Stewarton Bible School

Creation

1. INTRODUCTION
The God of the Bible is known by several names, descriptions and titles. I list a few:

2. CREATION: A BASIC BIBLE DOCTRINE
This article, however, is not about Sacred Names: it is about CREATION and whether or not the God of the Bible is the CREATOR of the universe. Note His claim:
Isaiah 45: 11: Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
12: I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Everyone will agree that this is a stunning claim to say the least. It is either true or it is a colossal falsehood. God either created the heavens and the earth and all their host or He didn't. These options force us to treat the matter of the creation as the foundation doctrine in the Bible. All other scriptural doctrines, laws, prophecies and instructions hang on this single fact that the entire universe came into being by the Word of the Almighty God. I repeat: Jehovah's claim that He created the universe is either true or it is a monumental lie. There really is no other conclusion one can arrive at.

Millions of people in the West do not believe the Bible account of the creation. They believe in the theory of EVOLUTION, that the universe began with a big bang billions of years ago, and that life on earth evolved to its present state. Almost every day we see brilliantly produced TV programmes about 'Mother Nature of how, all of her own accord, by some inexplicable, inherent power, nature produced our magnificent world and its myriad life forms. Our article entitled Evolution exposes this theory for what it really is - a fantastic fallacy: a fallacy which is now being rejected by thousands of scientists and other intellectuals. The Psalmist came to the same conclusion hundreds of years ago when he wrote in Psalm 14:1

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

Was the Psalmist right? Or was he wrong? Is there a God or isn't there? These are vital questions: and the answers you arrive at will not only govern your current behaviour, but will also determine your eternal destination! Yes, it's that important.

3. FAITH IS NEEDED
To begin with let me make one point perfectly clear: no mortal is able to scientifically demonstrate the processes of EVOLUTION or its alternative SPECIAL CREATION. The first would require limitless matter, time and chance, the second limitless intelligence, skill and power: none of which are currently held by mankind. This means that since we cannot scientifically prove either evolution or special creation, we are left with no other alternative but to accept one or the other by FAITH: the kind of faith that underlies all religious belief. Broadly speaking people fall into one of three categories:


4. DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
Does it really matter what one believes concerning the origin of the universe?
It matters a great deal: because if the universe and life on earth evolved over billions of years, then:

These are the inevitable thoughts and actions that will flow in the wake of a society which rejects the Bible teaching that the universe was created by God. Oh yes, this matter of origins is very important: because society's behaviour and destination depend upon it. In his book Evolution or Creation (page 2) Henry M Morris Ph.D. confirms this point: he writes:

"Each person needs, more than anything, a sense of his own identity and personal goals, and this is impossible without some sense of his origin. What a person comes to believe about his origin will inevitably condition what he believes about his destiny."

5. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH CONCERNING CREATION?
Before we answer this question let us look at a few facts about the universe. I understand that:

Man is diligently searching the heavens for information as to when and how the universe began. More often than not a CREATOR GOD doesn't figure in that search. So I repeat the question: does the Bible provide an answer? Yes it does. Prophets, psalmists, apostles and God Himself all testify to the fact that the universe was created. Let me list some Bible quotations which tell of the creation. Remember, it takes faith to believe in either evolution or special creation. If you believe the universe evolved then this article may no longer interest you. But if you believe there is a God in heaven and that He created the universe then the following Bible texts, and there are scores more, will certainly strengthen your faith.

Christians either accept these Bible passages as fact or they should not classify themselves as true believers! The Bible is either God's Word or it isn't. God is either telling the truth, or He is telling us a string of lies. There really is no other logical conclusion one can arrive at.

6. WHY WAS THE UNIVERSE CREATED?
Believe it or not, the vast universe was created for extremely good reasons. Man spends millions on examining the universe, to find out if there is life somewhere out there in space. But WHY did God create mankind and the mighty universe in the first place? Again the Bible provides the answer and it is found in these verses:
Isaiah 45: 18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited…
Isaiah 43: 7: Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Revelation 4: 11: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
In short, the mighty universe was created to be inhabited by beings who would glorify God and - wonder of wonders - bring Him pleasure!

7. THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL
As its name implies this Gospel message is everlasting. It will never cease to be good news. It will never become obsolete. The Everlasting Gospel has been proclaimed since the dawn of time and it will continue to be proclaimed throughout eternity. What is the Everlasting Gospel? It is the age-old invitation to faith and obedience.
Rev.14: 6: And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7: Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

How should one respond to the everlasting gospel: particularly to that second part which calls upon mankind to worship the Creator? The answer is: believers must begin to keep the seventh day Sabbath, which is the divinely appointed memorial of the creation. The Sabbath command lies at the heart of the Ten Commandments. Notice how it is linked to the creation account in Genesis.

Exodus 20: 8: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9: Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

It is vital that you recognise the fact that acceptance of the 'Everlasting Gospel' is directly linked to faith in a Creator God. Sad to say, multiplied millions of people will refuse to accept the Everlasting Gospel and its call to faith and obedience. Already they baulk at the idea that God created the world in six literal (24 hour) days. The Bible says that they are without excuse and will be judged accordingly.

Romans 1: 20: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

8. THE NEW UNIVERSE
The Bible tells us that this old universe is scheduled to be replaced by new heavens and a new earth. Here is a prophecy of this coming event.
2 Peter 3: 10: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in t he which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11: Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12: Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Incredible as it may sound, the Almighty's power to create will then be demonstrated before our very eyes: and He'll not need billions of years to complete His work. He'll create a new universe just as He did the present one - by His Word! He will once again speak matter into existence: and the new universe will come into being.
Isaiah 66: 22: For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23: And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
Rev.21: 1: I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2: And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5: And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6: And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

9. WHERE DO WE FIT IN TO THIS PICTURE?
The Bible makes it perfectly clear that all who accept the Almighty's offer of mercy and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) will inhabit the new universe for His pleasure and His glory. Are you willing to accept that fact? Believe me the new universe will be as big - if not bigger - than the present one. Every planet and moon in it will teem with life: and the redeemed of the LORD will inhabit it for all time. No more cramped cities and disease-ridden slums; no more deserts and desolate places; no more sickness, pain, sorrow and death: but eternal glory, peace and happiness!
Rev. 21: 5: And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6: And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son...

Oh yes: the new heavens and new earth will be created to be inhabited for Yahweh's glory and pleasure. The question is: Will you be there? Do you want to be there? You can if you want to: because entry does not depend on how good or bad you are. Entry depends on faith in Yahweh and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Pause awhile, dear reader, and think about so glorious a prospect. And it's yours for the taking. See our pages on Salvation   for more details about how to be there.

10 SUMMARY

My earnest prayer is that YAHWEH, the God of Israel, the Creator of the mighty universe, will grant you the faith to believe and obey His Word.

SBS     Vital Topics    Evolution: Fact of Fallacy?     Salvation


Author: David B Loughran
Stewarton Bible School, Stewarton, Scotland
February 1998     ... Reformatted: December 1999