May the FAVOR of the Lord our God be ours.
PROSPER the work of OUR hands! (Psalm 90:17)
Before the fall, Adam was placed in a garden that was the perfect merger of communion with God and perfect work. The Garden was the territory of man's dominion, and in this garden he walked with God in the cool of the day. Everything that Adam put his hand to became productive in his assigned territory. The environment recognized his authority and cooperated with him. He was given dominion over all forces within the sphere of this assignment. It appears that the garden was an expanding project that was meant to fill the earth with God’s glory and dominion. There were adversaries, as we know, because of the existence of a serpent. Adam was to rule over all that militated against his work.
When man fell, the ground was no longer cooperating. Part of the curse was “sweat” related to work, “thorns and thistles” instead of a garden of lush productivity … and death in the dust of the earth.
(Gen 3:18-19) “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field ; By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken ; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”
Now behold another moment in a garden when God fixes the situation. Jesus, whom the Bible calls the “SECOND ADAM“, heroically wrestled the hosts of hell in A GARDEN called Gethsemane. The second Adam lies prostrate on the ground as He SWEATS “great drops of BLOOD” mingled with perspiration … and REVERSES THE CURSE. Where does the blood fall? Into the ground!
(Lk 22:44) “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Within hours of His triumph in the garden, a rough Roman garrison will weave a crown of thorns and beat it into the head of the “Second Adam”, and His noble brow will be pierced with the thorns of the curse. Mankind, vexed with the worries and sweat of earning their bread, is being dealt with finally and forever in this often overlooked aspect of Christ’s atonement.
When the gruesome execution on the Cross is complete and the last drop of blood shed, Second Adam will be laid in a GARDEN TOMB, but the body of the Messiah will not suffer decay like other sons of Adam, because this Adam NEVER SINNED! Death will not hold Him…dust cannot claim Him. He who was the author of life rises triumphant on the third day.
He appears to the disciples as they return toiling all night in search of a catch of fish….that never materialized. The Master tells them to let down their net, and suddenly they are nearly sunk under the weight of their catch. The Second Adam once again demonstrates His power to break the curse of fruitless toil over His disciples.
We have celebrated the power of the Atonement in all other respects as far as sin and death are concerned. It is the last part of this great atonement we will witness in the Last Days. While men toil to “buy and sell” under the mark of a beastly economic oppression, others will demonstrate the “powers of the age to come” by showing the power of the Kingdom.
The ATONEMENT delivered us from sin, demonic oppression, sickness, death AND laboring with thorns and the sweat of our brow.
Access to Paradise is restored. God has a garden for you in your assigned sphere of work. Walk with Him in the cool of the day, and WATCH as earth itself cooperates with the children of the Second Adam. All creation is longing for the manifestation of the sons of God. The Last generation of the sons of Adam will reveal the secret to “no sweat” in the service of God who promised to give you FAVOR and PROSPER the work of YOUR HANDS!
Thanks so much Lance!! I am moved to tears as I behold the goodness of our Father!!!! I just am – don’t have many words to offer… at daybreak He called my name and I have been undone! I then came to the computer to follow up with this word you posted. I am watching to see the fulfillment of the prophetic word for my life in business, but as I wait for that day to become the substance of my faith, the overflow of the life lived out in Christ, in His love and favor and prosperity – I want to be so close to Him – to walk and live and breath this TRUTH – OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING!!!! I am so in love with God, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit …and so I cheer you onto the greater things today!!! GO brother LANCE!!!!
Returning To The Garden!
Thanks Lance , for the age to come with His power,
Its ecourages us so much! Jolanthe and Bob
Nice full circle article with great clarity. Have you expounded on this subject in a book or workbook? I am hungry for more.
Having been completely redeemed from the curse of the law by Jesus becoming the curse for us wherein we have access to the blessing of Abraham through faith, this article just adds so much more information of the freedom we have inherited. Awesome! As One!!!
I always have enjoyed reading your posts. I have found them full of understanding, insight, and many wonderful niggets of wisdom.
This is so encouraging! It pours light and hope to business men and women in the market place.
Dear Lance, you are such a blessing to the Body.
For me it is important to note that Jesus is referred to as the LAST Adam in the Bible.
1 Cor. 15:22, 45
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. . . .
45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
Jesus is the last Adam and the second man, but it is important to note the LAST as this indicates that a third man is not is not necessary. Our Saviour has come, it is finished.
Not trying to be pedantic….just saying 🙂
May ABBA bless you and your family Lance and the work of your hands.
Much love in Christ, Carla.
Thank you, Lance, for sharing that revelation! I am taking a hold of this and walking in my inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.
I felt as though a “light bulb” was turned on when I read this. I have been in ministry for over 20 years, and have never seen the “thorns” nor the “garden” nor the “blood of Jesus going into the ground” tied together like this with the curse being broken. AWESOME! Thank you for making your teachings available like this to everyone. God bless you.
Fascinating! Thank You!