The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1755 Figtree kc 2-2

First of all, would it surprise you to know that the word "apple"
is not even mentioned anywhere in the Book of Genesis?

Check it out for yourself. You see, Satan wants you to believe that the "forbidden fruit" Adam and Eve partook of was literal fruit just like an apple. This is a prime example of taking that which is used figuratively to be the literal thing (or place or person) used symbolically to graphically depict something else.

Figures of speech are so overlooked in God's Word that I'm sure if we were to read in the New Testament that the apostle Paul "got into hot water" that there would be churches teaching that in order to be in good standing among their members you would have to "get into hot water" yourself. Of course there would be division and disagreement among the denominations and "scholars" as to what temperature actually constitutes "hot" as opposed to just "warm" and how much hot water a person should actually get into, i.e. should one step into hot water just up to his knees or waist or should one become totally immersed in hot water. And if you looked up the word "water" in any Greek dictionary it would certainly mean H2O, like rain. Yet the phrase he "got into hot water" has absolutely nothing to do with water! It is a figure of speech which means he "got into trouble"!

Maybe this hot water scenario sounded a bit ridiculous to you but you should just see some of the ludicrous things churches teach and have their people do because of their ignorance of His Word. Do you not think Satan would be laughing his fool head off at watching Christians getting into pools of "hot water"? Well guess what? He is laughing his fool head off at Christians who think Eve was deceived by a snake who talked her into eating an apple from a fruit tree! Good grief Charlie Brown!

You see, the word "serpent" is simply one of the symbolic names of Satan that describes him according to his low-life character. He is also called the dragon, the little horn, the vile person, the son of perdition, the Devil, Satan, Lucifer, the morning star (Isa. 14), etc. Spiritually speaking, he is a "snake" alright! He is a sneaky, no-good, low-down, yellow-bellied, lying, conniving "serpent"! Rev. 20:2 "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." But you know what? He is also the most beautiful and charismatic individual you will ever encounter, a charming one indeed! You can read all about this highly intelligent glistening one, "perfect in beauty", in the 28th chapter of Ezekiel. He does not look like this:

Ok, then what about the fruit and the trees? They are also symbolic. Trees are used throughout the scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, to symbolize people. God's elect are called "Cedars of Lebanon" because the roots of the cedar go as deep as the tree is tall and therefore those trees cannot be easily shaken or uprooted. Jesus Christ is symbolized by the "Tree of Life" and the Vine, the branches of which bring forth good fruit. And as we shall see, Satan is symbolized by the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" and he and his branches bring forth corrupt and evil fruit which we are NOT to EAT. And so depending on what kind of "tree" you are determines what kind of fruit you produce. Here are words of Jesus Christ:

Luke 6:43
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
In God's nature there is no such thing as a literally corrupt tree, because you see, trees have no brains and no knowledge of good and evil. However, people do!
[44] For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
If you eat the fruit from that "corrupt tree", which brings forth no good fruit, you are going to be in big trouble. Where should you get your fruit? Here is what your Father says:
Hosea 14:8
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Imagine that! God even likens Himself to a tree, an evergreen fir symbolic of eternal life! You get your fruit from Him and from His Word and from NO ONE ELSE, no other tree!
[9] Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
The question is "Who is wise, and understands these things?" Are you wise, or do you believe in fairy tales about snakes and apples?

Let's go to Genesis and see what happened in the garden.

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.



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