24-1117p - In the Beginning, Scott Reynolds
Bible Reader: Scott Reynolds

This detailed summary by Grok, xAI

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(Transcription by TurboScribe.ai)

Before The Beginning

Preacher: Scott Reynolds

Scripture Readings

Scripture Reading: Scott Reynolds
Nehemiah 9:6 (NKJV)

You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.

Sermon Introduction

We talked about God this morning. Specifically, God as He relates to Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

We noted the obvious that the heavens and the earth have a beginning and that prior to that they didn’t exist. In contrast we noted that:

  • God is self-existent, His name: I AM (Hebrew: YHWH, JHWH), literally means, "I exist." (Exodus 3:13,14)

  • God is eternal, from everlasting (no beginning) to everlasting (no end), (Psalm 90:2).

  • We saw God is spirit, (John 4:24)

  • God is not under the constraints of His creation

  • God created the physical, natural realm and the spiritual realm

  • Jesus, the Word, is eternal. He existed before the creation of the world (John 17:5)

  • Jesus IS the creator, who spoke things into existence (John 1:1-3; Psalm 33:6,9)

  • The winds and the waves obey His command (Luke 8:22-25)

  • The Holy Spirit was present and active at the creation (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30)

  • There is one God and three persons. All three were involved with creation (Gen 1:1-3)

  • God made plans for creation and redemption (Ephesians 1:3,4; Titus 1:1,2; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 1:18-21)

The Heavens

Notice the word for "heavens" is plural. That is, more than one heaven. What could that mean? I asked my AI assistant, Grok (xAI). Yes, I’ve switched AI assistants. Grok is an AI developed by Elon Musk. He is partial to the letter "X." He purchased the social media platform Twitter and renamed it: "X." Their AI offering, Grok, spelled, G-R-O-K, is available through X. Anyway, I asked Grok was there any explanation for why the plural word, "heavens" was used in Genesis 1:1.

Grok answered:

The use of "heavens" in the plural form in the opening verses of Genesis in the Bible is a subject that has intrigued theologians, scholars, and linguists for centuries. Grok mentions several perspectives on why this term might be plural, but I’m only going to list one:

The explanation that I’m partial to and most aware of is labelled
Theological Implications: 

Some interpret the plural use as possibly hinting at different functions or aspects of the heavens:

  • The heaven where God resides (often called the third heaven in later Jewish and Christian thought).

  • The visible heavens where the sun, moon, and stars reside, which could be seen as a physical, observable universe.

  • The atmospheric heavens, where weather phenomena occur.

Paul mentions the "third heaven" in…​

2 Corinthians 12:1-5 (NIV)

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.

So, when God created the "heavens" could that also refer to all the heavens including the "third" heaven. Is heaven, where God is, a created place and what could the significance of that be? It appears that the 3rd heaven IS a created place…​

Nehemiah 9:6 (NKJV)

You alone are the LORD;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it,
The seas and all that is in them,
And You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.

Clearly here the "heaven of heavens" is referring to the 3rd heaven where God is because it is also the place where all their host are and "the host of heaven worships You."

So, prior to creation, the creation of the heavens and the earth, there was no heaven. John Lennon’s song Imagine comes true…​ Imagine there’s no heaven…​ well, prior to creation there was no heaven! What was there?

God. Only God. There was no physical realm, no spiritual realm, no time, these are all created! What would it be like without time?…​ Tick, tick, tick…​ Like in Peter Pan where the crocodile swallows the clock and as it moves around you hear the…​ tick, tick, tick of the clock. Time marks the sequence of events…​ God’s plan was brought to fruition in "the fulness of time." God understands and utilizes time, though He himself is not constrained by it.

Galatians 4:4,5 (NKJV)

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

fruition
noun

1 the point at which a plan or project is realized: the plans have come to fruition sooner than expected.
2 literary the state or action of producing fruit.

So, at some point the Godhead decides to plan creation and redemption. The creation of a spiritual realm and the creation of a natural realm. It appears from scripture that the spiritual realm was created first and existed for a while before the creation of the natural realm.

Creation of the Angels

The Bible doesn’t explicitly recount the creation of Angels, but we know they are created being.

Creation of Angels

Nehemiah 9:6

"You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." Here, the "multitudes of heaven" likely refers to angels among other heavenly beings.

Colossians 1:16

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." This can be interpreted to include angels as part of the invisible creation.

The Angels observe & witness the creation of the natural realm

Job 38:4-7 (NKJV)

“Where were you when I laid the
    foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements?
    Surely you know!
  Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 To what were its foundations fastened?
    Or who laid its cornerstone,
7 When the morning stars sang together,
    And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

In this passage where God questions Job, it’s mentioned that when God laid the earth’s foundation, "the morning stars sang together and all the angels (NIV) shouted for joy." This suggests that angels were already in existence to witness and celebrate the creation of the world.

What about angels

Grok, xAI - Answer

The Bible doesn’t provide extensive details about the creation of angels or their existence before the world began, but it does offer some insights:

Creation of Angels:
Nehemiah 9:6:: "You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." Here, the "multitudes of heaven" likely refers to angels among other heavenly beings.

Colossians 1:16

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." This can be interpreted to include angels as part of the invisible creation.

Angels' Role at Creation: 
Job 38:4-7 (NKJV)

“Where were you when I laid the
    foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements?
    Surely you know!
  Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 To what were its foundations fastened?
    Or who laid its cornerstone,
7 When the morning stars sang together,
    And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

In this passage where God questions Job, it’s mentioned that when God laid the earth’s foundation, "the morning stars sang together and all the angels (NIV) shouted for joy." This suggests that angels were already in existence to witness and celebrate the creation of the world.

Job 1:6-7 (NKJV)

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?”

So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

Pre-existence and Role:
The concept of angels being present before the world’s creation aligns with the notion of them as eternal beings in relation to the temporal creation. They are often portrayed as God’s messengers and servants, existing to fulfill His will before, during, and after creation.

Lucifer’s Fall:
Although not explicitly detailed in Genesis, the fall of Lucifer (often identified as Satan) and other angels is inferred from passages like Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-19. These scriptures, while primarily about earthly kings, have been traditionally interpreted to allegorically describe Lucifer’s pride and fall from heaven, suggesting that there was a time when some angels rebelled against God before or shortly after the creation of the world.

Angels in God’s Plan:
The understanding that angels have played roles in God’s plan from the beginning is reinforced by their actions throughout the Bible. They serve, protect, deliver messages, and worship God, indicating a continuous role from before creation to the end times.

While the Bible doesn’t specify exactly when angels were created, these passages collectively suggest:

  • Angels were created by God before or at the time of the creation of the physical universe.

  • They witnessed and rejoiced at the creation of the world.

  • Their existence and roles are part of God’s eternal plan, which includes both the creation and the redemption of the world.

    1 Peter 1:10-12 (NKJV)

    Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

This interpretation aligns with the broader biblical narrative of angels as part of God’s divine council, involved in His governance and interaction with the world from the very beginning.