From the creation of Adam until now, mankind has yearned to understand the mysteries and the secrets of the heavens. It is nearly impossible for a normal human being to gaze upon the night sky, observe those heavenly bodies that can be seen, and not wonder in amazement and awe at God’s creation. What has come to be known as ‘stargazing’, has, from the earliest times, been the source of much social and cultural tradition, intellectual curiosity, and (usually pagan) religious observance. To view and to ponder a clear night sky is to remind ourselves of our absolute personal insignificance in the scheme of time and space (notwithstanding that the soul of every individual is invaluable from God’s perspective). The creation that we are a part of is itself nothing more than a ‘speck’ of time in the history of God’s universe, and our own lives just a speck of time in that creation.

Usually, after engaging in a round of stargazing, getting past our initial awe, and perhaps, (especially as believers), marveling at ‘How great thou art!’,  the next thing we might ask ourselves is something along the lines of ‘what is the purpose of it all?’, or perhaps, ‘why did God choose to do things this way?’

We cannot know the mind of God. All we have to go on is that which we find in scripture. The Word of God makes some things very clear to us, but often leaves us with more questions than answers. Perhaps the subject that generates more confusion and discussion than any other is that of the creation, of which we actually know very little, beyond what we find in Genesis. It is clear that He gave us only what He felt we needed to know regarding the exact details of the beginning of His creation, and that will have to satisfy us. Anything more is simply speculation and conjecture. So while we don’t know much about the details of the creation, the scripture does expand a bit as to the reasons for the creation.  

The first thing we must do is to understand the primary reason for His creating anything, and it’s really very simple: He creates for His pleasure and His glory:

 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Col 1:16)

 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev 4:11)

In forming this particular creation, He also created and populated it with creatures (us) capable of providing Him these things. Notice the word ‘capable’. It means having the capacity or ability to accomplish a stated objective. However, one’s having the ability to do something, obviously does not necessarily result in it being done. This too, is as God wished it, because he can only truly receive pleasure when a thinking creature can consider the options available, and having done so, freely choose the one(s) that God has made known to us are acceptable to Him.

In addition, when the creature has made this choice purely and simply because he knows this is what God wants, especially when his own mind and preference might be a different option, then God’s pleasure is complete, and the creature finds himself in the perfect will of the creator. Thus, we are  created as ‘free moral agents’, having a ‘free will’, just as the angels are. We have the choice, as well as the freedom, to accomplish or reject His revealed will, as we see fit. There are no robots or forced marches in the army of God

As a result of this, God the creator has established a ‘bargain’ with his creatures. The word ‘bargain’ can have several different meanings, but usually can be boiled down to one of three: 1) To discuss or negotiate the terms of an agreement; 2) An agreement between two parties settling what each shall give and receive in a transaction; 3) An advantageous purchase in which the value of what is received clearly exceeds the price that is paid.

 We can obviously rule out definition 1 since a creator need not negotiate with that which he has created. The very word ‘negotiate’ generally implies a need for both parties to compromise to some degree on the outcome, and we can be sure that almighty God has no such need. However, definitions 2 and 3 certainly and clearly apply. For the bargain that God has struck with us might be stated as follows:

 “Give me pleasure by glorifying me through obedience during your earthly existence; and I will grant you pleasure throughout the endless ages of eternity”

 This then, is the great eternal bargain that God has offered to mankind from the time Adam was created, and has served as the standard for salvation throughout man’s history, regardless of the time, circumstances, or dispensation. Definition 2 then, clearly applies, since God himself has settled the question of what shall be given and received between He and us. As for definition 3, who could possibly deny that the value of what He has offered us far exceeds what he demands in return? It is truly a measure of his love for us that He, who could require of us whatever He chose, imposed a bargain that offers so very much, for so relatively little. For the pitiful few years of this earthly existence, considered in the light of endless time and space, simply could never stand comparison with the eternity promised us by our creator. He has truly made us an offer we cannot refuse!

It is difficult to imagine that this (present) creation, given the limitless nature of both space and time, is His first, or only, creation. Who knows how many other creations He has established? What other bargains He has struck? What other judgments He has rendered? Who could know what other life and civilizations, created by Him, have existed (and perhaps exist even now) in the vast reaches of the unknown universe?

The universe is infinite in time and space, and so is the God that inhabits it. All of time and all of space, was, is, and shall be, filled with His presence. It is just that simple. You can travel back in time for any number of trillions upon trillions of years, and you will never find a beginning. You can transport yourself for any number of trillions upon trillions of miles from the earth, and you will never find an end; and throughout that infinity of time and space, from eternity past, to the present day and hour, you will never have once escaped His presence! Who wouldn’t serve a God like this?

Yes, it is all very interesting to speculate about the existence of other worlds and perhaps even creations of God, but fortunately, we are responsible to Him only for the life we live in this creation. For it is this life, in this creation, that must concern us, because it is finite and temporary, and represents the only opportunity we will have to ‘get it right’. It is the only chance we will have to glorify Him with our willing obedience, and thus take advantage of the greatest ‘bargain’ ever conceived. We must also remember that not doing so means far more than simply missing out on the promised rewards. We aren’t just missing a sale at the market that promises a bargain, and for which the only penalty is the temporary loss of the bargain. For the same sense of justice that required the suffering and death of Jesus Christ for our redemption, demands not only that the disobedient relinquish any claim to eternal reward, but also that such willful disobedience must result in actual, terrible, and eternal consequences. The bible makes it very clear just what these consequences are, and all of us are very well aware of them.

The ‘bottom line’ is that God is asking so little of us, compared to what He is offering. Oh, if we could only have enough faith to believe Him! To believe that what little sacrifice and self-denial He is asking of us in this brief and temporary life, so full of pain, uncertainty, tears, and sorrow, will be worth it all. To believe that obedience on earth will result in an eternity with our creator-savior in the Heavens, where none of these things shall be. To believe that God’s promises can neither fail, nor fail to come to pass. If we could but rise to this level of faith, then we would certainly serve ourselves well. As Paul said:

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 4:18)

Let us therefore endeavor to accept God’s bargain, by making our calling and election sure.

Written by Elder Stephen Franklin
2nd Asst. Director
PCAF – International Christian Education Auxiliary