Order Out of Chaos (Gen 1:1-2) Part I

Order Out of Chaos
Gen 1:1-2
Part I
I. Events before Creation (Gen 1:1)
A. God created the universe from nothing.
B. Spiritual Realities Before Creation
a. God apparently created Angels and an Angelic realm before he created the material world and man, as we know it [cf., Job 38:4-7].
C. Review of Angels
a. General Facts Concerning Angels
1. The term Angel comes from the Hebrew (mal’ak) Greek (angelos), meaning messenger or sent one. They are always used in the masculine gender, never in the feminine.
2. They are personal beings.
3. They are created beings (Ezek. 28:13; Col. 1:16)
b. Activity of the Angels
1. They are messengers (Dan. 9:21-22)
2. They are ministering Spirits (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43)
3. They are used as instruments of judgment (Acts 12:23; Rev. 8, 20:1-2)
4. They are at times allowed to influence the created order. (Job 1; Rev. 7:1)
c. Limitations of Angels
1. Their power and influence vary. (Dan. 10:10)
2. Their knowledge is limited. (Eph. 3:10; 1 Pet. 1:12)
3. They do not multiply or procreate. (Matt. 22:30)
4. They can only act under God’s direction and permission (Job 1; Rev. 20)
5. Fallen one’s will be judged (Rev 20:10)
d. Classification of Angels
1. Governmental rulers (Eph. 3:10; 6:12; Col. 1:16).
2. Elect Angels (1 Tim. 5:21). God’s elect angels are those who God chose to sustain during the angelic rebellion. The non-elect angels are those who followed Satan in rebellion against God.
3. Fallen Angels or Demons (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:4)
D. Review of Satan
a. Names of Satan in the Bible
1. Satan (52 times) Hebrew is adversary or opposer. (Zech. 3:1; Mt. 4:10; Rev. 12:9, 20:2)
2. Devil (35 times) Greek (diabolos) meaning is slanderer (Mt. 4:1; Eph. 4:27; Rev. 12:9, 20:2)
3. Evil One (John 17:15; 1 John 5:18-19)
4. Serpent (Gen. 3:1; 2 Cor. 11:3; Rev. 12:9)
5. Great Red Dragon (Rev. 12:3, 7, and 9)
6. Accuser of Brethren (Rev. 12:10)
7. Tempter (Gen. 3:1; Matt. 4:3; 1 Thes. 3:5)
8. Beelzebub - Chief of the demons (Luke 11:15)
9. Belial - worthlessness or wickedness (2 Cor. 6:15)
10. Ruler of the World - (John 12:31)
11. God of this World - (2 Cor. 4:4)
12. Prince of the Power of the Air - (Eph. 2:2)
b. General Facts regarding Satan
1. He was created as the most powerful angel to function and rule over the creation.
2. He was created a beautiful angel and was in the Eden, in this state of beauty.
3. Satan fell because of his pride
II. Events at Creation (Gen 1:2)
A. The world at creation is described as being under a state of judgment [cf., Is 34:11; Jer 4:23].
B. Why did God allow his creatures (Satan and angels - Adam and mankind) to fall?
a. It demonstrates that a creature left to himself, apart from sustaining grace, will rebel against the Creator.
b. It demonstrates that a creature (Angelic or mankind) can never successfully rebel against his Creator.
c. It gives God an opportunity to put His attributes on display in the unfolding of God’s kingdom purposes.
Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Ariel’s Bible Commentary: The Book of Genesis, 1st ed. (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2008), 32.
Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 158.
Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1993), Genesis 1.
Fruchtenbaum, Genesis, 38.
Ibid., 38.
Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible, 2019), 2.