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Creation! A mystery that is difficult for humans to understand. By the word of His mouth, God created all that we see. The sun, moon and stars, the animals and plants. Many hold the Creation account of Genesis to be a fable. Yet, as the open minded individual studies the wonders of nature, the unfolding of a flower, the pink glow of a newborn's hand, the planets in their precise order, one can not help, but have a greater appreciation of who God is and the miracles that He can perform. Many see the Genesis account of Creation as the sole Biblical evidence of Creation. Yet, there are many other places in the Bible where the Creation of the world is referred to by God as well as His people. God truly is Lord and Creator. Our computerized search of the Bible looked for the words listed below that are commonly associated with the subject of Creation. It is our hope that these texts will give you a better understanding of God, and therefore, yourself. A rather lengthy commentary section discussing various aspects of Creation, the Flood, the Fall of Man is included at the end of the compilation.
creat(e, ed, es, ing, ion) Creator earth foundation(s) founded form(ed, less, s) heaven(s) made (makes) Maker molded sun, moon, stars stretch(ed,es,ing) work(s) Only texts relevant to the subject of Creation were kept. TEXTS FOUND
Day 1, Light
3And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.5God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning --the first day.
Commentary: Since the beginning of time, a day was defined, considered or "reckoned" as extending from evening to evening. Only since the Gregorian calendar was instituted in 1582 and later adopted by the American Colonies in 1752 was the reckoning of a day changed. The day was then reckoned as extending from midnight to midnight.
Commentary: The original diet planned by God for mankind consisted only of plant life. Only after the flood did God authorize the eating of animal life (see Gen. 9:3, 4). While no direct limitations were stated as to which kinds of animals were permitted for flesh foods, it's reasonable to assume that it was limited to the clean animals as previously defined to Noah by God in Gen. 7:2.
is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens-- 5and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earthand there was no man to work the ground, 6but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground-- 7the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
is gold. 12(The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) 13The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. 14The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." 18The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called `woman,' for she was taken out of man." 24For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
The Lord plans to destroy all He had created with a worldwide flood
Gen. 6:5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth --men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air --for I am grieved that I have made them." 8But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Gen. 7:2 Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, 3and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. 4Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made." 5And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.
All other gods are idols, only one God is the Creator
1Chr. 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 25For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 26For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 27Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. 2Chr. 2:11 Hiram king of Tyre replied by letter to Solomon: "Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you their king." 12And Hiram added: "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven andearth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the LORD and a palace for himself. Neh. 9:6 You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. 7"You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham. Introduction: Many scholars suggest tht Job was the first book written of the books included in Scripture. Its references to Creation are significant. As the book of Job records the discourse between Job, his three friends and young Elihu, the names of the speakers have been indicated to help the reader.
Job 36:2 [Elihu] "Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's behalf. 3I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker. 4Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you. Job 37:5 [Elihu, seeing the approaching storm continues] God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. 6He says to the snow, `Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, `Be a mighty downpour.' 7So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. 8The animals take cover; they remain in their dens. Introduction: Job has longed for God to appear, so that Job might argue his case before Him. Now out of an approaching storm, God speaks. God questions Job, describing the work of His hands and His wonderful knowledge and challenges Job, "Can you do, or do you know any of these things?"
9"Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will he stay by your manger at night? 10Can you hold him to the furrow with a harness? Will he till the valleys behind you? 11Will you rely on him for his great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to him? 12Can you trust him to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor? 13"The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork. 14She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, 15unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them. 16She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain, 17for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense. 18Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider. 19"Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? 20Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? 21He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. 22He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. 23The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and lance. 24In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. 25At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, `Aha!' He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry. 26"Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south? 27Does the eagle soar at your command and build his nest on high? 28He dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is his stronghold. 29From there he seeks out his food; his eyes detect it from afar. 30His young ones feast on blood, and where the slain are, there is he."
Job 40:1 The LORD said to Job: 2"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!" 3Then Job answered the LORD: 4"I am unworthy --how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. 5I spoke once, but I have no answer-- twice, but I will say no more." 6Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: 7"Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 8"Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? 9Do you have an arm like God's, and can your voice thunder like his? 10Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. 11Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at every proud man and bring him low, 12look at every proud man and humble him, crush the wicked where they stand. 13Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. 14Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you. 15"Look at the behemoth [perhaps a hippopotamus, elephant, or an herbivorous dinosaur] , which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. 16What strength he has in his loins, what power in the muscles of his belly! 17His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are closeknit. 18His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like rods of iron. 19He ranks first among the works of God, yet his Makercan approach him with his sword. 20The hills bring him their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby. 21Under the lotus plants he lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh. 22The lotuses conceal him in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround him. 23When the river rages, he is not alarmed; he is secure, though the Jordan should surge against his mouth. 24Can anyone capture him by the eyes, or trap him and pierce his nose?
Leviathan described
Job 41:1 "Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook or tie down his tongue with a rope? 2Can you put a cord through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? 3Will he keep begging you for mercy? Will he speak to you with gentle words? 4Will he make an agreement with you for you to take him as your slave for life? 5Can you make a pet of him like a bird or put him on a leash for your girls? 6Will traders barter for him? Will they divide him up among the merchants? 7Can you fill his hide with harpoons or his head with fishing spears? 8If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the struggle and never do it again! 9Any hope of subduing him is false; the mere sight of him is overpowering. 10No one is fierce enough to rouse him. Who then is able to stand against me? 11Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. 12"I will not fail to speak of his limbs, his strength and his graceful form. 13Who can strip off his outer coat? Who would approach him with a bridle? 14Who dares open the doors of his mouth, ringed about with his fearsome teeth? 15His back has rows of shields tightly sealed together; 16each is so close to the next that no air can pass between. 17They are joined fast to one another; they cling together and cannot be parted. 18His snorting throws out flashes of light; his eyes are like the rays of dawn. 19Firebrands stream from his mouth; sparks of fire shoot out. 20Smoke pours from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over a fire
of reeds. 21His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from his mouth. 22"Strength resides in his neck; dismay goes before him. 23The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable. 24His chest is hard as rock, hard as a lower millstone. 25When he rises up, the mighty are terrified; they retreat before his thrashing. 26The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin. 27Iron he treats like straw and bronze like rotten wood. 28Arrows do not make him flee; slingstones are like chaff to him. 29A club seems to him but a piece of straw; he laughs at the rattling of the lance. 30His undersides are jagged potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge. 31He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment. 32Behind him he leaves a glistening wake; one would think the deep had white hair. 33Nothing onearth is his equal-- a creature without fear. 34He looks down on all that are haughty; he is king over all that are proud." Commentary: Leviathan is a rather intriguing creature. Psalms 74:13 and 14 describe Leviathan as having multiple heads. Combining that description with the one that God gave, Leviathan hardly seems like a crocodile as the footnote of the NIV proposes. It seems more like a dragon-like creature inhabiting the sea, but yet having the ability to move about on land (see Psalms 104:46). Carried down through history, Leviathan could have provided impetus to dragon folklore. Note the fire breathing, scaly skin, and fearless characteristics of the beast. Satan adopted and perverted this symbol of God's creative abilities. He has used the dragon symbol in many of his counterfeit religions throughout the world. A multi-headed dragon is synonymous with Satan in the book of Revelation 12:3. Isaiah 27:1 says that God will slay Leviathan (Satan) in the great Day of the Lord. The King James Version of the Bible says that God "shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. This interpretation using "dragon" is supported in the Revised Standard Version and the Modern Language translation as well as in The Living Bible.
the night; you established the sun and moon. 17It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. Ps. 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. 4Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. 5"They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. Ps. 89:11 The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. 12You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name. 13Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Ps. 94:8 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise? 9Does he who implanted the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? 10Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches man lack knowledge? Ps. 95:3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Ps. 96:4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 5For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 6Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ps. 100:1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Ps. 102:24 [A prayer of an afflicted man] So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. 25In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. Ps. 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- 18with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. . . . 20Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22Praise the LORD, all his workseverywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
forth food from the earth: 15wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. 16The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.17There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees. 18The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys. 19The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. 20You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. 21The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. 22The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. 23Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening. 24How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number-- living things both large and small. 26There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. 27These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. 28When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. 29When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. 30When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. 31May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works- 32he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. 33I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 34May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. 35But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD. Ps. 115:14 May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children. 15May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 16The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. Ps. 119:72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. 73Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. 74May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
Ps. 146:5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-- the LORD, who remains faithful forever. 7He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. Ps. 147:6 The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. 7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. 8He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. 9He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. Ps. 148:3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. 4Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they werecreated. 6He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away. 7Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, 8lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, 9you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, 11kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, 12young men and maidens, old men and children. 13Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. Ps. 149:1 Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. 2Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 3Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. Prov. 3:19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Eccl. 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"-- 2before the sun and the light and the moonand the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain. Isa. 17:6 Yet some gleanings will remain, as when an olive tree is beaten, leaving two or three olives on the topmost branches, four or five on the fruitful boughs," declares the LORD, the God of Israel. 7In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. 8They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.
Who can hide from or question the One who made him?
Isa. 29:15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?" 16You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"? Isa. 34:4 All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree. Isa. 37:15 And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: 16"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 17Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God.
weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isa. 42:3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope." 5This is what God the LORD says-- he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 8"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."
through bars of iron. 3I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. 4For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. 5I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. 8"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it. 9"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, `What are you making?' Does your work say, `He has no hands'?10Woe to him who says to his father, `What have you begotten?' or to his mother, `What have you brought to birth?' 11"This is what the LORD says-- the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands? 12It is I who madethe earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts. 13I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the LORD Almighty." 14This is what the LORD says: "The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and those tall Sabeans-- they will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you, coming over to you in chains. They will bow down before you and plead with you, saying, `Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god.'" 15Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God and Savior of Israel. 16All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced; they will go off into disgrace together. 17But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting. 18For this is what the LORD says-- he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited-- he says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other. 19I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, `Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right. Isa. 48:12 "Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last. 13My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together. Isa. 49:4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God." 5And now the LORD says-- he whoformed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength-- 6he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
Man is mortal
Isa. 51:12 "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, 13that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor? 14The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. 15For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar-- the LORD Almighty is his name. 16I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand-- I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, `You are my people.'" Isa. 54:3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. 4"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. 5For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. 6The LORD will call you back as if you
were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit-- a wife who married young, only to be rejected," says your God.
Jer. 32:16 "After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD: 17"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jer. 33:1 While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time: 2"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it --the LORD is his name: 3`Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Jer. 51:15 "He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. 16When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. 17"Every man is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them. 18They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish. 19He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including the tribe of his inheritance-- the LORD Almighty is his name.
them. 18"Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. 19Woe to him who says to wood, `Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, `Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. Zech. 12:1 This is the word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him, declares: 2"I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.
Rom. 9:19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" 20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?'" 21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Hebr. 4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 3Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work." . . . 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through theheavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
The old heavens and earth will disappear. A new heaven and earth will be created
10But
the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of theheavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Rev. 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! Rev. 13:7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast --all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. 9He who has an ear, let him hear. Commentary: An alternative interpreta-tion of the Greek in the above verse, which is more consistent with other texts in the Bible, is as follows: "all whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world belonging to the Lamb that was slain." (see Rev. 17:8 below). In other words, the book of life was written before the creation of the world. The Lamb was not slain from the creation of the world, though the plan for His sacrifice in order to redeem man was determined prior to the creation of the world (see 1Peter 1:20). Rev. 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth --to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." Rev. 17:7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.