The Beginning of Creation
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IN thought, dear reader, we have gone back "before the eons," where, in the language of the poet, we find "not a trace of anything but God--and space: God all around--below, above, unlimited in power and love." O, how I wish I might be enabled to press clearly and indelibly upon the heart of everyone who reads this, the fact that there was a time when there were no "eons," or ages to mark the dial of eternity! Away back there, God's "grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before eonian times" began their course. This truth is confirmed by the apostle Paul, to whom, alone, the full scope of divine revelation was made known. He tells us of the "times" outside the "eons just as he also enlarges the sphere of God's grace to include the entire universe. In both space and time, he transcends the earth-bound eonian limits of previous unfoldings and enlarges our vision to include the heavens as well as the earth, and all time, of which the "eons" are but a parenthesis. "BEFORE EONIAN TIMES" Of that time "before the eons" the Scriptures are clear and explicit, speaking of "grace," "eonian life," and a "secret...for our glory"--all given to us in Christ Jesus "before eonian times" began their course. Paul, in writing to Timothy, makes known the fact:
In Titus, he speaks further relative to this same thought, of God's
And again, when speaking to those among the Corinthian saints who were mature and able to bear it, he tells of
These Scriptures are concise and emphatic in revealing a time "before the eons," leaving no room for quibble unless it be with God and His Word. The "eons," or "ages," were not eternal in the past, but had a definite beginning. GOD'S EONIAN PURPOSE, In the study of God's "purpose of the eons which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord," there must be a starting place, or "beginning." Scientific theories have this beginning of the physical universe in the "nebular hypothesis." Theology has its "nebular hypothesis" also, which is reflected in our versions by the renderings "in the beginning." THE DEFINITE ARTICLE It may be surprising to many to know that the larger portion of the passages reading "in the beginning," have no article in the original. Many go to Genesis 1:1 for "the" beginning, yet the definite article "the" is not found in the original here, therefore it most certainly does not refer to the beginning in the absolute. Others will quote John 1:1 as a reference to "the" beginning, yet we find no article in the original. In both instances, the "beginning" is simply in reference to the commencement or beginning of the subject that is being considered. Genesis 1:1 is the "beginning" of the physical universe, while John 1:1 speaks of the beginning of revelation, yet, in neither instance is there reference to "the" beginning in the absolute, but simply "a" beginning of the subject under consideration. MANY BEGINNINGS There are many "beginnings" recorded in God's Word. We have a "beginning" of revelation (John 1:1); a "beginning" of the physical creation (Gen.1:1; Matt.24:21; Mark 13:19; 2 Peter 3:4) a "beginning" of the creation of man (Mark 10:6); a "beginning of the evangel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1); and a "beginning" of sorrows or travail preceding and inaugurating the great affliction or tribulation coming upon the world (Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8). The careful student will observe that in all these instances of "beginning," not one of them refers to "the" beginning in the absolute. In each case, it means only "a" beginning or "in" beginning of the subject in hand. It could be idiomatically rendered "to begin with" regarding whatever was under consideration. DEGENERATE THEOLOGY By not observing the fact of the absence of the definite article "the" in these Scriptures, theology has built up a vain philosophy on a false premise and robbed the saints of the truth of the real beginning of the creation of God. Orthodox theology insists that "before anything was created 'the Son' was God as fully as was 'the Father.'" And, when we emphatically assert that the Sacred Scriptures know nothing of any such teaching, many will gasp for breath and cry out "unorthodox," "dangerous doctrine," "modernism," and many other opprobrious phrases we need not mention. We are appealing for truth and sanity through a "pattern of sound words." Men have become so careless in their teaching, blinded by human tradition and the use of so many unsound words, that they actually teach, with strong conviction, honesty of heart and sincerity of purpose, many things that are extra-scriptural and errors of the worst sort. Furthermore, having listened to them from our childhood and given them no question whatever, when the fact is pointed out that they are unscriptural, erroneous teachings, the real test consists in getting the consent of our minds to give them up for the truth of God as He has been pleased to really reveal it. But for those who have received the love of the truth and are willing to turn away from all carnality, we offer the teaching of God's Word on a subject which gives our Lord Jesus Christ a unique glory little known or realized in works of degenerate theology. GOD, THE FATHER, SOURCE OF ALL We first wish to offer to our readers according to the Scriptures, the one God, the Father, as the absolute source of all things. And before proceeding further, let us verify this by His Word:
"Before the eons," God, the Father, was all in Himself, because His Word tells us that "all is out of Him." Hence, for all who really receive the Scriptures as God's Word, the question is forever settled as to "Godhood" and the source of "all things." "There is one God, the Father, out of Whom all is." This is no theory or tradition, no dogma or doctrine of man--it is simply taking God at His Word and believing what He says. And, regardless of how much criticism we may get, we insist upon the conclusion we have reached on this subject--believing the Word of God just as it is given,--"there is one God, the Father, out of Whom all is." No matter how far backward we may project our thoughts, the "one God, the Father" is there, even though there be nothing else. And, whatever else may have had a "beginning," He had none. GOD'S CREATIVE ORIGINAL Having ascertained from the Scriptures that the one God, the Father, was the origin or source of all things, the next question that engages us, is God's creative original. In other words, What was the "original" or "beginning" of God's creation? So without theorizing or philosophizing after the manner of men, let us appeal to God's Word for the true light upon this subject. In the Unveiling (Revelation) of Jesus Christ, chapter 3, verse 14, it is written:
The underlying original and a literal sublinear of the latter part of the verse, "God's creative Original," reads Hee archee tees ktiseoos tou Theou, THE ORIGINAL OF-THE CREATION OF-THE God. Five times in the Unveiling we are expressly told that Jesus Christ is "the Alpha," "the First," "the Origin," "the Beginning of the creation of the God" (Rev.1:8,18; 3:14; 21: 6; 22:13). And we want to press this fact on our readers, that nowhere else in all the sacred original writings do we find the definite article "the" used in connection with "beginning" except in these references which point exclusively to the Lord Jesus Christ. So, for the earnest seeker of truth, this should settle the question of "the Beginning of the creation of the God." The faithful and True Witness, Jesus christ, Himself, is "God's creative Original." MANY CREATIONS In our search for truth on these questions, if we are not very careful, we will be confining the creation of God altogether to material substance. The creation of the heaven's and earth, as recorded in the first chapter of Genesis, is not the only "creation" spoken of in God's Word. In Colossians we read of the "creation" of that which is "on the heavens and on the earth...the visible and the invisible." Now this has reference to the myriads of living beings who populate the heavens and the earth whether visibly embodied upon the earth or the invisible host--thrones or dominions or sovereignties or authorities among the celestials--on the heavens. PURPOSE OF CREATION Though God Himself is present and powerful, yet it must be remembered that He is spirit, invisible, intangible, imperceptible (John 4:24; 1 Tim.1: 17), and as such, cannot be known or apprehended by His creatures. And since it is creation's burden is to manifest His excellence, it must needs be that somewhere in the universe there exists a perfect Image of His essence. Fragments are everywhere. His power is in the wind. His light is in the sun. Monarchs on earthly thrones faintly mirror His majesty. But each of these is limited, as He is not, and each lacks qualities which other fragments hold. But the chiefest lack is love. Nature, as well as man, seems heartless and relentlessly cruel. IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD But there is one Image Who is perfect. The Son of God the visible manifestation of God, is the only One Who answers to every attribute which Deity demands." When Philip requested to be shown the Father and it would suffice, the Lord Jesus replied, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:8,9). Christ, the Son of God, being the Image of the invisible God (2 Cor. 4:4), He is, therefore, the Effulgence of the Father's glory aand the Emblem of His assumption (Heb. 1:3). "God assumes various characters during the administration of the eons. He is 'Creator,''Saviour,' 'Judge,' and 'Reconciler.' In every one of these assumption He is represented by His Son, Who, as His Emblem, is also the 'Creator,' 'Saviour,' 'Judge,' and 'Reconciler.' The whole universe was created 'in Him, through Him and for Him'" (Col.1:16). "He is Elohim, the God of space. He is Jehovah, the God of time, for He made the eons. And as to sonship, Paul tells us in Colossians 1:16, that He is the 'Firstborn of every creature.' And may we note particularly that He is, not before the firstborn, but the Firstborn Himself. Being creation's Firstborn, like the eldest son, He inherits all the dignity and estate which are His Father's." Paul tells us
And, just so, it was, in the "beginning." "Before either heaven or earth knew aught of rule or ownership, the Son of God, in His solitary sublimity, held undisputed sway and complete possession of creation from center to circumference in the heavens as well as on the earth. And when, later, the heavens were filled with a shining host, each prince received his power directly through Him. And, later still, when man came on the scene and dominion over creatures of the earth was delegated to him, he, also, derived it from the Son of God. In the beginning it was "in Him." Down the eons, it is "through Him." Such are the Son's honors in that first and perfect creation, fresh from the hand of God. "He was supreme." All this is verified by the following Scriptures:
In the Unveiling of Jesus Christ, John gives us a glimpse of His true place in creation and redemption in these words:
"God, the Father, begins with Him, for He is 'God's creative Original,' and He, the Son supreme, for He is 'the Firstborn of every creature,' brings all of God's counsels for the universe to perfect fruition and delivers it back to 'God, even the Father, that He may be All in all.'"
CONCLUDING SUMMARY In this brief inquiry concerning "the Beginning of the Creation of God," as recorded in His Word, we have ascertained the following:
In other words, the absolute source or origin of all, the course of all and the goal of all is the one God, the Father. "Before the eons" He was all in Himself, for all is out of Him." After the eons or "consummation," He will be "All in all," because "all is for [Greek, eis, into] Him." Jesus Christ, the Faithful and True Witness is "the Beginning of the creation of God." He, "the Son of His love," is:
Being appointed the enjoyer of the allotment of the universe, as the Emblem of His assumption, He is
And He is the Head of the body, the ecclesia, Who is Sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead,
Furthermore, He is the bodily residence of all the fullness of the Deity,
Thereafter, the consummation,
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