Our Heavenly Father informs us very clearly that all things work (present active indicative) together (Romans 8:28). He further declares that he works (present active participle) all things after the counsel of his own will (Eph. 1:11). Can we believe what he says about his present day work?
What happens if we believe in the wrong God? Jesus informed us that to know the only true God and the one he sent is eternal life?
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hast sent (John 17:3)
We must know the both the ‘true’ God and the Son he sent described in the scriptures, and not the ‘God’ of the tradition of our fathers.
The Father declares that he is the one who now speaks through his Son. Further, he tells us that he created the ‘ages’ through his Son, and that he has ordained that his Son will inherit everything.
Hebrews 1:1-2—God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. 2Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (165 plural = ages).
WHEN WERE THE LAST DAYS?
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18).
WHAT ABOUT UPHOLDING ALL THINGS BY THE WORD OF HIS POWER?
He further declares that Jesus is the one who upholds (present tense) all things by the word of his power.
Hebrews 1:3—Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col. 1:17).
BY WHOM ALSO HE MADE THE WORLDS AND DOMINIONS—WHO ARE THESE?
Our Heavenly Father declares that he created the heavens and the earth by Jesus. Notice that the original creation included the heavens and the earth, but this scripture declares that he created thrones, dominions, principalities and everything else. The thrones, dominions and principalities were not created until much later, which makes Jesus a continuing creator, which fits with working all things together for good.
“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” (Col. 1:16).
And again, after the flood, he continues to bring his rainbow to remind us of his promise not to worry about another worldwide flood.
“And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Gen. 9:14).
Then he informs us of more present tense work in feeding all living things and continuing to give breath and life and continuing to renew the face of the earth.
“O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 25So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth” (Psa. 104:24-30).
Notice that the creation is spoken of in the past tense, but the maintenance of the earth and the creatures in it is spoken of in present tense. Why would we believe that the creation is literal, but the maintenance is figurative? Why would anyone believe God is not working today?
“Give us day by day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3).
–Beth Johnson