These were all different levels of glory, descending from a higher state to a lower state, manifested in the increasing decrepit state at which the human physical body was deteriorating, as well as mankind's relationship with God.
Once Christ was crucified, this broke the spiritual curse upon mankind, (for the curse of death was both a physical, and a spiritual curse). Being in the presence of God, (whose presence rested over the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies), is no longer a fatal experience after the death and resurrection of Christ. This was signified by the ripping of the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:37, Luke 23:44).
The spiritual level of glory for mankind has finally taken a turn-mankind is now on the rise in glory toward God, through Christ. The rapture will be the dramatic physical manifestation of the restoring of mankind's return to a glorified state, to physically be in God's presence once again.
On the macro level, the entire Earth contains a certain level of glory as well. The Garden of Eden was in a higher level of glory before the fall. Once Adam and Eve sinned, the entire Earth was taken from this higher level of glory. The fulfillment of this decreased level of glory wasn't evident until the flood of Noah, when the Garden of Eden was destroyed.
Spiritually speaking, Earth lost the constant presence of God upon its soil. Instead, the soil of the Earth was defiled by the blood of Abel, who was murdered by his own brother in Genesis 4:10-12.
After the flood, the Earth's environment became harsh. Desserts of ice, and sand formed upon the globe; masses of bitter water (oceans and seas) broke up the land, and divided it into separate continents. Fresh water was no longer an ever-present friend, flowing throughout the Earth in a network of underground rivers the way it was before, as described in Genesis 2:5-6. Instead, it now primarily comes from the sky when God determines it to do so. In this manner, God has allowed floods, and droughts, which didn't exist beforehand.
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