MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
September 30, 2026
God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration
THE PURPOSE OF THE GARDEN OF EDEN HOME
Foundational Texts (KJV)
Gen. 2: 8, 9: “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed. And out of ground made the Lord God 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.”
Col. 1: 16-18: “For by Him (Christ, “the image of the invisible God”) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created BY Him, and FOR Him. And He is BEFORE all things, and BY HIM all things consist. . . For it pleased the Father that IN HIM ALL FULNESS dwell.” (See also Col. 2: 9, 10; Rev. 4: 11).
The Original Home School: The Garden of Eden School
Extract follows from Ellen G. White, Education, pp. 19, 20 (all emphasis and bracketed words provided):
“The system of education instituted at the beginning of the world was to be a MODEL for man THROUGHOUT ALL AFTERTIME.
“As an illustration of its principles a MODEL SCHOOL was established in Eden, the HOME of our first parents.
“The GARDEN OF EDEN was the SCHOOLROOM, NATURE was the LESSON BOOK, the CREATOR Himself was the INSTRUCTOR, and the PARENTS of the human family were the STUDENTS.
“Created to be ‘the image and glory of God’ (1 Cor. 11: 7), Adam and Eve had received ENDOWMENTS not unworthy of their HIGH DESTINY[the Biblical ‘election’/predestination].
“Graceful and symmetrical in form, regular and beautiful in feature, their countenances glowing with the tint of health and THE LIGHT of joy and hope, they bore in their outward resemblance a LIKENESS of their Maker.
“Nor was this likeness manifest in the physical likeness ONLY. Every faculty of mind and soul
REFLECTED the Creator’s glory. Endowed with high mental and spiritual GIFTS, Adam and Eve were made but ‘little lower than the angels’ (Heb. 2: 7), that they might not only DISCERN THE WONDERS OF THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, BUT COMPREHEND MENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS.
“[Gen. 2: 8, 9 quoted]. HERE, AMIDST THE BEAUTIFUL SCENES OF NATURE UNTOUCHED BY SIN, OUR FIRST PARENTS WERE TO RECEIVE THEIR EDUCATION.
“In His interest for His children, our Heavenly Father PERSONALLY directed their education. Often they were visited by His messengers, THE HOLY ANGELS, and from them received counsel and instruction.
“Often as they WALKED in the garden in the cool of the day [not walking or riding any man-made vehicles on ‘streets of gold’ or ‘flying with wings’ in any city of skyscrapers], they HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD, and FACE TO FACE HELD COMMUNION WITH THE IMMORTAL. HIS THOUGHTS toward them were ‘thoughts of peace, and not evil.’ Jer. 29: 11. His EVERY PURPOSE was their highest good.” (End of extract).
NOTE: Where there is life, there is the life of God the Life giver. Everything else man-made, though having the “the form and appearance”, is lifeless, dead—plastic, synthetic, yes, artificial. All these things shall eternally “pass away,” and with “the elements, shall melt with fervent heat” when Christ returns!
Remember dear friend, “Only one life shall soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”- E. G. White.
To be continued next MWM, God enabling. Bless all, NMF.