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In the Bible, God creating is a major reality that runs from the beginning to the end – from Genesis to Revelations. There are two major creation events that span human history and Jesus is the instrument through which both of these events take place. The first creation is foundational for the second. So let’s look at this together.

THE FIRST CREATION – EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS:

Genesis 1:1–2 – In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Genesis 1:3 – “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Genesis 1:6 – And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”

Genesis 1:9 – And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.”

Genesis 1:11 – And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.”

Genesis 1:14 – And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night…”

Genesis 1:20 – And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”

Genesis 1:24 – And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.”

Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”

And it was all good!

God thinks and reality exists. God’s Word goes forth and we have something rather than nothing. God’s word goes forth and we have the universe and all it contains. God’s Word goes forth and we have people created in the image of the creator. God’s Word goes forth and it is so. God’s Word goes forth and we move from “formless and void” to life.

IN THIS MOVEMENT FROM FORMLESSNESS AND VOID TO PURPOSE AND LIFE, JESUS WAS THE WAY THIS HAPPENED

John 1:1–3 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:16 – For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him.

As we know, however, after this first creation event man – in the perfect setting – chose to glorify himself rather than his creator. Man chose self over God and as a result we live in brokenness – everything is broken. War, lust, hatred, slavery, greed, abuse, adultery, pornography, drunkenness reigns. We worship the creation rather than the creator. We are a sinful, sinful people. And someday a good and holy God will judge.

Romans 3:9–11 – What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.

Romans 3:23 – …all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

But there is good news in the midst of this hopelessness. God has not left us to eternal death. He has not left us to face his good and just and fair judgment. There is a second creation.

THE SECOND CREATION – ALL THINGS BECOME NEW

The prophets in the Old Testament looked forward the day when all things would become new:

1. “new things” (cf. Isa. 42:9; 43:19; Jer. 31:22)
2. “new covenant” (cf. Jer. 31:31–34)
3. “new heart, new spirit” (Ezek. 11:19; 18:31; 36:26)
4. “new name” (cf. Isa. 62:2; 56:5; 65:15)
5. “new song” (cf. Ps. 96:1; Isa. 42:10)
6. “new heavens and new earth” (cf. Isa. 65:17; 66:22)¹

In this second creation sin would be defeated, sinful people would experience the full impact of God’s love, they would be made right with him – they would move from death to life – they would be “born again”.

IN THIS MOVEMENT FROM OLD TO NEW, DISPARE TO HOPE, FROM DEATH TO LIFE, JESUS IS THE WAY

This new creation started two thousand years ago in the person of Jesus when he died for all those who would take him as the answer to their sin. And this new creation will consummate with EVERYTHING BEING MADE NEW.

1 Corinthians 15:21–22 – For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

2 Corinthians 5:17–18a – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself…

Ephesians 2:5 – …even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved…

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

So, Jesus is giving life, making all things new, giving us peace with God rather than war and judgment – how does that work?

Two thousand years ago Jesus came to take on himself the sins of all those who would repent and take him as their substitute. Jesus takes the judgment of God for all those who need a Savior – and in this creates life where there was only death, peace where there was war, hope where there was no hope.

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 5:24 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

There will come a day…

Revelation 21:4–5 – He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”