Many people who believe in God understand Him as an eternal being, existing beyond time and creation. The Bible describes God as being “from everlasting to everlasting,” that He has always existed.
(Psalm 90:2)1NIV New International Version Translations – “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” This verse emphasizes God’s eternal nature, existing before the creation of the world
The Apostle John also mentions the glory Jesus shared with God before the world began (John 17:5). These passages suggest that God’s wisdom and plans were established before anything, including humanity, was created. God is, therefore, a timeless and sovereign presence. While this idea might be challenging to grasp, it gives us a profound perspective on the nature of divinity and the origins of existence. It should be the starting point of anyone’s worldly faith walk.
For such a Creator to exist, one must accept that God’s wisdom and plans had to have been established long before our world was created. God transcends time and creation, existing eternally and sovereignly before anything was made. On the flip side, God will exist beyond the limits and boundaries of our world, both as individuals and as a universe. God, therefore, is a planner. Within those plans, God envisioned humanity, our sinful nature under free will, and how His son, Jesus, would come to reconcile humanity back to God.
(Ephesians 1:4) – “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
Why, then, did God bother to create humanity?
(Genesis 1: 26-30} – “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.’ And it was so. ‘’
One might conclude that we were to be the caretakers of God’s new creation. Simplistically, that is true. However, God would fill in a few more details.
- To Glorify God: Isaiah 43:7 states, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Humanity’s primary purpose is to glorify God.
- To Have a Relationship with God: Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Humans are created to have a personal relationship with God.
- To Steward the Earth: Genesis 1:28 mentions, “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'” This highlights humanity’s responsibility to care for and manage the earth.
- To Love and Serve Others: Jesus emphasizes this in Matthew 22:37-39, where He says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.‘”
Why is anything you just read essential to understand?
Your purpose is to glorify God, build a relationship with Him, steward the earth, and love and serve others. You are not just here to occupy space. Humanity’s purpose extends beyond existence on Earth.
- Eternal Life: John 3:16 emphasizes the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- Heavenly Citizenship: Philippians 3:20 states, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” As a believer, you are destined for a life beyond this world!
- Resurrection and Eternal Glory: 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 speaks about the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of our earthly bodies into spiritual bodies: “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” You will enjoy an eternal future with God that is beyond your understanding.
What is your plan?
Our Scriptures paint a beautiful picture of eternity with God, offering hope and assurance to believers. You will exist forever in God’s presence. Revelation 21:3-4 describes a future where God dwells with His people: “They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” This eternal life will be filled with comfort and joy, free from suffering. This eternal life is not just an endless existence but a quality of life spent in the presence of God. Can you imagine a place welcoming and secure? John 14:2-3 describes a prepared place: “My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.” Christ Himself has prepared this place.
As many know, our worldly lives are filled with pain, aging, disease, and suffering of all types. But Jesus has shown us and promises a new, glorified existence. 1 Corinthians 15:52 describes the resurrection: “The dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” To cap things off, Isaiah 65:17-19 speaks of a new creation filled with joy and delight: “I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.”
Living in eternity with God will be a life of profound peace, joy, and fulfillment, free from pain and suffering, in the presence of a loving and eternal God. Now that my brothers and sisters, is an excellent plan!
Contemplations
- What does the concept of God’s eternal existence beyond time and creation imply about the nature of divinity and the origins of your existence?
- Ideas to Explore: Is it essential to understand God? How does faith help us know God?
- How does the idea of humanity being created in God’s image influence our understanding of our purpose and responsibilities on Earth?
- Ideas to Explore: How does humanity pervert this concept?
- In what ways does the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ shape our perspective on life and death?
- Ideas to Explore: Without Jesus, does humanity have any hope?
- How can the vision of a new creation filled with joy and delight, as described in Isaiah 65:17-19, impact our approach to living in the present world?
- Ideas to Explore: How good must heaven be to satisfy a human forever?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations