03.34. An Example Of Comparing Scripture With Scripture
An Example Of Comparing Scripture With Scripture
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). The first statement of the Scriptures in the original Hebrew contains seven words. This declaration has mighty and far-reaching ramifications. In fact, volumes are wrapped up in this sublime utterance. By a clear, full understanding of this passage, most of the philosophies and cults may be refuted.
"In the Beginning"
"In the beginning ..." This phrase immediately suggests that found in John 1:1 : "In the beginning was the Word ..." The Word, the Living Word, existed in the beginning, that portion of eternity that antedated the creation of the material universe. Likewise reference is made to this same Living Word who is thought of as Wisdom, in Proverbs 8:22 f:
"Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way,
Before his works of old.
"I was set up from everlasting from the beginning,
Before the earth was.
"Then I was by him, as a master workman;
And I was daily his delight,
Rejoicing always before him,
"Rejoicing in his habitable earth;
And my delight was with the sons of men."
In such a passage as Isaiah 44:6 we have a reference to God and His being back in the beginning, in the eternity of the past, as well as existing throughout all the future ages of eternity.
There are many more passages that deal with this phrase and the idea set forth, but these are sufficient for us to understand how to proceed in comparing scripture with scripture to get all the information on any one particular expression.
God, Jehovah, the Lord In Genesis 1:1 we are told that God created the material universe. God here is the original name for the Almighty and carries the idea of Strong Ones, since the word is in the plural number. When, in the thinking of men who refused to retain God in their knowledge, the forces of nature were deified and were considered as actual gods, the Lord revealed His memorial name to His people. In the days of Seth, for instance, men began to call upon the name of Jehovah (Genesis 4:26). This name carried the idea of the Uncaused Cause of all things, the one who stands back behind all things, and who has brought all things into existence, — the one in whom all live, move, and have their continual being.
Since the word rendered "God" is in the plural, and since "three" is the smallest plural—there being the singular and also the dual numbers—we can see how the plural for the word God is an echo of the Trinity, tri-unity—Three in One and One in Three.
Moses declared the unity and at the same time the plurality of the Divine Being in Deuteronomy 6:4, which literally rendered is: "Hear 0 Israel! Jehovah, our Gods, is Jehovah a unity." Here the word Jehovah refers to the Holy Trinity. In certain other texts it is evident from these facts that this memorial name of God refers to the Father; in still others the Son is referred to by this same name. And in still others the Holy Spirit is called Jehovah.
By looking at a few passages and by noting the facts just mentioned, we see that, in our study of passages containing the word God, Jehovah, or Lord, we have an inexhaustible fund of biblical knowledge. We could continue with this second word of Genesis 1:1 and fill several volumes. But these suggestions show us how we should study this phase of our subject.
"Created" An examination of the fifty-odd occurrences of the word, create, in the Hebrew Bible shows that the fundamental concept lying behind this word is that of bringing something into existence which had no form nor substance before the act of creating was performed. This fundamental meaning lies inherently in the word although it may have secondary applications.
Though the word, create, does not occur in Psalms 90:2, the idea is there, expressed in different terms. Moses looked back to the time when the heavens and the earth were brought into existence. Then he lifted his eyes and took a far-off view in the direction of the past and spoke of the ages which antedated time, and which constituted eternity in the past. From the context it is clear that creation is referred to in this passage.
Again, the creation of the universe is referred to in Job 38:7. When the Lord created the earth, it was not in the condition described in Genesis 1:2. On the contrary, it was not a waste, nor desolation. From John 1:1-4 we see that the Word, the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, was the one who actually was the Creator of the material universe. This phase, likewise, of our subject could be continued indefinitely. Such a study as this would enrich our lives very materially, but this much discussion is sufficient for us to see the importance of looking at this word.
"The Heavens" In Psalms 115:16 reference is made to "the heavens" in contrast to the earth. The former belongs to God, the latter He has given to men. In Psalms 11:4 we are informed that God’s throne has never been overturned, and that His Holy Temple is in heaven. This Temple of God in the heavens is not of the material order. It is unseen; hence it is of the eternal order (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Again, we see in Revelation 11:19 the Temple of God in heaven, which of course refers to that tabernacle of God not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The study of the visible, material heavens, as they are presented in the Scriptures, together with the invisible heavens, likewise constitute the most fascinating and instructive and informative subjects. These references however will suffice.
"The Earth" The earth is a part of the material universe which God created in the beginning. Volumes of information are given to us with reference to it throughout the Scriptures.
In Psalms 24:1-2 we are told that the earth and all that is therein belongs to Jehovah. It belongs to Him because He is the Creator of it—as we learn in the Scriptures. It is His, Jehovah the Son’s, because He purchased it by the redemption which He wrought for us on Calvary. It will be His by conquest when He returns in glory and power to take the reins of the government of the universe in His hands and to establish the reign of righteousness upon the earth. Volumes likewise could be written upon the subject of the earth. The completeness of our picture with reference to any of these material elements found in this verse depends entirely upon the extent and thoroughness of our investigation.
The material heavens and earth that was created in the beginning, as we learn in Genesis 1:1, will pass away eventually, but one jot or tittle shall in nowise pass away from the law until every word which God has spoken has been fulfilled with reference to them. Jesus likewise told us that heaven and earth should pass away, but His word should not pass away (Matthew 24:35). He did not tell us when they will pass away, but merely stated that such would be the case. In Revelation 20:11 we have this statement: "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." At the conclusion of the short period following the Millennium, the great white throne judgment will be established. At that time the material heavens and the earth that were created in the beginning will pass out of existence. God created them out of nothing, and into a state of nothings they shall return. At that juncture time, which began with the creation of the material universe, ceases. Then eternity begins.
This eternity of the future begins with God’s creating the new heavens and the new earth. What is meant by the new heavens and the new earth? The eternal order of which we read in Revelation 21:1-27 and Revelation 22:1-21. There we see the eternal heavens, and the eternal earth, and the eternal Jerusalem coming down out of the eternal heavens and resting upon the eternal earth. This will be the place of the abode of the righteous, throughout the ceaseless ages of the eternity of the future.
Great things lie ahead of us—that is, for all who know and who love the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.