The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is one of the most basic Bible stories. Even if you have not read the Bible, you are probably familiar with this story found in Genesis chapter 2. In this story Adam (which means man or mankind) was to tend the Garden. He was alone and was given Eve (which means life or life giver) as a partner. The Garden was perfect and is possibly a picture of the perfect new world created once again in the Revelation 21:1.

Genesis chapter 3 continues the familiar story described as the Fall of Man. The Lord told Adam and Eve that they could eat the fruit of any tree, except one specific tree, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. (At this time man only ate fruits and vegetables. Permission to eat meat was not given until after the Flood of Noah.) The Lord told Adam not to eat of this specific tree in Genesis 2:17. Satan deceived Eve and convinced her to eat the fruit from this forbidden tree. And then she gave some to Adam, who also ate it.

Here we must insert some conjecture, for the Genesis account does not tell us the reason why Adam ate this specifically forbidden fruit. Probably, it was simply because Adam loved Eve, his life partner, his wife. Adam was not deceived. He took the fruit and ate it willingly.

This is where we find the subtle picture of Adam as a type or picture of Jesus. Adam knew that if he ate of the fruit, he would die. Yet he did just that. He willingly ate the fruit. Adam accepted the prospect of death because of his love for Eve.

The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is the second (and last) Adam in First Corinthians 15:45. In Romans 5:14 Paul also describes Adam as a pattern of the one (the second Adam) to come. Paul confirms that Adam is a type of Jesus.

Jesus was not deceived into coming to Earth and taking the form of man. He did so willingly. He also willingly went to the execution of the Cross. He accepted the prospect of death because He loves mankind. We are in the image of the earthly man, Adam. But because of the Salvation offered by Jesus, we are now in His spiritual image; Jesus, the Heavenly man. (First Corinthians 15:49)

Not only was Adam a pattern or picture of Jesus, but the Lord was not surprised when Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying His command. The Lord planned the coming of Jesus for our Salvation from before Creation. Praise His name for that Salvation.