Article #1 on the Sovereignty of God in the First Verse of the Bible
An eternity transpired before the beginning. An eternity! The stillness and silence of eternity was filled with God. The divine being of God inhabited eternity. Mortal men cannot fathom such greatness.
“For thus saith the High and Lofty One that Inhabiteth Eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy Place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” – Isa. 57:15
We are compelled by Scripture to gaze in wonder at the unfathomable greatness. “Behold, God is great, and we know Him not, neither can the number of His years be searched out.” (Job 36:26). It seems that Moses was made to peer into eternity when he said, “even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God” (Ps. 90:2). One can only imagine what prophetic visions empowered Moses to become the narrator of the Book of Genesis.
“In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth.” - Gen. 1:1
Finally, after an eternity, then came “the beginning”. In the beginning…God! Mortals need to be confronted with the reality of an uncreated God in eternity. The LORD preexisted everything and everyone! In the infinite space of eternity there wasn’t ever anything or anyone else besides the LORD.
“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” – Isa. 44:6
God was first. God is “the First” (Rev. 22:13). Literally, God is “the Beginning” (Rev. 21:6). He is the beginning of creation. He is the beginning of time. He is the beginning of the new creation. He is the end of time. God is above all, and over all…transcending everything! Meanwhile, the LORD took on mortality through the incarnation to visit lowly mankind as a Savior.
“…Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no Saviour.” – Isa. 43:10-11
Everyone should be awestruck with amazement to hear Jesus Christ say, “I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last” (Rev. 1:11). These divine declarations force the adoration of myriads in Heaven! Oh, to be prostrated alongside John! To feel the touch of omnipotence giving strength to the weak! To hear the divine word coming softly upon mortal ears, “Fear not; I am First and the Last” (Rev. 1:17). God speaks! Let all mortal flesh keep silent (Rev. 2:8).