GOD'S BOUNDLESS UNIVERSE


As NASA publishes photographs from the James Webb telescope, they reveal an immensely vast universe that is staggering beyond imagination -- not only because the telescope itself is such an accomplished feat of technology, but much more so because the photos display the handiwork and creation of the eternal, infinite, omnipresent and omiscient God. Like precious jewels in the heavens, the objects in the universe utterly put to shame the glory of any earthly palace or the riches of any kingdom, no matter how royal or lavish.

Yet, so many scoff at this consideration, like a detestable joke, like trash to be discarded. God is commonly ridiculed whenever someone dares mention of Him in the context of creation in spite of its own majestic testimony.

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (2 Peter 3:3)

Interestingly, the narrator of the initial NASA Webb reveal confessed that the ultimate goal of their prodigious efforts is to understand our origins. According to the astute scientists at NASA and across the globe, we are collectively seeking to understand the beginning and early stages of the universe -- when the "Big Bang" spontaneously occurred by some mysteriously great force of energy.

While eternal God is mocked as a ridiculous myth by finite people, the Big Bang is serious science because the Mensa-level experts tell us so, and apparently they are wiser than God. Not to mention it's big business. They are the ultimate authority in their scientific wisdom, at least while they live out their limited lives for several decades before they return to the dust of the earth, like everyone else.

Let's consider this a step farther. Since these brilliant scientists discredit and discard the eternal existence of God as a fundamental rule, all the more do they reject Him when they discover just how vast our universe is, rather than the opposite as one might expect. In the absence of God in their thinking, they believe there's no possibility an intelligent being could have created such a magnificent, nearly infinite cosmos. In their finite minds, as the curtain is pulled back to expose an even greater exhibit of the splendor of creation, they somehow see that as stronger evidence against God. It's just too implausible for them to comprehend, regardless how high their intellect.

The Christian who truly knows God, while also standing amazed by the limitless bounds of creation, nevertheless remains unsurprised by just how extensive it is. Not because they don't understand the scope of it, but because it reflects God's eternal character that they've apprehended in Scripture:

[Is] not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! (Job 22:12)

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built? (I Kings 8:27)

Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness [is] unsearchable. (Psalm 145:3)

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)

Creation does not diminish the fact that He is Creator, it glorifies Him as such. And in the measure that scientists are given the ability and the wisdom to view more of it through technological advancement, God is declaring His infinite and everlasting nature to them before their eyes -- which sadly makes them culpable through their casual dismissal of Him.

Yes, God truly is eternal, far more so than one can possibly understand, even from the superior cognitive perspective of an intelligent, nevertheless finite, mind.

God's creation demonstrates that He is infinitely greater than we, and that we are accountable to Him:

For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

Ah Lord GOD! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. (Jeremiah 32:17)

Those who scoff cannot abide and acknowledge this reality, they suppress it and laugh it away:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [suppress] the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)

Otherwise, they would be humiliated in their pride, humbly bowing to His Infinite Majesty and acknowledging that they have gone their own, selfish way while despising Him. Such is the natural condition of the fallen human race in sin and self-exultation.

Creation itself is not God, of course. It is His work, it showcases His character, His infinite nature. Even if it's discovered that the universe finally reaches a limit somewhere -- which it must because it is physical creation -- nothing reflects the infinite nature of God better than its immeasurable magnitude. And to think that for all of the large objects or systems of objects we find in space, we see the same situation in miniature under the electron microscope.

No matter where we turn, we see the world teeming with life and creation teeming with innumerable things, both under the microscope and through the telescope. This is the fantastic evidence for the Truth of God, which, regardless of how awe-inspiring is the confirmation, the scientists reject from a spiritually darkened, natural perspective. They claim to desire evidence of God's Authorship. But when it's right in front of their eyes, it is astoundingly not sufficient to break through their pride apart from the work of Christ in their hearts. And this is how God would have it. The natural eye remains spiritually blind apart from the Word of God shining gloriously into it.

Scientists eagerly seek for signs of life in space. Surely with the proper organic composition and the correct sequence of evolution there should be life out there somewhere. But it can only be so if God has breathed the spirit of life into it as He has with the abundance of life on earth, plant life included. He is the Source of Life. There is nothing within the organic material of itself to produce life.

Humankind can mimic life through technological advances and robotics, but no matter how lifelike, no matter how intelligent -- it is not life. Organic life is spiritually created by the intelligent Creator, it cannot be artificially, mechanically or randomly generated, even through the activity of the formation of the heavens. Rest assured that if life exists anywhere out there, it is God who put it there. But the reverse is true as well. If God has not created life elsewhere, then life will not exist outside of our local context on earth.

Notwithstanding, the Life we should be seeking is God Himself:

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being;...
(Acts 17:24-28)

He is the Life we should hope to find, not an advanced civilization of created aliens. So yes, there is Life out there as well as here -- but that Life that they should seek is that of our Creator. And He can only be discovered and known throughout the pages of His Word, the Bible. You can view His handiwork in creation, but you'll never find Him by searching for aliens on other worlds.

An interesting response to the Webb photos was one of someone wistfully wishing (their words) that they could live 10,000 or 100,000+ years, or to be cryogenically frozen to return to life eons in the future, just so they could see what advancements had been achieved during that timeframe. The awe of the deep field space shot from Webb inspired such a contemplation -- as they reflected on the numerous sample of galaxies arrayed within the tiny, pinpoint cross-section of space. Jesus has already declared that, for those who are in Him, we shall never die, there is eternal life through faith in Him. That is, we can live that long -- even far longer (forever) -- in Christ. The universe is our physical illustration of this reality. Think of it, as awesome as this universe is, it is but a mere representation of God's eternal nature, a tableau, so to speak. And it shows us in full display that eternal life is real indeed, it's not just some fantasyland or false hope out of touch with reality considering we only live such a short time in this world in comparison. We are less than specks.

So that person was inspired by the idea of living a mere 10,000 or 100,000 years, in order to view a possibly greater illustration of creation than what we can see today through Webb's lens. Would they then be happy to die, having seen that? On the other hand, the true believer in Christ will spend all eternity admiring the wonders of God Himself, He Who is far greater than what the Webb Telescope, or any future advancement in technology, could ever hope to present.

God has given scientists such wisdom and ability -- and guided them in those abilities -- to succeed in this Webb venture. They confess that with some "good luck", mixed with their expertise, they were able to do so. They readily admit that many things could go wrong to prevent this achievement. So they celebrate when all goes well. After all of that intensely difficult, laborious design and labor, requiring great persistence and patience, they yet recognize that that alone isn't enough. There are always plenty of unknowns that could upset even their best-laid plans. Thus, while the effort was motivated by the desire to see the magnificent glory of creation, God's hand was in it so that they could accomplish their goals and savor the results. Yet for all that, they nevertheless view it from a sin-darkened perspective that denies the design and the nature of God in what they see. Creation is reduced to an object of impersonal force, a magnificence that comes from within itself as produced by the Cosmic Bang that somehow "speaks to our origins."

Imagine if we regarded our own efforts with such contempt. They honor the complex design and construction of the Webb telescope itself, but cast scorn on the work of God as something less than it is.

Oh yes, ultimately everyone knows the Truth deep down in their conscience because the Truth presents itself undeniably as the handiwork of God. It speaks very clearly. It's only the spiritually darkened mind of humankind that mocks God in the face of it, the mind that is too proudly self-absorbed to humbly appreciate and recognize the Creator. This is precisely the reason God's condemnation falls upon the human race and gives them up to the darkeness they desire:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [suppress] the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed [it] unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. ...
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
(Romans 1:18-23, 28)


7.25.2022