To know any individual, we may observe them and learn some things about them, but after such extensive observations, we would come to the limits of knowledge obtainable by this means. Any intimate knowledge of such an individual must necessarily come as revelation by that individual as an intent of their will.
Likewise there are things that we may know about God by observing His handiwork, the creation itself, and of ourselves, the members of humanity; yet, again we come to the limits of such knowledge even after a life time of observations, because of limits placed on creation and ourselves – those limitations being primarily the curse of sin which has tainted creation, and providing at best an incomplete, or even a warped portrayal of the Holy God (another such limitation is the incomplete knowledge we have at our disposal as a race of sentient beings).
By the intent of God's holy will, He has revealed Himself intimately through His Word, the Holy Scriptures. It is the Holy Scriptures themselves, the Word of God that we turn to and learn of the four primary offices of the LORD GOD YHWH:
The offices of GOD as:
1) Creator God
2) LORD
3) Judge
4) Redeemer
The first office of these four, that deals with God as the Creator, will be addressed first.
In the earliest verses of Scripture, God reveals Himself as a Creator (GEN. 1:1-3; JOHN 1:1-3). He is in fact the creator of all things, both seen and unseen (ROM. 1:20; COL. 1:16). He is a Creator of order and design, having all things in intricate balance, both in the physical universe and in moral conduct which He prescribed for man (See the FMF article The GOD of BALANCE).
On the order and parameters of our universe and how they are fine-tuned to suit humanity for our benefit, read the following:
“It is well known that our existence in this universe depends on numerous cosmological constants and parameters whose numerical values must fall within a very narrow range of values. If even a single variable were off, even slightly, we would not exist. The extreme improbability that so many variables would align so auspiciously in our favor merely by chance has led some scientists and philosophers to propose instead that it was God who providentially engineered the universe to suit our specific needs. This is The Anthropic Principle: that the universe appears to have been fine-tuned for our existence.”
Scientists would have us believe that the universe evolved by a random series of sequential events occurring over the span of hundreds of billions of years, but this flies in the face of Scripture that tells us that everything was created in a literal six day period as well as certain observable facts that indicate that the known physical laws of the world could not have developed randomly or by chance, nor could they be maintained by such, but by a 'Super-mind' or a 'Hyper-Intellect'. Even agnostic scientists are coming forward and admitting this!
The degree to which the constants of physics must match a precise criteria is such that a number of agnostic scientists have concluded that there is some sort of "supernatural plan" or "Agency" behind it. Here is what they say:
Fred Hoyle (British astrophysicist): "A common sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a super intellect has monkeyed with physics, as well as with chemistry and biology, and that there are no blind forces worth speaking about in nature. The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion almost beyond question."
George Ellis (British astrophysicist): "Amazing fine tuning occurs in the laws that make this [complexity] possible. Realization of the complexity of what is accomplished makes it very difficult not to use the word 'miraculous' without taking a stand as to the ontological status of the word."
Paul Davies (British astrophysicist): "There is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all....It seems as though somebody has fine-tuned nature’s numbers to make the Universe....The impression of design is overwhelming".
"The laws [of physics] ... seem to be the product of exceedingly ingenious design... The universe must have a purpose".
Alan Sandage (winner of the Crawford prize in astronomy): "I find it quite improbable that such order came out of chaos. There has to be some organizing principle. God to me is a mystery but is the explanation for the miracle of existence, why there is something instead of nothing."
Arthur Eddington (astrophysicist): "The idea of a universal mind or Logos would be, I think, a fairly plausible inference from the present state of scientific theory." (9)
Arno Penzias (Nobel prize in physics): "Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with the very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life, and one which has an underlying (one might say 'supernatural') plan."
Robert Jastrow (self-proclaimed agnostic): "For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."
See more quotes here: http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/quotes.html.
We understand that God created for His pleasure, and that His creatures might behold the handiwork of the Almighty and glorify Him for His sublimely supreme knowledge, artistry and power:
REVELATION 4:11
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.
NEHEMIAH 9:5b-6
. . . Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. 6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
JOB 26:7-10
7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. 8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. 10 He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
(Also consider the following chapters in JOB: 38, 39. 40 and 41)
PSALM 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
PSALM 102:25-27
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
HEBREWS 11:3
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Part of the integral nature of God is to create, to express His ability to fashion various and wondrous creatures and powers with incredible diversity. We can see this in the multitude of creatures that populate our world. Consider the more than ten thousand kinds of birds that inhabit our world; or the various kinds of insects that number almost 1 million. Taking a look at all the many kinds of animals (and plants for that matter) and the diversity represented among them, we can tell that our God is truly a Master Creator with ingenuity and 'know how' in forming these myriad fabulous beasts!
It is literally staggering to observe the intricate designs and abilities crafted into both animals and plants under God's creation. To suggest that any of this could develop by random chance becomes ludicrous when considering these facts.
A most competent work that refutes evolution is The Evolution Handbook and I would encourage readers to procure a copy of their own, or read it online in pdf.
For videos that elaborate on the creation of God that defies evolutionary theory, have a look at these DVDs available by EXPLORATION FILMS:
Watch this 5 minute presentation from EXPLORATION FILMS on the Woodpecker and how this little creature defies evolution!
Besides the intent of the LORD in inspiring His saints to worship Him, the creation also serves the purpose of proclaiming His existence and power to all the peoples of the world. To so many, who refuse to retain the knowledge of God in their minds or acknowledge His reality with creation as the evidence for such, this work of God becomes an indictment against them:
ROMANS 1:18-22
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 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: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
REVELATION 4:11
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.
NEHEMIAH 9:5b-6
. . . Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. 6 Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
JOB 26:7-10
7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. 8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. 10 He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
(Also consider the following chapters in JOB: 38, 39. 40 and 41)
PSALM 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
PSALM 102:25-27
25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.
HEBREWS 11:3
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Part of the integral nature of God is to create, to express His ability to fashion various and wondrous creatures and powers with incredible diversity. We can see this in the multitude of creatures that populate our world. Consider the more than ten thousand kinds of birds that inhabit our world; or the various kinds of insects that number almost 1 million. Taking a look at all the many kinds of animals (and plants for that matter) and the diversity represented among them, we can tell that our God is truly a Master Creator with ingenuity and 'know how' in forming these myriad fabulous beasts!
It is literally staggering to observe the intricate designs and abilities crafted into both animals and plants under God's creation. To suggest that any of this could develop by random chance becomes ludicrous when considering these facts.
A most competent work that refutes evolution is The Evolution Handbook and I would encourage readers to procure a copy of their own, or read it online in pdf.
For videos that elaborate on the creation of God that defies evolutionary theory, have a look at these DVDs available by EXPLORATION FILMS:
Watch this 5 minute presentation from EXPLORATION FILMS on the Woodpecker and how this little creature defies evolution!
Besides the intent of the LORD in inspiring His saints to worship Him, the creation also serves the purpose of proclaiming His existence and power to all the peoples of the world. To so many, who refuse to retain the knowledge of God in their minds or acknowledge His reality with creation as the evidence for such, this work of God becomes an indictment against them:
ROMANS 1:18-22
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 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: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Because of mankind's obstinate refusal to acknowledge God and give Him the glory due Him, the resulting action has always been the detrimental dilapidation of moral order in any nation where evolution and paganism was (and is esteemed; See ROM 1:23-32).
Note the words “ . . . who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”: the word for “hold” means “to pin down, to restrain, to hold back” and this is exactly what is going on in today's modern world. The evidential truth of God's creation is being pinned down and held back from our youth who are instead being taught the lie of evolution in our public school systems as well as those schools of higher learning (I often spell it, 'evilution' for obvious reasons); evolution inundates our society via the mass media, entertainment, in print as well as television.
For more on this subject, reserve some time to watch this excellent presentation by Ray Comfort of LIVING WATERS ministry, where he asks straightforward questions not just to university students, but also to university professors – who can't seem to give him straightforward answers!
It's often been said that if you want to know an artist, you only have to study their art work; to a certain degree, this is applicable to our Creator as well, but with limitations due to the fact that the creation of God is marred, tainted, perverted to some substantial degree by the curse of sin (GEN 3:17-19; ROM 8:22-23). Even so, the glory and power of our Creator God shines through in magnificent displays of light, color, intricacies and wonder. Perhaps you might enjoy a couple of tours, one around this planet Earth, and another in the heavens; feel free to book mark these two links (also found in the side bar of FROM the MIND of FIRE blog under the heading of “The HEAVENS and the EARTH declare the GLORY of GOD) for later viewing:
A Tour Around the Globe (approx.14 mins)
TREKKING the UNIVERSE (approx. 59 mins)
As Creator of the worlds, God is the ultimate and singular authority above all others (which is one of the reasons why unredeemed man must attempt to prove He does not exist, for if the sinner acknowledges God's existence he must face the truth that he is accountable to Him for his actions. The fact is, whether he acknowledges God or not, he will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment).
The Creator God creates all things from nothing at all, other than His spoken word. Back again to the first couple of verses in Genesis:
GENESIS 1:1-5
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
GENESIS 1:1-5
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
The word for “created” in the Hebrew is barah and it actually means “to create from nothing”! God is unique in His ability to create in such a way. You and I may make a vase, or a bird house, or a story or song, but we are building on things already created: using clay, wood, paper and pen, a violin and physical laws of nature already established – we restructure and reorganize existing materials and concepts towards our own design; which brings up another point – we who were created in God's image also have a predisposed inclination to 'create' things. An integral part of our soul is self-expression and we feel compelled to create things of beauty and order, which on a micro-cosmic level mimics God's own demonstrative creative power in the enormity of our universe with its vast, incomprehensible numbers of stars and galaxies whose count is in the near infinite.
From the article, The Power of the Holy Spirit:
COLOSSIANS 1:15-17
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
“The awesome power of creation, solely the purview of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is something we can witness, at least in part, on our planet, our solar system, and from images taken by far-reaching satellites and radio telescopes sights and macro-cosmic wonders of galaxies beyond our imagining. We also observe the creation of God with microscopes, electron microscopes and other instrumentation whereby we can perceive the microcosmic universe. Whether in the vastness of the heavens, or the intricacies of the infinitesimal, God's handiwork is an incredible work to behold!
“We've measured our Milky Way galaxy and its estimated to be around 100,000 light years across. Light travels at more than 186,000 miles per second; there are 31,536,000 seconds in a year. So the distance that light can travel in just one year is 5,865,696,000,000 miles. That is the distance of just one light year. Multiply that figure of almost 6 trillion by 100,000 and that's just the length of the Milky Way, which doesn't even come close to expressing its total mass! In our universe, the Milky Way is by all accounts one of the smaller galaxies, comprising of as many as 400 billion stars. Andromeda, our nearest neighboring galaxy is a little over twice the size of ours. At an average, galaxies measure any where from our size to 10 times or more the size of our own!
How many of these galaxies are there in the universe? Astronomers 'guesstimate' that there are 100 billion of them – just in the observable universe alone (not counting the ones we can't see!)!!”
Here is another mystery: Seeing how electrons are negatively charged and that these circle the circumference of all atoms, one must wonder why atoms don't repel each other, seeing how like charges (a negative and a negative) would do so. In Colossians above we read how that by the LORD, “ . . . all things consist . . .” that is, 'held together'. Scientists euphemistically refer to a 'cosmic glue' rather than admit to such a supernatural intervention in keeping our universe and its composite atoms intact.
Since God is the Creator, He makes the rules – physical as well as moral, governmental and spiritual; these laws established by God are irrefutable and non-negotiable by us mere mortals; we either submit to them humbly or rebel against them. In either case, the laws are fixed until such a time (referring primarily to the physical laws) as the Creator deems fit to change them!
He grants powers and abilities to each of His creatures (angelic, human and animal) and in regards to angels and humans which are sentient beings, such powers and abilities that rightfully glorify and reflect the holy order and righteousness of God.
It is in the act of rebellion that those powers are turned from serving and glorifying God and towards self, in the desire to acquire higher power than what was deemed proper by our Creator.
Man was created by God to be His steward over creation and to have fellowship with Him; yet in desiring to be 'god' himself, man rebelled and found that rather than being exalted to some loftier station, he was degraded and debased as a monstrous sinner, devoid of goodness which had been provided by his Maker. For more on this, see The RED PILL Consortium article POWER of LOVE, LOVE of POWER.
We tend to think of our Creator in terms of fashioning our physical universe, but He is of course the Maker of the spiritual domain as well. His is an eternal kingdom, existing in heaven which He created. He created the heavenly hosts of angels and bequeathed to them certain offices, functions and authorities as was mentioned already in the above quoted verse from COLOSSIANS; note again vs. 16:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
We can only presently wonder at the order, rank and file of the angelic realm as established by God in this spiritual domain of governance, but we do know that certain angels fulfill specific functions: Michael the arch-angel is seen as a warrior spirit that often comes to the defense of Israel (DAN 12:1). Gabriel is portrayed in Scripture as a messenger, particularly where the Messiah is concerned (LUKE 1:30-33). Lucifer, prior to his rebellion seemed to be in charge of the heavenly worship of the LORD God (EZEK 28:13-14). We know that there are guardian angels that watch over people, especially the heirs of salvation (MATT 18:10). Some angels are charged with warfare (2 KINGS 19:35), others with worship (ISAIAH 6:1-3), but all serve in the holy government of God.
It is God our Creator that established the kingdoms of heaven, of God and of Israel according to His eternal purposes. He established the nation of Israel as well as the church of Jesus Christ. He established the nations by dispersal of the world's population via the confusion of languages (wherein people of like tongue joined together in federation and settled in corroborating geographies which later became the nations of the world; see GENESIS 10, commonly known as the Table of Nations).
God is indeed the holy Creator, and He creates according to His will which has precise purposes in bringing about His order, through the LORD Jesus Christ and His nation of Israel, and the church of the Lamb of God, the body of Christ.
In His creation, God has established the order and law by which He reigns as LORD and this entails the government of God which shall be the next segment in this four part series. Here ends the first, which has examined God as Creator, and next we shall see His holy office as LORD of all! Until then, may our LORD, the Creator of Heaven and Earth bless and keep you in the Name of the LORD Jesus Christ!
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