Paradise Lost

The Son goes to God and asks that he listen to Adam and Eve’s prayers for forgiveness and mercy. God agrees but decrees that Adam and Eve must be expelled from Paradise because they no longer deserve such a world. What’s more, if they stay, there is a danger that they could continue eating from the Tree of Knowledge. God sends the Archangel Michael to tell Adam and Eve of their future. Adam and Eve are devastated to learn that they must leave Paradise, but Michael reminds them that they can live and praise God everywhere, not just in one place. Michael also reminds them that this is their punishment for their sins and betrayals, and Adam and Eve decide to stay focused on the future salvation of mankind. Michael then takes Adam to the top of a tall mountain, where he shows him the future. Adam witnesses one of his sons killing the other—the first human life taken by Death. He then witnesses societies of people choosing pleasure over work and service to God, and their punishments. In each of these scenes, there is one sole righteous man who preaches on God’s behalf and is saved when the others are destroyed.