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paralleling ASFG 1, lesson on “KNOW THYSELF
GENESIS 5 AND 6
(pages 13 and 14)
Here’s a rephrased and explained version of the Edgar Cayce Bible Minutes (1939) lesson on “Know Thyself”, with added clarity and related Bible verses.
Know Thyself – Body, Mind, and Soul
Just as the Godhead is revealed in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), humanity is made in a threefold way: Body, Mind, and Soul. These are reflections—shadows—of their divine source.
In the story of Adam’s first sons, we can see symbolic meaning:
Cain represents the body, which is prone to sin.
Abel represents the mind, which desires to do right.
Seth represents the soul, through which man begins to seek God.
Genesis 4:26 records, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.” It was through Seth’s line that humanity awakened spiritually, realizing its relationship with God.
The Adamic Dispensation (Adam to Noah)
The generations from Adam to Noah are sometimes called the Adamic dispensation, covering thousands of years. Genesis 5 shows lifespans of hundreds of years, which science does not entirely deny, but God later limited man’s days: “My Spirit shall not always strive with man… yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years” (Genesis 6:3).
The line of Seth is described as “sons of God” because they sought the Lord, while Cain’s descendants lived according to their own desires (Genesis 6:1-2).
Two men stand out as walking closely with God:
Enoch, called “the seventh from Adam” (Jude 1:14), who “walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).
Noah, who was “a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9).
The Flood as a Spiritual Symbol
The flood story is more than history—it carries spiritual symbolism. The ark is a figure of salvation and rebirth. Jesus spoke of this spiritual truth: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
Water represents the mother of creation, cleansing and renewal. The ark, its dimensions, and the preservation of life all point to a pattern of rebirth—both physical and spiritual.
Knowing Ourselves
From Adam to Noah (nearly 10,000 years by some reckonings), mankind had great capacity for wisdom, yet most lived only for physical desires. Noah, however, “found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8) because he sought to walk in relationship with God.
To “know thyself” means examining all three aspects of our being:
Physical – How we live in the body.
Mental – What we choose to believe.
Spiritual – How we relate to God.
We must ask: What do I believe? Who is the Author of my belief? Jesus promised, “The Comforter… shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26).
The Purpose of Life and Parenthood
When Lamech named his son Noah, he said, “This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands” (Genesis 5:29). This shows the importance of parents having a right concept of God when raising children.
Every part of creation has a holy desire to reproduce according to God’s order (Genesis 1:28). Sin enters when reproduction and desire are corrupted by selfish material aims.
The Superconscious and Spiritual Vision
Deep within, in the superconscious, the soul already knows truth. Jesus said: “Ye know the way” (John 14:4). The mind has this knowledge, but worldly distractions cover it, like a shade pulled over a window, blocking spiritual vision.
To “know thyself” is to clear away the distractions of material desire, so the soul may once again hear God’s voice and walk with Him.
In summary:
Edgar Cayce’s lesson parallels Scripture by teaching that man’s body, mind, and soul reflect the Trinity. Cain, Abel, and Seth symbolize these aspects. The story from Adam to Noah demonstrates both man’s fall and God’s invitation to renewal through water and Spirit, prefiguring the rebirth Christ offers us.
Teaching Outline: Know Thyself
(Paralleling Genesis 5–6, ASFG Lesson 1, Edgar Cayce 1/31/1939)
1. Man as a Reflection of the Godhead
Godhead: Father, Son, Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Man: Body, Mind, Soul — reflections of divine source.
Symbolic meaning in Adam’s first sons:
Cain = Body (prone to sin).
Abel = Mind (desiring righteousness).
Seth = Soul (awakening to God).
Genesis 4:26 – “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.”
2. The Adamic Dispensation (Adam to Noah)
Period covering many generations (Genesis 5).
Men lived long lifespans, later shortened by God.
Genesis 6:3 – “My Spirit shall not always strive with man… his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
Two lines of humanity:
Seth’s line: Called “sons of God,” seeking the Lord.
Cain’s line: Pursuing pleasure, ignoring God.
Genesis 6:1-2 – “The sons of God saw the daughters of men…”
3. Enoch and Noah: Walking with God
Enoch: Walked with God and was taken (Genesis 5:24).
Jude 1:14 – “Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied…”
Noah: Found grace, lived righteously in his generation.
Genesis 6:9 – “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations.”
4. The Flood as Symbol of Rebirth
The Ark = symbol of salvation.
Water = cleansing, renewal, creation’s mother.
The Flood foreshadows spiritual rebirth.
John 3:5 – “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
5. Knowing Ourselves
To know ourselves, we must examine:
Physical life (Body).
Belief and thought (Mind).
Spiritual relationship with God (Soul).
Jesus promised spiritual remembrance.
John 14:26 – “The Comforter… shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.”
6. Purpose of Life and Parenthood
Noah’s birth seen as a sign of God’s plan.
Genesis 5:29 – “This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands.”
Parents must pass on right knowledge of God.
Every organ has holy desire to reproduce (Genesis 1:28).
Sin enters when desires are corrupted by selfishness.
7. The Superconscious and Spiritual Vision
Deep within, the soul knows truth.
John 14:4 – “Ye know the way.”
The mind is aware, but worldly desires block spiritual vision.
To know thyself = uncover spiritual sight, hear God, and walk with Him.
Key Takeaways
Man reflects the Trinity – body, mind, and soul mirror Father, Son, and Spirit.
Cain, Abel, and Seth symbolize our inner struggle – body’s sin, mind’s desire for good, soul’s call to God.
The flood teaches spiritual rebirth – salvation comes through cleansing, faith, and obedience.
Knowing yourself means knowing your Source – God, the Author of life.
Spiritual vision is clouded by material desires – but the soul already knows the way back to God.
Bible Study: Know Thyself
(Genesis 5–6, Edgar Cayce Bible Minutes, 1/31/1939)
1. Man as a Reflection of the Godhead
Key Point: As God is Father, Son, and Spirit, man is body, mind, and soul.
Genesis 4:26; Matthew 28:19
Discussion Questions:
1. How do body, mind, and soul reflect the Trinity?
Sample Answer: The body reflects God the Father as Creator of physical life; the mind reflects Christ, the Word and wisdom of God; the soul reflects the Spirit, who connects us with God.
2. Why do you think Seth’s line began to “call on the Lord”?
Sample Answer: It shows humanity’s awakening to its spiritual source, realizing dependence on God beyond physical survival.
2. The Adamic Dispensation (Adam to Noah)
Key Point: Humanity lived long ages but became corrupt, leading God to shorten man’s days.
Genesis 6:3; Genesis 6:1-2
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think it means that lifespans were shortened to 120 years?
Sample Answer: It reflects God’s judgment on sin but also His mercy, limiting corruption and giving man urgency to seek Him.
2. How do the “sons of God” differ from the “daughters of men”?
Sample Answer: Seth’s line sought God (“sons of God”), while Cain’s line lived for pleasure, showing the division between the spiritual and the worldly.
3. Enoch and Noah: Walking with God
Key Point: Both men are examples of faith and obedience in corrupt times.
Genesis 5:24; Genesis 6:9; Jude 1:14
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to “walk with God” like Enoch and Noah?
Sample Answer: It means daily fellowship with God, seeking His will in every part of life, not just religious rituals.
2. Why is Noah called “perfect in his generations”?
Sample Answer: He remained faithful to God and did not corrupt himself with the sinful practices of others.
4. The Flood as Symbol of Rebirth
Key Point: The ark symbolizes salvation and rebirth, just as Jesus spoke of being “born of water and Spirit.”
Genesis 6:14-22; John 3:5
Discussion Questions:
1. How is Noah’s ark like salvation in Christ?
Sample Answer: Just as the ark saved Noah and his family from destruction, Christ is our refuge from sin and death.
2. Why do you think water is such a powerful symbol in the Bible?
Sample Answer: Water gives life, cleanses impurity, and represents new beginnings (baptism, creation, flood).
5. Knowing Ourselves
Key Point: To “know thyself” is to understand body, mind, and spirit in light of God.
John 14:26
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it important to know what we believe and who is the author of our belief?
Sample Answer: Because belief shapes our life — if God is the author, our foundation is truth; if the world is the author, our foundation is unstable.
2. How does the Holy Spirit help us “remember” God’s truth?
Sample Answer: Through prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection, the Spirit brings back spiritual knowledge that is already written in our hearts.
6. Purpose of Life and Parenthood
Key Point: God’s plan is passed on through generations — parents must teach their children truth.
Genesis 5:29; Genesis 1:28
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Lamech’s naming of Noah show faith in God’s plan?
Sample Answer: Lamech believed Noah’s life had purpose beyond the physical, showing trust in God’s promises.
2. Why is it important for parents to have the right view of God when raising children?
Sample Answer: Because children inherit not just physical traits, but also spiritual direction and example.
7. The Superconscious and Spiritual Vision
Key Point: Deep within, the soul knows truth — but worldly desires cover it like a shade.
John 14:4
Discussion Questions:
1. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Ye know the way”?
Sample Answer: The soul already knows its source is God, but we often forget because of worldly distractions.
2. What are some “shades” that block our spiritual vision today?
Sample Answer: Materialism, selfish desires, busyness, doubt, and fear — anything that turns our focus away from God.
Final Application
Just as Noah found grace in God’s eyes (Genesis 6:8), we too can walk with God by knowing ourselves in relation to Him.
To know thyself is not self-centered, but God-centered — seeing the body, mind, and soul as reflections of Him.
The challenge is to clear away worldly distractions and live in daily fellowship with the Lord.
THE ADAMIC DISPENSATION
The Adamic dispensation represents the first stage of mankind’s spiritual journey. It teaches:
Humanity has a divine origin (made in God’s image).
Man quickly falls into sin when led by the body and mind apart from God.
God is patient but also just — He limits sin and preserves a faithful remnant (Enoch, Noah).
It sets the stage for the covenant with Noah and the next dispensation.
The Adamic dispensation is the period of human history from Adam to Noah.
It begins with Adam, created in God’s image (Genesis 1–2).
It includes the Fall (Genesis 3), Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), and the birth of Seth through whom people began calling on the name of the Lord (Genesis 4:26).
It continues through the genealogies of Genesis 5.
It ends with Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6–9).
Timeline: The Adamic Dispensation (Adam → Noah)
Adam
Created by God in His image (Genesis 1–2).
The Fall of man (Genesis 3).
Cain & Abel
Cain murders Abel (Genesis 4:8).
Cain’s descendants represent worldly living.
Seth
Born after Abel’s death.
“Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26).
Represents the spiritual line.
Enoch
“Walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).
Seventh from Adam; a preacher of righteousness (Jude 1:14).
Methuselah
Lived the longest recorded life: 969 years (Genesis 5:27).
His name traditionally linked to judgment (“his death shall bring it”).
Lamech (father of Noah)
Said of his son: “This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil” (Genesis 5:29).
Noah
“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8).
Built the Ark; Flood judgment and salvation (Genesis 6–9).
The Adamic dispensation is the time between Adam and Noah — a period of early humanity where God revealed Himself, but most people lived for themselves instead of seeking Him. It’s a lesson about the dangers of corruption, the necessity of calling on God, and the promise that God preserves those who walk with Him.
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