Creation; Its Divine Author and Spiritual Significance by C. F. Campbell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1916

Creation; Its Divine Author and Spiritual Significance

By C. F. Campbell

C. F. CAMPBELL

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1. This record is given us by the great Architect, Creator, and Builder, for “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” 2 Tim. 3:16. And well might he say to some of the modern skeptics who doubt his word, “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof?” Job 38:3-6.

In Ex. 20:11, we have the positive statement that “in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is;” and in Ex. 31:17, the same statement is repeated: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested.” So when we say that the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things in six days, we have the highest authority in the universe. For “if we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.” 1 John 5:9. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isa. 40:8.

Then we turn to the first of Genesis, and the Lord tells us what he did on each day. “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Verses 3-5. This statement that the evening and the morning constitute the day is predicated of each of the remaining days of the week.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Gen. 2:1-3. Here is the origin of the weekly cycle and of the Sabbath of the living God. It rests on the facts of creation, and no power in the whole universe can change a fact. We have every reason to believe that the days were the same length as now, for they were composed of evening and morning, or darkness and light. God made the sun to rule the day, and the moon to rule the night, and he made them to be for signs and for seasons. Thus the great timepiece of Jehovah was set in motion.

Who was the divine Author? “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” To whom was he talking? The words “us” and “our” signify the presence of more than one holy being. In our search to find out who was associated with God in the work of creation, we turn to John 1:1-4: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” This we know refers to Christ our Lord.

Then we turn to John 17:5 and find our Saviour’s own words: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

He is the express image of his Father. Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9. Then again in Heb. 1:8-12: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. . . . And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest.” What a comfort this statement is to the weary pilgrim! He who made the worlds and whose handiwork are the heavens, upholds all things by the word of his power. They may perish, but he remains. He is our Saviour, able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him. We certainly can trust our all in his care. See also Col. 1:14-19.

So it was Christ, or God the Son, to whom the Father said, “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness.” As Christ was the agent through and by whom all things were created, so he is the one through and by whom redemption, or re-creation, is accomplished. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 2 Cor. 5:17. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Gal. 6:15. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7. Also Peter said, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23. How is it all accomplished?—By the word of God. How were the heavens and earth and all things created?—By the word of God; “for he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”

Both creation and redemption come through Christ, “for it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” Col. 1:17-20. He upholds all things by the word of his power. He is our advocate to plead our cases in the courts of heaven, there to appear in the presence of God for us. Our cases are safe in his hands. “Let us therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help

in time of need,” casting all our care upon him; for he careth for us. Heb. 4:16; 1 Peter 5:7. Let us have firm, unwavering faith in God’s word; accept his unfailing promises; believe firmly in the march of his providences, and on some bright tomorrow we shall anchor in the haven of eternal rest, sing the song of eternal victory, and reign with Jesus through the endless ages, world without end. Amen.

Perth, Ontario.