A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

Christ whom Paul calls “the last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45). In this sense Adam is “a type of Him who was to
come” (Rom. 5:14).
Every evil influence that Adam passed on to humanity, Christ overcame for the race. Because of
Adam’s transgression, everyone is born with a sin nature, but Christ offers a new nature to those who
experience His salvation (2 Cor. 5:17). Everyone will die because of Adam, but Christ’s death is a substitute
for sin and through the Cross, the repentant sinner receives new life. Jesus claimed, “That they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). While the race is “condemned already” (3:18)
because of Adam’s sin, “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
Jesus came as the last Adam to lead a new race of those who were born again into His kingdom (John 1:13;
3:3). Writing to the Romans, the Apostle Paul outlined a comparison between Adam and Christ and their
respective “races.”
ROMANS 5:12-21
Adam Christ
Sin entered Grace entered
Offense transferred Free gift offered
Condemnation Justification
Death reigns Righteousness reigns
Disobedience Obedience
Makes men sinners Makes men righteous
Sin abounds Grace abounds
Death Eternal Life
THREE
CAIN:
A Depressing Story of Failure
(Genesis 4:1-5:32)
No one can imagine the awe that surrounded the conception and birth of the first child in history.
Adam and Eve knew they were to “replenish” the earth, but they had never been through the experience
surrounding childbirth. They had no parents to guide them during pregnancy, and there is no record of God
giving them instructions in the intricacies of bringing forth life. Most scholars think the innate knowledge
given to our first parents at Creation included wisdom for bringing a child to maturity.
As we relate to the dreams of joy that surround a new baby today, what about our first parents? They
were looking for a “seed” (Gen. 3:15) that would defeat the tempter and deliver them. They probably did not
understand the long-range nature of prophecy, so they probably expected their first child to be their redeemer.
The first child born to human parents carried great expectations. Adam and Eve had lost their
paradise, and no doubt they told their child of their experience. He should have learned by their mistake. God
is quick to judge, but full of mercy. The first child, Cain, should have sought to walk with God, as did his
parents; but he did not.