Further Study: Creation and the Gospel
“‘The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are 
revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.’ [Deuteronomy 29:29.] Just how God accomplished the work of creation he has never revealed to men; human science cannot search out the secrets of the Most High. His creative power is as incomprehensible as his existence.”-Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 113. “In that thick darkness God’s presence was hidden. He makes darkness His pavilion, and conceals His glory from human eyes. God and His holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son. Yet His presence was not revealed. Had His glory flashed forth from the cloud, every human beholder would have been destroyed. And in that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the Father’s presence. He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him.”-Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 753, 754.
Discussion Questions
- How is the gospel related to the story of Creation? What specific aspects of Genesis 1-3 are foundational to the gospel? How is the story of Jesus based on the historical veracity of Genesis? How would one tell the story of Jesus if there were no Adam and Eve?
- The Bible maintains that the Creation was accomplished by supernatural processes that are not accessible to science but that can be learned only by special revelation. Tension between the Bible and science is, therefore, not a surprise. Why is it a mistake, then, to expect science to be able to explain all of God’s creative works?
- What links exist between the gospel, Creation, and judgment as indicated in Revelation 14:6, 7?
- Critics of Christianity will often argue that Jesus knew beforehand that, though He would die, He would be resurrected to life. Thus, they ask, what was the big deal about His death when He knew it would be only temporary? How does Matthew 27:4, supplemented by the The Desire of Ages quote above, help to answer that objection?
(0)
True science is in harmony with the Scriptures, and is a revelation of the omniscinence of God!
On Mat 27:46 we find our Lord jesus christ cried, why his father had forsaken him, thinking that his separation was to be forever; it because by that time he was in human nature... But God father & his Holy angels were there besides the cross, he was with him. Yet his presence not revealed in human nature... As sister White says : in that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the father's presence! May the deeper appreciation of what heaven has done for us granted to all!
No one else has suffered or needs to suffer the death Jesus faced, so who can say it was no big deal? I know this, because of what Jesus suffered in MY place, God accepts it in my place and gives me eternal Life with Him through faith.
The day is coming when others will suffer that same death by choice, and then it will be seen how great that death was to face by One who was sinless. But what will make it worse for them is the knowledge that they could have escaped it, and they will have no hope resurrection from it. Jesus faced the same hopelessness in the place of a whole world that deserved it. It's no wonder to see why sinners like King David, Paul and many others love the Lord so much.
Thank you, polite phumza Mntungwa, for supplying the text, Matthew 27:46. Jesus felt the weight of sin and the guilt of the entire world against God. His humanity was screaming as His pain sensors worked overtime because of all the exhaustion and physical pain He was experiencing. His mind was clouded and the devil was constantly feeding His mind with doubts that He valiantly resisted. We cannot imagine what He really went through on the cross, but we can get glimpses. Praise His name for remaining faithful when He could not feel His Father near!!
Indeed Polite you are spot on. May the Lord answer that prayer on behalf of all! Its truly amazing what Jesus was willing to do and actually did for us to make a way for us to be saved. Blessed the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His holy Name.