What went wrong?

Genesis, the first book of the Bible, explains how everything began. It tells us of God’s purpose for the earth and everything on it—but sadly it never went exactly to plan. . . .*

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

After creating plants and animals, God made the first humans—Adam and Eve. Unlike animals, they reflected God’s qualities, including free will, making them responsible for their choices. If they obeyed, they could fulfil God’s purpose as the first parents of a perfect, eternal human family.

*The First Rebellion

A rebellious angel, later called Satan (meaning “Resister”), deceived Eve through a serpent, convincing her to reject God’s guidance. Adam joined her, breaking their bond with God. Their disobedience brought sin, imperfection, and death into the world.

Yet, God promised to fix this. He foretold a “seed”—a special people—who would crush Satan and undo the damage caused by sin. (Genesis 3:15) The identity of this “seed” would be revealed later.

A World Overrun by Evil

Satan worked hard to corrupt humanity. Wickedness spread so much that God decided to cleanse the earth with a flood. He instructed Noah, a righteous man, to build an ark—a massive floating shelter—to save his family and selected animals.

After a year, Noah and his family stepped onto a cleansed earth. But the promised “seed” was still to come.

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God’s Promise to Abraham

God promised faithful Abraham that the foretold “seed” would come from his descendants. Through this chosen one, people of “all nations” would receive blessings—Genesis 22:18. Abraham’s grandson Jacob later settled in Egypt, where his family grew into the nation of Israel.

Centuries later, a cruel Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites until God raised Moses, who led them out of Egypt through the miraculously parted Red Sea. God then gave Israel laws, including the Ten Commandments, to guide and protect them. These laws included sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. Inspired by God, Moses told the people that another prophet would come—the promised “seed.”

The Promise to King David

Over 400 years later, God promised King David that the coming “seed” foretold in Eden would rule an eternal kingdom. This chosen one would be the Messiah—God’s appointed Deliverer, sent to save humanity and restore Paradise on earth.

Through David and other prophets, God revealed more about the Messiah. They foretold he would be humble and compassionate, and under his rule, hunger, injustice, and war would cease. All people would live in peace with one another and even with animals. Sickness, suffering, and death—never part of God’s original plan—would vanish, and those who had died would return to life on earth.

Prophecies About the Messiah’s Birth and Death

God revealed through the prophet Micah that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and through Daniel that he would be killed. Yet, God would raise him from the dead and appoint him as king in heaven. Daniel also foresaw that the Messiah’s Kingdom would one day replace all human governments forever. But did the Messiah truly come as prophesied?