The etymology of a word is: the origin, development, or derivation of that word.

With the word ...paradise, there was mention of a park, orchard ...an enclosure around ...a wall ...the abode of the blessed ...

Some people feel the rich people in our society are the blessed.

Webster's dictionary defines, in this order:

1. The Garden of Eden
2. Heaven
3. Any place of great beauty & perfection/ or any place or condition of great happiness

What did the Garden of Eden have ...that we don't have today??

A squirrel is content with the prize of the meat inside a hard shell ...as they chisel with their teeth.

Most kids remember the much easier task of finding a prize within a small box of caramel popcorn & peanuts ...yes, that would be 'Cracker Jacks'.

In the Garden of Eden it would seem that a human could easily strike a nut against a rock ...to find a tasty treat.

Today, most of us can just go to a store.  The meat of the nut is already removed from the shell for us ...and we can purchase an entire package.  Some people would say it's not that easy, as we have to work for the money to purchase the things we want. But, an increasing number of people don't work for the money they have. (Yet, that point is not the point I'd like to focus on.)

Let's say we take a very comfortable summer climate ...and imagine we have an ideal temperature, which remains that way for three months.  And let's say every kind of fruit is on the vine and tree ...perfectly ripe each and every day.  Also, there is a garden ...where every vegetable is ready for harvest. 

Well, that ideal climate is usually achieved in each home by a thermostat ...and the local store has every type of food, as if it were at peak harvest.

The question is:  Would you be content to live this simple and content life for those few months??

If you are retired, it may be easier to apply this thought.  But, if you are working, then just ask yourself if you'd be content to spend your vacation (however long it is) within your home ...and time spent being limited to hiking around your home, spending time with the family, and eating together.

If you are an avid hiker, you may welcome this thought ...but, for most other people, try to not turn on the TV, not use that iPhone, and not access that computer or any other device.

My guess is ...that most people don't spend most of their time hiking, picnicking, and giving their undivided attention to family members.

What activities mostly fill our time???  And do the conditions of these activities qualify as bringing us great happiness??  

Why was man & woman kicked out of the Garden of Eden?? And what does it take to regain access to paradise??

Many of you are familiar with John Milton's writing, Paradise Lost.  

It was one's intention that it would be lost.

Another knew it would be lost.

But, that same 'Another' intended for it to be regained.

Yes, the most important question is what does it take ...or what is the condition of this restoration??

Yet, to understand more fully the path to restoration ...it is quite necessary to understand why it was taken.

And that word, wall ...just the ever so brief mention of the word brings about a battle-ready response for many people.  How many of you think it is unfair to even think of any concept involving keeping people out??

And how many of you have built a wall within yourself to keep God out??   Yes, it is not so much that paradise was taken from man & woman ...it was their own choice, to choose to go against God.  But, that was not their full commitment.  In fairness, they had to leave the garden because of their choice ...yet, that was not so bad, as learning more of the better choices is of much greater value.  And that learning often requires a temporary condition ...to help us work towards our eternal condition.

The Garden of Eden was like a park and an orchard, enclosed by rivers on each side ...but, Satan was not kept out.  The garden was a paradise for them until Satan's influence. The difference is ...that the paradise of Heaven will not be free for Satan to access, but will be free from his influence.

I'm about to access my bed, but I want to make sure to mention (in case I forget to return to finish this blog) that to gain access to Heaven ...the provision is through Jesus.  

Sadly, so many people depict Jesus quite differently.  If we see Him differently in small ways, that should not be a problem ...as long as each small way is a way that is clearly stated in the Bible.  And that being said, each small way is not small at all ...but, all a very big way.  

We can read about Jesus a little bit at a time ...yet, how can we not want to eventually read all that the Bible says about Jesus??