Chapter 21

Creation

The Visible World

Did God create heaven and earth and all that is in them, or are they the product of selective evolution? Did God create the "big bang" and then go off to let it develop on its own? If there is no God, where did the materials come from to initiate the "big bang?" These questions are the focal point of the conflict between many scientists and biblical creationists. However, keep in mind there are creditable scientists who also believe in creation. In this chapter we will be looking at the biblical teaching about creation.

God Is Praised for Creating

The final book of the Bible, Revelation, depicts the events of the end of this age. Chapters four and five record a scene set in the throne room of heaven. Chapter four has a description of the one who sits on the throne and the created spirit beings who are in His presence. Four living creatures, who are the seraphim described in Isaiah 6, fly around God's throne day and night worshiping Him, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come" (Rev 4:8). The Apostle John wrote:

		Revelation 4:10-11
	10	… the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
	11	"Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created."

This scene shows us the very basis for the praise of God by the host in heaven: He is Creator and all things exist because He willed it so. Both men and angels owe their very life and breath to the Creator. Concerning man's dependence upon God, Job says:

		Job 34:14-15
	14	"If He [God] should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath,
	15	All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust."

Thus, God is not only the Creator of the universe and all who are in it, but He is the sustainer of that universe.

When God answered the complaints of Job and the charges of Job's friends, He began by showing His power and ultimate sovereignty in creation. God said:

		Job 38:4-7
	4	Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth! Tell Me, if you have understanding,
	5	Who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it?
	6	"On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,
	7	When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Throughout that chapter of Job and the next, God speaks of various aspects of His creation and the things that He has done that no one else can do.

The Purpose of Creation

One of the principal reasons for creation is to bring praise to God. Psalm 19 contains some often repeated words:

		Psalm 19:1-4
	1	The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
	2	Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.
	3	There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.
	4	Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world.

Those who have a biblical faith in God have no difficulty in praising Him because He is the Creator.

Jesus Was Active in Creation As the Word

The first verse at the beginning of this study ascribed glory to the Lord God Almighty because He created all things. Many people do not realize that Jesus had a significant role in creation before His birth in Bethlehem. The Apostle John wrote about this in his Gospel:

		John 1:1-3 and 14
	1	In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
	2	He was in the beginning with God.
	3	All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
	14	… the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Thus, it is clear from these verses that Jesus Christ had an active part in creation prior to His incarnation.

Paul agrees. He said about Jesus, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created by Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). Each of these two very clear passages state that Jesus Christ was an active agent in the creation of both the visible and the invisible worlds, including the angelic host.

The Holy Spirit Was Active in Creation

The Spirit of God was likewise an active agent in creation. The second verse in the Bible speaks of the Spirit of God early in creation history, "And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters" (Genesis 1:2).

The Spirit of God participated in the creation of heaven and earth; He also participated in the creation of man. The book of Job ascribes man's being and life to the Spirit of God: "The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4). Thus, all three members of the Trinity were active in creation: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Creation Essential to Correct Understanding of Man

The creation account in Genesis is absolutely essential for a right view of the problem of sin. Everyone knows that man is not perfect. But why is he not perfect, and is he able to improve his nature through education, training, and hard work?

The book of Romans teaches that man is a sinner because the first man, Adam, sinned and damaged his whole being. His sinful nature was passed on to the entire human race. If the teaching of evolution were correct, mankind would not have come from a single pair at the beginning. Likely, there would be more than one line of human beings. In that case some men might have been sinners while others might not have been. However, it is quite clear that all men are sinners because they descend from Adam. Romans 5:12 says, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned." The proof that all have sinned is that all die. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Creation Is a Matter of Faith

In Acts, Paul had this to say about God as Creator in his message in Athens:

		Acts 17:24, 29-31
	24	"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;
	29	"Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.
	30	"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent,
	31	because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

We can see that God is Creator through the things which He made, but it is still a matter of faith. Hebrews 11:3 says, "By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." There is strong resistance to belief in a Creator, because if we admit we are created by God, we must admit our responsibility to Him. Then we know we must give an account to Him for our actions. We are all guilty sinners in the hands of a righteous God.

Earlier, the fact was mentioned that death spread to all men because all sinned. The scientific and medical community are doing all they can to extend the life span of man, and that is good. We ought to do all we can to help people. But, while the average life span has been extended, the death rate for mankind is still 100 percent! Because of sin, the Bible says, "it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). Since that is the case, we cannot afford to ignore our accountability to God.

Make It Personal

Even if men refuse to acknowledge God now, each one shall give an account to Him later, because He "has fixed a day in which He will judge the world" by Christ Jesus (Acts 17:31). Whether or not one recognizes the existence of God now is not the issue.

On the other hand, it does matter to the point of urgency that each person realize that he is a created being with responsibility. The time has come when repentance and faith in the death and resurrection of God's Son for salvation is vital. Jesus did not come to die without good reason. He gave His life to deliver you from the guilt and bondage of your sin. May God grant you the repentance and faith which leads to eternal life.

		Genesis 1:27
	27	And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

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