Resurrection Sunday may be the most important day in Christianity. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, “if Christ had not happened, your faith is in vain”. Because it is vital to salvation, God had it woven throughout the entire Bible from the fall of man in Genesis 3 to when it happens in the gospels. We will look at three signs throughout three periods.

In Eden

The first period we will look at is the Garden of Eden. It is here that everything gets its start. If we can truly grasp the concepts in the Garden, it will be easier to see the themes throughout the Bible.

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all people [no one being able to stop it or escape its power], because they all sinned.” Romans 5:12

The first sign we will look at is built around Adam. We see in Genesis that he is commanded to have dominion over the Earth and maintain it. We also see how it does not take him long before he gives into temptation when he takes the fruit from Eve. In Romans, Paul teaches that this action brought sin onto all people. In the Garden of Eden, Adam chose his way over God’s. Because he did that, Adam and Eve must leave the Garden of Eden. It also means there is a need for sacrifice all the way back in Genesis 3.

“The Lord God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21

“So God drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He [permanently] stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round [in every direction] to protect and guard the way (entrance, access) to the tree of life.” Genesis 3:24

Although unsatisfactory, God makes the first sacrifice in Genesis 3:21. He does this for garments for Adam and Eve as they leave the Garden of Eden. We also see in Genesis 3:24 that God places an angel at the entrance of the Garden.

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool [afternoon breeze] of the day, so the man and his wife hid and kept themselves hidden from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8

Even though it was ruined, due to the fall of Adam and Eve, God created the Garden of Eden for close, intimate relationship with God. We see this clearest in Genesis 3:8 when Adam and Even could hear the sound of God walking among them, implying that they would regularly walk with God. Adam and Eve lost that close relationship with Him when they left the Garden, but God was already working on bringing back that relationship through temporary ways and then an everlasting method that would claim it forever. 

In the Tabernacle

“For since the Law has only a shadow [just a pale representation] of the good things to come—not the very image of those things—it can never, by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year, make perfect those who approach [its altars].” Hebrews 10:1

Around 2,500 years after the initial sacrifice in Genesis 3, God has the people of Israel build the tabernacle. Only select people could be in the tabernacle and perform the sacrifices, who were called Priests. These priests were essentially in the role of Adam, as they were to have dominion in the tabernacle and maintain it. That task is not one to be taken lightly. The priest had to follow strict rules and ceremonies. All that with the weight of being the peoples mediator was a lot for the priest. This role for ordinary man was never meant to be a permanent solve for salvation. Something must replace it, someone greater must step into the role to bring finality.

“There I will meet with you; from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, I will speak [intimately] with you regarding every commandment that I will give you for the Israelites.” Exodus 25:22

Because that finality of sacrifice was still yet to come, animal sacrifices were still necessary. As I mentioned already, the sacrifices were carried out through specific instructions. Probably the most crucial part is what is called the mercy seat. It was in the center of the tabernacle, flanked on either side by angels, mirroring the angels placed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden. The mercy seat is where God says He intimately met with the priests. Once the priest had killed the sacrificial lamb, he would then change from his white linen clothes into colorful golden garments. He would take off his linen garments to signify the sacrifice is complete. The old has been put off, the new has been put on. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, the priest has received his new garments because of the sacrifice.

“Have them build a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:5

There are many more ways the tabernacle mirrors the Garden of Eden than just the mercy seat and angels. First of all, inside the tabernacle was a tree-like lamp stand. It calls back to the tree of life which was the center of the garden. It is fitting that where the sacrifices were being made was a reminder of where life comes from. Secondly, the entrance of the tabernacle was set to the east, just like the garden. With all these similarities, it was as if the priest was stepping into the Garden of Eden every time he would make a sacrifice. We looked at how the Garden of Eden was made for close relationship with God, so once that failed, God gave the tabernacle. God did not want us to be without a way to Him. He could have easily left us without it after the failure in the garden, but He provides the bridge to commune with Him. That is, until He comes down Himself and renders the tabernacle unnecessary.

In the Tomb

Finally we have reached the culmination of what these signs and practices have been pointing to for thousands of years. The site of the tomb and Jesus’ resurrection is the site where many things reach their narrative conclusion. 

“Focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].” Hebrews 12:2

In various verses in the Bible, Jesus is referred to both as the true and better Adam and the great high priest. As I have attempted to show, Jesus is the culmination. As Hebrews puts it, Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. Meaning God put it in motion since the Garden of Eden and Jesus, laying down His life and raising up from the dead, completed the sacrifice needed. He brought finality to the continuous sacrifices, proving them unnecessary. To further drive home the point of Jesus being the true and better Adam, the resurrection takes place in a garden. When Mary Magdalene first sees the risen Jesus, she mistakes Him for the gardener. Little does she know how right she is. She is looking to the first, true and better gardener, The One who brings life from death. 

“Then Simon Peter came up, following him, and went into the tomb and saw the linen wrappings [neatly] lying there;” John 20:6

“And she [Mary] saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.” John 20:12

We see Jesus as the great high priest when Peter and John race to the tomb where He was laid. Once they get there, they note Jesus’ linen wrappings were neatly folded where He had laid. Jesus knows the weight of this and the meaning it holds, especially to Peter and John. He is directly calling back to the tabernacle in this nearly identical process of taking off the linen garments to signify the completion of the sacrifice. Luke 24 also notes that there were angels on either side of where Jesus lay, one at the head and the other by the feet. This clearly shows the tomb as Jesus’ mercy seat. 

“Whoever confesses and acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” 1 John 4:15

None of these callbacks and signs were stumbled upon by God. He was intentional in everything He did from garden to garden. Ever since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, God set in motion the temporary fix in the tabernacle and the eternal fix in that garden where Jesus rose from the dead. He did all of this for the purpose of close and intimate relationship with His people. Jesus completed the bridge between man and God permanently. As 1 John says, all who confess and acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, God abides in them. Accept Him into your life and God will dwell inside of you like He dwelt with Adam and Eve in the garden, like He dwelt in the tabernacle, and like He secured in His resurrection.