The Doctrine of God :The God of Creation Part 4.

The Creation of the Spiritual World. 

Notes from Louis Berkhof “The Summary of Christian doctrine”.

Questions for Research and Review.

1. In what sense is the word “to create” used in each of the following: Ps 51:10; 104:30; Isaiah 45:7?
2. Do Genesis 1:11,12,20 and 24 favour the idea of Evolution? Compare Genesis 1:21; 25; and 2:9
3. Do the Following passages tell us anything about the sin of the angels? if so what? 2Peter 2:4; Jude 6 and also 2 Thess 2:4-12.

Jesus with Myriads of angels

Introduction.

God created “out of nothing: ex nihilo” and partly by materials that were by their nature unfit. For example he created the man Adam from dust of the ground and the woman, Eve, from his rib. God uphold what he has created by the “word of His Mighty Power”. The Creation was the beginning. There was not multiple beginnings like those who say that there was a previous creation with death and destruction before Genesis 1. God made all this marvellous creation for the Manifestation of His own Glory.

Eze 36:21  But I had pity for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.

Eze 36:22  Therefore say to the house of Israel, So says the Lord Jehovah: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.

Eze 36:23  And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. And the nations shall know that I am Jehovah, says the Lord Jehovah, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Eze 36:24  For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all lands, and will gather you into your own land.

Psa 19:1  To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the expanse proclaims His handiwork.

Man has tried to substitute all manner of theories and doctrines of His own making trying to exclude God from His own Creation. When we see the magnificent order in Creation and the revolution of the planets and the magnificent galaxies and cell construction with DNA in the Human Body, we bow our heads and worship the wonderful Creator who made all these things.

Now we turn to the creation of the Spiritual World of angels and demons.

2. Creation of the Spiritual World.

God not only created a material world, but also a spiritual world consisting of Angels.

1. Proof of the existence of Angels. Modern Liberal Theologians have largely discarded the belief in spiritual beings. The Bible however, assumes their existence throughout and ascribes to them REAL PERSONALITY.

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not the angels of Heaven, but only My Father.

Mat 4:11  Then the Devil left him.(Jesus) And behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Jud 1:6  And those angels not having kept their first place, but having deserted their dwelling-place, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of a great Day;

Some ascribe to them airy bodies but the Scriptures teach they are spiritual beings ( though sometimes they assume bodily forms.

Eph 6:12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Against the wiles of the devil. The great enemy. The armour was designed not only to protect, but there were weapons also with which to assail him.

For we wrestle. Fights then were a hand to hand grapple.

Not against flesh and blood. While flesh and blood may seem to assail us, the real enemies are evil spiritual powers.

Principalities and powers. These terms designate different rank of evil spirits. These were fallen angels. In Eph_1:21, the same terms are applied to the different ranks of holy angels.

Against the rulers of the darkness of this world. Satan is described as the ruler of this world (Joh_12:31; Joh_14:30; Joh_16:11) and the “god of this world” (2Co_4:4). He uses for his dominion not only evil spirits, but wicked men, and his sway is darkness rather than light.

Spiritual wickedness. See the Revision. It is likely that the meaning is the same as in Eph_2:2. The high places, the air, is a dwelling-place and medium of these evil influences.

Holy Angels are Ministering Spirits

Heb 1:14  Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?

They are without flesh and bones and are therefore invisible to the human eye.Col 1:16  For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him.

Some angels are good, holy and elect see Mark 8:38; Luke 9 26; 2 Cor 11:1 while others are fallen from their original state, and are therefore evil, see John 8:44; 2 Peter 2:4; and Jude 6