The City of God and the City of Man - Genesis 3-4, Revelation 17, 21

Introduction to the two cities: In Genesis we see a "Tale of Two Cities." The entire story of the Bible is about two competing civilizations: the City of Man (originating with Cain) and the City of God (flowing through Abel, Abraham, Noah, and the righteous line).

Marriage and God’s character (Genesis 2): Creation is God’s self-revelation, and marriage is a profound picture of our relationship with Him. Just as Adam was told to leave his father to hold fast to his wife, Jesus (the second Adam) left His Father to join Himself to us, His bride.

The vocation of Eden: The Garden of Eden was God’s throne and sanctuary on earth. Our original vocation was to guard God's throne and act as gardeners, spreading His paradise across the earth. We see this principle of creation and cultivation continually throughout scripture.

The Two Religions (Cain and Abel):

 - Abel’s offering: Abel acted as a priest/worship leader in the garden. He understood that forgiveness required blood, so he offered a lamb. His messy, bloody altar was a direct picture of Jesus Christ, salvation, and redemption.

 - Cain’s offering: Cain brought a false religion of works. He brought an ornate, elegant offering of vegetables, believing he could prove to God that he was good enough for heaven.

 - The difference: Christianity is the only religion where God comes down to man! Every other religion is man trying to work his way up to God (Cain's way).

The city of man today: When rejected, Cain committed the first murder. He produced a violent society, which is the society we currently live in. We see the spirit of Cain and rebellion everywhere in our culture today. Mankind inherently wants to play God, harbors vengeance, and resents authority. A glaring example is abortion, which operates as a dark sacrament saying, "Your body is given for me."

The purpose of thorns: God allows thorns (afflictions, trials, difficult people) in our lives to mature us. Affliction is God's sheepdog used to bring wandering sheep back. The greatest crop we can grow in this life is a relationship with God.

The ark as salvation (Genesis 6): Because of humanity's continuous evil, God brought judgment but provided the Ark. The Ark is a wooden instrument of salvation that acts as a coffin for our old selves. Just as Noah was shut into the Ark by God and safely brought through the waters of judgment into a new world, we are shut into Christ (baptism/resurrection).

The ultimate destiny: We're currently living in the spiritual Babylon (Revelation 17), a society drunk on rebellion. However, we are actively building and looking toward the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21). We are homesick for a restored Eden where God will wipe away every tear, and we will finally see His face!