Lesson 5 – The ERA Before Creation, Time, and History Began {Genesis 1:1}.

PLEASE read and study our Bible study lesson before attempting to answer the questions. We have included semi-difficult, to difficult true or false, multiple answer questions, and YES or NO questions. Some of the questions ARE TRICKY!!! Hopefully we will make questions so people will have to think and use inductive thinking to learn more about God!

This study is about, “The ERA BEFORE creation, time, and history began – when there was just the triune God and the Son of Man Jesus Christ in their Kingdom in the Third Heaven with Its amenities/creature comforts for their wellbeing.” Most Christians believe that Genesis Chapter 1 is the very beginning of everything. In fact, the word Genesis does mean “beginning.”  While it is certainly the beginning of creation, time, and history, there was/is an eternal “era” or age, period, or eon before the Book of Genesis. This is what this study is about! God revealing His foreknown and predestined plans for His creation, and the amenities of the Third Heaven. We have some revealing Old and New Testament Scriptures that give us glimpses of God’s concepts, thinking, and thoughts and plans during this “era.”

John 1:1-2 IN THE beginning [{the ERA} before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God {the Father and God the Holy Spirit}, and the Word was God {the Son} Himself.  [Isa 9:6.] 2 He {God/Man} was present originally with God {the Father and God the Holy Spirit}. AMP

Jeremiah 29:11{God speaking} For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you {these thoughts and plans were conceived by God during this ERA BEFORE Genesis One/creation/time/history}, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome {which would be our physical death}. AMP

 Titus 1:2 [Resting] in the hope of eternal life, [life] which the ever truthful God Who cannot deceive {lie} promised {WHEN?} before the world or the ages of time began. AMP

 Psalms 139:16 {This ERA revealed from the Old Testament – King David speaking to God about his relationship with Him and when it started.} Your eyes saw my unformed substance {Your concept of me}, and in Your book {of Life} all the days [of my life] were written {when?} before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them {King David’s concept/plans as was EVERY naturally conceived human were formed in the eternal era BEFORE Genesis One}. AMP
 
Ephesians 1:3-5 {This SAME ERA is revealed in the New Testament – Paul acknowledging God’s foreknowledge of him in the ERA BEFORE creation –  the foundation of the cosmos/universe.} May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm! 4 Even as [in His love] He {God the Father Who calls EACH one of us} chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ {predestined each foreknown naturally conceived human being for redemption WHEN?} before the foundation of the world {Genesis 1:1 that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love {this a description of a redeemed/ saved person}. 5 For He foreordained us ({pre}destined us, planned in love for us {Jeremiah 29:11, Titus 1:2}) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children {John 1:14} through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]  AMP

1 Peter 1:2 {We} Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father {in His plans BEFORE the foundation of the world – Ephesians 1:4 above} and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) {separated from sin} by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts] {We are SAVED/REDEEMED from sin!!!}. AMP

Let me define the word ERA. The eternal ERA has always been from before creation, time, and history began as stated in Genesis Chapter One1. It has an “eternal no beginning nor ending permanent ‘age’.” It can be viewed as the age, or period, or an eon or eternity where there was just the Godhead along with Jesus Christ in Their Kingdom in the Third Heaven with Its amenities or “comfort features” which allowed them to function. More on these amenities later in this Lesson.

Let’s start with the possible detection of “eternity” as an era/age without beginning nor end known from BEFORE creation, time and history began. Eternity is an important characteristic and part of this era, and we have Scripture sharing with us that God “inhabits eternity.” Let’s see what Scripture reveals on how this happened, but guess where we have to go to start our study? I believe we have to go to Genesis 1:1-3 to find the discovery of and the revealing of “eternity.”

Genesis 1:1-3 IN THE beginning God {the Son} (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth.  [Heb 11:3.] 2 The earth was without form and an empty waste, {At that time of creation, just the concept was revealed about the earth. Please read Job 38:1-7 to discover the creation of the earth.} and {total} darkness was upon the face of the very great deep {We MUST understand and accept that this darkness upon the face of the very great deep PREEXISTED from the ERA BEFORE Genesis Chapter 1 i.e. it has ALWAYS been!}. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters {and I believe He had with Him the Father’s Book of Life which had the names and plans for each and every naturally conceived human and ALL of creation!}. 3 And God said, Let there be light; and there was light {which exposed this great area of darkness to His light and presence. I wonder IF this area could have been what we now call space?}. AMP

This total darkness covered an immense area which was actually the total area/ space for ALL of creation to fill in for ALL of the universe. As the God of Light was coming onto the scene from the Third Heaven, His light penetrated the darkness so that He inhabited eternity. I ask you to think about this because the triune God also inhabits each true believer.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, AMP {And IF you follow Jesus’ teachings the Triune God comes to live in us!}

John 14:23 Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him. AMP

I ask you to consider how small we are in relation to this huge area/space of eternity. Does this give you any idea how GINORMOUS the PRESENCE of God is {He as Spirit is OMNIPRESENT!}, and how personal He can be as He resides in itty bitty us as His adopted children?

1 John 1:5 And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]. AMP

John 8:12 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world {Greek=cosmos/universe}. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life. AMP

Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the high and lofty One {the triune God} — He Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, but {I will also reside} with him also who is of a thoroughly penitent and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the thoroughly penitent [bruised with sorrow for sin] {Who is God describing? Please read Psalms 51:15-17 Those who are redeemed/saved sinners – US!}.  [Matt 5:3.] AMP

As we read the Bible, the many different translations use different words to express the idea of Eternity i.e. someone Who or something which has no beginning nor end. It is Eternal – someone or something that is everlasting, perpetual, unending, ceaseless, never ending, of infinity, One Who is immortal, timeless – God is ALL of these things! The following Scriptures/texts illustrate some eternal or everlasting items that have always been and have come to fruition/be known through time.  Notice the numerous Scriptures that are eternal relating to salvation!

This text sets the parameters for our thinking and thoughts concerning things that are physical and temporary and can be seen versus eternal, invisible and spiritual things.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour {IN REALITY, the SMALL trials and tests of our daily life}) {If you gave them to Jesus to carry for you [My yoke is easy, My burden is light - Matthew 11:28-30]} is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight {measure} of glory [{How big?} beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], 18 Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting{/eternal!}. AMP

Remember that the concepts/plans for these gifts ALL originated in the era BEFORE creation! What are some of our eternal gifts from God?

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts and plans {concepts} that I have for you {ALL conceived in the ERA BEFORE Genesis 1:1}, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome{over physical death}. AMP

 Titus 1:2 {That we are} [Resting] in the hope of eternal life, [life] which the ever truthful God Who cannot deceive {lie} promised {when?} before the world or the ages of time began. AMP

The ETERNAL Gospel Message:

Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, with an eternal Gospel (good news) to tell to {ALL} the inhabitants of the earth, to every race and tribe and language and people. AMP

The eternal Gospel Message brings us ETERNAL redemption/deliverance from sin:

 Hebrews 9:12 He {Jesus Christ} went once for all into the [Holy of] Holies [of {the third} heaven], not by virtue of the blood of goats and calves [by which to make reconciliation between God and man], but His own blood, having found and secured a complete redemption (an everlasting release for us). AMP

Our acceptance of the eternal gospel message gives us sinners eternal Salvation/ Redemption/Being Saved:

Hebrews 5:9 And, [His completed experience] making Him {Jesus Christ} perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him,  [Isa 45:17.] AMP

Which gives us Born Again/adopted children of God an ETERNAL Inheritance:

Hebrews 9:15 [Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance — since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement {blood of animals sacrifice}. AMP

This inheritance enables us to share in God’s ETERNAL Glory:

1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. AMP

In God’s eternal Glory we will have ETERNAL Habitations/living quarters with God:

Luke 16:9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), so that when it fails, they [those you have favored] may receive and welcome you into the everlasting habitations (dwellings). AMP

John 14:2 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. AMP

God’s Covenants between God and man are ETERNAL:

Genesis 9:16 When the bow [rainbow] is in the clouds and I look upon it, I will [earnestly] remember the everlasting covenant or pledge between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth {not to ever destroy the earth again by rain/floods. Also Please read Romans 8:19-22}. AMP

We are saved by the concept of ETERNAL Grace:

 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), AMP

The Son of Man Jesus Christ’s Word is ETERNAL:

1 Peter 1:25 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.] AMP

The physical life of a believer will cease/die, but their spiritual life is ETERNAL:

1 John 2:25 And this is what He Himself {God} has promised us — the life, the eternal [life]. AMP

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may {physically} die, yet he shall {spiritually} live; 26 And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this? AMP

But God’s Agape/Love is ETERNAL:

Psalms 103:17 But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children's children —  [Deut 10:12.] AMP

Decide for yourself about God’s ETERNAL punishment/life:

Matthew 25:46 Then they {the unsaved} will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God {saved} into eternal life.  [Dan 12:2.] AMP

If you are truly saved, the ETERNAL Kingdom of God awaits you:

2 Peter 1:11 Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AMP

There are a couple of things from the Book of Revelation that I need to touch on – the RECREATED heavens and earth at that time in history, and the ALREADY NEW city of Jerusalem CREATED from the era BEFORE Genesis One. I believe the NEW city of Jerusalem to be eternal! Personally I do NOT believe that God the Son will create a TOTALLY and COMPLETELY new heavens and earth! BUT I do believe He will completely scrub and refurbish/recreate the original heavens and earth so that the signs/things of the world are TOTALLY and COMPLETELY WIPED OUT/GONE!!! These are my speculations!

Isaiah 65:17 For behold, I {God the Son shall} create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.  [Isa 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:1.] AMP

 Isaiah 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth which I make shall remain before Me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain. AMP

2 Peter 3:13 But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide.  [Isa 65:17; 66:22.] AMP

Revelation 21:1-2 THEN I saw a new sky (heaven) and a new earth, for the former sky and the former earth had passed away (vanished), and there no longer existed any sea.  [Isa 65:17; 66:22.] 2 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; AMP

We also have Scripture that states there are an innumerable number of things that Jesus did that are NOT recorded in our Bible but are they written in other books?

John 20:30-31 There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book {the Bible}. 31 But these {signs and miracles which ARE found in the Bible and} are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [through Who He is].  [Ps 2:7, 12, John 3:18.] AMP

ü John 21:24-25 It is this same disciple who is bearing witness to these things and who has recorded (written) them; and we [well] know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written. AMP

Revelation 20:12 I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. AMP

Revelation 21:27 But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it {the New Jerusalem}, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood {unrepentant sinners}, but only those whose names {of the redeemed who} are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life. AMP

As for God/Jesus’ “other books,” Revelation 20:12 states that the dead {unrepentant sinners} were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. AMP Somehow this judgement which is covered by God’s Grace and somehow continues throughout one’s life:

John 3:18 He{/she} who believes in Him {Jesus Christ} [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he{/she} who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him{/her} there is no rejection, no condemnation — he{/she} incurs no damnation]; but he{/she} who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he{/she} has already been convicted and has already received his{/her} sentence] because he{/she} has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.] AMP

Romans 8:1-4 THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.  [John 3:18.] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire {unsaved} nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], [Lev 7:37.] 4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit]. AMP

 I would like to now speculate on the ERA which contains the Third Heaven and also Paradise as God’s and Jesus Christ’s abode:

2 Corinthians 12:2-4 {This is probably the Apostle Paul speaking} I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know that this man — whether in the body or away from the body I do not know, God knows —  4 Was caught up into paradise, and he heard utterances beyond the power of man to put into words, which man is not permitted to utter. AMP

1 Kings 8:30 Hearken to the prayer of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray in or toward this place. Hear in {the third} heaven, Your {God’s} dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive. AMP

Luke 24:51 And it occurred that while He {Jesus Christ} was blessing them, He parted from them and was taken up into {the third} heaven. AMP

Luke 23:43 And He {Jesus Christ} answered him {the other thief on the cross}, Truly I tell you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. AMP

John 3:13 And yet no one has ever gone up to {the third} heaven, but there is One Who has come down from {the third} heaven — the Son of Man {Jesus} [Himself], Who is (dwells, has His home) in {the third} heaven. AMP

I would like to talk about the amenities that was/still are available to the Triune God and Jesus Christ during this ERA before creation, time, and history began. I am going to use the term speculate because there are some things that we do know for sure during this ERA which should lead us to more conclusions as to the amenities/creature comforts in the third heaven/paradise? I believe these amenities/creature comforts included:

1)    Eden the Garden of God which provided nourishment, oxygen, aromas, and beauty for Jesus Christ and God the Father:

Ezekiel 31:3-9 {This is an allegory of Eden the Garden in God’s Kingdom in the Third Heaven! An allegory is NOT the same as a parable. This allegory is a description of one thing [Eden the Garden of God] using the image of another. This allegory uses a mighty cedar tree of high stature using its natural resources to survive and thrive in its forest – Eden the Garden of God.} Behold, Assyria [I will liken you to], a cedar in Lebanon, with fair branches and with forest like shade and of high stature, with its top among the thick boughs [even among the clouds]. 4 The waters nourished it; the deep {soil} made it grow tall; its rivers ran round about its planting, sending out its streams to all the trees of the forest [the other nations]. 5 Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the forest; its boughs were multiplied and its branches became long, because there was much water when they were shot forth. 6 All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs, and under its branches all the wild beasts of the field brought forth their young and under its shadow dwelt all of the great nations. 7 Thus was it beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches, for its root was by many and great waters. 8 {Now the comparison:} The cedars in the garden of God could not hide or rival it; the cypress trees did not have boughs like it and the plane trees did not have branches like it, nor was any tree in the garden of God like it in its beauty. 9 I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches, so that all the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God envied it [Assyria]. AMP

What are your thoughts about the amenities of Eden the Garden of God. Were/are there “trees” in Eden the Garden of God?

2)    The Tree of Life of the Third Heaven/Paradise:

Revelation 2:7 {John speaking} He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.  [Gen 2:9; 3:24.] AMP

Revelation 22:2 Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations.  [Gen 2:9.] AMP

3)    Waters of Life flowing from the two Thrones in the Third Heaven:

Revelation 22:1 THEN HE {the angel} showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb AMP

Eden the Garden of God had soil, water, and the light of God to make its many things grow and flourish for God’s nourishment and enjoyment.

4)    In addition to Eden the Garden of God in the Third Heaven, the Father’s Book of Life which included ALL the names and plans for EACH and EVERY naturally conceived human was there:

Exodus 32:32 {Moses speaking to God the Father} Yet now, if You will forgive their sin — and if not, blot me, I pray You, out of Your book which You have written! AMP

5)  The Lamb’s Book of Life which includes the names of every redeemed/saved person:

Revelation 20:15 And if anyone's [name] was not found recorded in the {Lamb’s} Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire. AMP

6)    The ETERNAL Gospel Message:

Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, with an eternal Gospel (good news) to tell to the inhabitants of the earth, to every race and tribe and language and people. AMP

7)    God’s numerous other eternal gifts including eternal life,

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things] — these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. 17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever. AMP

8)  And other books possibly containing God’s plans/concepts for ALL of His creation.

Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name. AMP

There is NOT a lot that we can discern about the ERA before creation, time, and history began, but I believe that ALL of God’s concepts and plans were formulated and given life for His creation during this ERA thus making them eternal!

AMEN & AMEN!