When we think of creation, we often concentrate on the universe, the preparation of the earth, and the making of Adam and Eve. That is almost like thinking of the end without a beginning. The Bible does not reveal some facts about creation until the New Testament letters. Colossians and Hebrews tell us that Christ was the one who created everything according to The Father’s plan. Studying the extended context of creation, we learn that before the first particle of matter came into existence, God had a marvelous plan, fully developed, with portions implemented when the time for each was ready.
In our industries today, new products are developed according to plans made by corporate executives. The engineers’ job is to implement that plan by determining the resources needed and where to get them. When God’s creation plan began, there were no materials, so each item had to be specified. God knew how to make the sand, dirt, flesh, blood, air, water, and all the myriad elements and compounds for stars, planets, and life-sustaining environments. One point we often ignore is that God also created Natural Laws of time, space, gravity, heat, pressure, and more to control the created objects. The Bible may hint at some of these natural laws but does not teach about them. We learn about them by using the curious minds God gave us and experimenting with the material resources God provided.
Consider the directions God gave to Noah. “Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with rooms, and shall cover it inside and out with pitch. “This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. “You shall make a window for the ark, and finish it to a cubit from the top; and set the door of the ark in the side of it; you shall make it with lower, second, and third decks” (Genesis 6:14-16). If people had needed to build an ark, there would have been research, development meetings, and experiments. Which material floats? Which wood would be best? How would it be made waterproof? And what proportions would serve the needs of people and animals? God already had all these specifications in His plan from the beginning.
Reading Jeremiah, we find God’s description of the difference between Himself and people as He spoke of idols. “He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, And brings out the wind from His storehouses. Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols; For his molten images are deceitful, And there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of mockery; In the time of their punishment they will perish. The portion of Jacob is not like these; For the Maker of all is He, And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; The LORD of hosts is His name” (Jeremiah 10:12-16). Today, people manufacture many things that often become our idols. Few consider that God created people to worship Him and prepare for the most significant portion of His great plan, the salvation from our sins. Many reject the ultimate reward for worshiping God, a home in heaven. Paul reminds us, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways” (Romans 11:33)! And then, “which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight” (Ephesians 1:8).
It is easy to praise God and His creation when we look at the pictures from the Hubble and Webb Telescopes, and the wonders that form the surface of our planet. But are we aware of the final result of God’s great plan, which He formulated before He created light? When time ends, and this creation is no longer needed, what remains is the reason God created this physical realm. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” (2 Peter 3:10-12). “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Are we prepared for the reward of the faithful, a home in heaven, which is the reason God created the heavens and the earth?
