Creation Language
Mark Chiacchira
I
think that it is important to note that before we look at the phrase “heaven and earth,” we must understand the
Bible’s central theme from beginning to end. I understand this theme to
be the plan of God’s redemption toward His people. The scriptures are about
Christ and the work that He both began and finished. The book of Genesis is about
the beginning of this plan, and the last book is about its completion. This is
why both are set in the Garden of God.
Both Genesis and Revelation are about actual historical events, but they both are constructed using metaphor common
throughout the scriptures.
Certainly I believe that God is responsible for creating all of the material things of this physical universe. But, I take the position that the Bible is not to be looked upon as a science textbook
when it comes to material creation. To do this shifts the focus from Christ and
His redemptive plan to the material creation and onto science. Science and material
creation is not the focus or central theme of the Bible. Thinking of Genesis
in a scientific way creates a false foundation that ultimately leads to a misunderstanding about the true nature and type
of restoration that God would ultimately provide. Material creation by God, in
my opinion, is an assumed truth and possibly alluded to in several passages of scripture.
But again, I do not see this as the central focus of God’s work in Genesis.
Does it not seem strange to assume that Genesis is that one place in scripture that describes the creation of the
material universe, and the story suddenly shifts to describe this small nation Israel
and God’s redemptive plan? It is this assumed change, or shift in topic,
that I find inconsistent. Is it possible that we have all started with a wrong
assumption about Genesis 1-3? Maybe it wasn’t to be understood from a scientific
perspective at all. Let’s face it; we have all been heavily influenced
by Plato and a Greek scientific way of thinking. Is science and material creation
the central message of the Bible? I think not.
The Bible begins in a garden (God’s kingdom) and ends back in the garden.
Collectively, we as believers are the new temple of God that resides in the garden. Are Christians
not His dwelling place? He lives and inhabits His people. The foundation is the twelve disciples and Christ Jesus the chief cornerstone. Paul also makes reference to these believers being the “new body” in Christ vs. the “old
body” in Adam (see Romans 5 and 6).
I
propose that the “heaven and earth” motif used throughout the scriptures was a cultural expression established
by God and used by the ancient Hebrew people. So, what is this “heaven
and earth” phrase that is often used throughout the scriptures? I believe
that it is a poetic expression for God’s people. This includes authorities
(heavens) and those subject to authorities (earth). These include both principalities
and powers. Should it really be any great surprise that God establishes this
terminology from the beginning and then uses it consistently throughout the scriptures to describe His people rather than
shifting topics (material creation vs. spiritual restoration)? I believe that
Christians have misunderstood, and wrongfully assumed, that God was describing the literal and physical creation of the universe
in Genesis 1-3, when in fact, He was describing the creation of His covenant people and their relationship to Himself. Man’s relationship to God was lost in Adam (Genesis) and restored in the “Second
Adam” Christ Jesus in (Revelation).
Most
of us today have been so deeply influenced by dispensational thinking. It views
everything, it seems, in a literal wooden fashion. Dispensationalism has caused
us to look at the things in both Genesis and Revelation as literal and physical. People do tend to think logically. So, what ends up happening is, that we are taught that Genesis describes the creation of the physical “sun,
moon and stars,” “the beasts of the field,” “the fish of the sea,” and “the wheat of the
field,” etc. as material entities (please compare the Genesis creation account with Hosea 2:18).
“18
And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping
things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down
safely. 19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever, yea, I will betroth thee
unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. 20
I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. 21
And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;
22 And the earth shall hear the cord, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.
23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will
say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” –Hosea 2:18-23
(NKJV)
Notice
that this terminology comes straight from Genesis. Does God really make a covenant
with birds, beasts and creeping things? Or, does He make His covenant with people? Hosea uses the language of Genesis to describe the restoration that we eventually
see in Revelation. Notice that the animals, birds and creeping things are all
related to people. Jesus also makes this same comparison when He makes His disciples
“fishers of men.” He is the Good Shepherd that tends His “sheep”
(clean animal).
Because
the sin of Adam is generally seen by futurist Christians as causing the physical corruption of all these material things,
including death, the restoration in Christ is then seen as a physical restoration. This
is why the church today believes in physical bodies coming up out of the graves. Again,
if one begins with a wrong foundation, he or she ends up with a wrong conclusion. This
is why dispensationalists reject preterism. After all, according to them, it
started physical in Genesis: therefore it must be restored physically in Revelation.
At least they are being consistent.
This
is why I feel so strongly that very early in Genesis it tells us what these thing are really about. These things are about the “generations” of the “heavens and earth” (Genesis 2:4). Genesis is about the generations or genealogy of God’s people from beginning
to end. And, it’s the redemption Christ His son provides to them (Genesis
3:15)! I know that I am probably beating a dead horse here, but it is critical
to establish this point. The Bible is to be seen as one cohesive unit from beginning
to end. It’s about God’s redemptive plan.
I
also know that some at this point will say, “But couldn’t Genesis be speaking about the physical creation as a
reference to His ultimate spiritual restoration?”
The
Bible is certainly filled with what we call types and anti-types, or physical vs. spiritual comparisons. We see this as Jesus demonstrates spiritual realities by using physical object lessons continually throughout
His earthly ministry. Likewise, there are literal animal sacrifices and specific geographical locations described in Genesis,
but the overall message and true meaning is much deeper.
In
answering this question, I must appeal to the prophets, apostles and disciples of Christ.
How did they define and use these terms? And, did they use them consistently
from a foundational point in history? Remember, God first establishes this language
in the beginning, and the rest of the Bible then draws from this same language. Paul
and Peter both place these terms from Genesis into their proper context.
This
“heavens and earth” theme is understood by Jacob immediately when relating it to Joseph’s dream and is also
found all throughout the prophets. When prophesying about the people of God,
this same terminology is used. Many would say that this started with Joseph’s
dream, but I would say it began in Genesis 1.
In
Isaiah 1, God himself directly call His people, “the heavens and the earth”.
Again, I contend that this usage was first established by God in Genesis 1-3.
1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem
in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, the wickedness of Judah.
2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth!
For the LORD has spoken.” –Isaiah 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Who
is the vision concerning? Judah
and Jerusalem! Then
God says, Hear, O heavens and earth. God calls His people this phrase.
Often
we see this same terminology used by the prophets when describing the coming judgment upon nations such as Egypt, Edom, or Babylon. It is interesting to note that these
nations each held the people of God in bondage or exile. Wherever God’s
people resided, this is where “heaven and earth” are located. Jesus
Himself even uses this phrase in the same manner when describing the destruction of Jerusalem
on the Mount of Olives. He declares that “Heaven
and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
The old people of God living in Jerusalem would be
destroyed and God would create a new people. This is why believers were called
a “new creation” by Paul (2 Corinthians 5:17) and he also said that the gospel had gone out to every “creature”
under heaven (Colossians 1:23). Every creature?
Do you see the Genesis terminology being used here? I personally see the
term “heavens and earth” as more than just the Old Covenant system. I
see this phrase specifically referencing God’s covenant people and where they reside.
Where they are established is where they reside. Where they are established
is where “heaven and earth” or the people of God are located. Let’s
look at several examples.
The
prophet Daniel compares believers to the stars shining in the firmament. This
was first described in this manner in Genesis 1 & 2.
“Those
who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament. And those who
turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” –Daniel 12:3 (NKJV)
The
Psalmist said, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.” –Psalm 19:1
(NKJV)
This
verse is often used to show how the sun, moon, and stars, as the physical universe, show forth the glory of God. But let’s look at the entire passage.
“1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. 2
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language where there voice
is not heard. 4 Their (covenant *) line is gone out through all the earth, and
their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the
sun. 5. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as
a strongman to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of heaven, and his
circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” –Psalm 19:1-6
Do the physical heavens literally “utter speech” or show forth
knowledge? Notice how this passage speaks about the “heavens,”
and how it uses the word “them” in the third person plural. Who is it that declares the glory of God? This passage is about God’s people! We declare the glory
of God in Christ Jesus.
The Apostle John in Revelation 6:12-14 describes the people of God and their coming judgment:
12. “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became
black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13. And the stars
of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out
of its place.” –Revelation 6:12-14 (NKJV)
Here again we have the heavens (stars) going dark and the earth (mountains) being removed. This is describing the judgment of God upon the people. Jerusalem was this place where God’s people resided and the people
became as blood and no longer shone before men. This is poetry describing how
God “put their lights out.” This is graphic judgment language against
the “heavens and earth,” or God’s people.
In Deuteronomy 32:1 Moses calls the people of God, the “heavens and the earth.” The physical heavens and earth don’t have ears, do they? Is
He not speaking to the gathered nation of Israel,
or the people of God?
Let’s look at the original creation language in Genesis 2, verses 1 and 4:
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and the host of them.” –Genesis 2:1 (NKJV)
Notice
the phrase “all the host of them.” The primary meaning of the word
“host” is “many persons” and is used consistently throughout the Old Testament in this same manner
when describing the people of God. Again, these are the “generations”
spoken of in Genesis 2:4. This is about the beginning of the “generations”
of God’s people. Adam was the beginning of the genealogy of the “heavens
and the earth.” This, in my opinion, is very strong evidence that the “heavens
and earth,” which are created in Genesis 1, refers primarily to God’s covenant people and is reiterated later
in Genesis 5:1.
“This
is the book of the ‘generations” of Adam in the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him.”
–Genesis 5:1 (NKJV)
From
Adam to Noah, to Abraham, to Isaac, and Jacob, etc, this was the genealogy of the “heavens and the earth” or the
“generation.” Luke 3 also demonstrates how this genealogy leads to
Christ and He being the Last Adam. This story is not about the first literal
man and the last literal man! It is about the first and last covenantal man in
a long covenantal line.
Look
at 2 Peter 3 or Hebrews 1. These passages both seem to be speaking about the
physical cosmos when looking at them through Western and Greek scientific minds. But,
the same writer of Hebrews (1:10-12), tells us in Hebrews 8:13 that it is the old covenant people whom he is speaking about.
“10 And: “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work
of your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold
them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same and Your years will not
fail.” –Hebrews 1:10-12
“3 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first (covenant *) obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” –Hebrews 8:13 (NKJV)
Where
do we first read about the foundations of the earth being laid and the heavens being the work of His hands? Where is Paul pulling this from? Genesis 1:1 “In the
beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” And yet, Paul says
that this is about the old covenant people becoming obsolete and growing old ready to pass away. He defines for us how we are to understand Genesis 1.
Peter
also confirms these things when he says, "But the end of all things is at hand.” –I Peter 4:7 (NKJV) It’s
not the material universe that he is describing! It is the end of the old covenant
world in AD 70.
I
could go on and on about the usage of this phrase in many other passages of scripture, but I need to keep this article somewhat
short.
For
my conclusion, God establishes this language in the beginning. Jacob understands
it. The prophets understand it. The
disciples, apostles and Christ Himself all understand it. All of them use it
consistently the way God did in the beginning. Jesus and all the New Testament
writers pull from these Old Testament passages and then define them for us. They
tell us how they were, and are, to be understood. This phraseology begins in
Genesis and ends in Revelation. It is describing the people of God and where
they are located. Is this not what the Bible is ultimately about? God’s people? Is Genesis really about material creation? Is it really a treatise on proving scientifically the existence of God, the created
dirt, plants and animals? Or, is it about the wolf (unclean gentile) feeding
together with the lamb (clean Jew) with no more division between the two? Is
it really about clean and unclean animals or is it about men and their relationship to God?
Is it about children living well over a hundred physical years, or is it speaking of His children having eternal life? When we make this language physical and literal, I believe that we are robbing the
text of a greater and more important meaning.
I
think the answer is obvious to anyone honestly looking for the answers. Christ
makes both Jew and Gentile clean and one in Him. No more working under the Law
in order to have access to God. Those in Christ have now been reconciled. Redemption is now made complete in the finished work of Christ. Believers today are the new “heavens and earth.” We
are the true people of God if we are in Christ.
Finally,
look at Isaiah’s description of the new “heavens and earth” while keeping these things in mind.
The Glorious New Creation
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem
as a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
and joy in My people. The voice of weeping
And
joy in My people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her. Nor the
voice of crying (no more pain, no more tears). 20 No more shall an infant from
there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days. For
the child shall die one hundred years old, but the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall
not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My
people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall
not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, and
their offspring with them. 24 It shall come to pass that before they call, I
will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and
the lamb shall feed together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And dust
shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My
holy mountain, says the Lord.” –Isaiah 65:17-25
It
is my hope that Christians will look at the scriptures in the way they were meant to be understood. Believers are the true
Israel of God. We are the New Jerusalem.
We are born from above being the true Jew. For we are the new “heavens
and earth,” and wherever we are located, Christ dwells in us!
* My insertion
THE
END
