Tag: Creation

Humility, Unity and Confidence

On By TimIn Genesis 02, HumilityLeave a comment

The Lord God planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, along with the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:8–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We start at the beginning from creation forward. We read that the earth was formed, domains made, and inhabitants created to occupy those domains.

Our attention focuses on God planting a garden that included the very thing that would provide a problem. One that would introduce an enemy opposed to God.

We tend to think of time linearly because we experience it that way. An event happens then the next one and so on. Yet, we cannot go back in time or look forward in time.

That movement of time doesn’t happen with God. He doesn’t move backward or forwards in time. He doesn’t look to the future, either. He is in every single moment in every conceivable place concurrently. I know that’s a big concept to grasp. But it helps to try to apprehend that. The psalmist sings of these wonders in Psalm 139.

The existence of that one tree would lead to the downfall of God’s imagers. One that we know He had confidently purposed to rectify.

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with powerful works and wonders and signs, which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know. You have taken Him, who was handed over to you by the ordained counsel and foreknowledge of God, and by lawless hands have crucified and killed Him, whom God raised up by loosening the pull of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Acts 2:22–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is in the confidence of that already conceived plan that Jesus was crucified. It was set in order long ago before time existed… God, Himself would die for sins. The apostle John drops another bombshell about the “timelessness” of this fact.

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was determined that Jesus would die for sins. It was also His Blood that atoned for the sin at the foundation of the world exactly when It was needed.

Consider this: It was Jesus Himself (John 1:3) Who planted that tree. He planted the tree of life, along with the tree of knowledge. The latter is that which brought death. Jesus then died on another tree. This is where death was defeated so that humans could have restored access to the tree of life and the garden of God.

In our experience, this is the entire swath of time from creation until the New Jerusalem and beyond. For God, these things don’t happen one after another as spread across time. There is unity in that. Just as there is a unity of purpose within God Himself.

Yet in the moment of the establishment of creation up to planting the garden, the humility of Jesus is a very present reality.

Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is a lot of deep stuff to unpack there. I will leave that for another time.

There is humility built into the creation. There is also unity. One which exudes confidence. Confidence that the necessary tasks to be done would be carried out and have the desired outcome. (God is already there.)

That is part of what Paul is saying about each of us having that very mind. Humility, unity, and confidence.

If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any compassion and mercy, then fulfill my joy and be like-minded, having the same love, being in unity with one mind. Let nothing be done out of strife or conceit, but in humility let each esteem the other better than himself. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Confidence that when we are called to lead, we lead. When called to teach, we teach. When called to love, we love. When called to have compassion, we are compassionate.

All of us are called to share Jesus Christ. We can be confident that we are able to do just that.

God Set Them in Place

On By TimIn Creation, Genesis 01Leave a comment

Then God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,

Genesis 1:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God set or placed them in the expanse. This is the Hebrew word yitten. The meaning of the word conveys something that is given but can also be used as something loaned with an expectation of interest.

This speaks to the anthropic principle of creation. Things are made just so for human existence. This includes the sun, moon, and stars. They are set, just so, in place.

Furthermore, the possible idea of these being loaned is intriguing. We know there will be no more use for the sun, not as it seems to be purposed for.

The city has no need of sun or moon to shine in it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Revelation 21:23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The purpose of the sun is temporary much like a loan. It is also expected to give interest. This it does, serving as the main energy source for the plants that would be the food for humans and other creatures.

In this way, the creation is giving us an agrarian typology of planting for harvest. We’ve read the texts that a seed is expected to produce more than it is when planted. In the same way, the sun is expected to be the impetus to produce a harvest of souls.

I looked. And there was a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like a Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. Then another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap. The time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So He who sat on the cloud thrust His sickle on the earth, and the earth was harvested.

Revelation 14:14–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

God Made the Expanse Separating the Waters

On By TimIn Creation, Genesis 011 Comment

Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the expanse and separated the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse. And it was so. God called the expanse Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.

Genesis 1:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The word translated to English expanse is the Hebrew word raqia. Much is said about the word, and what it means. I have something, too.

The word raqia is used as the barrier between waters above and waters below. The word raqia is relatively rare in the Old Testament. It means something firm which is why it is translated to the firmament in some versions and heavens in others. My preferred uses expanse.

Now with that in mind, I am going to speculate a bit. My speculations will be about the meanings conveyed by the words translated as water and expanse (firmament, heavens.) The science is real and conveyed as best I understand it.

I like to think of the word waters as a description of something like a fluid of super-plasmas. Plasmas are an ordered superheated state of matter that consists of ions (nuclei) and electrons. In this state, electrons are free of their orbits around the atom. Plasmas are superabundant in the universe and comprise almost all visible matter.

All four (known) fundamental states of matter are found in the expanse. Even now, I cannot help but to speak of an unsettling aspect of plasmas that may clue us to something fantastic. Every particle in plasmas ‘knows’ what every other particle is doing. It is like ‘something’ (wink-wink) is in control. With that, perhaps waters describe a super state of plasmas that is non-local and has a closer interface to eternity. Perhaps this idea of waters is a super-dimensional reality just beyond our perception.

And as I sit pondering this, it may be that the idea of firmament is not a hard dome as is often asserted. Perhaps it is a domain where matter is cooled to a ‘firmer’ (harder) and ‘timier’ states like gas, liquid and solid. Matter takes on the physical (four-dimensional spacetime) properties of our universe. It is an expanse where electromagnetic matter interactions can happen.

What I mean by matter interactions are the things we can experience such as our three dimensional bodies moving around a four-dimensional spacetime. Couple that with the senses we use to interact; sight, touch, hearing, for example.

As plasmas cool, the electrons resume orbit around the nucleus of the atom. It means they become more ordered.

For some perspective on the forces that come to bear on ‘cooled’ plasmas that become lower fundamental states of matter, you will need a correct idea of an atom. The one you learned in school is quaint and wholly insufficient. Take the simplest atom hydrogen. It has one proton and one electron. To make the model easy enough to understand, let’s say the nucleus is the size of the pinhead. The electron that orbits the nucleus is about 100 yards away. Think of the forces needed to keep two pinheads interacting separated by a football field.

What that entails is that our perception of solid matter like a block of wood has far more empty space than actual particles. The solidity we perceive is due primarily to electrical forces.

Which leads some to say that our reality is more like a simulation.

It is satisfying to ponder. I hope I made the science easy enough to grasp. I thank you for your indulgence in my feeling free enough to post like this. How presumptive of me to expect you to read this far. Seriously… Thank you. My goal is to get you to not be afraid of trying to understand science.

The latest science seems to parallel the things in Genesis. There is a Creator just beyond our perception. It seems like a plausible, even reasonable explanation of greater domains where He is more perceptible.

God bless you.

One Day is Day One

On By TimIn Creation, Genesis 01Leave a comment

God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

Genesis 1:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It occurs to me that there are many foundational ideas present in Genesis, as there are even in this verse. I hate to use the word first, but it is probably best suited.

This is the first mention of the naming of the light period of the day as day, and the dark period of the day as night. The Hebrew word for the day is yom. It is used twice in the verse as is reflected in the English.

Two other words are introduced, erev and boker, the Hebrew words for evening and morning. These have another intriguing usage. Erev generally reflects the idea of mixing, when things become less discernible just as in twilight. Boker connotes the idea of dawn when things become more discernible. Boker also means a splitting of the day. In the Biblical reckoning, dawn is midday.

God is teaching us that these things combined make one day. That is what the Hebrew literally says, one day. It is misleading to think the Bible calls it the first day.

When we read Genesis, most of us are familiar with the idea that there is the first day of creation followed by a short series of more creation days. Consider the idea of reading this without any prior assumptions, like another day following. Also think that there was not a day before, either. What God has done is show us the defining characteristics of one day… Dark and light… Evening and morning. These are the first occurrences of each, and the pair makes one day.

The Hebrew word that is translated as first is echad. It is a cardinal number. It also can serve as an ordinal number. One and two are considered cardinal numbers. First and second are ordinal numbers. Interestingly, echad can be translated one and it can be translated first. It is a seeming peculiarity this one day is day one and the first day.

One day as day one, as there is no second day yet to make this a first day. It is just one day as day one. It is only when the second day comes that the word can mean first.

Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As we venture forward, the idea introduced earlier is reinforced.

God draws the woman from the man. He takes a part of the man to fashion the helpmate. In this verse are also the first mentions of the words father and mother as well as spouse. The man and wife become one flesh.

There is that Hebrew word echad again. And it is used to again to unify a plurality. Just as evening and morning make one (day,) man and wife make one (flesh.)

And we will roll backward just a bit.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is fascinating. God introduces Himself. But underlying the proper English grammar here is Hebrew that doesn’t follow grammar.

The word translated to God is elohim in Hebrew. It is a plural word used as a singular. Hebrew plurals are different. There are two types of plural, the dual plural which uses a suffix of -ayim, and the more-than-two plural which uses the suffix -im.

The singular is eloha.

The dual-plural is elohayim.

The more-than-two plural is elohim.

There is already this idea of a plurality being one. We clearly see the usage of the word echad to convey a unity of parts.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is one!

Deuteronomy 6:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the Shema. It is the central affirmation of faith for Israelis. It is also a spoken affirmation of God.

This will show the blazing truth.

Note back to the Shema, let’s substitute some Hebrew words for the English.

Hear, O Israel: YHWH is our Elohim. YHWH is Echad!

When Were Angels Created?

On By TimIn Angels, Creation, Genesis 012 Comments

When it comes to when angels were created… The questions arise. I think it is easy to trust that the Bible can provide evidence.

Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Luke 2:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 18:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven.

Matthew 22:30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as He was born.

Revelation 12:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I think that is more than sufficient evidence as to where the abode of angels is. Their abode is in heaven. That is their domain.

Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” So God made the expanse and separated the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse. And it was so. God called the expanse Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.

Genesis 1:6–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The domain for angels didn’t exist until the second day of creation.

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Declare, if you have understanding. Who has determined its measurements, if you know?
Or who has stretched the line upon it?
To what are its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 38:4–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The angels were in existence before the foundations of the earth were laid.

Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. Then God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:9–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is more than sufficient evidence to satisfy the question.

What say you?

Foreordained Before Creation

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Apologetics, Church, Creation, Jesus, Last DaysLeave a comment

He was foreordained before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for you.

1 Peter 1:20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s important to think of it like I titled it. He was foreordained before creation. He wasn’t created or made. Just that Jesus being the Savior was set in place before the first creative act from God. Here is how it is written of in other places.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paralleling the Genesis “In the beginning God,” we have John saying “In the beginning God.” This establishes that Jesus was already existent in the beginning. It also establishes Him as God. It’s just as Peter wrote.

But if those two verses are not compelling enough, John explains it further.

All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.

John 1:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love the simplicity of that sentence. Jesus is the Creator. He is not created. He was foreordained before creation. Without Him, nothing was created. He couldn’t have been created. No matter how you want to think of it.

Firstborn of every creature.

He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:15–16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We cannot see God. But Jesus is the image of Him. He is the One we can see. Paul uses the word “firstborn.” This is directly related to what Peter is saying. It was necessary for God to become part of creation to redeem it. He is born into it, as a Man… Jesus. For Him, all things were created by Him as foreordained.

Yet being firstborn is not about the order as we would think. The idea of firstborn (of every creature) is about the position, not when it happened. The order was previously established before creation.

I think the idea of being firstborn leads to some other thoughts. Especially when you consider His position as the last Adam. The first Adam wasn’t born. (I leave that for you to check out.)

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You cannot live without Him. You might think you do, but that would be incorrect. (And you cannot have eternal life without Him either.)

That is His position as the Firstborn of every creature. Note the list Paul uses, too. Those thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers speak of creatures in other realms. Remember how Peter has said things into which angels desire to look. How does the Creator become part of the creation by being born into it?

(I am not trying to purposefully be new-age-y.)

Firstborn from the dead.

He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell, and to reconcile all things to Himself by Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him, I say—whether they are things in earth, or things in heaven.

Colossians 1:18–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In all things He has preeminence. He has made peace with His blood. That peace includes both heaven and earth, even though angels cannot be saved.

All of this was decided long before the spoke words “Let light be.”

It is important we understand Who He is. This has barely scratched the surface of the few Scriptures cited.

Was revealed in these last times.

In our previous interaction with 1 Peter, it is clear that verse 5 states that a salvation will be revealed in the last times. That is, someday yet future. Peter is writing also, that Jesus was revealed. Peter dated it the last times. That would mean the last times has included the days of Jesus’ ministry on Earth and after, up until now, even stretching yet future when the end of salvation will be revealed wholly.

This isn’t the only time Peter has explained this. In his preaching (Acts 2) on that Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to believers, Peter cites the prophets who spoke of the last days. Just as he brought them into the conversation previously in this epistle.

For YOU.

This is personal. You betcha!

Through Him you believe in God who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.

1 Peter 1:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Nobody can believe for you. Your mom cannot believe for you, and it is conferred to you. Christianity isn’t inherited. Nor is it given when you were baptized as a baby.

Perhaps this is the first time you may have encountered this Jesus. I get that. Peter is explaining Who He is. Peter told us what the Gospel truth is.

It is the very reason He came, and all of this was planned out. He was foreordained to our Savior. That you and I can spend eternity with God. You have that choice.

Acknowledge Jesus is Who He says He is and did what He said He did. That it is for you.

Believe it and that it is for you, wholly trusting Him to save you.

Confess it to Him now. Confess you have sinned and want to be forgiven and be reconciled to Him. It doesn’t need to be fancy, flowery, or religious. You can use your own words.

The Exact Imprint of His Nature

On By TimIn Hebrews 01, Jesus1 Comment

He is the brightness of His glory, the express image of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power.

Hebrews 1:3a — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is his Jesus is introduced in this epistle. Like the previous post, there is much to consider here. But as to this express image, we know that is a conveyed representation of God. Another translation puts it this way.

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature

Hebrews 1:3a — The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)

If we want to know what God is like, we only need to look to Jesus. As it is communicated to us, He embodies the nature of God. (I am not saying that He isn’t God, nor that He isn’t human. Only what is being offered in the text here.)

In the same way, the writer identifies that God is, he will also identify Jesus Himself as God. That is why it is important to understand, He is the exact imprint of His nature. He couldn’t be if He were any less than God.

He upholds all things by the word of His power. The Greek rhēma is here translated to word. It conveys the idea of something spoken. Not just the words spoken, but the ideas conveyed.

The idea that all things are sustained by the word is stunning. We know in Romans 1, the apostle Paul shows us that. He also tells us that all understand this revelation.

For what may be known about God is clear to them since God has shown it to them. The invisible things about Him—His eternal power and deity—have been clearly seen since the creation of the world and are understood by the things that are made, so that they are without excuse.

Romans 1:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the way Jesus sustains all things by His spoken word, there is a clear revelation that is communicated. If one were to continue reading in Romans, the idea that some can deny this is a result of the suppression of truth by sin.

In like fashion, John introduces Jesus in much the same way.

All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.

John 1:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It might be tempting to connect this by the usage of word. It won’t work in that sense. These are two different Greek words. In John’s Gospel, the Greek Logos is translated as Word. Yet, it is used as another name for Jesus.

Think of it this way. Jesus upholds all things by His word. He spoke creation into existence and upholds it all in the same way. We understand this by Hebrews 1:2, “through whom He made the world.” When we consider what John offers in His Gospel as He introduces Jesus, we know the Word isn’t created. The only logical conclusion is He is eternal, existing as God before time. (John uses that personal masculine pronoun to show this Word to be a Person.) Remember, even time was created.

This Word, this Jesus, has spoken to us in the time of His ministry on Earth. Spoken to us as the exacting revelation of God Himself. He made all things and sustains all things. The creation reveals God and His nature. Jesus, too, is the spoken word of God to us. He is the revelation to us of God Himself!

He is God Himself.

Genesis 2:17: You Will Surely Die?

On By TimIn Creation, Death, Genesis 02, Romans 02, Romans 03, Titus 01Leave a comment

but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

Genesis 2:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When you read that verse, what comes to mind?

I offer, most who read the verse won’t really take it at what is written. Instead, the truth might be obscured, understanding it as “you will eventually die.” God is not teaching that sin brings eventual death, but that just death for sin is immediate. Sin, Is a capital offense.

When the recompense for sin was stated to Adam, God did not say, “you will eventually die.” The penalty is clearly stated. It’s immediate death. Let us read this rationally, and not soften what God clearly says. A cursory examination of commentaries on this verse agrees. This is from the conservative Keil-Delitzsch’s Commentary on the Old Testament, “Why then did God prohibit man from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, with the threat that, as soon as he ate thereof, he would surely die?” That clearly delineates what is meant, death is to be expected as soon as one ate. Another more progressive commentary Interpreter’s Bible Commentary says, “Death would follow immediately!” The intent of God’s word is clear. God’s command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil included the assurance of immediate death. It stands in stark contrast to what most believe, and to what was allowed, to eat of any other tree… Including the tree of life.

Humans were created to be image-bearers of God. That means being like Him in all ways. There were things reserved for God, yet the implication of that one tree in the garden shows the will of God. Humans were not to know death.

There might still be an objection

But they did not immediately die when they ate the fruit. But they did eventually die.

Exactly!

The eventual death is evidence of the corruption the fruit did to the physical body. It changed Adam and Eve and not just in a spiritual sense. God gave all the other trees of the garden as good for food. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was therefore not ‘good for food.’ It was the one tree God set aside as something not to eat for food. After the serpent entered and questioned what God had said, Eve had assented to the idea God was holding something from them. She looked at the fruit, and her desire led her away from the truth, believing that the fruit was ‘good for food.’

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasing to the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate;

Genesis 3:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When she ate, things changed for her. She passed it to her man, and he also ate. He too was changed. Corruption entered humanity. The corruption also had a physical effect on the body. That corruption was passed down to progeny. That is the death from disease and aging we all will eventually die. (There are other ways to die, but all humans will die from the corruption in their own bodies regardless of other factors.)

Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men, because all have sinned.

Romans 5:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We also know that Adam did not die immediately. It’s not that God changed His mind or backpedaled on His words to them. There is something else in place.

Jesus is The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

He provides the respite from justice that was given to Adam. He was the One Who satisfied what was owed, immediate death.

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if through the trespass of one man many died, then how much more has the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. The gift is not like the result that came through the one who sinned. For the judgment from one sin led to condemnation, but the free gift, which came after many trespasses, leads to justification. For if by one man’s trespass death reigned through him, then how much more will those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The free gift came after many trespasses, meaning it came at a later time than that first trespass that introduced corruption to death. The seeming delay of death is not a delay, but a respite of justice. It’s been fulfilled. We know this applies backward in time to that very first trespass. The righteous act of One is applicable to all.

Therefore just as through the trespass of one man came condemnation for all men, so through the righteous act of One came justification of life for all men.

Romans 5:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Therefore, that free gift leads to justification for all. It’s the goodness of God.

But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who commit such things. Do you think, O man, who judges those who do such things, and who does the same thing, that you will escape the judgment of God? Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:2–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul would further expound on the idea, that all who have sinned are being justified as they live after it.

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed,

Romans 3:24–25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the reality. Jesus’ death provides. It’s a respite for humans from death. This respite leads to justification for all humans.

Enough about death.

Let’s talk about life. Though we all are foolish, the kindness of God is still there. Just like in the garden at the beginning, His desire has not changed.

We also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various desires and pleasures, living in evil and envy, filled with hatred and hating each other. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of rebirth and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, being justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:3–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Back in that garden, amongst those trees, there is another implicit truth. Humans were created to live forever, and not to die. God is demonstrating that to fulfill what it is to image-bear for Him is living with Him as He lives. The ability to live the kind of life God has is not intrinsic to humans. We need that tree of life to give to us what we do not have. God wants us to live the kind of life He has. It’s HIs gift to us, we must take it inside of us for ourselves.

In the garden, God is establishing reality. A reality that He continually tells us.

I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.

Deuteronomy 30:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The apostle Paul affirmed that this gift is from the beginning, just as taught in Genesis.

in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world began,

Titus 1:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We are not guaranteed to become heirs of the hope of eternal life. Just like it was presented to Adam and Eve in the garden, we must choose to live forever by partaking in the tree of life. The tree of life is not in our midst to us as we live today, in that we cannot eat of it now. We can have it (eternal life) now.

Jesus says we have it now. That, is because we are heirs to the things of God, including the hope of eternal life.

Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life.

John 5:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give permission to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

Revelation 2:7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Justice no longer stands against us. Justice is satisfied to then provide respite from the immediate penalty due. We know looking back, it was done at the cross when Jesus stated, “Tetelestai!” Justice has been done. Justice is done by His grace and all are being justified. Justification is poured out abundantly in Jesus. He is Just and justifier.

to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We are saved by His life.

How much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.

Romans 5:9–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Lord Who Created the Heavens is the Servant

On By TimIn 27 - Daniel, Apologetics, Creation, Daniel 07, Isaiah 42, Psalm 104Leave a comment

Thus says God the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread forth the earth and that which comes out of it,
who gives breath to the people on it,
and spirit to those who walk in it:
I the Lord have called You in righteousness,
and will hold Your hand,
and will keep You and appoint You
for a covenant of the people,
for a light of the nations,
to open the blind eyes,
to bring out the prisoners from the prison,
and those who sit in darkness out of the prison house.
I am the Lord, that is My name;
and My glory I will not give to another,
nor My praise to graven images.
See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42:5–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Thus says God the Lord

We don’t take His words lightly. When God makes a pronouncement, it’s important. God is identifying Himself as the Creator. The One Who made all things.
Remember the verses that come before this. They are a proclamation of the coming Servant, Messiah.

Who Created the Heavens

Creator is a unique identifier of God. He made the heavens. He had no help.

That’s the first declaration of the Bible for a reason. It is the foundation for all of reality. That is why God calls attention to these simple truths repeatedly. God is, and He made the heavens and the Earth.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

And Stretched them Out

Long ago, there was a Servant of God named Job. The important parts of his life are recorded for us. In them, we know Job knew God. Even in the midst of a great trial, his friends offered counsel on his situation. Job’s faith didn’t waver. He made a declaration about God to his friends. In it, there is an identity of God that I think is enlightening.

He who alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea. He who makes the Bear, Orion, and Pleiades, and the constellations of the south.

Job 9:8–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is God alone Who spread out the heavens. It’s He Who makes the stars. The Psalmist agrees.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Psalm 19:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is His Handiwork

Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great!
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
covering Yourself with light as a garment,
who stretches out the heavens like a tent curtain,
who lays the upper beams of His chambers on the waters above,
who makes the clouds His chariot,
who rides upon the wings of the wind,
who makes His angels as winds,
His ministers a flaming fire.

Psalm 104:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Though poetic, the language is telling us the heavens we created. They were made by God. They have a message for us. It is a testament of this great God Who would come to serve His creations made of dust.
Now, these last citations have referenced water and waves as a unique identifier in connection to this great God. The Psalmist includes another, He makes the clouds His chariot. This great God walks on water and has chariots of clouds.
To recap, we see the Servant in this prophecy would make advent. We are given many ways to identify this Chosen Servant. Now God chooses to identify Himself uniquely as Creator.

This Chosen Servant is the Creator

This Creator treads on the waves. We know Jesus walked on water. It is recorded in the Gospels for our edification, and to help us identify the Chosen Servant. The Gospels also identify the Servant as the Creator in many ways.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:2–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is layer upon layer of truths through the Scriptures. There are more crumbs that have fallen from the Master’s table for us.

The Cloud Rider

Let’s go to an episode toward the end of the Servant’s ministry on Earth. He has been arrested and is brought before the then High Priest of Israel. This is the one man who was assigned to intercede for Israel before God. One would think he would know the Scriptures that speak about God.
The priest demands succinctly, “I adjure You by the living God, tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further need do we have for witnesses? See, now you have heard His blasphemy. What do you think?”

Matthew 26:64–66 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Caiaphas knew Who Jesus claimed to be. He also knew from the other identifiers in the Old Testament, exactly those things exclusive to the Messiah.
Those same Scriptures also give us exclusive identifiers of the Great God. He treads on waves of the sea. This Man before him did that. This Man calls Himself publicly the Son of Man. Now He identifies Himself as this chariot-of-clouds riding God.

I saw in the night visions, and there was one like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. There was given to Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:13–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This Chosen Servant is given an everlasting kingdom. This Servant is none other than God.

Of this Coming Servant… As Caiaphas asked, “What do you think?”

Foundational Thinking

On By TimIn Creation, Genesis 01Leave a comment

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the beginning God… There is no other objective foundation for thinking critically. It is a standard that is external to anything that exists in our reality.

With this foundation, it is easy to explain anything coherently.

To reject this foundation is to start from some personal experience in an attempt to explain reality. That is, to observe something and then try to explain its existence by working backward. One may arrive at an explanation, but it is just that… An explanation. It most likely would not ever be the explanation. In working backward, there could be a myriad of explanations, but none would be sure, objective, and true.

It is impossible to truly understand reality without the foundation, “In the beginning God.” He is the beginning of reality, He causes it to be, and continuously upholds reality. Anything that denies this isn’t true.