# “If nature had remained perfect, Paradise would have been the temple of the entire world” by Martin Luther

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2020/12/19/if-nature-had-remained-perfect-paradise-would-have-been-the-temple-of-the-entire-world-by-martin-luther/
- Published: 2020-12-19T12:00:29-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“About the word מִקֶּדֶם we said above that it denotes ‘toward the east’ or ‘toward
the eastern region.’ Moreover, Moses implies that Paradise had a road or a gate 
toward the east through which there was an access to this garden.

Likewise, in connection with the temple structure in **Ezekiel 40:6** mention is
made of the gate of the sanctuary which faced toward the east, obviously to have
us realize that the temple was a figure of Paradise; for if nature had remained 
perfect, Paradise would have been the temple of the entire world.

And so, on the road toward the east, which alone led to Paradise, cherubim or angels
were placed, to guard that way so that neither Adam nor any of his descendants could
enter Paradise. The Lord did this according to human fashion in order to inspire
fear and provide a conspicuous reminder of their terrible fall.”

–Martin Luther, [_Luther’s Works, Vol. 1: Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 1-5_](https://amzn.to/2KE3dGm)(
ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, and Helmut T. Lehmann; vol. 1; Saint
Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999), 230. Luther is commenting on Genesis 3:
23-24.

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