*Answers to questions in our Nov/Dec. 2004 issue

1. What did Paul mean by being "baptized on behalf of the dead?" ( ICor.15:29)

Paul was granted certain spiritual experiences and knowledge of the spiritual world and its connection to the physical world that most of the early followers of Jesus did not (IICor.12:1-). That the saints who had passed on can attain perfection through their unity with the living believers is also a point borne in Hebrews 11: 39-40. Paul is actually saying that the deceased brethern can benefit in and from the salvific acts of the then living.

The Divine Principle calls this dispensation: "Returning Resurrection." God, through His love and his Principle of Restoration, establishes the path wherein those who are deceased will be able to continue their spiritual growth to attain eventual perfection through their participation with those on earth. The essential point is that those on earth possess a physical body, essential for the growth of the spiritual body. The pious acts of those on earth done on behalf of the saints, family members or others in the spirit world will assist them spiritually.
[*Please read section on "Life in the Spirit World" by Dr. Sang Hun Lee, in our previous NHE issues: Jan.-Aug. 2004].

2. Why would Jesus instruct his disciples: "Tell no man that he is the Christ?" (Matt.16:20)

In our NHE issues (See "Topics" in Index column) we have explained that John the Baptist was not convinced about Jesus' messiahship so as to truly unite with him and follow to become one of his disciples. (Mt.11:2-12). John initially testified that Jesus was "the Lamb of God...." but did not actually follow him. (Jn.1:29-37). Because this disunity occurred in the providence between the two central persons, Jesus did not have any solid support foundation to stand on to declare himself to Israel as the Messiah. John was the main person prepared by God to announce Jesus to all of Jerusalem. Not just from a distance, but as an intimate disciple taking instructions from Jesus. (Lk.1:76)

With the loss of John, Jesus was faced with a very difficult task of proclaiming himself to an unbelieving people. Jesus chose to take upon himself the mission of John the Baptist instead. Together with his poor, uneducated disciples, he took on John's mission, instead of the Messiah's role.(Jn.3:26; Mt.11:12; Lk.12:49). Jesus' disciples gave him report that no one believed that he was the Messiah (Mt.16:13-14). Thus "he told them not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah."(vs.20). He was now set on a course to restore John's mistakes, and further, to explain to his disciples that he must go the way of the cross - to be killed.(vs.21).

Contrary to conventional beliefs, the anointed Messiah is not meant to go the way of the cross, but to be victorious over all the enemies of God and be able to establish the eternal Kingdom of God on earth(Lk.1:31-33; Is. 9:6-7, et al.) The "Suffering Servant" prophecy of Isaiah 53 is not meant for the Messiah but for the one who suffers to prepare the way of the Messiah. This pertains to the path of John the Baptist (Lk.1:76-77). John's isolated and unorthodox lifestyle (vs.80) pointed in this particular direction. Jesus only took on this role because of John's failures to unite with him (as mentioned above).

3. Are the two witnesses, olive trees, prophets and lampstands of Revelation chp. 11 speaking of Elijah and Moses?

The two witnesses, two olive trees... of Revelation 11 do not refer to the return of Moses and Elijah on the earth in the last days. The following reasons will elucidate this area of this important prophecy given by God to the churches:

1. The prophecy does not state that there will be a return of theses two spirit men, as Mal.4:5 specified of Elijah's return, at the time of Jesus.
2. It does not state in any form, that there will be a return of anyone from the spirit world. To assume thus (return of spirit persons), is unfounded speculation at best.
3. Spirit persons (those ascended to spirit world) cannot be killed on earth. They already have lost their physical body.(vs.5,7)
4. Spirits persons do not establish residence on earth with physical active ministries throughout the world (vs.3).
5. Elijah's return to earth to conduct a ministry preparing the way of the Lord was not carried out directly by Elijah himself, on earth, but through John the Baptist (son of Zechariah and Elizabeth). The brief visitation of Elijah and Moses (The Transfiguration) took place in spirit form, with Jesus joining them (Matt.17). They did not conduct any mission of earth in a physical body or any such body.
6.The witnesses conducting certain miracles on earth (similar in description to some conducted by Elijah and Moses)do not presuppose same personalities.
7. The special titles of "olive trees and lampstands" ascertain messianic anointing (see Zech.4:11-14) by God. Their mission, which is evident in the prophecy, concludes in the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth (vs.15) - the very mission of the Second Coming of Christ. Their ascension to heaven is also similar to that of Jesus (vs.12; Acts 1:9).

Our NHE article of January 2004 points to a clearer understanding of the above messianic figures.

*Answers to questions in our Sept/Oct. 2004 issue

1. Will Israel be the nation of the Second Coming?

Israel will not be the nation of the Second Coming. Why is this so? The primary reason is that Israel made a critical mistake in not receiving Jesus as the promised Messiah sent by God. In making such a serious providential mistake, this disqualify the original chosen nation from being the birthplace of the Lord of the Second Coming. Does the Bible affirm this point? Yes. In Matt.21:43, Jesus, in his parable of the wicked tenants, told the Jews that "The Kingdom of Heaven will be taken from you and be given to another nation that will bring forth its fruits." (Please read whole parable: 33-43. Don't hesitate to contact us if further clarification is needed).

2. What did Jesus mean when he said:"For all the Laws and Prophets prophesied until John"? Matt.11:13.

John represented the end of the Old Testament age and Jesus the beginning of the New Testament age. If Jesus was accepted this would have been the beginning of the "substantial" Kingdom of God on earth (the real and actual Kingdom), the era of eternal peace for all humanity.(Lk.1:31-33). The coming of Elijah (Mal.4:5) means the conclusion of the age - the last days, the transition between the old and the new. The Old Testament Mosaic law and the messages of the prophets pointed to the times of the last days when God would "write a new Law upon the hearts of His people" and concluding the past. John's time was also the time when God would send his messenger as "the refiner" to refine the hearts, minds and bodies of all His people (Mal.3). The purpose of doing these things is to prepare them to receive His Messiah. Thus, Jesus proclaimed to the people that "John is Elijah who is to come." (Matt.11:14).

John is the messenger who is to accomplish all the prophecies of preparing the nation and the world for the Lord.(Lk.1:16-17,76-79)

3. What was lost due to the crucifixion of Jesus?

In the mind of conventional thinking, it may seem strange to ask the above question, instead of its counterpart: "What was gained...?" However, this question is appropriate from the standpoint that Jesus came to be received as the Promised Messiah who, according to God's revelation, was sent to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth." (Lk.1:31-33; Is.9:6-7; et al).

To make a long explanation short; because of Jesus' rejection and crucifixion, Satan was able to make claim upon the chosen people for their most egregious mistakes. The chosen people and nation (Israel) which God had work so hard to establish (through Abraham and his descendants)were brought to ruin by Satan. Jesus fortold these things to his disciples and the Jews before they had him killed.(Matt.23:29-36; 24:2; Lk.19:42-44). Satan claimed the whole accumulated foundation of God's effort up to, and until the time of Jesus crucifixion. God had to restart His providence after Jesus resurrection based on a new foundation, this time, only having a spiritual base - the resurrected Jesus and the Holy Spirit. On this foundation, Christianity (the Church) which had no sovereign nation became the vehicle to impart spiritual salvation to the world. The substantial sovereign chosen nation (Israel)was lost - the territorial region was renamed "Palestine" by the Roman Emperor, Adrian.

Also, the fruit of 4,000 biblical years of foundation for the Messiah, the divine seed to begin His actual Kingdom, was lost - killed, cut off, on earth. Jesus could only carry on his mission from heaven, with the help of the Holy Spirit. This means that there was no Messiah in the flesh, on earth, to carry out the providence to set up the Kingdom of God. God would have to restart to prepare to send another Messiah (Lord of the Second Advent - Rev. 12:5). This has taken about 2,000 years since Jesus.

* Answers to questions in our August '04 Issue.

1. Why did Jesus pray: "Father, let this cup pass from me...?" (Matt.26:39).

In our July issue we explained that Jesus did not pray out of weakness, because he was afraid for his life (see July answers #1 below). Why did he pray this prayer? He prayed because: 1., he knew the great sorrow that would be wreaked on God's heart because of his premature dead, due to the heavy sin caused by the people rejecting him as the Messiah. 2., He was also aware of the prolongation in the providence that would result as a consequence. This would prove to be a heavy toll of retribution against the Jewish people and nation. Satan would strike them heavily because their heavenly protection would be removed as a result. 3., Mankind also would suffer, because Israel, as the chosen people, represented all the nations of the world before God.

Jesus saw in the pattern of God's past providence where Jacob, who was threatened to be killed by his brother Esau, left home, and went to his uncle Laban, in Haran, in order to avoid his plot (Gen.27:41-45). He had the hope of returning home at a later date. Likewise, Moses also fled Egypt into the Midian wilderness to avoid being killed when his own people, the Israelites, reported him to the Pharaoh for killing an Egyptian. He (Moses) also returned at a later date to continue his mission.(Ex.1:11-15)

In understanding this strategy in the workings of God's central figures, Jesus saw a possibility in his course to embark on a similar path.

These are the deeper reasons for Jesus' prayer. It was not because he was weak and scared for his life.

2. Why did Jesus not know the time of the Second Coming? (Matt.24:26).

According to Jesus, he is aware of the season, or the conditions and environment favoring the coming of the Lord of the Second Coming,(e.g. Matt.24:14) but he himself does not know precicely the exactly time of the Second Coming. Why is this so? The reason is; it is God Himself (Heavenly Father)who is directly in charge of conducting the details of the providence (Acts 1:6-7)which is based on the step by step development of His will according to the fulfillment of man's portion of responsibility. God appoints and anoints particular central figures to fulfill a certain "foundation of faith and a foundation of substance" in order to establish the "foundation for the Messiah" to be born.

It is He (God Himself) who approves and blesses the result of what is accomplished by the central figures. When all the necessary conditions of faith and substance are finalized, then the conception and birth of the coming Lord will take place. This is similar to Mother Mary receiving specific notification from God about her being selected to give birth to Jesus (Lk.1:28-31, the first coming).

We therefore see in Rev. 12:5, a parallel providential situation to Mary's time: the birth of the Returning Lord. This "Male Child" is not Jesus, himself, but the Lord of the Second Coming who comes in the flesh to complete the providence on Earth (12:10). Jesus, himself, is already in heaven, he will return "in spirit" (Acts 1:11)to working with the Lord of the Second Coming (Re.2:26-28; 3:12; Jn.14:23). *This "principle of spiritual return" is established by God and must be clearly understood by us (please read Ezk.37:24,25 (Jesus=David); Matt.11:14 (John=Elijah).

Jesus, himself, would not have known in advance this particular historical timing. But he would be aware of the circumstances and conditions leading up to it.

3. Can spirit persons be liberated or saved from Hell? Why did Jesus go into Hell to preach?(1 Peter 3:18-20).

Yes, spirits who are suffering in Hell can be liberated. They, of themselves, cannot avoid their fate because of the sinful life that they have lived. They are in Hell because of the consequence of their actions and their lifestyles. However, God through His great grace, has provided a way by which they can be resurrected to higher levels of the spirit world, through a special dispensation. The principle of this dispensation we call "returning resurrection." In returning resurrection, they (the spirit persons)are able to be resurrected through establishing union with those of similiar character, mission, blood ties, etc., on earth. St. Paul speaks to this effect in I Cor. 15:29; we also see this principle in the process of the perfection of the saints who have already passed on (Heb.11:39-40).

Hell, itself is not eternal, neither is spiritual death (1Cor.15:26; Rev.20:13-14), these occurred after the fall of Adam and Eve. God's consuming fire of truth and love (judgment) will purify all evil- doers.(Is.66:24;Mal.3:2-4:1; Heb.12:29).

Jesus, who is "the resurrection and life," went into Hell to preach to those who were in prison.(1Pet.3:18-20) Those who would accept him and receive his words would be given this special dispensation so that they could resurrect. The saints of the Old Testament could also participate in the process of returning resurrection after Jesus had resurrected. (Matt.27:52-53).

* Answers to questions in July 2004 issue

1. Was Jesus scared for his life when he prayed: "Father let this cup pass from me?" (Matt.26:39)

The conventional Christian view of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, quoted above, is that Jesus was afraid of dying, because of his human nature - the weakness of his flesh (as contrasted to his divine nature). This view is highly absurd and is a great insult to our Lord Jesus. It is definitely not inspired by the Holy Spirit. We encourage everyone to desist from propagating such cowardly view of our Lord.

Why is it false? Firstly, Jesus was sinless and absolutely dedicated to the will of heaven. He was willing to give his life 10,000 times over if through it he could completely establish the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth; which was what God wanted originally. Being sinless, Satan had no base in him to cause him to fear for his life.

Secondly, Jesus would be a false messiah if he was afraid of giving his life as a ransom to save fallen mankind. He would be disqualified before God, and 100% qualified before Satan.

Thirdly, Jesus himself responded to such speculation, in Jn.12:27 (please read).

Fourthly, He would be contradicting his own righteousness and resolve to build the Kingdom of God. He commanded everyone that if they wanted to be his disciple they should "sacrifice even their life" to follow him. (Lk.14:26) In the same spirit, he told them, "Anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven." (Lk. 9:62)

Fiftly, Jesus told all those who were crying for him, to :"Weep not for me, but for yourselves and your children...." He did not seek their pity to console him.

Was Nathan Hale greater than Jesus? Let us speak worthily of our Lord.

Why did Jesus pray this prayer? We will explain here, in next month's Q & A.

2. If Jesus came to die for our sins, why was he (and his disciples) so angry with the Jews for rejecting him (e.g., Jn.8:37-59; Lk.23:13-39;Acts 7:51-54)?

Jesus did not initially come to be crucified in order to save mankind from sin. It was not his primary course. And especially, not to be rejected by the chosen people whom God had worked so hard to prepare to receive him, even sending John the Baptist to "make the way straight" for him. It was a tragic mistake that "the Jews did not believe him to be the Promised Messiah." (Jn.6:29; 8:24).

Receiving him as the Promised Messiah would have opened the way for complete salvation of the Jews and the full realization of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. This was prophesied in Is. 9:6-7 and revealed through Gabriel in Lk. 1:31-33.

The Bible, as a whole, is loaded with scriptures foretelling the victory of the glorious Messiah and His eternal Kingdom. But first, he must be received, loved and followed. Here lies the test of faith and the portion of man's responsibility in the providence of God. Jesus was angry because he poured out his heart to the fullest hoping that they would believe him, but still the chosen people would not receive him. Even Moses, from a great distance, commanded the Jews to receive "the prophet" (Jesus) when he came. (Deut.18:15-19; Acts 3:22).

Rejection of the Messiah leaves the only alternative: "the way of the cross." (Is.53:3; Jn.8:28; Acts 7:52b). It is man's response to the will of God that determines the result in God's providence (an important point that we should understand clearly).

If the Jews had believed in Jesus, as he wanted them to(Jn.6:29), they certainly would not have crucified him, but would have done what God wanted them to do: "believe and follow His Messiah."

3. Why did John the Baptist not follow Jesus?

In brief, John did not follow Jesus because he was not convinced in his heart that he (Jesus) was the Messiah. (Matt.11:2,3) In other words, he doubted the revelation he received from God after the Spirit had left him.(Jn.1:33-34)
In real terms, John's expectation of the Messiah was much higher that what he saw of Jesus. He, very likely, compared himself to Jesus and looked at him in a mundane manner. Seeing him as a persecuted, homeless, and in many ways, unsuccessful in being able to convine the leaders of Israel to follow him. Which, in fact, was his mission, to go infront of Jesus to rally everyone to believe and follow him. Two of John's disciples followed, but he himself did not commit. (Jn.1:37)

Answers to questions in our June 2004 issue

1. What is man's true purpose of life?
To understand man's true purpose of life we must go to God who created him at the beginning. It is the creator of an object who determines its purpose and not the object (the created entity) itself.

In Genesis 1:28, the purpose of man is laid out by God. Man is blessed to "Be fruitful, multiply and have dominion over all things of creation." The purpose of man's life is embodied in fulfilling what we call, "the Three Great Blessings" of God. How to understand and fulfill these Blessings are the key.

A conventional response to the question may invoke praise and worship, often expressed in a liturgical sense. However, prior to the fall of Adam and Eve, there were no churches, no need for prayers and hymnals, etc. Man's true purpose must therefore be understood in the original sense, that is: the natural heart to heart relationship of love between God and man, Adam and Eve, and man and creation. The natural result of fulfilling the Three Great Blessings given by God is neverending joy and happiness. This is the glory of attaining individual perfection, family perfection and perfection of lordship over all things (including the angels).

Succinctly, man's true purpose of life is to attain and give true joy and happiness to God by fulfilling the Three Great Blessings.

2. Why did God not send Jesus in Adam's family instead of 4,000 biblical years later?
From our reasoning, it would have been much easier to restore Adam's family (which consisted of only a few people) immediately after the fall, instead of waiting for 4,000 years, after much pain and suffering of God and man, and of a great population of people on the earth.

Though it may not be very clear to many of us, God works by His Principles in His effort to restore man to his original position. Also, for God to restore man to his proper status, man must fulfill his portion of responsibility before God. This is something that God Himself cannot do for man.

God wanted to sent the Messiah in Adam's family, but due to many failures by Adam's family members (such as Cain killing of Abel), the providence to send the Messiah became prolonged. Later, the unbearable state of corruption on the earth (Gen.6:6)led God to annihilate everyone, except Noah's family. Due to each failure there is prolongation of the providence of restoration.

Abraham's mistake, Moses sin, failures from Saul to Solomon and of the succeeding kings and people of israel. These ongoing failures by central figures and the masses all contributed to continuing extension of the providence of restoration which in turn caused the delay of God sending the Messiah.

4,000 biblical years after Adam the conditions were right due to certain cumulative successes and victorious foundations of faith and substance (e.g. Mary's cooperation with God by risking her life to give birth to Jesus).

3. What was

The T-K/G&E occurs only in Genesis. In comparison to the T/L, it can be said to symbolize "the immaturity of man" - having the potential to realize both good and evil actions.

The Divine Principle concludes that the Tree of Life in Eden was a symbol of Adam's perfection, and the T-K/G&E symbolized Eve, standing beside him. As a woman, she has the ability to give birth to good or evil children, depending on the quality of her love. God's warning to Adam meant that he should not partake of her love while in their immature stage, otherwise he would surely fall. In other words, the act of immature love (premature sexual intercourse)is unprincipled and illicit, and would result in spiritual death (separation from God). (*Note: Solomon makes extensive use of the metaphor; "eating of the fruit" to mean; "making love with his beloved" in the Song of Solomon 2:1-7;4:9-16;5:1; and 7:6-8.)

Sexual impropriety comes to light through the many subtle clues mentioned in the Genesis narrative, examples: "They were naked and unashamed, but after the fall, they hid their lower parts, being afraid of their nakedness."(2:25;3:10 ) Likewise, the fruit was "a delight to the eyes and desiring to make one wise."(3:6 -compare Ezk.24:15, 18) This is referring to the emotional excitement of love and the awareness it brings when experienced. Also, "'Their eyes became opened' and they saw that they were naked,"(3:7) points to the fact that their sexual experience opened them to a new reality of knowledge -the realm of conjugal love. In this case, "unprincipled" conjugal love. That new awareness of knowledge became the basis for Adam to "know" Eve, thus giving birth to Cain.(4:1)

The problem of their sexual involvement was essentially that it was premature, unprincipled and therefore, illicit. More serious; it was influenced and motivated by satanic influence.(3:13)

Answers to questions in our May 2004 issue

1. Did God actually create man and the universe in six literal days (i.e., 24 hr periods)?

The biblical narrative of the Genesis creation is essentially an overview of the process of God's creative acts in the beginning. In relating the chronological stages, the Bible uses the word "day" in different senses. We see at least four different ways in which the word "day" is used: First, in 1:5a, the word "day" denotes "light" as it contrasts to darkness.

Second, "...first day" (1:5b) denotes "a period or length of time," such as an epoch or era. The text states that "There was evening and morning, the first day." As is commonly known, an evening and morning do not comprise a normal day. There is "night" between an evening and morning. After midnight, a new day (a second day) begins. In Rev. Moon's Divine Principle it is explained that, "A created being realizes its perfection in the morning. The night symbolizes the period of its growth and development." We can conclude that "day" is used in a symbolic manner.

Third, "day" (1:14a-16) means "daytime" as in sunrise to sunset.

Fourth, "...and for 'days,' and years" (1:14b). Here, "day" would be referring to a 24 hour period as it comprises a typical day (seven days = one week, 365 days = one year).

Fifth, in 2:17, after the creation, we encounter: "...in the 'day' you eat of it...." It is evident here, that God means: in "the moment" you eat of it. Spiritually speaking, an act of violation against God's direction has immediate consequence.

In conclusion, it becomes obvious that "the six days of creation" were not actual literal days, but "periods of time;" epocs, eras or stages established by God to bring everything to completion. Stages comparable to the geological periods discovered in the field of modern science -Cosmozoic, Azoic, Archeozoic, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, and Cenozoic eras.

2. How can we prove that evolution is true or false?

By spiritually and physically observing the consistent, unchanging laws and principles in existence, their operations in directing and controlling life, and the many processes that sustain life, we can come to a clear understanding that Darwin's theory is not true. Life and its principles (Principles of Creation) are purposeful, innovative, sensitive and directional. They are the products of an Original Cause (God) who is the source of all true qualities.

God embodies the original emotion, intellect and will; also, original internal nature (heart/mind) and original external form (power/energy), and, original masculinity and femininity. All His attributes are projected into creation (Rom.1:20); directly in man (Gen.1:27), and symbolically in all things (1:1-25). There is an internal nature and an external form to man, likewise, in all entities and forces in existence in the physical world. There is also no exception to the male/female or positivity/negativity dual characteristics that define all entities. Existence, multiplication and action take place based on God's Principle of Creation through "give and take action."

New life emerges not by random forces acting upon some abitrary object, as Darwin postulates but, by the consistent and unchanging give and take principle of male and female or positive and negative partners interacting and uniting to bring about the same result under the same conditions. This has been repeating itself over millions of years since their initial creation. For example, man and woman (as subject and object partners) engaged in the give and take of love have always and will always produce a human child (an offspring of their own kind). Species that have been in existence for millions of years (by the estimate of modern science), e.g., Alligators, turtles, etc., still produce their own kind, today. Somehow, Darwin's strange assertions just do not seem to take hold on any of these creatures of wonder.

Even when he resorts to using variants in genetic mutations and subtle adaptations in species (that in the end proved to be reversible) because of particular environmental conditions, he still is unable to justify his case.

The earth still spins on its axis and revolves around the sun as it has been doing for billions of years. The earth and the sun have not evolved into other things. If evolution was true, they (the earth, sun and other objects in space) should have been giant living creatures walking around by now. Sounds ridiculous? Well, such are the theory and the conclusions of evolution.

3.According to God's original purpose, is marriage essential for everyone?

A direct and truthful answer is, yes. But, why? According to God's first (original) words of blessing to man, he should be: "fruitful, multiply and have dominion over all things." Gen.1:28.

Without marriage (the union of male and female, man and woman) under the blessing of God, man cannot complete himself and cannot come to fully resemble God's own nature, which is the harmony (or oneness) of masculinity and femininity. He also cannot reproduce himself without marriage. God's conclusion that "It is not good for the man to be alone" (2:18) aptly shows the discomfort of His heart in seeing man in a lonely state unable to complete himself in love and is displaced from the harmony that is evident in all of His other creations. Everything becomes "very good" when a female counterpart (a woman-Eve) is created for Adam. On the basis of God's wisdom of love and His desire to have man fulfill His purpose of creation, He then mandated marriage for all of Adam and Eve's descendants (2:24).

Confusion that has arisen due to certain statements by St. Paul concerning "remaining single or getting married" (1Cor. chapter 7)occur because of the interim standards necessary in the course of restoration of fallen man to help him to prepare himself to receive the Messiah so that he can return to his original position before God. Jesus explains in Matt.19:5 what God's original standard from Eden was:"to become one flesh through marriage."

*See also Feb./March, 2004, question/Answer #2 below.

Answers to questions raised in "April 2004 Issue"

1. How was Adam, before the fall, different from Jesus?
In the Bible, Adam and Jesus are the incarnations of God's word. That is, God's idea or plan sustantiated in flesh.(Gen.2:7; Jn.1:14). Both are created in the image and likeness of God (Gen.1:26,27; Col.1:15; Heb.1:3; 2:17). Both are regarded as "sons of God." Adam was to have fulfilled God's original purpose: 1) becoming individually perfected, 2) creating a true family, and 3), becoming lord of creation (Gen1:28). Adam (prior to the fall) and Jesus embodied the purity and goodness of God. Due to the fall of Adam, however, he failed to accomplish God's ordained purpose for man.

Adam, due to his fall, lost his divine nature and became corrupted through sin. Jesus overcame Satan's temptation and perfected his divine nature (becoming one with God) as an individual (Matt.4:10; Heb.5:8; Jn.10:30).

Adam should have attained what Jesus accomplished, that is, individual perfection (Matt.5:48).

Through Jesus' victory over Satan, he became the perfected Adam, or, second Adam. Paul calls him "the last Adam." (1Cor.15:45).

2. What does it mean, "God created man in His own image...." (Gen.1:27)?

The very nature of God is: Heart (the essential impulse to love),Logos (word, idea or plan) and Creativity. According to the Divine Principle of Rev. Moon, God's nature embodies the dual characteristics of internal character and external form (similar to mind and body) and of masculinity and femininity/positivity and negativity.

In creating man in His image and likeness, God made him to reflect His divine character: heart, logos and creativity; and His divine image of masculinity and femininity as man and woman. Man, therefore, as male and female, truly and wholesomely reflect God's attributes. The pair system of male/female or positivity/negativity is reflected through all creation.

3. What is the greatest secret of the universe?

The greatest secret of the universe is that God exists as the "Parent of all humankind" and manifests His ideal of the "parent-child" relationship throughout the universe through love, life and lineage centering upon universal give and take action.

The give and take action of love between male and female, positive and negative paired partners produces new life and creates lineage. This, essentially, is accomplished through sexual action, and is the key to understanding the mystery of life. Through sexual activity, the position of parents can be established. God gave birth to his children, Adam and Eve, from "His own being" (Gen.2:7b) - His original masculinity and original femininity (Gen.1:27). He then made sexual interaction the key principle for their multiplication as He had done for all things in creation (1:22). Without give and take action of love there is no production of energy for existence, multiplication and action. Without give and take action love cannot be consummated and lineage cannot emerge. God's ideal would not be able to be realized.

4. Does everything happen according to the foreknowledge of God?

According to the Bible, not everything happens according to the foreknowledge of God. This, however, does not mean that God does not have the power to know all things beforehand. Is there a contradiction? Not really.

God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Therefore, He possesses the power to know all things, "if" He so desires. God, however, created man to be his child, and to have a relationship governed by heart and love. God's principle of creation respects man's freedom and his right to excercise his portion of responsibility to voluntarily reciprocate God's love and, to initiate love towards God. God, based upon honoring love, does not need to intervene with the power of onmiscience into every act of man.

In the Garden of Eden, for example, God did not tell Adam and Eve that they were going to fall, rather, He said; "Do not eat,... for in the day that you do, you shall surely die." In other words, "if" they fail to follow His commandment, "then," they would die. Likewise, we see in Leviticus chapter 26; Deuteronomy chapter 28:1,15; 30;10; 2Chron.7:14,19; et al, that the onus of responsibility to fulfill the covenant relationship between God and man, rests with man. Thus, God lays down before man a conditional "if." He, therefore, does not need to interfere into man's portion of responsibility through foreknowledge.

One of many biblical examples shows this to be true; after putting Abraham through a severe test of offering up his only son Isaac, God, at the point of Abraham making the sacrifice, said; "...now I know that you fear God...."

Isaiah chapter 5:1-7 shows us the total investment of God in fulfilling His portion of responsibility for the sake of attaining His will, however, though He "looked for" and expected good results, it turned out to be the contrary. Matt.27:37-39 (Jesus' parable of the wicked tenants)shows a similar case. It is common knowledge from scripture that God is able to turn away, that is, "hide His face, close His eyes, shut His ears" to suspend his involvement with evil and hardhearted man, He is not enslaved by foreknowledge, but is bound by His principle of love.

Feb/March 2004 Issue: Questions and Answers

The Bible, in Gen.1:1, explains that "In the begining God created the Heavens and the Earth...." "The Heavens" represent the Spirit World and "the Earth" represents the Universe - the physical world, as a whole; the planet Earth being the center-stage of focus and womb of the physical world. The Spirit World which is the eternal world, is likened to God's internal nature (heart and mind) and the physical world, to God's external "form" (power and energy). God created man's physical body as a microcosm of the physical world and his spiritual body as a microcosm of the spirit world.(2:7)

The purpose therefore of the physical world is to be the base or foundation (as an object partner) for give and take with the spirit world so that God's universal love can be perfected in a substantial manner. Man is the center and medium through which the spirit world and the physical world should harmonize.(Ps.8:5-6). He also was created to become the perfect object partner of God's heart. The very body in which the Spirit of God would dwell. 1Cor.6:19; Rev.21:3).

Man's physical body is the soil for the growth of his spirit. The spirit of man grows by receiving God's life elements (from His word and love)and vitality elements received from acts of faith, obedience and love toward God and others.

Through fulfilling the three great blessings bestowed upon him by God (Gen.1:28), man would come to perfectly embody the fulness of God's being (Divine Character and Form) and bring all things into oneness with himself and with God.(Rom.8:19)

God's Purpose of Creation to realize true joy and happiness throughout the whole cosmos would thus become completed, actualizing the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.

2. Why did God create all beings in a pair system?

The Bible informs us that God created all things after its kind, "male and female," then blessed them. (Gen.1:20-22). After creating Adam as a lonely male, He said: "It is not good that he be alone" (2:18), He then created Eve as "an helper" for him. Man was therefore created in His image and likeness as "male and female." On that foundation, God said it was "very good." He then blessed them to be fruitful, multiply and have dominion. (1: 26-28).

Why then this "pair system?" This is so, because only through the pair system of "subject and object partners" can life, love and lineage become substantiated before God. In other words, the pair system is essential to accomplish His purpose of creation. New life can be brought into existence through the give and take of love (male and female love organs), love also can be perfected through the responsible and creative activities (centering on God's purpose of creation) of male and female partners bringing into being the quality and position of "parental heart." A "heart" in oneness with God's heart.

Lineage which refers to the continuity of blood line through generations (from ancestors to descendants)is established through love and life. Through lineage, greater levels of perfection of love can be realized and eternity persists.

The harmony of male and female partners is essential to wholesomely fulfill God's ideal of creation for man and all things.

3. Were Adam and Eve created as adults or infants? How can we tell?

It is the traditional belief that Adam and Eve were created as adults (the premise being; God can do whatever He wants). However, it is most important to understand that God works by His "Principle of Creation" in harmony with His heart and Logos (idea/plan) which embody His: intellect, emotion, will; original law, concepts, and mathematical principles. A close look at the biblical narrative of the creation process in Genesis shows that God created "time and space" as the media (or environments) for man and all things. (1:1,14). Further, we observed that as time elapsed, there were "seeding, then growth and development" for each plant and herb. These creative stages marked their beginning point (e.g.,1:12; 2:5,9 - " ... brought forth...; sprung up; Out of the ground...made to grow...." etc.).

"The Blessings" given by God, were also to unfold through time and space in a particular order. (1:22,28).

Specifically concerning Adam and Eve, they were created in time and space and also blessed. The Divine Principle of Rev. Moon calls the stage of them being "formed," (2:7) the "Formation stage" as compare to a later, "Growth stage" and "Completion stage." These three stages, observed in God's creation, are the universal growing stages for man and all things. Adam and Eve were to have grown through childhood, adolescence and then into adulthood. It is evident that God gave them the commandment when they had reached an appropriate age of being able to understanding its significance.

We can discern from the text that Adam and Eve were not perfected adult beings because they had to be given a commandment (2:16-17). In addition, a perfected man and woman cannot fall, and cannot be deceived by other beings (3:1-6). A perfected person is one with God's heart and truth, and cannot spiritually stumble - Matt.4:3-4(see Feb/Mar. 2004, article on "Sexuality in the Last Days"). Eve, and later, Adam became focused on the object, "the fruit" (3:6) instead of on God, the source of true "pleasure and wisdom." It is not becoming of perfected persons to be so unwise.

God created through His "Principle and Process of Creation." A true understanding of His Principles expressed in Creation and in the Bible will help us to have a more accurate understanding of His ways (which harmonize the scientific and the spiritual-miraculous). This is essential for proper biblical interpretation and as corrective to naturalistic pseudo-scientific theories about man and creation.

4. God must have known the fall of Adam and Eve was taking place. Why did He not interene?

It is safe to infer that, based on God's omniscience and omnipotence He knew that the fall of Adam and Eve was taking place before it was brought to conclusion. An obvious question would be; "Why did He not intervene?

The Divine Principle gives three reasons:
1) "God wanted to maintain the absoluteness and perfection of the Principle of Creation. If God were to interfere with human actions during their growing period, it would be tantamount to ignoring human reponsibility." The principle of man fulfilling his portion of reponsibility would be nullified. "God would be disregardintg His own Principle of Creation."

2) That God alone be the Creator

Because God is absolute and good, He only governs that which is principled. He does not regulate any unprincipled existence or act. Should He do so, this would be tantamount to acknowledging and recognizing such reality as principled and as a part of His creation (see Gen.3:22-24).

Satan was the instigator and manipulator of the fall. God would be accepting his actions as a part of His creation.

3) God wanted to make Adam and Eve the Lords of Creation:

God created and blessed man to have dominion over all creation (1:28). Adam and Eve were to have proved themselves worthy by being faithful and true before God in abiding by the commandment. Only by perfecting themselves through their portion of responsibility, based on the Principle of Creation, would they be given Lordship over all things.

If God were to have intervened in their acts, this would mean that they would not be qualified to take full responsibility to rule the universe (analogous to a teacher doing an exam for a student). In light of this principle, Jesus said: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." (Matt.16:24).