Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Adam and Eve had not disobeyed God? I mean, what if there wasn't sin in the world? Actually, we are told some of what God's intended plan for Adam and Eve was. And other things we can reason from what we know to have been true.

          First, they were to multiply and replenish the earth. "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:28). Those that claim that the forbidden fruit was metaphorical for having sex are incorrect. The first couple were commanded to have sex and reproduce. They were to complement one another. They were designed for the purpose of sexual intercourse.

          The Contemporary English Version translates the 28thverse as "God gave them His blessing and said: Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth."

          They were commanded to have children. "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it." There are four imperatives in this verse pertaining to the earth. Not only were the man and woman not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil but they were to have sex resulting in children with the goal of populating the physical earth (Genesis 1:28). The Jews understood that marrying and having children were commandments given to them. Childbearing would not be painful as it is now (Genesis 3:16). Think of it: no nausea, disagreement of foods, dizziness, pains in the head and teeth, faintings, miscarriages, the discomforts of carrying a burden and finally delivering a baby. Only pleasure through and through.

          Second, they were to be united forever. They were in our language "husband and wife" and were to be "cleaved" to each other and "become one flesh". "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). They were to "become one flesh" (Hebrew, "properly united H259 [in] body, person; also (by euphemism) the pudenda [the sexual organs]" -).

Illustration 2: If sin had not entered the world. Same marriages forever and ever.

          This union was not to be "until death" because death did not occur without sin entering the world (Romans 5:12). Adam and Eve had access to the tree of life, and if they had not disobeyed God, they would have been married always as in infinity. It was likewise not "until divorce." There wasn't to be any divorce. This was confirmed to us by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 19:8. Concerning divorce, Jesus says, "from the beginning God did not intend it to be that way [divorce]" according to the CEV translation. So, the couple would have been united forever.

          If they were commanded to have children and the only way to have children was to be married to the other gender, then one could properly conclude that God expected everyone born to be eventually married. They would have been united with the opposite sex forever. Children would have been born at least until the planet was full of human life. There would not have been homosexuals in spite of no written prohibitions or laws concerning such. Marriage was defined by virtue of the creation.

          Third, the wife was created as a help, an aid (Genesis 2:18). The Hebrew word for "help" is similar to the name Ezra and does not carry with it any suggestion of servitude. She was not his slave. It's from the Hebrew ay'-zer (Strong's H5826) which means "to surround, that is, protector aid" has been translated as help or succour. It is sin that brought a consequence of man dominance over the wife and the wife's subservience (Genesis 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:9-15). Otherwise, the partnership would have apparently been equal.

          Fourth, there would have been no grief, sorrow, or even pain in the original earth untouched by sin. Childbearing then would have carried no sorrow or pain since such wis a consequence of sin (Genesis 3:16) . Without sin there would have been only what God approved that existed in the world just as there will be righteousness dwelling in the new heaven and earth. The apostle wrote, "we look forward to what God has promised-a new heaven and a new earth-a place where everything that has God's approval lives" (2 Peter 3:13, God's Word). There wouldn't have been any grief, crying, or pain.

          Fifth, rearing children would have been an awesome event; children would have been obedient to their parents. The Creator would have been nigh to assist in any psychology in raising them to live holy and productive lives. The children would have had nothing but good models to teach them respect and obedience.

          Sixth, husband and wife would have been good to each other. There would have been honesty, loving kindness, truth and no treachery in associations just as there will be in the new earth's home where "no one who does anything detestable" (Revelation 21:27). Murder would not have been committed by Cain; there would have been no adultery or coveting or idolatry. All would have honored God, His name and served Him daily.

          Seventh, work would have been a pleasure. No sweat or strain. There was no rain but there was a fog or mist and a river that watered the garden in which man and woman were placed. "And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food" (Genesis 2:9). The weather would have been perfect for all activities.

          The responsibility of tilling the soil and keeping the garden was given to Adam (and Eve, his helper). "The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden to work the soil and take care of the garden" (Genesis 2:15, ERV). Man and woman were vegetarians. They would have been fed from the trees and the plants grown in the ground.

          Eighth, no blood would be shed on this earth. No animal was to be killed for food. Every creature was fed from plants. "And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to every creeper on the earth which has in it a living soul every green plant is for food; and it was so" (Genesis 1:30, MKJV). "But observe that after the flood, food included meat. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you" (Genesis 9:3).

          Ninth, everything was beautiful. There were even precious stones, perfumes, and metals: "where pure gold, rare perfumes, and precious stones are found"(Genesis 2:12, CEV).

          Tenth, there would have been no need for clothing for Adam and Eve were naked and did not desire clothing until they sinned. There was no need for shelter. It did not rain. A mist watered the garden.

          Eleventh, Man was to exercise dominion over the animal kingdom. This job was global. Animals were not to be used for food. No fishing or hunting. All were just like pets. Not just the dogs and cats; the lions, tigers, dinosaurs, etc. All were to be enjoyed as friends or used for production of living.

          The best I leave for last. There would have been no suspicions nor fear. There would have been a continuing physical relationship with God whose voice "walked in the garden in the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8). There's a classic hymn, "In the Garden", by Charles Austin Miles (1912), picturing Mary Magdalene at the resurrection of Jesus. We could joyfully sing that song for the delightful presence we would have with the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

          But sin entered the world. And with sin, the first couple were cast out of the Garden where the tree of life was and hence, death resulted from the sin. With sin came dominance and sorrow and conflicts in the marriage. The ground was now cursed and the pleasant job of tilling and keeping was riddled with frustration.

          Sinners can not now enjoy the fruit and the intended pleasures of the paradise that was lost. Everything including marriage is affected by the fall of man.

          God has provided hope for everyone that wants to go to the Eternal Earth prepared by Jesus for His followers. Will you not commit yourself to following Jesus today?