Last month I hit a wall in my studies and posted a question to Ray. His reply I believe fits beautifully into this thread to stimulate more
photosynthesis. Rodger grapes and olives are sour indeed until the warmth of the sun and time, they sweeten in
preparation for crushing out their juices to yield respectively oil or wine. Wine to make merry the heart and oil...well that could take a whole new direction!
I had family staying on the outskirts of Rome where civilization seemed to not have touched the village where they had their home. I became aware that in some parts of Italy, the ceremony of collecting grapes and having them crushed in huge vats under the feet of the village folks still continues!
Not such a great end for the grape that will end as a raisin and land up in a pudding if not picked for wine!
Perhaps there are Spiritual parallels everywhere! As in life and in Nature so in One Spirit with our Creator.
I enjoyed your view Gregor, that we too walk with God as perhaps Enoch, the man who "walked with God" who was indeed one of the five great spiritual characters of the OT written for our good instruction.
Here, I believe is some more light on this precious thread. Quoting Ray....
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End.
Adam was flesh and blood--Jesus was made flesh and blood.
Adam was the son of God (Luke 3:38)--Jesus was the Son of God (Heb. 1:5).
Adam died--Jesus died.
All die in Adam (I Cor. 15:22)--Jesus being of Adam and made flesh also DIED.
But Jesus has been resurrected to immortality--the "last Adam."
But notice carefully that Jesus is called the "LAST" Adam,
but He is called the "SECOND" man, not the "last" man,
as there will follow many more brothers and sisters (II Cor. 6:18, etc.)
God be with you,
Ray Peace and good will
Arcturus