1) All things were created by him, and for him. Col 1:16
Possibly one of the most misunderstood verses in the New Testament speaks of things created by Christ. Many try and make much more of the idea that Yeshua (Jesus) was a creator than the context warrants, but in doing so they miss Paul's immensely powerful point.
Paul writes,
Colossians 1
(14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
(15) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
(16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
(17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
In context this is the beginning to a letter to the congregation about the gospel Paul was preaching,
Col.(5) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
(6) Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
The gospel in Christ is a “hope laid up in heaven”, because at this time they were in need of both hope and prayer. Verses 9-11 speak of being 'filled with the knowledge of God's will, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 'Strengthened' to 'patience and longsuffering.'
Paul in verse 12 then speaks of the 'hope laid up in heaven' being “the inheritance of the saints in light,” which is deliverance from their present 'darkness' into 'the kingdom of his dear Son.'
In summary, Paul's point is that they must endure for the sake of the hope of the kingdom, something they didn't have as yet, but which was their inheritance.
Paul then clarifies the mechanism whereby they inherit the kingdom,
Col.(14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
(15) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Christ is the only one yet who has been made 'a quickening spirit', or made like the angels,
1 Cor. 15:45 And so it is written, 'The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening (living) spirit'.
If Christ is the firstborn, resurrected as a 'living spirit', then the servants of Christ are to be made the second-born. They are re-born or 'born again' as a 'new man' into an inheritance. The 'new man' is a new creation,
Ephesians 4:21-25
(21) If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
(22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
(23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
(25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
In this context of the new man born again, Paul speaks of the Colossians being a 'creation'.
For by him were all things (the born-again new man and the inheritance of the kingdom) created, that are in heaven (where the inheritance is laid up), and that are in earth (the people), visible (the physical) and invisible (thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers): all things (that are relating to our salvation) were created by him (Yeshua), and for him:
And he is before all things (the beginning of salvation), and by him all things consist (there is no inheritance except through him)
Paul explains this creation as being the faithful congregation in the kingdom, and fits it into a context in relation to the political order of earthly kingdoms.
(18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all he might have the preeminence.
(19) For it pleased that in him should all fullness dwell;
(20) And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, whether things in earth, or things in heaven.
Again the 'all things' relates to the re-conciliation that leads to the inheritance, but we can see that all is limited for in the next verse not 'all' were reconciled, only those such as the Colossians had been reconciled - some people were still 'alienated'!
(21) And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled
(22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
(23) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
This implies that whereas the new creation is certain, each individual even once born again must not be 'moved away'.
We can see that we may need to take 'all things' as being 'all important things', as at this time Paul had preached to 'every creature under heaven', and quite clearly not every barbarian or animal had heard. Paul, however, had spoken to all those he could in Colosse in obedience to the command the apostles had been given.
Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.'
That all the world would be called to the inheritance laid up in heaven through Yeshua's resurrection, is the whole purpose of God. If all the world is to hear then all the powers that are, are subjected to that call and purpose,
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and sets up over it the basest of men.
In this way since the very beginning of nations God has been working with the rulers to achieve his purpose, which is the kingdom of God.
Acts 17:26-27 And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
All nations were appointed, so that those who would seek the salvation of the kingdom and of the redemption could find it.
Yeshua in being the firstborn from the dead, 2000 years ago retrospectively gave those who lived in the 4000 years before his death and resurrection, and, who hoped in God's salvation, an inheritance in the kingdom. In this way 'all' is created by Yeshua's obedience 2000 years ago. To achieve this situation, God worked with the nations for 4000 years to lead up to the event, so 'all' things (of nations) of the kingdom were created for him. It is an incredibly powerful point Paul made, as Paul said that none of the new creation (the kingdom) could exist except though hope and obedience in Christ.
Abraham, for example, looked forward to Christ's day.
To assume this passage says Christ created the physical universe at the time of Adam is to miss Paul's point entirely. Paul says that in Christ's resurrection, in his being the firstborn from the dead, is the creation of 'all things', the people of the kingdom.
And Paul says here to the Colossians that the entire creative work of God, all nations and kingdoms on earth were structured, for a lead up for God's work for Christ...
that we may
have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
and become 'born again' fit for the kingdom.
When was this creation? Not before Adam, but in Christ.
For more on Yeshua's existence Could Christ have pre-existed?
For more on creation In the beginning God created
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
We have been given many time periods to prophetic events in the Bible. Many people think it too hard, and do not make an effort to understand them. However, if they were not to be understood, why were they given? And the Bible says the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).
In the light of the findings of science, how literally do we take what the scriptures say about the power of the God of the Bible, Yahweh Elohim (literally He who will become Mighty Ones)? Science at its best is a measurement of observable and repeatable phenomenon wrapped up in explanations which abound in analogy. There is no doubt in the benefit of investigating phenomena of the natural world. The surprising thing is that the more we investigate natural phenomena, the more it fits the explanations recorded over 2000 years ago.
The God of Israel is approachable and reasonable. He often speaks directly to his people. The following will seek to understand a passage where he speaks via the prophet Amos which has a few variant translations.
