The conventional wisdom of the
religious establishment is that the Lord has created the world
as a grand experiment and proving ground into which he placed mankind
just to see what might happen. Then, contrary to his original
desire, Satan came along and introduced man to sin and really
messed up a perfect plan. They tell us that he happened
upon another plan that he hoped would result in the complete
restoration of the mess that had now occurred. If he could
not bless mankind with his original intent for the world, then they
tell us he would go to Plan B and devise a scheme of redemption
wherein he would agree to pardon the sin of all who would recognize
his intention and accept the remedy which he graciously provided. Those religious leaders tell
us that they believe God is sovereign. But they continue to picture
him as one who reacts to what men do, telling us that his remedy
is ineffectual apart from man's participation and ratification. They tell us that God can only
bless men who perform in a certain manner and who walk in obedience
to his precepts. In reality, they really believe
that man is the sovereign who ultimately decides if he will
be rescued or fry forever like a French fry in hot grease. Now
this is a completely contrary picture to the manner in which
the Lord is pleased to reveal himself. He makes no apologies
for doing exactly what he determines to do, without any input, advice,
or aid from men. His creation of the world was
not a failed experiment, but a design. The Lord spoke to Job
from a whirlwind, posing to him a vast array of withering questions.
beginning with, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without
knowledge? He continued his declarations
throughout the next three chapters, which ultimately stripped Job
of all pretense of knowledge of the ways or supposed limitations
of God. There is nothing that man can
know about God or His purpose except that which he is pleased
to reveal by his spirit through his word. Every philosophy and
theory which men may adhere to is nothing but dung apart from
that revelation. The Lord has made it abundantly
clear that which David declared, Our God is in the heavens, he
hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Everything that transpires
in the earth is exactly according to his will and purpose, and
he waits upon none, nor depends upon any other power but his
own. It is sheer folly when men would propose that they have
some standing upon which to judge the actions of God, and determine
if he would be right if he did one thing, or wrong if he did
something else. The Lord says in no uncertain
terms that he does exactly as he pleases, and dares men to
say anything about it. It is this God who says that
He has created both the smith, that is, the blacksmith or toolmaker,
and the waster, that is, the destroyer. He has appointed the
building of His creation, as well as its demise, according
to His own will and purpose, which can in no wise be overturned. He uses the children of evil
to perform His will, as much as He appoints the righteous
to manifest the glory of His grace. The Lord hath made all
things for Himself, yea, even the wicked, for the day of evil.
We can but place our hands upon our mouths and worship Him, who
made the heavens and the earth, and has in His rich mercy revealed
Himself to the sons of men in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has
a name which is above all names. He alone is able to declare the
truth of God to ascend darkened creation, as John saw in his
vision on Patmos. Christ has declared the end from
the beginning, since He is the Alpha and the Omega. The world
exists solely for the display of the glory of Jesus Christ
as the Redeemer of that blessed people which He loved from before
its creation. And they sung a new song, saying,
Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof,
for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood
out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast
made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on
the earth. Jesus Christ has come into the
world, clothed in the likeness of sinful flesh, to procure the
redemption of that bride which is His. In this He will demonstrate
to all of His creation the glory of His grace, the magnitude of
His mercy, and the greatness of His faithfulness. May we ever
praise Him.