God Began With Himself

An Interpretation of Genesis 1:1-5

In the first day of creation, we see: darkness, waters, the Spirit, and light (Gen. 1:1-5). What I see, by revelation of the Spirit, is that when God began to create the heaven and the earth, He began with aspects of Himself—Spirit, water, and light. Darkness is simply the absence of light, which had yet to be created.

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. (Col. 1:16-17 KJV)

This is where we need to understand that the Old Testament is shadow and the New Testament substance (Col. 2:17). In other words, the OT points to the NT prophetically, and the NT confirms the OT substantively. And in the passage of Colossians 1:16-17, we see this essential link between Genesis and Jesus; that is, between creation and Creator. 

God is Spirit (Jn. 4:24), God is light (1Jn. 1:5), and God is the fountain of living waters (Jer. 2:13; Jn. 4:14; 7:37-39). Water as a substance is essential to life; thus, it is quite reasonable and correct to conclude that water comes from the origin and source of water—God (Ps. 65:9; Dt. 11:11; Isa. 12:3; Jn. 4:10-14). Also, God, the Son, is the foundation of all that is the kingdom of heaven (Isa. 28:16; Eph. 2:20; 1Pet. 2:6). And Jesus is the Word and the Truth (Jn. 1:1; 14:6) whom we see working together with God, the Father, and God, the Spirit in the phrase: “And God said.”

Thus, we see that God began creation on no surer foundation than Himself. God began with nothing—formlessness and emptiness (Gen. 1:2), and that which had always been a manifestation of His will but as yet did not exist, God spoke into existence by giving the manifestation a name—heaven and earth (Jn. 1:3; Rom. 4:17). And notice how this shadow is given substance by Christ, who is the foundation—the corner stone—of His Church, which was not, but came to exist after He was risen and ascended to heaven from which He came (Ps. 118:22; Acts 4:11-12; 1Cor. 3:11).

God began with Himself, and we see the ultimate expression of this in salvation, which began when Jesus offered Himself on the cross. And that was undoubtedly on God the Father’s mind when He hovered over the waters of life and said, “Let there be light.”

Thank You Father that Your will has always been the foundation of all that You created. We thank You Jesus that You spoke the Father’s will in the beginning, and that You always speak the will of God. And we thank You, Holy Spirit, that You teach us the truth of God’s word, and empower us to live a life worthy of the eternal calling of God. To You be the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.