[Seven_0]

God does not tempt nor did he intend to set man up to fail!

This is an interesting statement. I would like to agree. We know that God set up the entire scene, the tree, the garden, the serpent, the sacrifice and all of the rest of the metaphors and symbols. God also knew what Adam would do. So the question becomes, did Adam fail? If success were based on eating the fruit you would have an untenable situation. The test would not end unless Adam failed. Is that what God intended?

Perhaps there are other criteria to consider.

[MHGinTN]

The key is whom did the lying to Eve. The tree of life was not forbidden before the fall so it might take centuries, but God knew Satan's heart and A and E"s future behavior and made provision for the fall even before it happened.

There may have been similar DNA beings around Eden, but there really was an Eden and an Adam and Eve, and the fall. Folksargue that Adam or his sons could not have sired children with such surrounding beings, but the fallen angels sired the NEPHILIM WITH THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN. The unique thing about the descendants of Adam is having a spirit. Humanoids surrounding the Garden likely did not have a spirit since God breathed Adam's into him.

[mdmathis6]

I think some things can’t be answered for us right now. Even Jesus said to his disciples...”I have other things to tell you but they are too hard for you right now.” It can sound like a cop out to say “well God might not be ready for us to know that yet, but it is true. John was not allowed in Revelation to write down what “the thunders had uttered”. John could obviously handle it but the rest of us...probably not! Perhaps even in Heaven, there might not be things we can ever be privy too. We are created beings, created by him to be a royal priesthood after the order of Melchizidek as is Jesus Christ now! We will never understand the full nature of the UNCREATED GOD being just created beings ourselves. Living up to being the person God always dreamed each of us could be is challenge enough and may present growth issues in the Father’s House as well. God is fully God...Seven_O will have the full opportunity to be Fully Seven_0 and all that will mean to him(and God) and so will mdmathis6!

Let James 1:13 be my justification in saying God doesn’t tempt men at least to sin(though we know he can stir the evil hearts of kings to create situations that bring a nation to ruin because is seeking to punish the peoples of the nation for their sins. See Kings and Chronicles about David’s sinful call for a national census and why God let the plagues fall on Israel). James 1:13”13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone!

James 1:13 in context with surrounding verses that speak of some of the things you spoke of in your posting.”12Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.