“I shall put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.”—Genesis 3:15.
That is the Bible’s first prophecy, uttered by God in Eden. Who are the four characters: the woman, her offspring, the serpent, and its offspring? How does the foretold “enmity” play out?
THE SERPENT
Satan the Devil.—Revelation 12:9.
THE WOMAN
Jehovah’s organization of heavenly creatures. (Galatians 4:26, 27) Isaiah spoke of “the woman,” foretelling that she would give birth to a future spiritual nation.—Isaiah 54:1; 66:8.
THE SEED OF THE SERPENT
Those who choose to do the will of Satan.—John 8:44.
THE SEED OF THE WOMAN
Primarily Jesus Christ, who came out of the heavenly part of Jehovah’s organization. Also included in the “seed” are Christ’s spiritual brothers, who rule in heaven with him. Those anointed Christians make up a spiritual nation, “the Israel of God.”—Galatians 3:16, 29; 6:16; Genesis 22:18.
THE HEEL WOUND
A painful blow to the Messiah but not permanent in its effects. Satan succeeded in having Jesus put to death on earth. Jesus was resurrected.
THE HEAD WOUND
A deadly blow to Satan. Jesus will put Satan out of existence forever. Even before that, Jesus will undo the evil Satan began in Eden.—1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10.
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