Three Wills in the Universe vs. Triangular Situation in Eden

 

Three Wills in the Universe vs. Triangular Situation in Eden

Eph 1:5 Having predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will.

Eph 1:11 In Him we were also made an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

Matt 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 

Analysis Item	Three Wills in the Universe	Triangular Situation in Eden	Significance and Application
Basic Definition	The eternal conflict among three independent wills in the universe: God's will, Satan's will, and man's will	The triangular choice relationship formed by  the tree of life (God's will),  the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Satan's will), and Adam (man's will) in the Garden of Eden	The former provides a macro framework, the latter a specific historical scene; together they constitute the theory and practice of spiritual warfare
Essential Nature	Universal opposition at the will level, covering eternal conflict throughout cosmic history	A decisive moment of choice in a specific historical scene, the starting point of human fall	Combination of abstract and concrete, intersection of eternal and historical
Scope Level	Eternal conflict of the entire universe, from angelic rebellion to end-time judgment	A decisive moment in specific time and space, affecting the destiny of all humanity	Universal impact vs. historical turning point
God's Will	Expression: Eternal, self-existing, uncreated will Nature: Absolutely good, perfectly holy Purpose: To accomplish God's purpose, establish God's kingdom Scripture: Eph 1:5 "Having predestined us according to the good pleasure of His will"; Matt 6:10 "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"	Expression: Tree of life Nature: Represents God Himself, gives life Purpose: To enable man to obtain God's life, unite with God Scripture: Gen 2:9 "The tree of life in the midst of the garden"; Gen 3:22 "Lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"	God's will is eternal sovereignty in the universe, life supply in Eden; both point to God's desire for man to obtain His life
Satan's Will	Origin: The archangel became proud due to his high position and beauty, giving rise to evil desire Nature: Opposes God's will, causes universal conflict Purpose: To destroy God's plan, usurp God's position Scripture: Isa 14:12-14 "I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God"; Ezek 28:17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty"	Expression: Tree of knowledge of good and evil Nature: Represents Satan, brings death Purpose: To tempt man to rebel against God, gain man's following Scripture: Gen 2:17 "In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die"; Gen 3:4-5 "You will not surely die...you will be like God, knowing good and evil"	Satan's will is continuous rebellion in the universe, specific temptation in Eden; both aim to separate man from God
Man's Will	Nature: Free will given by God Position: Decisive third party, can choose to stand with God or Satan Responsibility: Determines the temporary victory or defeat in cosmic conflict Scripture: Gen 1:27 "God created man in His own image"; Deut 30:19 "I have set before you life and death...therefore choose life"	Expression: Adam represents man's right to choose Position: Key figure making choice between two trees Responsibility: Determines the direction of human destiny Scripture: Gen 2:16-17 "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat"; Gen 3:6 "She took of its fruit and ate"	Man's will has decisive role in the universe, faces concrete choice in Eden; man's choice determines the direction of spiritual warfare
Nature of Conflict	God's will vs. Satan's will, man's will determines temporary victory	Tree of life vs. tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam's choice determines result	Same essence: both are choices between God and Satan, man's will is key
Practical Examples	Personal Level: Inner warfare between reason and lust (Rom 7:23) Family Level: Root of family conflicts (Matt 10:35-36) Social Level: International warfare (Dan 10:13) Spiritual Level: Warfare in the church (Eph 6:12)	Choosing Life: Believers choose to follow Christ (John 10:10) Resisting Temptation: Jesus overcame temptation in the wilderness (Matt 4:1-11) Repentance and Turning: From Satan's will to God's will (Acts 26:18)	The former shows universality of conflict, the latter provides pattern of choice; both emphasize importance of choosing God in every situation
Solution	Repentance: Turn from Satan's will to God's will (Matt 4:17 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand") Believe and Be Baptized: Believe in the Lord Jesus and be baptized (Mark 16:16) Transfer to God's Kingdom: From the power of darkness to the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Col 1:13)	Restore Choice: Face the choice of tree of life again (Rev 22:2 "Tree of life...leaves for the healing of the nations") Christ's Redemption: Victory of the second Adam (Rom 5:19 "By one Man's obedience many will be made righteous") Return to Eden: Promise of new heaven and earth (Rev 21:1)	Consistent solution: both require man's will to turn to God and obtain God's life through Christ's redemption
Spiritual Warfare Principles	Conduct: For accomplishing God's purpose Life Goal: For Christ's satisfaction Warfare Attitude: For defeating God's enemy Ultimate Goal: Establishing God's kingdom	Choice Principle: Choose God's will over Satan's will Life Orientation: Pursue tree of life over tree of knowledge Position Decision: Stand with God in every choice Final Goal: Restore fellowship with God	Same practical principles: both require believers to choose God's will at every level, live out God's life
Temporal Significance	Eternal cosmic conflict, from before creation to eternity	Historical decisive moment, affecting all human history	Intersection of eternal and historical, showing every historical moment has eternal significance
Spatial Significance	Scope of entire universe, including heaven and earth	Limitation of specific location, but influence extends globally	Combination of universal and regional, showing local choices have global impact
Symbolic Significance	Abstract opposition of wills, theoretical framework of spiritual warfare	Concrete choice scenario, practical model of spiritual warfare	Combination of theory and practice, providing complete guidance for believers' spiritual warfare
Scope of Influence	Ongoing universal warfare affecting all creation	Starting point of human fall, determining humanity's spiritual condition	Both have decisive influence, former is continuous, latter is initial
Core Scriptures	Eph 1:5 "Having predestined us according to the good pleasure of His will, to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself" Matt 6:10 "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" Rom 12:2 "That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God"	Gen 2:9 "The LORD God made every tree grow out of the ground...the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden" Gen 2:16-17 "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat" Gen 3:6 "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food...she took of its fruit and ate"	Complementary scriptures: former emphasizes God's sovereignty and man's responsibility, latter records specific choice process and results
Present Application	Believers should discern God's will, choose God's will in all aspects of life, participate in spiritual warfare until Christ returns	Believers should learn from Eden's failure, choose tree of life in every temptation, regain God's life through Christ	Combined: both cosmic spiritual warfare consciousness and correct choices in concrete life are needed
Ultimate Goal	God's will completely accomplished, God's kingdom fully established, Satan's will completely defeated	Man regains tree of life, enters new heaven and earth, completely restores fellowship with God	Consistent goal: God's glory fully manifested, man obtains God's life, universe restored to God's order

  

Conclusion: 

This integrated table clearly demonstrates the relationship between the two concepts: "Three Wills in the Universe" is a macro eternal framework, while "Triangular Situation in Eden" is a specific historical manifestation. Together, they constitute complete spiritual warfare truth, guiding believers in how to choose God's will in daily life and participate in this cosmic spiritual warfare. The essence of both concepts is that man's will has decisive power - human choice determines which side can temporarily prevail in the conflict between God and Satan. This is why repentance, faith, and baptism are so important, as they represent man's will turning from Satan's side to God's side, allowing God's will to be accomplished in man.

  

*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference, the general topic: Preparation of the Bride, Chapter 6 The Bride as a Group Warrior