REVEALING the MYSTERY of DETERMINING GOD’S FOREKNOWN and PREDESTINED PLANS for HIS CREATION

INTRODUCTION

And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. And He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay His hand or say to Him, What are You doing? (Daniel 4:35) AMP

Before I begin, I want to state that there is no obvious time table in the Bible which gives the exact time and place in history that God created the heavens with the stars and the angels, thus there are numerous thoughts as to when and how they came into being. But God has given me an illustration as to what to look for in Scripture texts to discern God’s spiritual truth so you will have a better insight and understanding into the mystery of God/Christ in the Bible and also in your life.

We will be comparing Genesis 1:1-3 – the time line in the creating of the heavens, the earth, and the angels to Psalms 139:13-14, 16 – the time line in the planning and creating of man including their corresponding scriptures that will produce from the Bible the knowledge of God’s intricate plans for His creation of the universe, the stars, the angels, the earth, and man including you and your generations of family/genealogy from before time began.

PART 1 – GOD CREATING the HEAVENS and the EARTH and HIS BRINGING CREATION to LIGHT in GENESIS 1:1-3.

I believe Genesis 1:1-3 is in chronological order. The immense and limitless space for the universe was a vacuum area completely devoid of visible objects, without form, an empty waste, and darkness enveloped it – it was an ABSOLUTE and TOTAL NOTHINGNESS! God the Son – the Light of the World – spoke creation into being many many many eons ago. By faith we understand that the worlds [during the successive ages] were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose) by the word of God{the Son/Jesus Christ}, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3) AMP. IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.  [Isa 9:6.] (John 1:1) AMP. All things were made and came into existence through Him{God the Son/ Jesus Christ}; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. (John 1:3) AMP. For it was in Him{/Jesus Christ} that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. (Colossians 1:16) AMP

I know that the “young-earth creationists – those who believe the universe was created in six literal 24 hour days will not agree with what I am about to share. I do NOT believe God’s basic creation took place in six literal 24 hour days. PART 1 of this study will show the placement of the created earth on its foundation to be some time after the stars and angels were created. The Amplified Bible uses the phrase [during the successive ages] {Hebrews 11:3} which illustrates and confirms my belief.

GOD the FATHER SENDING FORTH HIS SON and the HOLY SPIRIT – the TRINITY to DO WHAT?

“Come near to Me {God the Son}, listen to this: From the first I have not spoken in secret, From the time it took place, I was there. And now the Lord God {the Father} has sent Me {His Son}, and His Holy Spirit {To do what?}.” (Isaiah 48:16) NASU What New Testament Scripture also reveals about the Trinity?
For “from” Him {God the Father is the planner and origin all things.} and “through” Him {God the Son is the bringing forth “from the beginning to the end of” the Father’s plans} and “to” Him {God the Holy Spirit is the One Who makes the Father’s plans for creation and Christ’s creation work.} are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him {God the Father}; all things live through Him {God the Son}, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him {God the Holy Spirit}.] To Him {God} be glory forever! Amen (so be it). (Romans 11:36) AMP

These two Scriptures reveal some really interesting workings of the Trinity. We have God the Father giving orders to His Son and His Holy Spirit to do something in Isaiah 48:16. In Romans 11:36, this Scripture reveals the Order, Structure, and Purpose of the Trinity in ALL things – God the Father is the origin/planner            {“from”} of all things. God the Son/Jesus Christ is the One from the beginning to the end came ALL things – creation, salvation, and judgment {“through”}. And it is God the Holy Spirit Who makes God’s plans of creation work {“to”}. If you put the two Scriptures together, I believe they reveal the Order, Structure, and Purpose for creation. “IN THE beginning God {the Son} (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth {according to the Father’s plans} [Heb 11:3.] The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The {Holy} Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. AMP

WHAT and WHO DID the LIGHT REVEAL?

I believe we MUST first start with what the “light” revealed so we can literally see the things of creation. God the Son/Jesus Christ said, “Let there be light; and there was light.” So what was revealed in the light? Let’s compare Jesus Christ’s creating of the heavens and earth in verse 1 to the description of the earth in verse 2. Verse 1 infers that God the Son created the heavens and earth at the SAME time, but verse 2 says that the earth was without form in an empty darkness of waste/void. What does that mean? To me, it means that God choose a place in the heavens for the general area designated for the foundation of the created earth, BUT the earth would not be securely placed on its fixed foundation until a later time/date as witnessed by the stars and the angels of heaven.

What we now have to determine is what this “light” is about. What are the “lights?” The first lights are the stars. And God {the Son} made the two great lights — the greater light (the sun) to rule the day and the lesser light (the moon) to rule the night. He also made the stars. (Genesis 1:16) AMP We know the moon does NOT produce its own light {Because of its images during its different phases.}, but REFLECTS the radiance of our sun which is a star. From the pictures taken by the astronauts of the earth, we ALSO know that the earth does NOT produce its own light but reflects our sun’s radiance.

Now comes an interesting question. Are there other lights in the heavens? If so, what or who are the other lights that were created at about this same time in creation? Guess who is our example?
How have you {Lucifer an angel} fallen from heaven, O light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning {light – Strong’s OT #7836}! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!] (Isaiah 14:12) AMP. And it is no wonder, for Satan/{Lucifer} himself masquerades as an angel of light; (2 Corinthians 11:14) AMP {He can do this because he knows how to play his game.}

WHO IS the ANGEL of the LORD?

We now have the created angels as beings of light, but we also have an Angel of Light Who I believe is the Light of the World – God the Son/Jesus Christ. The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.  [Ps 18:1; 145:20.] (Psalms 34:7) AMP. There it was — the true Light [was then] coming into the world [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] that illumines every person.  [Isa 49:6.] He {God the Son/Jesus Christ} came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him] {John 1:3; Colossians 1:16}. (John 1:9-10) AMP. Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life. (John 8:12) AMP. For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).  [Gen 1:3.] (2 Corinthians 4:6) AMP.

Let’s find out more about this Angel of Lord. God the Father’s testimony of The Angel of Lord – God the Son/Jesus Christ is found in the Book of Hebrews chapter 1: [Taking a place and rank by which] He Himself {God the Son/Jesus Christ} became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited {John 17:12} is different from and more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did [God {the Father}] ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He {God the Son/Jesus Christ} will be to Me a Son?  [2 Sam 7:14; Ps 2:7.] Moreover, when He brings the firstborn {meaning “first in time and first in place” – Colossians 1:17-18} Son again into the habitable world, He {God the Father} says, Let all the angels of God worship Him {Remember ONLY God is to be worshiped!}. (Hebrews 1:4-6) AMP. “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me {I inherited Your name – Hebrews 1:2}; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. (John 17:12) NASU. But as to the Son, He {God the Father} says to Him, Your throne, O God, {God the Father’s Name “O GOD” is now revealed in His Son} is forever and ever (to the ages of the ages), and the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of absolute righteousness (of justice and straightforwardness). (Hebrews 1:8) AMP. {God the Father still speaking} And [further], You {God the Son/Jesus Christ the Creator of ALL things}, Lord, {God the Father’s Name “LORD” is also revealed in His Son} did lay the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the works of Your hands. (Hebrews 1:10) AMP.

The STARS and the ANGELS WITNESS the SETTING in PLACE of the CREATED EARTH.

We now come to the place in time and history when the created stars and angels of light witness God the Son/Jesus Christ placing of the created earth on its fixed and permanent foundation in the universe. THEN THE Lord {God the Son} answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?  [Job 35:16.] Gird up now your loins like a man, and I will demand of you, and you declare to Me. Where were you when I laid the {permanent} foundation of the earth? Declare to Me, if you have and know understanding. Who determined the measures of the earth, if you know? Or who stretched the measuring line upon it? Upon what were the foundations of it fastened, or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God {angels} shouted for joy? (Job 38:1-7) AMP{Read Job chapters 38-39}.

Why the reaction of the morning stars and the angels to the placing of the created earth on its permanent foundation? What is so SPECIAL about this teeny, tiny speck of a planet in the universe that it is even mentioned in the Bible? Why were the stars singing and ALL of the angels shouting? What did the stars contain and the angels know about this planet and its future inhabitants?

Listen to what the Bible has to say about this created planet “earth” that was described as, “being without form, an empty waste in a place of deep darkness” in Genesis 1:2. “For thus says the Lord — Who created the heavens, God Himself, Who formed the earth and made it, Who established it and did not create it to be a worthless waste; He formed it to be inhabited — I am the Lord, and there is no one else.” (Isaiah 45:18) AMP

The earth is the ONLY planet mentioned in the Bible that is inhabited. Who was going to inhabit the earth? Apparently the angels KNEW they would be intelligent beings of some kind. How do I know this?

WHAT DID the NAMES of the CREATED STARS REVEAL?

When God created the stars, He named them all and also numbered them. Lift up your eyes on high and see {the stars in the heavens}! Who has created these {God the Son}? He Who brings out their host by number and calls them all by name; through the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power {Hebrews 1:3}, not one is missing or lacks anything. (Isaiah 40:26) AMP

What did the stars names reveal? Read and study what the Scriptures have to say. For I have said, Mercy and loving-kindness shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness {as contained in Your Word} will You establish in the very heavens [unchangeable and perpetual]. (Psalms 89:2) AMP. The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever. {Where?} (Psalms 119:160) AMP. But the Word of the Lord (divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you.  [Isa 40:6-9.] {Where?} (1 Peter 1:25) AMP
Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens].  [Ps 89:2; Matt 24:34, 35; 1 Peter 1:25.] Your faithfulness is from generation to generation; You have established the earth, and it stands fast. All [the whole {stars of the} universe] are Your servants; therefore they continue this day according to Your ordinances {plans}.  [Jer 33:25.] (Psalms 119:89-91) AMP.

I believe that when God named the stars in heaven, He named them with the message of the eternal Gospel. The Gospel Message is stored and reserved in the names of the stars in heaven forever! I believe that the angels of God BEFORE Lucifer/Satan’s sinning knew and partially understood the implications of it on THEMSELVES and on the intelligent created future creatures on earth. Why do I say they only understood the Gospel Message partially? “It was then disclosed to them {the prophets} that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you {the Saint}. [It is these very] things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look! (1 Peter 1:12) AMP.

Somehow the angels understood the Gospel Message enough so when Satan sinned and took with him one third of the angels who were his followers {sinners also}, he/they knew what their judgment and punishment was. The angels who did not follow Satan also knew who they were! This is revealed to us by the angel in the Book of Revelation when, “he said to me, Refrain! [You {John} must not do that!] I {an angel of God} am [only] a fellow servant along with yourself and with your brethren the prophets and with those who are mindful of and practice [the truths contained in] the messages of this book. Worship God!” (Revelation 22:9) AMP.

May God bless you by revealing His angels to you so you can seek their services to you and learn to love and appreciate them and their works in your life. Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14) AMP.

CONCLUSION.

I know that the “young-earth creationists – those who believe the universe was created in six literal 24 hour days will not agree with what I am sharing. Scientists guesstimate the universe came into existence some 15 billion years ago. They also guesstimate the earth to be some 4.5 billion years old which means the formed earth was set in place some 10.5 billion years AFTER the universe, the stars, and the angels was created.

It took all of this {eight pages} to prove from Scripture that a place for the earth was initially formed with the creation of the universe, the stars, and the angels, BUT the formed earth was not brought forth and set upon its foundation until some 4.5 billion years ago. Why is the understanding of this principle so important?

We MUST understand the principle of the Order, Structure, Purpose in the way God does His things! Let’s use another example as Jesus tells us that He was going away to prepare a place for us. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2) AMP.

The Book of Revelation shares with us this place for us is found in the completed created holy city – New Jerusalem – which is stored in heaven descending to the earth when God deems the time and place in history for it to happen. This just BOGGLES my mind!!! And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, all arrayed like a bride beautified and adorned for her husband; (Revelation 21:2) AMP.

PART 2 – GOD’S FOREKNOWLEDGE of YOU from BEFORE TIME BEGAN.

Why is the timing of God knowing you important? Let’s compare this principle of God creating something – from the beginning of time i.e. the basic stars and structure of the universe, and Him continuing His forming of the universe throughout time including “TODAY” which included His bringing forth the planet earth which would be inhabited at a future specific time and place in history to His foreknown and predestined plans for each naturally conceived human before time began. For thus says the Lord — Who created the heavens, God Himself, Who formed the earth and made it, Who established it and did not create it to be a worthless waste; He formed it to be inhabited — I am the Lord, and there is no one else. (Isaiah 45:18) AMP.

Let’s compare God’s foreknowing you before time began to His being present at your conception. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. (Psalms 139:16) NKJV. For You {God} did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately {/complicated} and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. (Psalms 139:13-15) AMP.

COMPARING DIFFERENT TRANSLATIONS of PSALMS 139:16.

I ask you to compare the translation of Psalms 139:16 from the AMP Bible and the NKJV Bible. Notice that the AMP says, “my unformed substance” while the NKJV says, “my substance being YET unformed.” If you really think about it, they BOTH say the SAME thing! But the NKJV says it in a way that we can see that God saw David’s YET unformed substance of “who he was” eons BEFORE there was a formed substance of him. {Psalms 139:13-15} This is revealed when the Scripture says, “and in Your book {of Life} all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. AMP This is confirmed when God says, “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” (Jeremiah 29:11) AMP And what is our “hope in your final outcome?” [Resting] in the hope of eternal life, [life] which the ever truthful God Who cannot deceive promised before the world or the ages of time began. (Titus 1:2) AMP.

David gives God credit for the forming of his life in his mother’s womb at his conception at a certain time and place in history in the process of procreation in verses 13-15. But in verse 16, David says that God saw his “YET unformed substance.” Many commentaries believe this “unformed substance” {the Hebrew word “golem” #1564} should be translated into English as “zygote/ embryo.” I do not believe this to be the case!  Why? Because part of the context of this verse deals with God’s Book of Life which was written before the foundation of the world. God created a place for the “YET unformed substance” of David in His plans, BUT his “formed substance” was NOT there – which is the same principle as the earth being without form and void in Genesis 1:2. God saw the unformed planet earth eons and eons before He formed it and placed it on its foundation. God saw David’s “YET unformed substance”/his nothingness as He wrote the plans for his life eons and eons BEFORE his life ever came into existence some 15 billion years later. The beast that you saw [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is going to come up out of the Abyss (the bottomless pit) and proceed to go to perdition. And the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they look at the beast, because he [once] was, but [now] is no more, and he is [yet] to come.  [Dan 7:3.] (Revelation 17:8) AMP.

The time span from when God had His vision and wrote His plans for the Psalmist to their implementation is revealed to be before the foundation of the world. “Even as [in His love] He {God} chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4) AMP.

Can you now better see and understand the MYSTERIES of the intricacy and intimacy of God’s Sovereignty and Providence over His creation? Scripture says that God knows everything from the beginning to the end, and in His Providence, He can implement His plans at any time He wants? Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose {at any time or place I want}, (Isaiah 46:10) AMP. And He {God the Son/Jesus Christ} made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes), (Acts 17:26) AMP. Who has prepared and done this, calling forth and guiding the destinies of the generations {containing the genealogies} [of the {people of the} nations] from the beginning? I, the Lord — the first [existing before history began] and with the last [an ever-present, unchanging God] — I am He {Exodus 3:14; John 8:24}. (Isaiah 41:4) AMP Who is I AM or I AM HE? And God {the Father} said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!  (Exodus 3:14) AMP. That is why I {Jesus Christ/God the Son} told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be {as God the Son} — if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins. (John 8:24) AMP.

CONCLUSION.

As I look back over this study, I am truly convinced and awed by what is revealed about God i.e. His MYSTERIES of Who He is and what He can do, and nothing is able to stop or prevent His Way and Will from happening. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart through all generations. (Psalms 33:11) AMP. Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.  [Job 23:13; Ps 33:10,11; Isa 14:26,27; 46:10; Acts 5:39; Heb 6:17.] (Proverbs 19:21) AMP.

It has taken me a long time to come to comprehend some of God’s MYSTERIES. I pray that it does NOT take too long for you to yield yourself to completely surrender making Jesus Christ not only your personal Savior but also your Lord God and Master of your life.

In His Service,
harry