It is finished. Genesis 1:31 – 2:1, John 19:30, Revelation 22:18 – 21
The second installment of the miniseries “It is”.
1. It is written – the proof of God’s word.
2. It is finished – the power of God’s word.
3. It is I – the person of God’s word.
In the first part of our series we established the authority and proof that the word of God is valid and true.
Many throughout history have tried their best to devalue, discredit, dispute, and even destroy the truth of God’s word, but because it is true, even the heretical hammers of sceptics, atheist and agnostics have failed miserably.
If we do not agree that God’s word is truth, that it is the inerrant, infallible, and inspired word of God, then you are about to be theologically and doctrinally challenged and likely to be left very confused.
I am going to show you the power of God’s word, and how God is willing and able to complete what he has started in the world, in His church, and in you.
This is a powerful proposition as well as a life changing proclaimation.
The phrase “it is finished” relays to us that something has been completed, concluded, accomplished, fulfilled, or perfected. There is nothing left to add to it.
That very thought flies in the face of modern culture, cultural Christianity, and especially naturalism.
3 specific biblical truths (evidence) that reveal God’s power.
God is sovereign and providential in his relationship with man.
1. The completed work of creation.
2. The completed work of salvation.
3. The completed work of Revelation.
1. The completed work of creation. Genesis 1:31 – 2:1
Have you ever wondered why God even began this project?
He had all of heaven, angels and worship with no equal.
But man was not created as an experiment, but to have an experience with God.
Man was created for fellowship/communion with God.
Now we need a place separate from heaven to exist in order to be different of all the created servers and worshipers of heaven.
Man was made in the image of God as a spiritual being (God is Spirit- John 24:4).
Man was also given a physical nature that would require a place to inhabit.
Fellowship with God doesn’t make us equal to God or gods but it allows us an experience with him that neither the Angels nor the created beings of heaven could share.
And so, “In the beginning” not “and then”, because God had an eternal plan, God created.
God created from nothing what we see, have, and enjoy today with simply the power and authority of his divine.
He created the earth where there was no form and light where there was no light.
Land, sea and the heavens (our sky/atmosphere – not his home), plant life, sun moon and stars (Cosmos- note they did not already exist), sea creatures, birds, beast of the earth, and man.
God saw everything that he had made and indeed it was “very good”.
“Very good” means no need for evolutionary assistance.
(2:1) “were finished” – completed, accomplished, fulfilled, and perfected.
Darwin’s defunct theory – Darwin himself refuted evolution.
God has created such a finely tuned Eco system that animals and plants may only slightly adapt to their specific environments, but none have ever change their genetic makeup or morphed into another creature (not even close).
The laws of nature (set in place by God from the beginning) still govern life in both the plant and animal kingdoms.
There are only “missing links” of theory – where are the half species to connect the evolutionary chart? There are none- they don’t exist!
Only God could finish creation because only God could start it.
It is created from “nothing”. Not two random Atoms who crashed into each other in the waste land of space.
There were no atoms and there was no space.
God didn’t leave out any details.
He granted all that the earth would need and all that man would need, and every creature He provided for.
God not only created this beautiful earth and the crown jewel of creation (mankind), he did it in a short time and in great detail.
Now I am about to really upset some people here but that’s ok. You can have all the theory and science you want to believe, but your theory in science are constantly changing. I’m going to trust the word of God who has not changed and will not change.
Having already addressed evolution and naturalism, let’s look at the problems with “millions of years of Earth” and the “gap” and "gap-ruin" theories.
(1: 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31) “so the evening and the morning were”.
In God’s creation process the Bible says that on the first day he created the earth and light.
Having set the earth in motion, God then proceeded to speak into existence all that is on it, and as you read on and you will see that each day God added to it that which is necessary.
Now I believe that the repeated phrases “so the evening and morning were” lead us to see that a “day” would have been just that “a day”.
Now some would argue that (2 Peter 3:8) “one day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day” would leave a lot of time between the creation calendar.
However, by using this logic one must also argue (especially because of context of this and the following verses) that when Jesus return it will not be in “a Day” or “that day” but could possibly be over a longer period of time.
But this Scripture is very clear – not only will it be “that day” but will also be “in the twinkling of an eye” and “as a thief in the night”.
So this “gap” theory and “millions of years earth” theory does not float in the face of contextual interpretation of the Bible.
Furthermore, to think that God is not capable of this great work (creation) in a finite matter of time would do irreparable damage to the validity of God’s word and your faith.
(2:1) “Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.”
Creation is a completed, finished, concluded, perfected work of God!
There are no needs for new creatures nor is there a need for a new creator!
Joke – get your own dirt.
In a Gallup poll (2014) 42% = creation, 31% hybrid (God assisted), 19% evolution.
I have submitted to you and exclusively biblical view as the nonbelievers would readily point out, but look at the evidence for yourself.
Even science has done more to prove divine creation than the design of evolution.
Friend, if you can’t accept creation you will never accept salvation.
If God didn’t create you then God how can save you?
“ It is finished.”
2. The completed work of salvation. John 19:30
Just as creation was no accident, neither is salvation.
God had a plan from “In the beginning” and both are works of God and not of man.
Salvation is the scarlet thread (shed sinless blood of Christ for our sins) that ties together everything from Genesis to Revelation.
From the first shedding of blood to cover the sin of Adam throughout the OT rituals of sacrifices, Gods salvation could only be satisfied by one perfect sacrifice and could only be perfect if it was of a divine (uncorrupted) source, Himself.
Jesus, The only begotten son of God!
Let’s back up to the completed work just a little bit.
Just how perfect and great was this sacrifice?
Hebrews 7:24-27 ONCE
Hebrews 9:11-12 ONCE
Hebrews 9:23-28 ONCE
One time for all the ages and all of eternity, all of man and for the glory of God the Father, Christ died for our salvation.
He knew it was necessary and that it would be brutal, painful and humiliating to die.
John 17:4 “I have glorified You on the earth and I have finished the work which You have given me to do.”
Hebrews 10:8-10
So When Jesus said from the cross “It is Finished” It really was a completed, concluded, perfected, fulfilled, and finished work.
Man cannot recreate it, copy it, or work it out for himself.
God has not only created you for fellowship with Him, He made a way for it to happen!
One of the greatest challenges Christians deal with today is that they struggle with their salvation.
Satan places doubt – the world tries to reteach its version in cultural Christianity (false teachers use it as a tool for works based faith) – theologians fail to treat it as the amazing gift it is and fail to teach its eternal truth with simplicity – many people think it is a convenient bailout method for their troubles, fears, and anxieties.
Salvation is the gift of God to man!
You can’t earn it and you do not deserve it.
God authored it and sustains it exclusively and eternally.
Our role is to accept it and then live it out
By the completed work of salvation, we have forgiveness and hope!
“It is Finished”
3. The completed work of Revelation. Revelation 22:18 – 21
There are many mysteries in the word of God – the gospel and godliness, the kingdom of God, God’s will, the resurrection, Christ and faith.
Many of these will not be resolved or revealed to us until we get to heaven.
Which means that we are to live by faith which “comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17) and is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Jesus spent considerable time (Matthew 24 – 25) teaching about his return and what it will look like.
As a pre-tribulationist and premillennialist I believe that the rapture of the saints and church will initiate the tribulation which will end with (7 years) the second coming of Christ and begin the millennial reign of Christ on earth, concluded by the new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem.
God gave the Apostle Paul a lot of insight about the return of Christ, the end times and the wonders of Heaven.
God also gave the apostle Paul great insight about prophecy and the spiritual gift of prophecy’s.
Prophecy in the Old Testament meant to foretell about future events (the coming of Messiah).
The gift of prophecy is the ability to forth tell the message of Christ by way of the Gospel truth and discernment.
Paul say that “prophecies” would cease because they would no longer be necessary as the word of God is canonized and completed.
In other words, there are no new revelations about God necessary to man.
God has “finished” his word and now (in the church age) speaks through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and his “finished”, completed word.
God gave the Apostle John the great revelation about the glories of Heaven.
God gives Stern warnings and directions on how we are to handle his inspired, inerrant, and infallible word.
Do not add to it and do not take away from it!
Since there are no new revelations from God we are to trust the word of God in its entirety.
God gives a distinct and descriptive view of his plan for the earth and for man.
He is not going to change his plan – it has been the same from “in the beginning” until the last “amen” and all of the saints dwell with him in heaven.
God has completed every promise and every Revelation in his word.
From the promise of Israel’s nationhood to the coming of Christ, to beginning of the church, to conquering Satan, and to living with him forever.
There is nothing for us to add, it is for us to believe in by faith.
When it comes to the completed work of Revelation: “it is finished.”
Conclusion.
God has done his part!
He created man and a place for us to dwell. “It is finished.”
He provided a way of salvation for us to be saved from our sin. “It is finished”
He has revealed himself, the glories of heaven, and the end of time.
“It is finished” says the alpha and omega of all – God.
Invitation.
Where are you in your relationship with him today?
Are you seeking for a relationship with your creator?
Are you seeking a stronger relationship with your creator?
Are you searching for your place?
Saved but not serving?
Serving but not satisfied? (Works will never satisfy)
Are you secure in your faith?
Enjoying the journey?
Giving God the praise and trust in God’s promises?
