The Beginning of the Creation of God

LESSON 6

THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD: AN EXPOSITION ON JOHN'S WORDS IN REVELATION 3:14

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Godhead. The topic for this study is: "... the beginning of the creation of God": An exposition on Christ's words in Revelation 3:14. The complete message in this text reads: "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14).

One of the popular interpretations in regard to the above text within Christendom today is that Christ is the "beginning" of God's creation. That is to say, Christ was the first to be created by God, and therefore He is not eternal or divine in nature. But beloved, this teaching that Christ was the first to be created by God the Father is contrary to the principle of the unity of the entire Scripture (see John 10:35). This is because the Scripture provides several key evidences which attest to the eternal divine nature of the Son of God (see Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 43:11; Micah 5:2; John 1:1-3; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:6-8; Colossians 1:15-18; Revelation 1:8).

Now since the Scripture does not contradict itself, it is clear that the text in Revelation 3:14 will have a different interpretation instead of the literal assertion that Christ is the first personality to be created. It is interesting to note that the Greek word 'arche' which is translated beginning in Revelation 3:14 can mean the first as in a series or the origin or source of a thing. By comparing Scripture with Scripture, it is clear that the correct meaning of the word 'arche' in Revelation 3:14 is beginning as in the sense of the origin or source of creation and not the first to be created.

Friends, one clear argument in support of this point is found in the same book of Revelation. You see, in other portions of Revelation, Christ introduces Himself severally in the following divine manner: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8; see also Revelation 1:11; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13). Beloved, these passages in the last book of the Bible clearly assert the eternal divine nature of the Son of God. The passages help us to understand without the shadow of a doubt that our Saviour was not created at a point in time, but rather, He is actually the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending; the One who was, and who is, and who is to come, the Almighty.

Besides the above point, the apostle Paul also reinforces the position of Christ's eternal divine nature with these clear words: "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" (Colossians 1:16-17; see also Hebrews 1:1-2).

Friends, how could it be said of Christ that "16 all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things" (Colossians 1:16-17), if He was actually the first created being? It is clear that for anyone to interpret the expression; "the beginning of the creation of God" as found in Revelation 3:14 in the literal sense as the first in the order of creation, is to grossly misinterpret a clear biblical teaching.

From the scriptural passages we have reviewed so far, it is clear that the text in Revelation 3:14 does not teach that Christ was the first Person to be created. On the contrary, the text teaches that He is the Source, Originator or Beginning of all things (see Colossians 1:18). This truth helps us to see the amazing sacrifice and love that God has showed to the human family. For it is remarkable to learn that the One who came to die for us was not a creature, but the Creator God who share the same eternal divine attributes with the Father.

Exhortation: In the opening lines of his gospel, the beloved apostle echoed the eternal divine nature of the Son of God in the following beautiful words: "1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

(John 1:1-3) In our next study, we will consider the topic: "... the firstborn of every creature ...": An exposition on Paul's words in Colossians 1:15. The Bible Study references for this study are Colossians 1:15, Genesis 31:19, Psalm 89:20-29, Exodus 4:22-23, Colossians 1:16-17 and Micah 5:2. Please do well to go through these passages before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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