YEA Lesson Library

The Lesson

Was there a time when there was nothing? God is and God has always been. So what else? Oh, there were some really interesting things going on before and during the creation of this earth. God’s plan is so much deeper and more purposeful than the evolutionist would have you believe. John 1:1 tells us "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." "The Word was distinct from the Father, was God. Jesus was God in the fullest sense" (NIV Study Bible).

But that doesn't tell us who the Word is. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Did you notice how this describes Jesus as being the One who is the Word? He became flesh when He was born as a human baby. He lived with man here on this earth. And He was full of grace and truth.

Then where did Satan come from? Now that's an intriguing story. Read Ezekiel 28: 13-15. These very interesting verses tell us a lot! There was an archangel - "the anointed cherub that covers” - whose throne was on this earth. He had been in Eden, the garden of God, and was once perfect. Who exactly was this archangel and what did he do? This is not a man who was born of woman. He was a created spirit being - angelic.

Isaiah 14:12-15 sheds more light on this. "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground - mighty though you were against the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and rule the angels. I will take the highest throne. I will preside on the Mount of Assembly far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High'" (TLB). You have just read about the greatest subversive plan in all eternity! Satan attempted to overthrow God's exalted position!

Lucifer once tried to go to heaven, rule the angels, and take the highest throne - God's throne. He wanted to be like God. But to put it bluntly, God kicked him out of heaven. Why? Because his attitude and actions stunk! He was given everything. He was filthy rich, beautiful, and had access to the holy mountain of God. His clothing was bejeweled with every precious stone - ruby, topaz, diamond, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, carbuncle, and emerald set in the finest gold. He had all of this, and yet he was not satisfied. He wanted even more! Angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14), and he no longer wanted to minister or serve. He wanted to dethrone God and rule in His place. Now that takes a real load of audacity! Satan was
rebellious and power hungry.

So what happened to Satan because of this insurrection? Satan was cast out of heaven and his angels with him (Revelation 12:9). Satan has several names. The Great Dragon is one of them. To better understand this subject, write or call CEM for a booklet or tape by Ronald L. Dart titled The Tracks of the Devil.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) This is the thematic sentence for the whole rest of the chapter. It tells us that in the beginning, God created everything. Then it tells us what the earth looked like: “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) The earth had no form and it was empty and dark. God is beginning His creation with light. We don’t know exactly when Satan was created, nor do we know exactly when he rebelled. We do know that at some point God decided to extend His creation beyond the spiritual realm that included angels. His love is so great and His plan is so far reaching and inclusive. God wanted to have a family. He wants to share what He has with you. So He turned the dark, formless, empty world into a place suitable for humans beings to live.

When did this happen? We don't know because the Bible doesn't tell us. Neither does it tell us how many years old the earth is. We do know that at some point God decided to extend His creation beyond the spiritual realm that included angels. His love is so great and His plan is so far reaching and inclusive. God wanted to have a family. He wants to share what He has with you. So He turned this shapeless, chaotic mass into a place suitable for human beings to live here.

Every child asks, "Who made God?" That is a question no one can answer. God is and has always been. Humans can't conceive of the beginning of time nor the end of time. It's even beyond us to comprehend the boundaries of space or that the earth was Made From Nothing.

Where did it all come from? Why did God allow sin to enter the world? Satan was made a free moral agent; that is, God created him in such a way that would allow him to make choices. Satan chose to be the very first sinner. Look at what it cost him! We can choose to do good or to sin. We can choose life or death. God sets before you these choices. He wants you to choose life. He loves you so much that He created a world designed specifically for your needs. He loves you so much that He wants you in His family. He will give you the help you need to be there. Will you choose to obey God? Will you choose life?