WHO CREATED GOD?

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."-Psalm 90:2

This is a concept that is difficult for us to grasp. As human beings everything has a beginning and an ending. But God has existed forever-He was not created, but is the creator of all things.

"The name Jehovah means the self existent, or eternal one." (Dr. James Strong)

The title, Jehovah, is used in the Old Testament and is applied only to the Creator, never to other gods whether good or evil. He is the one true God, the Creator of the universe, and the one in whom we "live and move and exist."-Acts 17:28, Diaglott

Can God Be Loving And Just?

Some may see God as being austere and unsympathetic, demanding cruel punishment from those who disobey His commandments.

God's justice was absolute in condemning Adam's disobedience (Genesis 2:17), but His love is manifested in His plan to redeem mankind from sin and death.

"For the wages of sin is death (God's justice), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (God's love)."-Romans 6:23

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life."-John 3:16

We must never forget the sacrifice God made in giving His Son as a ransom for Adam. We do not know what emotions God felt when His beloved, only begotten (created), Son died. However, we know that as humans created in the "image and likeness" of God, we suffer when our children suffer.

Although Jesus willingly died, "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will O God" (Hebrews 10:7), it was God's love that sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins."-1 John 4:9

If God Is Love, Why Did He Permit Evil?

God did not change His mind regarding the "wages of sin." God knew that it would be profitable for man to experience the terrible consequences of sin. He could have created a race of robots who could not sin and who would praise and worship Him. But He created man as a free moral agent who could discern between good and evil. In His wisdom He permitted Adam to face this choice before having any children. Adam sinned and was therefore responsible for the actions of the entire human race. Had he sinned after having children not only he but any of his progeny who sinned would have needed a separate redeemer.

We can see the wisdom in the divine plan. Adam's sin brought condemnation on all but required only one redeemer to rescue all mankind from condemnation.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:… Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."-Romans 5:12,18

Every individual experiences sin and its results, and then temporarily passes away in the sleep of death. "All that are in the grave shall hear his voice, and shall come forth …"-John 5:28,29.

The experience with sin will be a valuable lesson in the coming kingdom for which we pray: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) Mankind will then have an opportunity to choose between good and evil, and if obedient to Divine law, to be restored to the perfection lost by Father Adam.

Are There Other Gods?

In the Old Testament the Hebrew word translated Lord and God (elohim) sometimes applies to Jehovah, and sometimes prophetically applies to Jesus; sometimes to angels or heathen rulers or heathen gods.

Elohim signifies a mighty one, prince, ruler or judge. It is most frequently translated "God" or "gods."

Jehovah (the All Mighty) Elohim contrasted with other Elohim (Mighty Ones):

"Give ear, O LORD, (Jehovah) unto my prayer … Among all the gods (elohim - mighty ones) there is none like unto thee …"-Psalm 86:6-8

"For the LORD (Jehovah) is a great God (el - mighty one), and a great King above all gods (elohim - mighty ones)."-Psalm 95:3

Angels called Elohim:

"Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels (elohim), and hast crowned him with glory and honor."-Psalm 8:5

Moses called Elohim:

"And the LORD said unto Moses, See I have made thee a god (elohim) unto Pharaoh…"-Exodus 7:1

Judges called Elohim:

"His master shall bring him unto the judges (elohim)…"-Exodus 21:6

Translation of the Greek word Theos as used in the New Testament:

This word, theos, generally refers to our Heavenly Father or to his Son, Jesus, but also refers to false gods.

Satan is called theos in 2 Corinthians 4:4:

"In whom the god (theos) of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not …" In Acts 12:22 this same word is used of Herod when the people of Sidon and Tyre shouted after his oration: "It is the voice of a god (theos), and not of a man." -1 John 5:7,8

This scripture seems confusing, until we understand that most of it is spurious:

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."

The words underlined above are not found in any of the oldest and most reliable manuscripts, nor in any of the ancient translations. That they are not a genuine part of the original text is the unanimous verdict of contemporary scholars and evangelicals.

SUMMARY

The Heavenly Father was not created, but has existed forever.

He is perfect in all attributes of character - perfect in His justice, so that the just sentence of His righteous law cannot be infracted, even by Himself; perfect in wisdom in that His plan regarding man's creation and salvation was so complete no failure could arise - nor the necessity for change of the divine plan. "For I am the LORD, I change not …" (Malachi 3:6) "Known unto God are all His works, from the beginning of the world."-Acts 15:18

Perfect in love, for there could be no greater love possible; perfect in power so that all His good purposes could be executed and result in the originally designed results. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."-Isaiah 55:11