We previously examined Genesis 1 as it relates to the physical creation of the universe and saw how it displayed God's attributes of infinite power, wisdom, and sovereignty. Then, we observed a unique aspect of how God brought about creation by means of His Word—both as a message and a Person. Now, we will examine Genesis 1 from another angle as a pattern for the re-creation of man, highlighting the transformative power of God's Word in our lives.
The physical universe in Genesis 1:2 is in a state of disorder and darkness, as denoted by the Hebrew words to.hu and bo.hu. However, the Spirit of God is present and active above the raw materials. God's Word then says, "Let there be light." The supernatural light of the LORD (often referred to as God's Shekinah glory) shines through the creation until the creation of physical light on Day 4.1 God then continues to mature the creation by forming and filling it with life in such a way that it progresses from "good" to "very good."
How does all this correlate to man's redemption? We see a similar pattern between the two events.
A state of chaos > The active work of the Holy Spirit > God's light illuminates the darkness > A filling of the creation > A maturity process > A work / multiplication edict > A final state of rest and fellowship
1) A state of chaos
The Bible vividly portrays the fallen state of man's heart as a realm of darkened disorder and chaos.
The prophet Jeremiah stated that the heart is so deceitful and desperately sick that no one can understand it. King David pleaded for God to create a clean heart within him and to give him a spirit of steadfastness so that he would quit departing from God. Jesus explicated the extent of depravity by stating that from the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness (Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 51:10; Mark 7:21).
Just as the initial creation was a chaotic void, so is the condition of man's heart when he is separated from God, a state of to.hu and bo.hu.
2) The active work of the Holy Spirit
Just as the Spirit of God was acting upon the original creation, the Holy Spirit is actively working upon fallen mankind, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11).
3) God's light illuminates the darkness
Building on the conviction of the Holy Spirit, Paul describes our redemption in 2 Corinthians 4:6, which the Bible depicts as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Just as in the original creation of the universe, God declares, "Let there be light," to illuminate the darkness of our hearts.
For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. - 2 Corinthians 4:6 (LSB)
It is intriguing that in this statement, the apostle Paul addresses the primary focus of the three dominate cultures he was trying to reach with the gospel. The Jews sought light; the Greeks sought knowledge; and the Romans sought glory. Paul beautifully demonstrates that the ultimate source of all three themes is found in Christ.
Dr. Tom Constable, who served as Chairman of the Bible Exposition Department at Dallas Theological Seminary, states, "Individual regeneration is a work of God as supernatural and as powerful as the creation of the universe (Gen. 1:3)."2
Dr. David Woodall, Professor of New Testament and Greek at Moody Theological Seminary, comments, "Only through a work of God are people able to perceive the glory of God in the person of Christ."3
Psalm 36:9 states, "In Your light we see light." Just as we cannot see the distinctiveness of a rainbow in the dark—we need the light to see the beauty of its light—a darkened man cannot see the truth of Christ without the supernatural light of God's revelation.
4) A filling of the creation
Just as the LORD filled the original creation, He fills His new creation (a redeemed person) with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 4:31; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 5:18).
The late Dr. Warren Wiersbe of The Moody Church and Back to the Bible radio states, "Like the earth of Genesis 1:2, the lost sinner is formless and empty; but when he trusts Christ, he becomes a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). God then begins to form and fill the life of the person who trusts Christ, and he begins to be fruitful for the Lord. God's 'Let there be light!' makes everything new."4
5) A maturity process
We witness a maturing process throughout the forming and filling progression of the first week of creation. In Genesis 1:11-13, God commands the earth to bring forth vegetation that multiplies after its kind. The text does not denote that the plants instantaneously appeared but grew and matured within the third day. Under the light of God’s Shekinah glory, these plants likely matured in minutes compared to what takes years in the current ecosystem.5
Upon accepting Christ as their Savior, a person is indwelled and sealed with the Holy Spirit, being placed “in Christ.” However, while remaining in a fallen world with a lingering sinful nature, referred to as “the flesh,” the believer is called to mature in their Christian faith and walk (Romans 7-8).
Ephesians chapters 4-6 instruct and highlight many aspects of a Christian’s growth and maturity. Likewise, Colossians 2:6-7 uses the metaphorical language of being firmly rooted like a plant and built up like a structure as we mature in the faith.
6) A work / multiplication edict
In Genesis 1:28, God gives man and woman a mission and stewardship. They are to multiply and fill the earth, ruling over it as God’s vice-regent.
Following Christ’s resurrection, He issued a command to His followers to multiply by making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). They were to fill the earth by spreading throughout all the nations. As a kingdom of priests, His people were entrusted with the responsibility of stewarding the Gospel message. This involved baptizing people into Christ’s death and resurrection while teaching them to submit to and obey the risen Messiah’s authority.
Just as God brought about creation and transformed it via His message through the Word, we now take God’s transforming message (the good news message about the redeeming work of the Word / Christ) to the world.
7) A final state of rest and fellowship
In Genesis 2:1-3, we see God completing the physical creation on the sixth day. After declaring it “very good,” He creates a day of rest. This rest was intended to be a perpetual state where God, man, and nature enjoyed perfect harmony and fellowship. However, the rest was soon disrupted by disobedience and rebellion.
Yet, there is hope. A time will come when this state of harmony, fellowship, and rest will be restored for all who have placed their faith in Christ as their Savior. This restoration began with the resurrection of Christ, a pivotal event where He triumphed over sin and death. In the future, those who have accepted Him as their Savior will be transformed, receiving new, eternally perfect bodies.6
The current physical creation will be redeemed under His Kingship as He physically rules and reigns over the Millennial Kingdom.7 Subsequently, the entire universe will be destroyed by fire, and a New Heavens and New Earth will be created. In this new realm, we will share eternal fellowship, harmony, and rest with our Creator and Redeemer (Revelation 21-22).
Everything God says and does has profound implications. Recognizing such patterns in Scripture, such as the creation of the universe and the redemption of man into a new creation, provides glimpses into God’s magnificent plan.
Key Ideas, Principles, and Applications
Footnotes & References:
1) The light on thefirst three days was the light from God Himself. 1 John 1:5, John 8:12, and Revelation 22:5 speak of God being light and God as the source of light.
2) Constable, T. Notes on 2 Corinthians, 2024 Edition, verse 4:6. https://planobiblechapel.org/soniclight/
3) Woodall, D. (2014). 2 Corinthians. M. Rydelnik & M. Vanlaningham (Eds.), The Moody Bible Handbook. Moody Publishers, p. 1813.
4) Wiersbe, W. (2007). The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: New Testament, p. 513.
5) We see the same rapid occurrence in the coming Millennial Kingdom, where Christ rules and reigns for 1000 years before the establishment of the New Heavens and New Earth. Isaiah 30:26 speaks of the moon being as bright as the sun and the sun shining seven times brighter. At that time, the crops will grow so fast, and the yield will be so abundant that the people will still be harvesting when it is time to plow.
6) For Christians in the Church Age, the receiving of glorified bodies will happen at the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). For Old Testament saints and those who die during the Tribulation time, it appears that their resurrection and glorified bodies are given after the Second Coming event of Jesus as He establishes the Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 29:16; Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 11:39-40; Revelation 20:4, 6).
7) The Millennial Kingdom will be presented in more detail in later insights as we study related Messianic Prophecies. For a good overview of the Millennial Kingdom with corresponding verses, refer to the following article and video https://www.gotquestions.org/millennium.html at GodQuestions.org
