Listen: 71 Question 1

Everything that we know and can see had a beginning and will have an ending.  We naturally think that everything had to have started somewhere and somehow.  If we see a building, we know it was built by someone.  If we see rivers and oceans, we rightfully know they had a beginning.  We know that these things will also have an ending one day.

What about God?  Who created the creator?  Let’s begin by looking at the first book in the Bible.  Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”  In the beginning of everything that had a beginning, we see that God created it.  He was there beforehand as the eternally existent one.  We read in Colossians 1:16-17, “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: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”  All things were created by Him and are preserved by Him.  We read of the Lord Jesus in John 1:3 telling us that, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Let’s notice the particular language that is used of the Lord as He spoke to Moses about appearing before the children of God in Egypt.  Exodus 3:13-14 says, “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”  The Lord has many names; each one important in describing another characteristic of Himself.  Here, in talking with Moses, He says that His name is, I AM.  This speaks of His eternal existence.  Always throughout eternity, the Lord’s name was I AM.  The Lord Jesus used that same name of Himself in John 8:56-58 where He said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”  I AM; Christ spoke of Himself of being that eternally existent one.

We read of the precious relationship with the Father and the Son in past eternity in Proverbs 8:22-31, “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.   When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:  When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: 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; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.”  From eternity past, the Lord Jesus was set up, or ordained.  Indeed, He was ordained from a past eternity to be the savior of the world as we read in 1 John 4:14, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

Now let’s consider the words of the psalmist in Psalms 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”  King David had an understanding that the Lord has existed forever and will continue forever.  Because the Lord Himself is eternal, it is wonderful to realize that His mercy is also eternal as we read in Psalms 103:17, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children.”

God has not been created.  He is the creator, and as such we will all face Him one day.  We read in Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.”  Let’s keep in mind that we are not our own.  As those who are created by God, we are His property and will answer to Him one day.  Hebrews 4:13 tells us that, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”  Your creator loves you, but He hates your sin.  We read in Acts 17:30 that, “…Godnow commandeth all men every where to repent.”  The Lord wants you to turn from your sin and put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior.  Your creator wants to give you eternal life so that you can live with Him forever.  John 3:36 tells us plainly that, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”  (71.1)