In the previous post we saw briefly the relation between the work of creation and redemption. That the first impression that God made in introducing Himself was that He is the creator of the universe and that the same power He uses to create the heavens and the earth is the same power He wants to use to save me and you from all sin.
Just to dwell on this point briefly:
John, speaking of Jesus says these words: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:1-3. What John is making clear to us is the fact that the one through whom all creation exists is none other than Jesus Christ Himself who was “in the beginning with God.”
This becomes very crucial when we consider what Paul writes about Christ as the creator. He says “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.” Col. 1:16-17.
Everything that exists, owes its existence to Jesus Christ. In Him, everything is held together. Now at the start of those words, Paul uses the word “For” [or because]. So in order for us to grasp a fuller understanding of the value of these verses it is important to consider the words spoke before. While still speaking of Jesus, we read: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” Col. 1:14-15. It is through the blood of Christ that we have redemption, even the forgiveness (and thus the removal) of sins. Christ is an all-powerful saviour. But why is this so? “For by him were all things created.” The fact that Jesus Christ is the creator of the heavens and the earth, is what qualifies Him above all others to be your and my redeemer.
Creation linked to redemption
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” In giving these words, the first impression that God was essentially giving of Himself was that, due to this great fact, He is able to save to the uttermost them which come to Him by Christ. The creative power of God is as essential to the work of salvation as was the death of Christ on the cross and His work as mediator in the heavenly sanctuary. The same one who said “I am the light of the world” is the very same God who said “let there be light.”
With all of this in mind, the point that should stand out most prominently in these words is the importance and relation of the work of creation and redemption. We are then to ask ourselves as to what is the mark or sign of the creative power of God? What has God given to man as a token of His creative and thus His redemptive power? What is it that God has placed to be a reminder to man of the God who created and redeemed them?
Immediately after creating the heavens and the earth, after God looked at all things that He had created and made, and saw that it was very good, we are told these words: "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Genesis 2:1-3.
After creating, God does something on the seventh-day that He did not do on any other day; He rested ("Ceased from work"), blessed the seventh day and He made it holy. Now one asks, why is it that God did this? Why did God rest on, bless and sanctify/ make holy this seventh day? God himself gives us the answer; we read: "For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore (for that reason) the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." Exo. 20:11. So the reason God blessed the seventh day, or what He calls the Sabbath, was because He is the one who "made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is" within the 6 days prior. It was because of the fact that God created, that the Sabbath day was instituted.
And so the words of God, given to Israel apply to modern Israel, and all mankind (Mark 2:27): "And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God." Eze. 20:20, the Sabbath was to be a sign between us and Him that He is our God, our God who created us, and who by the same power is able to redeem us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ his son.
It follows therefore that to having the LORD as your and my God requires a looking to His creative and redemptive power, of which His holy Sabbath is a sign. Who then is your maker?
The imperative question therefore follows as to which day does the Bible define to be the "seventh-day"...
And so the words of God, given to Israel apply to modern Israel, and all mankind (Mark 2:27): "And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God." Eze. 20:20, the Sabbath was to be a sign between us and Him that He is our God, our God who created us, and who by the same power is able to redeem us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ his son.
It follows therefore that to having the LORD as your and my God requires a looking to His creative and redemptive power, of which His holy Sabbath is a sign. Who then is your maker?
The imperative question therefore follows as to which day does the Bible define to be the "seventh-day"...
