Question:
Hello, I have a question concerning Revelation’s 3:14. At the end of the verse, Jesus says “The beginning of the creation of God.” I understand that he is quoting his names. This is out of the K.J.V. If he is the beginning, then he was a created being. I am confused, because I believe him to be God the Son — never created, but Creator. Can you please help me with this? Thank You.
Answer:
Revelation 3:14 says, “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”
The Scripture is clear that Jesus is not a created being, but is God in the flesh. John 1:14 says, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Matthew 1:23 says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.”
The Scripture is also clear that God has existed from everlasting, and did not have a point in time where He came into being. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING, THOU ART GOD.” Micah 5:2 is very clear that that applies to Jesus as well. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, FROM EVERLASTING.”
The reference in Revelation 3:14 to Jesus being the beginning of the creation of God is tied into the term “firstborn.” Romans 8:29 says, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be THE FIRSTBORN among many brethren.” Colossians 1:13-18 says, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, THE FIRSTBORN of every creature: 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. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
That last verse, Colossians 1:18, explains the term “firstborn.” It does not mean that “Jesus was the first one to ever be born,” but that Jesus was “the firstborn from the dead” — “the first one to receive a resurrected, glorified body.”
So in light of this verse, Jesus being called “the beginning of the creation of God,” has reference to the beginning of the new order of creation — new glorified, resurrected bodies. God is going to make all things new. Revelation 21:1-5 says, “And I saw A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
Jesus’ new glorified, resurrected body is the beginning of that new creation to come. Do you know for sure that you are born again, and have a new life in Christ?