The Location Of The Garden Of Eden

[Sargon]

The Garden of Eden was not in Jackson County. Nor was there any Garden of Eden. For what purpose did it serve? The earliest traces of human existence is mapped out clearly. The earth was not created 7000 years ago and man was not placed on the earth at that time. In your quote you mentioned the "confounding of language" and I wanted to comment on that. For what divine purpose would it serve for God to do such a thing? Did he say to the various people a the Tower of Babel that this group will be Asian, this group Black, this group Nordic, this group Anglo Saxon, this group Germanic, this group polynesian...etc? That was all the stories of man. It is mythology at best. So it most of the bible. The story of Jonah and the whale...let's get real. For what purpose did it serve for God to create a story like that one? It certainly doesn't illustrate God's power. It's a fable! Something someone made up. And...it is not a "leap of faith" to look the other way and believe in this stuff. There are much more compelling, loving, magical, things to embrace rather than the fictitious stories from dreamers throughout history.

Tell us what you really think.

Sargon

[kamenraider]

Curious as your map has four rivers going in and only one comming out. Is there something in the Hebrew that points us upstream?

Wouldn't the word "heads" indicate headwaters? ("from thence" therefore meaning from Eden to those headwaters)

[dragonslayer]

It was around the area where the Tigris, Euphrates, Pishon and Gihon rivers met. I don't think it will ever be found because I think it was symbolic, and if it was a real garden--then it was a garden. There would be no man made structural ruins remaining to identify it.

I believe your right Katherine. Those rivers are in reference to something else.

Comparing scripture gives us enough evidence to see that it is not in the middle east or Missouri.

Genesis 2

8 And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

Now compare this to Revelation 22:

22And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Its the same place, because as far as I know, theres only one tree of life. Strange thing is, the world no longer exists in verse 22. So where is the garden located? And what exactly is the tree of life? A real tree? I think not. Because its also referred to as a fountain.

Revelation 21:6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

If you want to see another duality to the four rivers, look no farther than here:

Zecheriah 6And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. 2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; 3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. 4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? 5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country. 7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and he said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. 8 Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country.

The four spirits hold apart the heavens, Ezekiel gives account of what keeps creation existing before the throne:

Ezekiel 1: 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.

25 And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings.

26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

(It would be best to read the whole chapter now, then come back)

Eden is located between the firmament and the throne. The four angels hold apart the sea of glass or firmament, thats where we are right now. Man has entered a lower state of existance, things arent like they used to be. Most of the bible is symbolic, you really have to get into it to have it unfold, but even then its hard to explain the knowledge being gained.

"Water" doesnt always mean H2O.

Psalm

104Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

These are the same waters mentioned in the beginning:

Genesis 1:2

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

[Matthew J. Tandy]

Nice post dragonslayer.

I would mention though that I seem to recall some quotes from Brigham Young as well as Joseph Fielding and several others that there were in fact many "Tree's of Life" and that they will be at the center of many communities. Something about them being needed as a part of maintaining immortality or something. I'll try and see what I can find on it.