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thing。
The Garden of Eden remained upon the earth long after man had become an
outcast from its pleasant paths。 The fallen race were long permitted to gaze
upon the home of innocence； their entrance barred only by the watching
angels。 At the cherubim…guarded gate of Paradise the divine glory was
revealed。 Hither came Adam and his sons to worship God。 Here they renewed
their vows of obedience to that law the transgression of which had banished
them from Eden。 When the tide of iniquity overspread the world； and the
wickedness of men determined their destruction by a flood of waters； the
hand that had planted Eden withdrew it from the earth。 But in the final
restitution； when there shall be 〃a new heaven and a new earth〃 （Revelation
21：1）； it is to be restored more gloriously adorned than at the beginning。
Then they that have kept God's commandments shall breathe in immortal vigor
beneath the tree of life； and through unending ages the inhabitants of
sinless worlds shall behold； in that garden of delight； a sample of the
perfect work of God's creation； untouched by the curse of sina sample of
what the whole earth would have become； had man but fulfilled the Creator's
glorious plan。
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Chapter 4
The Plan of Redemption
The fall of man filled all heaven with sorrow。 The world that God had made
was blighted with the curse of sin and inhabited by beings doomed to misery
and death。 There appeared no escape for those who had transgressed the law。
Angels ceased their songs of praise。 Throughout the heavenly courts there
was mourning for the ruin that sin had wrought。
The Son of God； heaven's glorious Commander； was touched with pity for the
fallen race。 His heart was moved with infinite compassion as the woes of the
lost world rose up before Him。 But divine love had conceived a plan whereby
man might be redeemed。 The broken law of God demanded the life of the
sinner。 In all the universe there was but one who could； in behalf of man；
satisfy its claims。 Since the divine law is as sacred as God Himself； only
one equal with God could make atonement for its transgression。 None but
Christ could redeem fallen man from the curse of the law and bring him again
into harmony with Heaven。 Christ would take upon Himself the guilt and shame
of sinsin so offensive to a holy God that it must separate the Father and
His Son。 Christ would reach to the depths of misery to rescue the ruined
race。
Before the Father He pleaded in the sinner's behalf； while the host of
heaven awaited the result with an intensity of interest that words cannot
express。 Long continued was that mysterious communing〃the counsel of
peace〃 （Zechariah 6：13） for the fallen sons of men。 The plan of salvation
had been laid before the creation of the earth； for Christ is 〃the Lamb
slain from the foundation of the world〃 （Revelation 13：8）； yet it was a
struggle； even with the King of the universe； to yield up His Son to die for
the guilty race。 But 〃God so loved the world； that He gave His only…begotten
Son； that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish； but have everlasting
life。〃 John 3：16。 Oh； the mystery of
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redemption！ the love of God for a world that did not love Him！ Who can know
the depths of that love which 〃passeth knowledge〃？ Through endless ages
immortal minds； seeking to comprehend the mystery of that incomprehensible
love； will wonder and adore。
God was to be manifest in Christ； 〃reconciling the world unto Himself。〃 2
Corinthians 5：19。 Man had become so degraded by sin that it was impossible
for him； in himself； to come into harmony with Him whose nature is purity
and goodness。 But Christ； after having redeemed man from the condemnation of
the law； could impart divine power to unite with human effort。 Thus by
repentance toward God and faith in Christ the fallen children of Adam might
once more become 〃sons of God。〃 1 John 3：2。
The plan by which alone man's salvation could be secured； involved all
heaven in its infinite sacrifice。 The angels could not rejoice as Christ
opened before them the plan of redemption； for they saw that man's salvation
must cost their loved Commander unutterable woe。 In grief and wonder they
listened to His words as He told them how He must descend from heaven's
purity and peace； its joy and glory and immortal life； and come in contact
with the degradation of earth； to endure its sorrow； shame； and death。 He
was to stand between the sinner and the penalty of sin； yet few would
receive Him as the Son of God。 He would leave His high position as the
Majesty of heaven； appear upon earth and humble Himself as a man； and by His
own experience become acquainted with the sorrows and temptations which man
would have to endure。 All this would be necessary in order that He might be
able to succor them that should be tempted。 Hebrews 2：18。 When His mission
as a teacher should be ended； He must be delivered into the hands of wicked
men and be subjected to every insult and torture that Satan could inspire
them to inflict。 He must die the cruelest of deaths； lifted up between the
heavens and the earth as a guilty sinner。 He must pass long hours of agony
so terrible that angels could not look upon it； but would veil their faces
from the sight。 He must endure anguish of soul； the hiding of His Father's
face； while the guilt of transgression the weight of the sins of the whole
worldshould be upon Him。
The angels prostrated themselves at the feet of their Commander and offered
to become a sacrifice for man。 But an angel's
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life could not pay the debt； only He who created man had power to redeem
him。 Yet the angels were to have a part to act in the plan of redemption。
Christ was to be made 〃a little lower than the angels for the suffering of
death。〃 Hebrews 2：9。 As He should take human nature upon Him； His strength
would not be equal to theirs； and they were to minister to Him； to
strengthen and soothe Him under His sufferings。 They were also to be
ministering spirits； sent forth to minister for them who should be heirs of
salvation。 Hebrews 1：14。 They would guard the subjects of grace from the
power of evil angels and from the darkness constantly thrown around them by
Satan。
When the angels should witness the agony and humiliation of their Lord； they
would be filled with grief and indignation and would wish to deliver Him
from His murderers； but they were not to interpose in order to prevent
anything which they should behold。 It was a part of the plan of redemption
that Christ should suffer the scorn and abuse of wicked men； and He
consented to all this when He became the Redeemer of man。
Christ assured the angels that by His death He would ransom many； and would
destroy him who had the power of death。 He would recover the kingdom which
man had lost by transgression； and the redeemed were to inherit it with Him；
and dwell therein forever。 Sin and sinners would be blotted out； nevermore
to disturb the peace of heaven or eart