In the first part of this article in Edition I, the discussion was based on how the sin of the first man became a curse for the death of some animals. Animals had to be killed to clothe men who felt naked after eating the forbidden fruit. Thus the whole nature was brought under curse and the same situation is continuing because man is not willing to admit his state of fall and is not ready to turn to God.

God created Man in His very image and he was in a cordial relation with all creatures. So long as man was obedient to the Law of God, there was harmony in the Creation, i.e. in the whole living system of earth. Man was supreme among all living beings and he had the authority over the creations of God. The only duty given to man to keep the Garden where he was living. Once God Jehovah caused all animals and birds to come before the Man to know what he would call them. In the book of Genesis Chapter 2, verse 19, we read And out of the ground the LORD, God formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air and brought them under Adam, to see what he would call them; and whatsoever Adam called every creature, that was the name thereof.

If that was the position, before the sin entered in his life, it is strange for him to kill and eat those animals who were so dependent on him for their peaceful existence on the earth. (like we do not kill our pets). The thought of killing even would not entered into his mind unless some outside agency instigated him for that.

So in the eternal plan of God, there was no death for any living thing through killing by Man, except that of the natural one. It is therefore, rightly assumed that only the coexistence of man and animals was in the mind of God.

Then the sin of Man frustrated the very plan of God. Instead of blessing, curses came on not only man but the whole living system. This fall created enmity between animals and animals also. In the books of Romans, (New Testament Ch. 8, verse 19), we read For the earnest expectations of creation, waits for the manifestation of the Sons of God That means the creation is waiting for the redemption of human beings from the curse and be transformed as Sons of God. This will happen when Man believes the redemptive work of God through the sacrifice lf Jesus Christ. Verse 21 says because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the Glory of the children of God. Verse 22 says For we know that the whole creation groans and labours in pain together until now. Verse 23 says even we ourselves waiting for our adoption i.e. redemption of our body. Hence the redemption of man is necessary for getting a deliverance to the whole creation of God. Why the world is in such a shape today, is because majority of the people do not believe that man is in a fallen state from the original creation. Making him convinced of this truth is done by the power of God through various means, but the self-will of man resists such work. So the plan of God is not completely fulfilled. But, gradually when man submits to the will of God, the creation will also be freed from the bondage.

Now let me explain a prophecy is the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, which is yet to be fulfilled. In the book of Isiah, Chap. XI, verse 6 to 9 says And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion and the fatling (kid lamb, young pig etc.) together and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together and the lion shall eat straw like the ox and the suckling child shall play on the whole of the asp (poisonous snake) and the weaned child shall put his head in the wipers den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My whole mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In the 65th chapter of the same prophetical book, the prophecy is repeated For behold, I create new heaven and new earth and the former things shall not be remembered nor come into mind (verse 17). This is repeatedly mentioned to affirm that the prophecy surely, must come to pass.

The Holy Bible does not grant permission to kill animals at will as some may think, but is against it, if we understand the theme of it in the right sense. In the Old Testament period, there were sacrifices which were symbolic of the future sacrifice which was already fulfilled in the death of Jesus Christ, the lamb of God. By this supreme sacrifice, not only man is delivered from the sin, but animals also have been delivered from curse and sufferings. As already discussed in the articles, during the 40 years of desert journey, people craved for flesh. But, though God gave it to them, it brought to their souls.

We have seen that all those who lusted for flesh perished during the journey itself. They could not reach the promised land of Canan, which was the ultimate aim of God, delivering man from the land of Egypt. Forty years shows a life time of man between 20 yrs to 60 yrs. during which period, mans desire for earthly things are at the highest. During this period, man commits more sin and his destiny is decided; so this is a very crucial period of life and man should live in the fear of God, in the right way and do things pleasing God and God alone. During this forty years year, no sacrifice was carried out in the journey of the people of Israel. A law of sacrifice was given only to teach the people about the eternal sacrifice through Jesus Christ. God says in Isaiah, Ch. 40, verse 16 and Lebanon is not sufficient to burn nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. That means, if you offer the whole lot of animals, together with the whole wood of the jungle, even that will not be sufficient to please the High God. But God is pleased in humility. The prophet also says in Ch. 57, verse 15 for thus says the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy place, with him also i.e. of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. In the book of the Amos, Ch VI, verse 6 & 7 wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with tens of thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of soul? In verse 8 God says through the prophet O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee, but to do jointly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God?

Concluding this, I quote from the New Testament what St. Paul says in I Corinthians Ch. 8, verse 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

May God bless us through this article.