Series ALLUSIONS, IMAGES, SYMBOLS with Pastor Mark Finley |
Lesson 2.The Genesis Foundation |
The Roots of Truth – Why the Beginning Matters |
Lesson 2 takes us back to the beginning of the Bible, where many decisive truths are revealed for the first time. In Genesis, God lays the foundation for central spiritual concepts such as love, sacrifice, death, and redemption. These first mentions help us to better understand the depth and continuity of biblical teachings. Particularly for the study of prophecy, it is important to know the original meanings of these themes. The Bible does not begin with Genesis by chance – it begins where God’s great plan becomes visible. Whoever understands this beginning can better follow the red thread of the redemption story all the way to Revelation.
Memory Text: John 1,29 – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ ”
Content:
2.1 The Principle of “First Mention”
The Origin of Truth: Why the Beginning Matters
The principle of “first mention” emphasizes that fundamental biblical truths are introduced already in Genesis and unfold throughout the entire Bible. These early passages serve as keys to understanding later biblical teachings and prophecies. The truths revealed by God do not change over time but are deepened and expanded through repeated emphasis. In a world where truth is often seen as relative, this principle offers a firm foundation for spiritual growth. It reminds us how important it is to take the Bible as an infallible source of divine truth seriously. Subtle attacks on this foundation can occur through philosophical trends or seemingly “new insights” that seek to lead us away from biblical truth.
2.2 Understanding God’s Love
Divine Love: More Than a Feeling – A Selfless Devotion
Understanding God’s love means growing beyond our egocentric perspective and recognizing the essence of true, self-sacrificing love. In Genesis 22, we encounter the first biblical mention of “love” in connection with Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son. This story reflects the profound, selfless love of God, who gave His own Son for us. Such love stands in stark contrast to the modern, often self-centered understanding of love. It is neither comfortable nor romantic, but courageous, humble, and sacrificial. Only through God’s help can we begin to live out this love and pass it on to others.
2.3 Isaac’s Question: “Where is the Lamb?”
“Where is the Lamb?” – The Question That Runs Through the Bible
Isaac’s question “Where is the Lamb?” runs like a red thread through the entire Bible and finds its complete answer in Jesus Christ. Already in Genesis 22, God symbolically hints at the forthcoming sacrifice of His own Son. The Lamb becomes the central image of redemption, spanning from Passover through the prophets to Revelation. In John 1:29, John the Baptist points to Jesus and prophetically answers Isaac’s question: “Behold, the Lamb of God.” This Lamb is our substitute, who dies in our place – without Him, we would be subject to judgment. The assurance that Jesus intercedes for us grants hope, peace, and the foundation for our redemption.
2.4 Dealing with Death
The Enemy of Life – And the Hope Beyond Death
Death is not “part of life” but its adversary – an unnatural intruder in God’s creation. The Bible makes it clear that death is the consequence of sin, a separation from the Creator who is the sole source of life. Already in the early chapters of Genesis, it is shown how profoundly death destroys human life – and how painful its consequences are, especially in the story of Cain and Abel. Yet through Jesus Christ, the Righteous, who was unjustly killed like Abel, God confronts death with a definitive solution. Jesus’ victory over death, evidenced by His resurrection, gives us hope beyond the grave. Without this hope, our life would ultimately be aimless – but through Christ, it has received an eternal perspective.
2.5 The Serpent
The Old Serpent in New Guise – Satan’s Unchanging Tactics
The introduction of the serpent in Genesis 3 reveals Satan’s main strategy: to sow doubt about God’s word and character. This same tactic runs throughout the entire Bible up to Revelation, where the devil is once again portrayed as the deceiver of the whole world. Although societal forms and ideologies change, Satan’s goals and methods remain constant – he wants worship for himself and leads people there through deception. In today’s culture, his lies appear in new packaging: promises of godlike self-determination or the denial of eternal consequences. Christians are called to remain vigilant, firmly grounded in God’s truth, in order to see through the enemy’s masks. God’s word and character remain unchanged – that is our security in the great battle.
2.6 Summary
Back to the Beginning – Understanding the Key Themes of the Bible
Lesson 2 takes us back to the roots of faith – into the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Genesis is more than just an account of the origin of the world; it lays the foundation for central biblical themes such as love, sacrifice, death, and redemption. Many terms and symbols that play a significant role in prophecy appear here for the first time. The so-called principle of “first mention” helps us to properly classify and better understand these themes. Those who know the origins will recognize deeper connections as the Bible unfolds and can grasp God’s plan more clearly. That is why a solid understanding of Genesis is indispensable for any serious study of prophecy.
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