Wednesday: Through Whom He Made the Universe
Hebrews affirms that God created the world “through” or “by” Jesus and that Jesus sustains the world with His powerful word.
Read Isaiah 44:24, Isaiah 45:18, and Nehemiah 9:6. Because in the Old Testament the Lord affirmed that He created the world “alone” and that He is the “only God,” how can we reconcile this affirmation with the affirmations in the New Testament that God created the universe “through” Jesus (Hebrews 1:2-3)?
Some think that Jesus was merely the instrument through whom God created. This is not possible. First, for Paul, Jesus is the Lord who created the world; He was not a helper. Hebrews 1:10 says that Jesus is the Lord who created the earth and the heavens, and Paul also applies to Him what Psalm 102:25-27 says about the Lord (Yahweh) as Creator.
Image © Philippians McKay from GoodSalt.com
Second, Hebrews 2:10 says that the universe was created “by” or “through” the Father. (Exactly the same expressions that are applied to Jesus in Hebrews 1:2.) The Father created and Jesus created (Hebrews 1:2, Hebrews 1:10; Hebrews 2:10). There is a perfect agreement between Father and Son in purpose and activity. This is part of the mystery of the Trinity. Jesus created and God created, but there is only One Creator, God — which implies that Jesus is God.
Meanwhile Hebrews 4:13 shows that Jesus is also Judge. His authority to rule and judge derives from the fact that God created all things and sustains the universe (Isaiah 44:24-28).
Hebrews 1:3 and Colossians 1:17 affirm that Jesus also sustains the universe. This sustaining action probably includes the idea of guidance or governance. The Greek word pheron (sustaining, carrying) is used to describe the wind driving a boat (Acts 27:15, Acts 27:17) or God leading the prophets (2 Pet. 1:21). Thus, in a real sense, Jesus not only created us but sustains us, as well. Every breath, every heartbeat, every moment of our existence is found in Him, Jesus, the foundation of all created existence.
| Look up Acts 17:28. What does it say to us about Jesus and His power? Then think about the implications of this same Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. What does this truth teach us about the self-denying character of our Lord? |
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When I was teaching students to write computer programs one of the great principles I tried to instil into their minds was the idea of maintainability. Just about anyone can write a computer program that does something, but what if you want to come back to the program later to maintain it? Then it soon become apparent whether the program was written so that it could be maintained. Of course, the best person to maintain the program is usually the person that wrote it in the first place. In my own experience, I have written several complex computer programs that I have had to return to later on because requirements had changed. I knew exactly where to go to and what to do because I had constructed the programs with maintainability in mind. It was not a spaghetti mix of unintelligible code. It was familiar territory with maps of where to go and what to do.
The introduction of Hebrews makes the important link between the creator and redeemer. They are the one and the same. The redeemer is not just an unknown engineer sent in by the boss to see if he can fix the problem. He is the designer who understands his creation intimately and who has a vested interest in its maintenance.
Today's lesson proposes that because Jesus made the universe, He has the authority to rule and judge. But the kind of judging that the lesson implies is not the kind of judging that Jesus and God does.
If we go right back to the very beginning of sin - when Lucifer made false allegations, accusations and insinuations against God - if God was actually the type of judge that He is typically portrayed and perceived as being, God merely needed to rule that Lucifer's allegations were false and the Great Controversy would have been 'nipped in the bud'. So why didn't God do that? Because it wouldn't have worked. While declaration by an authority might be sufficient for some or even many, it ultimately is not 'bulletproof'.
So what is authentically 'bulletproof'? Allowing anyone and everyone to see first-hand for themselves absolutely every angle of everything that is going on so that every question and doubt is explored and satisfied 'beyond any shadow of doubt'. We are talking about evidence that speaks for itself - which includes making evidence plain and visible where it might otherwise be a bit difficult or even impossible to see for ourselves (see 1 Corinthians 4:5).
This is the only kind of judgment process that will actually work - absolute unrestrained access by any and all observers to every aspect of everything that has happened so all can see the truth of what happened for themselves. This is God's higher way of judgment - which would be more technically termed 'unrestrained Revelation'. If we had this ability as humans, we wouldn't need a judge or jury to determine innocence or guilt for the truth would be plain for all to see - no dispute. We only have our human system because we don't have this ability. Hence our ways are lower than God's ways because of our limitations - especially under our currently 'fallen' state (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Incase you think I am stretching things too far, take a look for yourself at Hebrews 4:13, the verse used by today's lesson to portray to Jesus as judge. You will find that the Greek word translated "given an account" is logos - the exact same word used in John 1:1 - in the beginning was the logos (Word). Logos is the activity of perfect revelation (technically, the self-radiating/emitting of and by pure truth) so that all may see for themselves the pure truth of what is. I invite you to carefully consider the following passages for yourself in light of what I have proposed about and see what you find: John 8:15-16; 7:24; 9:39; 5:22,30.
After revealing the hearts of everyone this is what Jesus Christ says just before He comes:
Rev 22:11-16 ISV Let the one who does what is evil continue to do what is evil. Let the filthy person continue to be filthy. Let the righteous person continue to do what is right. And let the holy person continue to be holy." (12) "See! I am coming soon! My reward is with me to repay everyone according to his action. (13) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. (14) "How blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city! (15) Outside are dogs, sorcerers, immoral people, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (16) "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give this testimony to you for the churches. I am the root and descendent of David, the bright morning star."
Absolutely agree with the passage you quoted from Revelation and the verse you emphasised. But by what means is Christ repaying everyone according to their actions? Is it because He has arbitrarily decided who will get what? Or is it that He is then free to render to each person their inherent outcomes because all are then in a position to unmistakably understand that such is the case because all has been fully revealed - meaning that the direct cause-and-effect relationship in each situation and outcome is clearly evident to all? Revelation 22:11 reflects inherent cause-and-effect dynamic that verse 12 then follows through further with.
I also find Revelation 22:11-16 to be parallel to other scriptural passages such as Galatians 6:7-9.
What is this passage saying? That destruction (bad outcomes) are inherently produced by sin. This is the sewing and reaping phenomenon which is a phenomenon that is internally driven, not externally applied. That this is the case is further emphasised in the Greek because the word flesh in "from the flesh" is in the genitive (ie possessive) noun form meaning the flesh is the possessor of the means and mechanism of destruction. This is then contrasted with eternal life that is the result of the activity of the Spirit. Two different outcomes arising from two different sources via two different means.
Also James 1:14-17
Once again we have sin identified as the agent that brings forth death when it has run its course. This affirms that sin is a process of destruction where the full and final outcome of destruction can happen sooner in or later - but nevertheless will happen. Does 'sin', as an intangible principle have the 'power/means' to bring about destruction? If we remember that sin is "lawlessness" (1 John 3:4) or in the Greek anomia (lacking lawfulness) and that law is the principle of consistent cause-and-effect that creates the order that is necessary for the existence and functioning of life, then yes sin is the fostering of chaos which is the mechanism of destruction.
It is interesting that James follows verses 14-15 with what he has said in verses 16-17. In direct contrast to the destruction that is the inherent product of sin/lawlessness, James emphasises that God is the exclusive causative agent of all good things. Once again, two different outcomes arising from two different sources via two different means. See also John 10:10 for this same parallel exclusivity.
I therefore would submit that the principle of sewing and reaping - an inherent cause-and-effect phenomenon - is robustly reflected across scripture (eg Job 4:8; Proverbs 11:18; Hosea 10:13; Romans 6:21,23). It is a foundational principle embedded within creation (eg, Genesis 2:16-17) by a Creator who, contrary to the insinuations and accusations of Satan, the adversarial slanderer (eg Genesis 3:4-5), is not in any way arbitrary in His methods or means of being or doing.
I believe that just as the LORD gives humans a choice to listen to the devil or the Holy Spirit like Eve had the choice. The LORD himself has a choice whom He allows in His Kingdom. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. The devil and his angels were expelled from heaven. Per Rev 22 the LORD will only allow His followers to live in the New Earth.
I agree the LORD's Principles of Life are the cause and effect principles that are the means by which He governs the universe. He has clearly stated them repeatedly, they are not arbitrary nor faulty.
Thanks for your further input Shirley. I appreciate that you are passionate and willing to share what you are convicted is truth.
By way of clarification, when you say that the LORD himself has a choice whom He allows in His Kingdom, are you proposing that the LORD can choose to disallow someone who is, at a heart level, in harmony with His cause-and-effect Principles of Life, or choose to allow someone who is, at a heart level, out of harmony with the same? If so, would that be arbitrary? If not, then it would seem that those who either enter or do not enter the Kingdom do so based on their choice as manifest in whether they are, at heart level, willingly in harmony with the cause-and-effect Principles of life or not respectively - the principles that the LORD has chosen to inform all people of so each person can make an informed choice (eg, Romans 1:20).
I believe per His Word the choice of the LORD is:
- to shed His blood for many for the remission of sins
- to draw all mankind to Himself
- to grant repentance and forgiveness to His people
- to those who surrender their will to Him, He imputes and imparts His righteousness
- and promises them eternal life in His Kingdom
Thanks Shirley
I agree that God has chosen to do the first four items you mentioned as all are consistent with His nature and character of beneficent love.
And I agree that He imputes and imparts righteousness to all who surrender their will to Him - and in so doing enter eternal life within His Kingdom.
My original proposition was that judgment is not God determining who will enter His Kingdom or not, but rather God revealing 'evidence that speaks for itself' which shows that each and every person who enters His Kingdom has surrendered their will to Him and that each and every person who has not entered His Kingdom has not surrendered their will to Him (as per 1 Corinthians 4:5 principle).
There is Good News and bad news:
Bad news
Matt 7:21
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
The Good News!
Jesus Christ who loves us is the Judge and He knows our thoughts and intentions. But wait there is even better news - to those who believe in Him, He imputes and imparts His righteousness and He says come into My Kingdom prepared for you before the creation of the world.
Heb 4:12-13; Rom 4:23-24; Matt 25:34
Rom 4:23-24
23 Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham, 24 but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.
Rom 4:20-25 KJV
20 He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
He made
I have not done anything in my life to waste time.
Likewise When I realize I have been created, I have a purpose in my existence.
I am not a coincidence. I am intentional in the realm of His creation.
What a power of confidence this phrase gives unto me to face the world.
Surrender to Him so that His purpose of creation maybe fulfilled through us.
God wants to partner with us. What would be our response?
Very applicable lesson for today's setting, especially in the context of the James Webb satellite... reminds me of Babel and the pride of man. I am humbled that He is our Creator and Redeemer. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."" Rev 1:8. Powerful!
Happy Sabbath, brethren. The lesson says, "Some think that Jesus was merely the instrument through whom God created." However, this extreme and false approach may make us miss the great truth that Jesus was the divine agency by whom God created. The word "merely" throws us off and turns us away from the fact that God created BY His only begotten Son.
The lesson also says, "He was not a helper." But we know that this is not according to what we read in Genesis and in Patriarchs and Prophets, where the only begotten Son of God is called "an associate" and "a co-worker". See:
The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate—a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6. His “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2. And the Son of God declares concerning Himself: “The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting.... When He appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him.” Proverbs 8:22-30. - PP 34.1