In this fallen world we no longer live in the Paradise of the beginning, but in a wilderness of thorns and thistles, sweat and tears (see Genesis 3:17–19). Mankind would love to transform this wilderness into another Garden, and the dragon feeds humanity the lie that through hard work we can succeed in using his river
to build for ourselves abundant material wealth, good health, and freedom as requisites for the good life. Time and again the church has been confronted with this lie and so tempted to forget that the good life lies only in Jesus Christ (John 4:13–14), and that the Garden will be restored only when the Saviour returns (Revelation 21:1–22:21). In this broken life the church remains dependent on God for daily nourishment.
14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.