Why Was the Universe Created?
But why did God create mankind and the mighty universe in the first place? While man spends billions on examining the universe in an attempt to find out if there is life "out there" somewhere, the Bible provides the answer! "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: I am the Lord; and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:18). No idols or man-made gods can equal Him and His creative powers.
"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" (Isaiah 43:7).
"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" (Revelation 4:11).
In summary, the vast universe was created to be inhabited by beings who will glorify God and bring Him pleasure. Furthermore, God's plan of salvation involves adding sons and daughters to His divine family. "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named" (Ephesians 3:1415).
The New Universe
The Bible tells us that new heavens and a new earth that will endure forever will soon replace this old universe. Here is a prophecy of this coming event:
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the 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. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 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? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:1013).
The Almighty's power to create will then be demonstrated before our very eyes, and as previously, He will not need billions of years to complete His work then, just as He did not need billions of years to create it in the first place. He will create a new universe just as He did the present one-by His Word. He will once again speak creation into existence: and the new universe will come into being.
"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. 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" (Isaiah 66:22,23).
"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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. 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.' 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.' 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. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son'" (Revelation 21:17).
Where Do We Fit Into This Picture?
The Bible makes it perfectly clear that all who accept God's offer of mercy and salvation through His Son Jesus Christ will inherit and inhabit the new universe for His pleasure, glory, and the expansion of His Divine Family. We shall be kings and priests ruling under Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:6; 5:10). How awesome! Are you willing to accept that fact? It is speculated by some that the entire universe will one day teem with life and the redeemed of the Lord will inhabit it.
"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.' 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. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son'" (Revelation 21:57).
The God of your Bible is known by many names, titles, and descriptions-such as Lord, the Almighty, I Am, the Most High, Everlasting God, Mighty God, Lord of hosts, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Israel, the Holy One of Israel, and numerous others, according to the function He is fulfilling at the time. It is noteworthy that He also refers to Himself as the Creator of the mighty universe. Isaiah 45:11,12 tells us, "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. 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.'"
Creation is a basic Bible doctrine. The credibility of all the prophets of old, the apostles, and Jesus Christ Himself depends on whether the creation account in Genesis is true because they all taught and wrote of it. Indeed, the Bible is either God's Word or a monumental array of lies.
The evidences pointing to special creation are legion. The amazing wonders of the natural world and the wonders of the heavens all tell of the glory and power of a Creator.
"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: 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. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen" (Romans 1:2025).
It matters a great deal what we believe because all our subsequent actions are influenced by our beliefs. If there is no God, then moral standards mean very little in a "dog-eats-dog world." But if we must all one day stand before the Judgment Seat of a Creator God, then how we live our lives matters a great deal!
The Bible contains scores of texts concerning the creation. Nearly every Bible writer refers directly or indirectly to the creation.
The Almighty Creator God created the universe to be ultimately inhabited by humankind who will finally be born-resurrected by metabolic change-into His Family at Christ's Second Coming and will be His companions for all eternity. Can your mind fully grasp the significance and excellence of this fact?
The gospel of Jesus Christ, the ageless message commissioned to be proclaimed to all the world in the last days, calls upon all men and nations to: "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." Those who accept this end-time message will begin to turn their lives around and to keep God's commandments, including the Fourth, which is to revere the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) as an act of faith and worship of our Creator.
The Lord has committed Himself to make new heavens and a new earth. Only then will we fully appreciate His creative powers. We now "see through a glass darkly," but then face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). In that coming paradise there will be no more pain, suffering, sickness, or death. All are invited to be there. This booklet may well be part of that invitation to you! Think about it.
As the Master so truly said in Matthew 16:26, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul [life]? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" That is a question that every person must answer for him- or herself. No issue is more important than your personal salvation. Where do we fit into this picture? We are admonished in Philippians 2:12 to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
I affirm not only belief in God the Father and in Jesus Christ as Creator, Designer, and Lifegiver, but in the Holy Bible as the inspired revelation of Almighty God (Psalm 12:6,7; 119:89; 2 Timothy 3:16). You must now choose whom you will believe and obey: the speculations, ideas, and theories of menor the inspired Word of God. Our earnest prayer is that the Lord God of Israel, the Almighty Creator of the infinite universe, will grant you wisdom to make the correct decision and the faith to believe and obey His Word.
2006-07-31 07:11:28
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answer #8
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answered by His eyes are like flames 6
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