ADAM AND EVE—CHRIST AND THE CHURCH: A CONTRAST
BRO. JOHN EDGAR, M.D., of Scotland, sends us the following, saying: "I am sending you a parallel between Adam and Eve and Christ and the Church, and would like your criticism of it." Our only criticism is that it might perhaps better be termed a contrast rather than a parallel:
Adam by his disobedience sold the whole human race into sin and death.
Adam's disobedience consisted in exaltation of self. He ate of the fruit forbidden by God.
The result was humiliation, sorrow and death.
The humiliation was from the perfect human plane to that of human imperfection, the lowest plane of existence in the likeness of God.
Adam's children were begotten after his humiliation. Through the law of heredity they have been "born in sin and shapen in iniquity," and accordingly under condemnation to death.—Rom. 5:12.
Eve was the child of God and was formed from Adam's body. Adam was put to sleep for this purpose.
Eve came into being before the fall. As Adam's bride she shared first his glory, joy and life, and afterwards his humiliation, sorrow and death. She shared the loss of the first dominion, and access to the tree of life was barred against both.
Eve was disobedient first, and then Adam.
Adam was not deceived (I Tim. 2:14). He wilfully transgressed God's law, knowing the result would be everlasting death.
All the blame is placed upon Adam.
Eve shared Adam's transgression of God's will but her responsibility was less. (I Tim. 2:14.) Accordingly, she received the same penalty as Adam, not on her own account, and not through heredity like other members of the human race, but because she was Adam's bride and shared in his transgression. This one-ness is expressed in the name "Adam" given to both.—Gen. 5:2.
Christ by his obedience bought the whole human race for righteousness and life.
Christ's obedience consisted in humiliation of self. He drank of the cup permitted by God.
The result was exaltation, joy and the crown of life (immortality).—John 5:26; Rom. 6:9.
The exaltation was from the perfect human plane to that of the divine nature, the highest plane of existence in the likeness of God.
Christ's children will be begotten after his exaltation. The law of heredity will cease (Jer. 31:29), and each will be given the opportunity of justification unto life.—Rom. 5:18.
The Church-members are children of God and are formed from Christ's body. Christ was put to sleep (death) for this purpose.
The Church came into being after the exaltation. As Christ's Bride she shares first his humiliation, sorrow and death, and afterwards will share his glory, honor and immortality. She will share the gaining of the first dominion (Micah 4:8), and both will be permitted to eat of the tree of life (Rev. 2:7).
Christ was obedient first, and then the Church.
"By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many." (Isa. 53:11.) He voluntarily kept God's law, knowing the result would be death and afterwards a resurrection from the dead to immortality.
All the merit is placed upon Christ.
The Church has shared Christ's obedience to God's will, but her responsibility is less. Accordingly, she will receive the same reward as Christ, not on her own account (Eph. 1:6), and not through heredity, but because she is Christ's Bride and has shared in his obedience unto death. (Rom. 6:3). This one-ness is expressed in the name "Christ," given to both.