God’s Creation

We see it written, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (i.e., this universe; Gen 1:1; cf. Gen 1:1–2:25; Exo 20:11; 1Ch 16:26; Pro 3:19–20; 8:22–30; Psa 8:3–8; 33:6; 75:3; 102:25; 104:24; 115:15; 121:2; 124:8; 136:5; Isa 45:12, 18; Jer 10:12–13; 51:15; Neh 9:6; Joh 1:3, 10; Act 4:24; 17:24; Heb 1:2, 10; 3:4; Job 38:1–42:6; Rev 4:11). He created everything we see (sun, moon, stars, earth, galaxies, and even light itself) by simply speaking them into existence (Gen 1:3; Heb 1:2–3; 11:3; Col 1:17; Psa 33:6).

Furthermore, this physical universe was made out of spiritual things (spiritual matter, if you will; see Heb 11:3; cf. Col 1:16; Rom 4:17), which we cannot see and which the science of man cannot measure (Rom 8:24–25; Heb 11:1; cf. 2Co 5:7), and it is actually the spiritual things that are eternal. As we see it written, “For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2Co 4:18)—this material world will “pass away” at the end of time (Mat 5:18; 24:35; cf. 1Co 7:31; 1Jn 2:17; Psa 102:25–27; Isa 34:4; 51:6; Heb 1:11–12; 2Pe 3:7–13; Rev 21:1). God also established laws (physical, religious, and moral; see 1Co 14:33; Pro 3:19; 8:22–31; 24:3; Exo 20:3–17; Mat 22:36–40; Joh 14:15) that govern this universe and must be obeyed—for He is God, and we are not (Psa 8:4; 144:3; Isa 40:17; Joh 15:4–5; Gal 6:3; Job 38:1–4).

GOD CREATED ALL LIFE

Next, God created all life: plants and animals on land, in the sea, and in the sky. He also created humans “in the image of God … male and female He created them” (Gen 1:27; cf. Gen 5:2; Mar 10:6; Act 4:24; Psa 8:4–8) from the “dust from the ground” and “breathed” life into them (Gen 2:7; cf. Gen 3:19; 18:27; Psa 24:1; 89:11; 103:14; 138:14–15; Isa 29:16; 64:8; Eze 37:1–10; Job 4:19; 33:6; Ecc 3:20; Rom 9:20; 1Co 15:47; 2Co 4:7; 5:1–4).[1] Humans were created with an eternal soul or spirit that lives on even after the body dies (returns to dust); the only question is where—either heaven or hell (see Mat 10:28; 16:26; 25:31–46; Mar 8:36–37; Luk 12:5, 20; 16:19–31; Rev 20:12; cf. Heb 9:27).[2]

Some place no value on their eternal soul, instead focusing solely on the demands and desires of this world and the flesh (see Esau, Gen 25:29–34), thinking they go into nothingness after death (i.e., annihilation). But please understand that you do not go into nothingness when you die (Heb 9:27; Psa 86:2; 89:48; 1Co 15:52–54; 2Co 5:1–10; Rom 14:11; Php 2:10; Rev 20:12). As Luke Trout says,[3] “Man’s most valuable possession is his soul; it’s tragic to see so many trade it away for things that are of no value and which can be gone tomorrow”[4] (see Mat 16:26; Mar 8:36; Luk 9:25; 12:16–21; 16:14, 19–23; 1Ti 3:3; 6:10; Heb 13:5; Jas 1:9–11; 5:1–3; Rev 3:17–19; 6:15–17; 18:1–19; cf. Mat 4:8–10; Php 3:7–8; Heb 11:24–26; 1Pe 1:7, 9).

WE ARE NOT ALONE

Know that we are not alone in the universe. God also created spiritual beings called “angels” (see Gen 28:12; 32:1; Job 4:18; Psa 91:11; 103:20; Mat 4:11; Jud 8; 1Ti 3:16; Rev 12:7; cf. Eph 6:12). Satan, “the devil” (see Gen 3:1, 14–15; Mat 4:1–11; 16:23; 1Ch 21:1; Job 1:6–12; Rev 12:9; 20:2, 7), was the chief angel (Rev 2:13; 12:7–9; Rom 16:20; 2Co 11:14; 1Ti 5:15), but due to his pride, he rebelled against God, and some of the angels followed him in rebellion (Mat 25:41; Jud 6; Rev 12:7–9). This world is now, therefore, in the midst of a raging spiritual war[5] (Eph 6:10–17; cf. Gen 3:15; 1Pe 5:8; 2Co 10:3–5; Joh 8:44; Dan 10:13; 12:1; 1Th 2:18; Jas 4:7; Rev 12:7–17), for Satan opposes everything good and of God. Since humans were created “in the image of God” (Gen 1:27), Satan also opposes humanity and wants to destroy as many as possible, including you (Gen 3:15; Luk 8:12; 1Pe 5:8; Jas 4:7; Eph 6:11; Rev 2:10; 12:9; 20:10; cf. Job 1:6–2:10; 1Th 2:18).

Make no mistake: Satan is a real spiritual being. He is described as—

• “A liar” (Joh 8:44; Act 13:10),
• A “deceiver” (see Rev 12:9; 13:14; 19:20; 20:3, 8, 10),
• Your “adversary” (1Pe 5:8),
• Your “accuser” (Rev 12:10; Zec 3:1; Job 1:6–12; 2:1–6),[6]
• The “tempter” (Mat 4:1–3; 1Th 3:5), and
• Your “enemy” (see Mat 13:39; Luk 10:19; 1Ti 5:14; 1Pe 5:8; Eph 6:11; Jas 4:7; Rev 2:10; 13:6–8; 20:7–9; Job 1:13–22; 2:7–10)

—and he does everything possible to try to “destroy,” “blind” (trick), and “deceive” you out of eternal life (see 2Co 4:4; 11:3; Joh 10:10; cf. Joh 8:44; Eph 6:11; 1Pe 5:8; Jas 4:7; Rev 12:9, 12; 20:10). He does this by getting you to think that God doesn’t exist (2Co 4:4) or by getting you to disobey God in some form or fashion (Gen 3:1–7; Mat 4:1–11). Furthermore, the devil is not some fanciful cartoon character in red tights with a pitchfork; that illusion is designed to deceive many by causing them not to take him seriously. Please don’t ignore Satan and his “spiritual forces of darkness and wickedness [evil]” (see Eph 6:12) just because you cannot see them.

[1] Please don’t be deceived by the fake science theory of evolution; see the chapter “Science versus the Bible.”

[2] You may also like another book we publish on this subject called Beyond the Tomb.

[3] Sermon, Cottonwood Church of Christ.

[4] Such as money, fame, fortune, material possessions, and things of this world that are passing away.

[5] See also the chapter “The Armor of God.”

[6] He is your accuser before God, accusing you of being a sinner (which you are, by the way, as will be explained shortly).