Understanding God - 14

Greetings to you in the Name of our Lord Jesus. We are pleased to send you another instalment of our series on “Understanding God”. Thus far, we have explored the Person and attributes of God, the make-up of the Godhead and the distribution of roles. This led us to a focus on “The Sovereignty of God”, which, in turn, is bringing us to a consideration of the place of creation.

UNDERSTANDING GOD 14

In continuation of our focus on “Understanding God” and “The Sovereignty of God”, we are focusing on the place of creation. In furtherance of our exploration of God, we started a sub-series on “The Sovereignty of God”. We considered the basis and extent of God’s sovereignty and moved on to consider the place of Satan in the scheme of things. This led us to a focus on “Understanding Tribulation”. In considering the place of creation, we seek to establish that God’s rule extends, not only to His children, angels and Satan, but also to unbelieving men, animals and inanimate things.

The Place of Creation
The word “creation” refers to all things that God has made. However, it has different contexts of use. For instance, Romans 8:22 says “the whole CREATION groaneth and travaileth in pain…and not only they, but ourselves also…” In this context, Paul refers to unbelieving men, as distinct from believers. In our present context, the word “creation” refers to unbelieving men, animals and non-living things.

We commence with a consideration of the unbelieving world of men, supposedly under the ABSOLUTE control of Satan. Afterwards, we will consider the place of animals and non-living things. As we have affirmed previously, the Lord rules over all men, including the heathen. King Nebuchadnezzer had to learn this lesson in amazing circumstances. He experienced abnormal changes in his body and mind and was driven from among men, for seven years. He dwelt with the beasts of the earth and ate grass for food: “to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Dan.4:17, 25, 32-34).

Having laid the foundation, we will now consider some other specific areas of application. This should, in turn, encourage the reader to explore some other possibilities. One of such areas is death. No man dies without God’s sanction. This is well illustrated by Jesus’ words to His disciples: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him that is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father” (see Mat.10:28-31, Lk.12:4-7). While acknowledging that there are men who “kill the body” (just as there are things that kill the body) He makes it clear that not even a sparrow (sold so cheaply) falls to the ground without the sanction of God. The implication is that no one says a thing and it comes to pass when the Lord has not commanded it (Lam.3:37). The One who has the keys of Hell and death has the final say (Rev.1:18).