spirit from the dust; and therefore generated by the will and power of Ail, still less did they see that such a Son of Power should become a son of a spirit-generation from among the dead. The Jewish mind cannot penetrate "the veil of the covering"; so that all his reasonings begin and end in flesh, "which profits nothing." It is not to be wondered at, then, that the Jews, as Dr. de Lara says, "reject with scorn and ridicule the idea of God having a son; of coming down from heaven and enacting with the Virgin Mary the scene related by Luke." Their minds are so sensual and earthly that they cannot ascend to the contemplation of "heavenly things." What they know naturally, as brute beasts, of these things they can speak; but higher than flesh they cannot rise until the Lord shall come and take away the veil.

Dr. Thomas writes of the equality of Christ with God, quoting from John 10:33-36. The equality of Christ with God or Yahweh is inferred in Phillippians 2:6. But what is meant by it? Not an equality of status (see 1 Cor. 15:28), but of nature; and to that equality all can attain (Rom. 5:2; 2 Pet. 1:4; Rev. 3:12).

This is made clear on p.69 of Phanerosis. The point of the argument which Jesus had with the Jews was whether Messiah was to be of God or only of David; whether he was to be "of Deity, or of mere humanity." If he were to have been simply son of David, "then he would be equal in natural descent, and inferior in rank" inasmuch as "fathers take precedence of sons."

Jesus was begotten from above; so must all those ,who would be sons of God (Jhn. 3:3 mg.); he submitted to his flesh being, crucified, and in doing so denied it to serve His God; and so must all those who would attain unto an equality with Christ by attaining unto Divine nature. They become "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that they suffer with him; that they may be also glorified together" (Rom. 8:17).

Dr. Thomas is very careful to disclaim any connection with Trinitarian error, when writing of the "equality of Christ with God."

The pre-Adamic Earth

The pre-Adamic Earth

The earth is much older than 6000 years but our creation started about 6000 years ago with a literal 6 days creation

Before the six days’ work began, genesis, chapter 1 verse 2, shows us “darkness on the face of the deep;” the earth without order, and void. The very first incident described is the movement of the spirit of God “on the face of the waters” (same verse), from which it follows the earth and the waters existed before the re-organising work of 6,000 years ago began.

The earth had a history before the six days’ work, as further evident from the words addressed to Adam: “Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth.”

Both the Bible and geological records show it was a history marked by upheaval and ending in catastrophe. The Bible shows us the recovery from that state by the six days’ work ending in the appearance of Adam on the scene.

the earth existed for million of years before the Adamic Era

Fragments, however, of the pre-Adamic world have been brought to light by geological research organic remains, coal fields, and oil, belong to the ages before the formation of man, rather than to the time of the creation, or the flood.

If it be suggested that the fossil remains of the past include human remains, as well as remains of other races, the answer has to be made that there is a lack of scientific evidence that these remains are identical with the human race.

The animal and vegetable remains are those of species now largely extinct, belonging to pre-Adamic ages; and analogy would require that what are considered human remains, if they are human remains (which is by no means certain from the evidence) are the remains of an anterior race, existing at a remote time, when as yet the earth had not been overtaken by the convulsion which brought it to the state (developed in darkness and submerged in the deep) depicted to us in Genesis 1: 2.

that the earth existed prior to the literal six days of Adamic creation. That there was life on earth prior to a catastrophe which left the earth covered with water according to Yahweh's will.

In his discussion of the theory held by brother Roberts, brother Jardine and brother Simons that explained the geological and fossil record in terms of previous creations separated from the Adamic creation by a gap during which all life on earth was destroyed, brother Walker noted that there was actually sufficient scientific evidence to contradict this view. First he observed that the available evidence could not be reconciled with a 6,000 year old creation.

‘As with fishes, so with birds, many remains are found in the rocks, of a kind not now found upon earth. Our museums contain footprints of gigantic birds impressed in sand now turned to rock, and remains actually embedded in rock. If we understand Moses as teaching that the earth and all that therein is came into existence some 6,000 years ago, we shall scarcely be able to account for these evidently very ancient remains of creatures that do not now exist.’[4]

Brother Walker then demonstrated how the ‘gap between creations’ theory also lacked support from the available evidence. He noted that if such a gap had existed the fossil record would show this, when in fact the fossil record showed a continuity of earlier extinct life forms with later forms.

‘If we suppose a sudden and absolute break some 6,000 years ago, or before, resulting in the destruction of all life, and that the creation account of Genesis describes a new creation following, we ought to find some evidence of the break, and we cannot well account for the apparently close relationship that obtains between extinct and existing forms.

There are forms becoming extinct in our own day from slow and natural causes. May it not have been so in pre-Adamic times? The professors tell us for instance that some of these ancient birds, whose strides we can see for ourselves from their footprints were from four to six feet long, were like gigantic ostriches.’[5]

Supposing that it were ever established that they were the actual progenitors of our smaller forms (“There were giants in the earth in those days” might apply to birds and beasts), would the credibility of the Mosaic narrative suffer? Not at all, in our estimation. We should indeed have to revise somewhat our interpretation of the brief cosmogony of Gen. 1.; but should not waver as concerning its divinity, nor await with less faith and patience the reappearance of Moses in the land of the living.’[6]


Most of what is known of the Sabians comes from ibn Wahshiyya's The Nabatean Agriculture, translated in 904 CE from Syriac sources. The text discusses beliefs attributed to the Sabians, in particular that they were people who lived in Pre-Adamite times,

Providence Time and chance

Providence

God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and continuously upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any manner is the Deity the author of sin nor does he destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures. Hebrews 1:3; Daniel 4:34-35; Psalms 135:6; Proverbs 15:3 Matthew 10:29-31; Acts 17:25-28; Romans 1:24,26,28; James 1:13,14,17

It is common to speak of “providence,” but the common way of speaking of it shows it is not common to understand the subject. So many things are ascribed to “providence” that the reflecting mind, acting apart from the enlightenment of the Scriptures, would be liable either to doubt whether there is such a thing as providence at all, or to conclude that all things are “providence,” which would practically be the same thing, for in that case, the central idea of providence, as a special discrimination and influence in the shaping of circumstances in particular cases, would be lost.

First, God’s ability to foreknow and foreordain is clearly stated in the Bible. Jehovah himself sets forth as proof of his Godship this ability to foreknow and foreordain events of salvation and deliverance, as well as acts of judgment and punishment, and then to bring such events to fulfillment. His chosen people are witnesses of these facts. (Isa 44:6-9; 48:3-8) Such divine foreknowledge and foreordination form the basis for all true prophecy. (Isa 42:9; Jer 50:45; Am 3:7, 8) God challenges the nations opposing his people to furnish proof of the godship they claim for their mighty ones and their idol-gods, calling on them to do so by foretelling similar acts of salvation or judgment and then bringing them to pass. Their impotence in this respect demonstrates their idols to be ‘mere wind and unreality.’—Isa 41:1-10, 21-29; 43:9-15; 45:20, 21.

A second factor to be considered is the free moral agency of God’s intelligent creatures. The Scriptures show that God extends to such creatures the privilege and responsibility of free choice, of exercising free moral agency (De 30:19, 20; Jos 24:15), thereby making them accountable for their acts. (Ge 2:16, 17; 3:11-19; Ro 14:10-12; Heb 4:13) They are thus not mere automatons, or robots. Man could not truly have been created in “God’s image” if he were not a free moral agent. (Ge 1:26, 27; see FREEDOM.) Logically, there should be no conflict between God’s foreknowledge (as well as his foreordaining) and the free moral agency of his intelligent creatures.

Like Ruth the Book of Esther is an illustration. It records a slice of life out of the Exile period that illustrates a great revelation. While the Book of Ruth illustrates God's redemption, that of Esther illustrates God's providence.

Providence means foresight. Our word comes from Latin and means to see the affairs of life before they happen. The acquired meaning of providence, what it has come to mean through usage, is activity resulting from foresight. We can see at once that people can never exercise providence as God can. We have very limited powers of foresight. We do not know what a day will bring forth. God, on the other hand, foresees all things and can act because of that foreknowledge.

The doctrine of providence is that God both possesses and exercises absolute power over all the works of His hands. The Book of Esther illustrates God's providence. The writer did not speak of God directly, but God's acting as a result of His foresight is obvious in what he wrote. Even though God hid Himself in the Book as a whole, he was at work in the life of Esther.

Esther reveals three things about divine providence.

First, it reveals the method of providence.

It shows that even though people do not acknowledge God's presence He is always at work. His control becomes especially clear at the end of the book (Est 10:3). Events had turned around completely from the way they were at the beginning of the book. Instead of being in peril, the Jews were now at peace. God not only rules over the major issues in life, but He also uses the trivialities of life to accomplish His purposes. Some of these trivialities were:


the king's decision to summon Vashti after he got drunk,
Vashti's refusal,
Haman's hatred for Mordecai,
the king's insomnia, and
the passage his servant read to him.

God's providence is all-inclusive. That is part of its method. No person or detail of life escapes God's control: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). "All things" includes all individuals and all events -- whether pleasant or unpleasant.

Second, Esther reveals the principles of providence.

God proceeds on the basis of perfect knowledge: intimate, accurate, absolute knowledge (Psa 11:4).

Another principle of His providence is His undeviating righteousness. God's providence works in harmony with man's freedom. It never coerces people. The king made his own decisions; God did not compel him to act as he did. Haman plotted his own intrigues, made his own arrangements, built his own gallows. The same was true of Mordecai and Esther. Yet the sphere in which they made their decisions was God's sovereignty (Acts 17:28: "In Him we live and move..."). Haman built his gallows for Mordecai, but God hanged Haman on it!

A third principle of God's providence is that of absolute power. God is great enough to give people genuine freedom and yet cause things to turn out the way He wants them to. God causes human freedom to contribute to His divine purpose.

Third, Esther reveals the results of providence.

On the human level there are two results:


Those who recognize divine providence receive great confidence and courage.
However, those who do not recognize it receive panic and punishment.

We can see these results most clearly in the characters of (1) Esther and Mordecai, and (2) Haman.

On the divine level the result of providence is that God progresses toward His ultimate goal: he is, of course, Yahweh -- The One who "will be", the One who is constantly "becoming"! Throughout all of Scripture we see this identical mighty movement toward the absolute fulfillment of His purpose.

The message of this book is that God exists, and God acts through history to accomplish His purposes regardless of whether humans acknowledge Him or not.

There are many arguments for the existence of God: the argument from providence is one of these. The fact that human events are harmonizing with God's ultimate purposes as He has revealed these in Scripture testifies to God's existence. When people forget God, He still molds history and governs life in harmony with His purposes. We cannot escape God's hand; we only change our destiny. We become His friends or His foes by our attitude toward Him (Dan 5:22,23).

How do we apply the message of this book? By taking God into account. Trust Him and cooperate with Him, or you will suffer destruction. God's providence may seem very impersonal and austere. However, William Cowper has reminded us that, "Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face." Rom 8:28 is perhaps the most concise word on the providence of God that the Scriptures contain. God will complete His plans. We determine our own destiny as we cooperate with His will or oppose it.

Our choice affects our destiny, but it does not frustrate His plan. Consequently it is very important that we know God's plans and make them known to others. He has revealed His plans in His promises in Scripture. Therefore we should pay very careful attention to the promises of God. The covenants of promise are His comprehensive formal undertakings. Even though many people in the world today ignore God, His plans will become reality eventually. This fact should make us confident and optimistic in the present.

Time and chance

11 I returned to see under the sun that the swift do not have the race, nor the mighty ones the battle, nor do the wise also have the food, nor do the understanding ones also have the riches, nor do even those having knowledge have the favor; because time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all

There is such a thing as chance, as distinct from what God does. The Bible declares this (Eccles. 9:11) and the experience of every day teaches it. Every moment teems with the incidents of chance. God has control of all chance; but all chance is not controlled. It is controlled when His purpose requires it.

It is impossible that time and chance in the sense of events in our lives should happen by random to believers, without any control of God. Do "all things work together for good" to us, or only some things?

- "Time and chance" is probably a Hebraism for death- whether wise (spiritually) or strong or swift, the same thing, "time and chance", happens to all; i. e. death. Ecc. 9:12 backs this up: "For man also knoweth not his time (i. e. of death). . as the birds that are caught in the snare (i. e. killed); so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them". The context back in v. 4,5 is clearly talking about the universality of death.

- "Chance" does not mean 'random' or uncontrolled events. The Hebrew root by contrast implies something specifically ordained- often by God.

The Gospel of Philip and Judaism

Judaism and the The Gospel of Philip

The Gospel of Philip shows some close links with Judaism. Indeed the gospel begins with the introduction “A Hebrew makes another Hebrew” in 51.29-31. 5 

A Hebrew makes a Hebrew, and such a person is called a convert. A convert does not make a convert. [Some people] are as they [are] and make others [like them], while others [52] simply are.

Inheriting the Living and the Dead

A slave seeks only to be free and does not seek the master’s estate.

For a child it is not enough to be a child, but a child claims the father’s inheritance.

Heirs to the dead are dead, and what they inherit is dead. Heirs to the living are alive, and they inherit both the living and the dead. The dead inherit nothing, for how could a dead person inherit? If a dead person inherits the living, the living will not die and the dead will come to life.

Jesus, Gentiles, Christians

A gentile does not die, never having been alive so as to die. One who has believed in truth is alive, but this person is at risk of dying just by being alive.

Since Christ came, the world has been created, cities have been beautified, and the dead have been buried.

When we were Hebrews we were orphans, with only a mother, but when we became Christians we had a father and a mother

Faith receives, love gives. [No one can [62] receive] without faith, and no one can give without love. So to receive we have faith and to love we give. If someone gives without love, that person gets no benefit from what was given.

Jesus’s Names

The apostles who came before us used the names Isous nazraios messias, which means “Jesus the Nazorean, the Christ.” The last name is “Christ,” the first name is “Jesus,” the middle name is “the Nazarene.” Messias has two meanings, “Christ” and “measured.” In Hebrew “Jesus” means “redemption.” Nazara means “truth,” and so “the Nazarene” means “truth.” “Christ” has been “measured,” thus “the Nazarene” and “Jesus” have been measured out.

The Name “Christian”

If you say, “I am a Jew,” no one will be moved. If you say, “I am a Roman,” no one will be disturbed. If you say, “I am a Greek, barbarian, slave, free,” no one will be troubled. If you say, “I am a Christian,” the [world] will be shaken. May I [receive the one] whose name the [world] cannot bear to hear.

A horse brings forth a horse, a human brings forth humans, a deity brings forth deities. So also bridegrooms and brides come from the [bridegroom and bride].

No Jews…from Greeks…from Jews…to Christians. [There was another generation of people], and these [blessed people] were called the chosen spiritual ones, [76] true humankind, the child of humankind, and the offspring of the child of humankind. This true generation is renowned in the world, and this is where the attendants of the bridal chamber are.

Anyone who receives something but does not receive the lord is still a Hebrew.

There are several other references to Judaism as well. The next verses says, “A gentile does not die, for he has never lived in order that he may die."He said on that day in the prayer of thanksgiving (Passover), You who have united perfect light with holy spirit, unite the angels also with us, as images.

30. He said on that day in the Eucharistº: Oh Thou who have matedº the Perfect Light with the Sacred Spirit,¹ mate also our angels with the imagesº! (¹NB in Hebrew/Aramaic the word ‘light’ [rw)] is masculine, while ‘spirit’ [xwr] is feminine; hyperlinear)

Eucharist: Greek ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΙΑ (well-joying, thanksgiving); the service of bread and wine or the last supper (Lk 22:14-20);

the Christian tradition of celebrating the Eucharist developed out of Passover traditions


This is a clear indication of some empathy toward Judaism. Also, there is reference to the Jewish Temple. In verses 69.14-24 there is discussion of the Temple and “the holy,” “the holy of the holy,” and the “holy of the holies." Each of these is compared with a Gnostic ritual service and so valued quite highly.

There is an association in The Gospel of Philip between Gnostic ritual service and the Temple in Jerusalem. It says in 69.14-25, “Baptism is ‘the holy’ building. Redemption is ‘the holy of the holy.’ ‘The holy of the holies’ is the bridal chamber."


The verses that follow these references to the Temple associate baptism with resurrection and redemption, redemption with bridal chamber, and makes note that bridal chamber is superior.

Lastly, in reference to the serpent from The Book of Genesis it says in 61.6-8, “First adultery came into being, afterward murder. And he was begotten in adultery, for he was the child of the serpent."


Many Gnostic works venerate the serpent figure of Genesis. The opinion of the serpent here may be an indication of the earliness of this gospel and of its close ties to Judaism. All of these elements combine to show that it is possible that this Gnostic sect may have grown out of a Judaic-Christian community. At any rate they show a deep respect for Judaism.

The seven spirits of God

Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

The "seven spirits of God" are mentioned in Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; and 5:6.

Revelation 1:4 mentions that the seven spirits are before God's throne.

Revelation 3:1 indicates that Jesus Christ "holds" the seven spirits of God.

Revelation 4:5 links the seven spirits of God with seven burning lamps that are before God's throne.

Revelation 5:6 identifies the seven spirits with the "seven eyes" of the Lamb and states that they are "sent out into all the earth."

the seven‑fold spirit in Isaiah 11:2 and also I Corinthians 12:29, 30.

Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,

seven spirits. If reference here to the Holy Spirit, then the context would require the Holy Spirit to be a person separate from the Father and Son, sending greeting. Rather: these seven spirits are seven archangels. Compare ch. 4:5 and 5:6; Zechariah 3:9 Zechariah 4:10; Ezekiel 1:18, 20; Micah 5:5 (Christ and his seven archangels); Luke 1:19. Note

Revelation 4:5 and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

so the seven spirits of God are the seven lamps of fire

Fire is used as a symbol for the consuming power of the Spirit as manifested through the Elohim (Gen. 3:24; Ps. 104:4). The declaration of the Psalmist: "He maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire" will then apply to them (Ps. 104:4).

The "seven spirits" represent the complete manifestation of the "one Spirit" through the angelic host

Prov 9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.

Jer 15:9 she who has borne seven sons

The sons of God are described as archangels the chief of whom is Michael this chief archangel is also called Yahweh Elohim or Yahweh of armies the Lord of hosts

the seven days of creation can be interprted as an allegory on the creation of these seven archangels

Christ being the new creation corresponds to the eight day

the seven Archangels are the seven chief Elohim they are also the seven angels of evil see Isaiah 45:7 and compare Exodus 12:23 Psalm 78:49 Ezekiel 9 the prophet saw seven angels of destruction


The seven elohim are here to give man trials and tribulations to bring us back to the Father

the creator of the material cosmos or the physical heavens is by the chief Archangel with the other six pillars of creation when they start creating matter they fall into duality, good and evil the creator is the second logos from the Most High

The Teaching of Renunciation 2 Corinthians 4:2

The Doctrine of Renunciation

Early Christianity went through a great cycle of renunciation and it is still held in many conservative sects that the renunciation of worldly ambition, worldly appetites and worldly goods is indispensable to spiritual salvation

During the 3th century a Christian Gnostic sect arose called the Apotactics or Apotactites (from the Greek apotassomai, to renounce) and spread through the western and southern parts of Asia Minor (present Anatolia, Asian Turkey). Very little is known about them only that they places great importance of the doctrine of renunciation

The Apotactics believed that "a renunciation of property is necessary to salvation. It seems the Apotactics took there understanding from Luke 14:33

Lu 14:33 So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce<657> all that he possesseth cannot be my disciple.

Peter answered and said to him, "Lord, you have taught us to forsake the world and everything in it. We have renounced them for your sake. What we are concerned about (now) is the food for a single day. Where will we be able to find the needs that you ask us to provide for the poor?" The Lord answered and said, "O Peter, it was necessary that you understand the parable that I told you! Do you not understand that my name, which you teach, surpasses all riches, and the wisdom of God surpasses gold, and silver and precious stone(s)?" (The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles)

Say to them :Renounce the entire world and all matter within it and all its concerns [fear, worry, lack of faith] and all its sins, and in general all associations with it, that you may be deserving of the mysteries of Light and be delivered from all the chastisements which are in the judgments.” (The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles)

XLVII. The Word does not bid us renounce property; [12] but to manage property without inordinate affection; and on anything happening, not to be vexed or grieved; and not to desire to acquire. Divine Providence bids keep away from possession accompanied with passion, and from all inordinate affection, and from this turns back those still remaining [13] in the flesh. (Attributed to Theodotus, as collected by Clement of Alexandria)

Apotassomai and Apeipomen

Strong's #657: apotassomai (pronounced ap-ot-as'-som-ahee)

middle voice from 575 and 5021; literally, to say adieu (by departing or dismissing); figuratively, to renounce:--bid farewell, forsake, take leave, send away.

There is another Greek word apeipomen which can be translated Renounce

550. ἀπειπόμην apeipomen [ap-i-pom’-ane]; reflexive past of a compound of 575 and 2036; to say off for oneself, i.e. disown: — renounce.

To renounce, disown, forbid, refuse. Reflexive past of a compound of apo and epo; to say off for oneself, i.e. Disown.

It is used once in the New Testament 2Cor 4:2 and twice in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) see 1 Kings 11:2, and Job 10:3

2Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth

The word apeipomen means, to speak out or off; to refuse or deny; to forbid. Here it means, to renounce, or disown; to give up, to disclaim, to cast off, to give up a belief or opinion by open confession.

New Testament Apocrypha

The doctrine of Renunciation is found in early christian text like the Acts of Paul, the Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles, and Pistis Sophia. See also Gospel of Thomas saying 27 on fasting from (or, abstaining from) the world."

(Gospel of Thomas 27) <Jesus> said: If you do not fast to the world, you will not find the kingdom; if you do not keep the Sabbath as Sabbath, you will not see the Father.

The Acts of Paul Chapter 2:16: Blessed are they that have renounced this world, for they shall be well-pleasing unto God.

(81) Jesus said, "The one who has become rich should reign. And the one who has power should renounce

No one knows the God of truth except solely the man who will forsake all of the things of the world, having renounced the whole place, (and) having grasped the fringe of his garment. He has set himself up as a power; he has subdued desire in every way within himself. (The Testimony of Truth)


But the baptism of truth is something else; it is by renunciation of the world that it is found. But those who say only with the tongue that they are renouncing it are lying, and they are coming to the place of fear. Moreover, they are humbled within it. Just as those to whom it was given to have been condemned, they shall get something! (The Testimony of Truth)

The Gospel of Thomas Saying 81 Jesus said, "The one who has become rich should reign. And the one who has power should renounce it

The Gospel of Thomas Saying (110) Jesus said, "The one who had found the world and become rich should renounce the world."

The wealthy ones are they having knowledge, understanding and wisdom as a crown on their heads a Jewelled crown of light, which is the Christ-consciousness. One who is wealthy in this way shall become a king in the age to come. But those who are powerful or have power should give it up and become poor to become rich.


To be 'children of the living Father' is to be free from the society and not to be bound to the world and its values. 'Blessedness' does not depend upon the marks of success in this world. One's identity should not be determined by whatever is valuable for personal status in the social fabric of the world.


What is made clear is that man must renounce the world and transform his mind if he hopes to receive the mysteries that will open for him the inheritance of the Light when the individual feels alone and abandoned by all and sundry, sinking into a period of depression that might lead to despair, until he is able to renounce his last remaining attachments to the world—namely, his feeling of being a separate "I"—prior to final and permanent union with God or the Light.

Spiritual meaning of renunciation 

renunciation--A letting go of old thoughts in order that new thoughts may find place in consciousness. A healthy state of mind is attained when the thinker willingly lets go the old thoughts and takes on the new. This is illustrated by the inlet and outlet of a pool of water.
The center of renunciation, sometimes called elimination, in the lower part of the abdomen, carries forward the work of elimination of error thoughts from the mind and waste from the body.


Renouncing is the mental process of erasing from the mind the false beliefs of the outward senses or the consciousness of sin. Renouncing clears away false beliefs and attitude and thus makes room for the establishing of the Gospel.

The consciousness of sin is made up of a multitude of false individual beliefs and cultural attitudes. Through Renouncing we get rid of these shadows of reality. We cleanse the temple of the mind of these false ideas. In so doing, we make way for the planting of the seeds of the Gospel.

Renouncing may be made in many ways. The conscious acknowledgement that you have been mistaken in your conclusion is Renouncing. Refusing to longer enterain thoughts of the carnal mind is Renouncing.

The ability to Renounce is twofold in action: it eliminates the error, and it expands the good. When the ego consciously lets go and willingly gives up its personal ideas and loves, it has fulfilled the law of denial and is restored to the Father's house.

But all disciples know it is easier to denounce sin than to renounce it.

The admission of sin and the prayer for forgiveness is Renouncing.

A list of things to be Renounced

The list of things to be Renounced which is found in Pistis Sophia chapter 102 this should be seen as a moral code of behavior



Pistis Sophia chapter 102
JESUS continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: "When I shall have gone into the Light, then herald it unto the whole world and say unto them: Cease not to seek day and night and remit not yourselves until ye find the mysteries of the Light-kingdom, which will purify you and make you into refined light and lead you into the Light-kingdom.

What men should renounce."Say unto them: Renounce the whole world and the whole matter therein and all its care and all its sins, in a word all its associations which are in it, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the chastisements which are in the judgments.

"Say unto them: Renounce murmuring, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce eavesdropping [?], that ye may [be worthy of the mysteries of the Light] and be saved from the judgments of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce litigiousness [?], that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements of Ariēl.

"Say unto them: Renounce false slander, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce false witness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and that ye may escape and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce pride and haughtiness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-pits of Ariēl.

"Say unto them: Renounce belly-love, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the judgments of Amente.

"Say unto them: Renounce babbling, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fires of Amente.

"Say unto them: |256. Renounce craftiness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements which are in Amente.

"Say unto them: Renounce avarice, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce love of the world, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the pitch- and fire-coats of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce pillage, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of Ariēl.

"Say unto them: Renounce evil conversation, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements of the fire-rivers . . . .

"Say unto them: Renounce wickedness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-seas of Ariēl.

"Say unto them: Renounce pitilessness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the judgments of the dragon-faced [ones].

"Say unto them: Renounce wrath, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dragon-faced [ones.]

"Say unto them: Renounce cursing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-seas of the dragon-faced [ones].

"Say unto them: Renounce thieving, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the bubbling seas of the dragon-faced [ones]. |257.

"Say unto them: Renounce robbery, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from Yaldabaōth.

"Say unto them: Renounce slandering, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the lion-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce fighting and strife, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the seething rivers of Yaldabaōth.

"Say unto them: Renounce all unknowing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the servitors of Yaldabaōth and the fire-seas.

"Say unto them: Renounce evil doing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the demons of Yaldabaōth and all his judgments.

"Say unto them: Renounce sloth, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the seething pitch-seas of Yaldabaōth.

"Say unto them: Renounce adultery, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light-kingdom and be saved from the sulphur- and pitch-seas of the lion-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce murder, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the crocodile-faced ruler,--this one who is in the cold, |258. is the first chamber of the outer darkness.

"Say unto them: Renounce pitilessness and impiety, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the rulers of the outer darkness.

"Say unto them: Renounce atheism, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the howling and grinding of teeth.

"Say unto them: Renounce [magic] potions, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the great cold and the hail of the outer darkness.

"Say unto them: Renounce blasphemy, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the great dragon of the outer darkness.

"Say unto them: Renounce the doctrines of error, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the chastisements of the great dragon of the outer darkness.

WHO TOLD THE FIRST LIE?

WHO TOLD THE FIRST LIE?

In the Holy Bible, the second and third chapters of Genesis give the order of events leading us to find out who told the first lie. We find them in the story of the garden of Eden. Many Bible students have been led to believe the first lie was told to Eve by the serpent: "Ye shall not surely die." That was NOT the first lie.

By comparing THE WORDS OF GOD SPOKEN TO THE MAN (Adam) with THE "WORDS OF GOD" WHICH WERE REPEATED BY THE WOMAN (who was later to be named Eve), this study will attempt to reveal the FIRST LIE by pointing out THE FIRST LIAR.

THE ORDER OF EVENTS RELATING TO THIS SUBJECT IN THE GENESIS STORY:
GOD MADE MAN: "And Yahweh Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7).

GOD PLANTED THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND PUT THE MAN THERE: "And Yahweh Elohim planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed" (Genesis 2:8).
GOD MADE TREES GROW OUT OF THE GROUND (OUTSIDE and INSIDE the garden of Eden): "And out of the ground made Yahweh Elohim 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 KNOWLEDGE of GOOD and EVIL" (Genesis 2:9).

GOD PUT THE MAN IN THE GARDEN: "And Yahweh Elohim took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it" (Genesis 2:15).

GOD GAVE THE MAN THE LAWS: "And Yahweh Elohim commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but OF THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT; For in the day that thou EATEST THEREOF thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17).

GOD MADE THE WOMAN AND GAVE HER TO ADAM:  "And Yahweh Elohim caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which Yahweh Elohim had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man" (Genesis 2:21-22).

THE SERPENT QUESTIONED THE WOMAN: "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Genesis 3:1).

THE WOMAN QUOTED THE LAW TO THE SERPENT (AS SHE KNEW IT): "And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, BUT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN, God hath said, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF IT, NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH IT, lest ye die" (Genesis 3:2-3).

THE SERPENT'S FIRST STATEMENT: "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4).

The first lie has often been taught to be this first statement by the serpent to the woman: "Ye shall not surely die." But, that was NOT the first lie. You can discover the first lie in the scriptures for yourself:

FIRST, consider God's commandment given to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17, which must be noted, is AFTER God put the man in the garden, and BEFORE God made the woman for Adam, with verses 21-22 showing us that THE WOMAN COULD NOT HAVE OVERHEARD GOD TELLING THE MAN THE COMMANDMENT.

SECOND, compare what you found in 2:16-17 with the woman's quote in 3:2-3 where she spoke WHAT SHE BELIEVED God had said. (Notice this is BEFORE any statement by the serpent, who had only questioned the woman about God's rule regarding the trees of the garden in 3:1.)

THIRD, it is important to state: IT WAS NOT the woman who was the liar. (For proof, consider 1 Timothy 2:13-14: "Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." This statement would also seem to say that the woman was not the one to change the law when she repeated what she believed it to be.)
This comparison reveals that God's commandment to the man HAD BEEN ADDED UNTO, AND DIMINISHED FROM:

THE WORDS OF GOD WERE ADDED UNTO: "...neither shall ye touch it..." Note: Adam was told to dress and keep the garden. That would mean all the trees would need to be touched (Genesis 2:15).

THE WORDS OF GOD WERE DIMINISHED FROM: The woman wasn't told that the tree with the forbidden fruit was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. She was told not to eat of the "tree in the midst of the garden."
(To see which tree is in the midst of the garden see Genesis 2:9.)

THE COMMANDMENT SEEMS VAGUE. Could she have been unsure which tree contained the forbidden fruit?
Adam was the one given the commandment directly from God. Had Adam passed the law to the woman wrongly? The first lie, as mentioned in John 8:44, isn't recorded as such, but the woman's quote of it INFERS that ADAM, as the first false teacher, TOLD THE FIRST LIE.

Jesus Christ, Moses and Jeremiah warn all people who study God's word to keep it pure, whether they are hearing it or speaking it. (See: Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Matthew, chapters 23 and 24; Revelation 22:18-19; Jeremiah 23:9-40).

All of us who share the scriptures with others must be aware of this warning. It is a big responsibility to keep ourselves out of that family of false teachers (serpents) by preserving TRUTH to our best ability.