Colossians 1:16-17

“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: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

As I was growing up, I was almost led to believe that there were two eternal forces in the universe – one good and the other bad. There are religions that believe such a thing; Zoroastrianism, for example, seems to believe in two opposing deities. But the Bible does not teach such a dualism. The Bible makes clear that there is no god other than God.

“I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God”, says God through the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 45:5). More specifically, Paul states that it was the Second Person of the Trinity who was responsible for the actual work of creation. In Colossians 1:16-17, we read: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” This makes clear that everything that there is – material, physical and spiritual –was made by God, and that there was a time before which nothing in any realm that now exists existed then, apart from God Himself.

This means that Satan has not existed eternally. Created good, like everything else, he became bad. And Satan will not exist forever because we are told that there will come a day when he is cast into the Lake of Fire which has been prepared for him.    Author: Paul F. Taylor

Prayer: We thank You, Lord God Almighty, that You made everything good. And we thank You that one day You will destroy everything and everyone that is in rebellion against You. Thank You that, although I was once such a rebel, You saved me by Your grace and granted me faith. Amen.

Ref: Calvin, J. (1554, BoT edition 1965), Commentary upon the Book of Genesis (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust), pp. 142-143. Image: Adobe Stock Images, licensed to author.

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