To say that much of what we claim to understand about the creation which our GOD has made is based on conjecture is probably an understatement. HE has revealed to us the fact that HE created everything but exactly how or when it took place or how it continues to function, we can but speculate. "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." (Heb 11:3) This is not a scientific subject and cannot be learned by men but must be revealed to them by the ONE who caused such things to appear exactly according to the order and purpose which HE intended. Therefore, that man to whom the LORD has granted faith has no need to "explain" everything in a scientific way nor can his "faith" be bolstered nor overturned by supposed scientific discoveries.
GOD is the AUTHOR of division and can be seen at this work from the very beginning as the scripture tells us HE "divided the light from the darkness". Some have conjectured that HE has "created darkness" in the same fashion in which HE "created light". Yet we read where John said, "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1John 1:5) but we read in Isaiah the LORD's own declaration "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." (Isa 45:7) Some think these two statements are mutually exclusive but those who have been given some understanding of the true character of GOD can see that they are actually saying the same thing.
Darkness is the absence of light. Light is that which emanates from the very essence of HIS GODHEAD, even as does righteousness, holiness, and truth which that light is so often representative of. HE creates darkness, evil, and unrighteousness by the mere removal of HIMSELF or the hiding of HIMSELF. Evil is not an emanation from HIS character but is the very opposite of HIS character. That is why the scripture says, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity." (Hab 1:13) Darkness, sin, evil, and any unrighteousness can only exist according to HIS sovereign purpose, and HE says that HE creates it because it could not exist apart from HIS decree. Many are those who have gone shipwreck in denying that HE is the sovereign over evil even as many have gone shipwreck in declaring that evil emanates from HIM in the same fashion as righteousness. How often men have done so in ascribing their own wickedness and proneness to temptation to HIM. This error led James to say, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren." (Jam 1:13-16) At the same time we are quite certain, "The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil."(Prov. 16:4). All light and darkness can be found in the earth according to HIS sovereign purpose and neither can ever be found where HE does not intend that it should be found. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." (Psa 76:10)
The LORD has revealed HIMSELF as a great DIVIDER, first of all by making a difference (or division) between the light and the darkness. HE also divided the waters above the firmament from those below it in the creation of the earth. (see Gen 1:7). We see HIS "division" throughout the pages of HIS word:
HE divided the waters of the Red Sea. "He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as a heap." (Psa 78:13; see Ex.14:21) The LORD demonstrated HIS purpose in the deliverance of HIS chosen people by bringing the Israelites through the Red Sea which then swallowed up their enemies. "And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (Luke 20:17-18)
HE divided the promised land among the children of Israel. "And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names." (Num 26:52-53) The LORD has made provision for all of HIS children and has given them gifts which differ according to HIS sovereign pleasure. "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith." (Rom 12:3-6)
HE divided the five loaves and two fishes. (see Mark 6:41-44) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19) His hand is not shortened in any way nor shall any of HIS own ever be without HIS aid and constant watchcare. "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing." (Psa 34:10)
HE came to cause division among men. "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." (Luke 12:51) HE said that HE would divide fathers and sons, and mothers and daughters, and that those of HIS own house would be HIS enemies. CHRIST is a line of demarcation. "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4) "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? "(2Cor 6:14) As John said, "So there was a division among the people because of him."(John 7:43) The people of GOD will always be at odds with the rest of the world because that which is life to them is foolishness to the world. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1Co 1:18) The offense of the cross will never cease in this world.
HE will divide the sheep from the goats. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Mat 25:31-34) The day of judgement will be a day when the LORD is pleased to once and for all manifest HIS purchased possession, which was HIS from the foundation of the world, to all of the creation. Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess HIM to be the LORD of glory and HE shall delight HIMSELF in that bride which HE has loved with an everlasting love and has once in the end of the age appeared to put away her sin by the sacrifice of HIMSELF.
mam