Paradise Lost

Although Michael can see Adam’s distress at the fate of humankind, he continues his story. Noah essentially becomes the next Adam (though more righteous and less sinful), and the future continues to unfurl with lost souls and righteous men. Michael shows Adam the Tower of Babel, which will stretch toward Heaven, and the king who will be punished when everyone starts speaking in different tongues. Michael tells Adam about Abraham, Moses, and Aaron, a family of men who will free the Israelites from enslavement and lead them back to the Land of Canaan, where there will be a Messiah who will free mankind from Adam’s original sin. Adam sees Moses transcribing the Ten Commandments, the Red Sea parting, and a man born of a virgin who will defeat Death. Although the stories are terrifying, Adam expresses gratitude that there is eventual salvation. He wonders aloud if his fall was actually a good thing because it leads to Judgment Day. Adam and Michael descend the mountain, and Adam and Eve walk out of Paradise and into their future.