Creation by Two, not three – “Let us make man in our image”

 

Genesis 1:1-2,  26

v1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. v2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

v26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

 

In the first book of Genesis, God was speaking throughout His creation. In other words, he spoke or he breathed and different aspects of creation happened as he commanded from his mouth.

“God said” can be found nine times, and “God called” can be found three times.

 

Strong’s Concordance tells us the Hebrew word and the Greek word translated as spirit in the Bible have the same meaning.  The Hebrew word רוּח† ‘ruach’ means breath (also “wind”) which is the same word translated as spirit in Genesis 1:2. The Greek word ‘pneuma’ means, wind, breath, spirit.  In other words, if wind and breath are the same idea, then spirit must also fit the pattern.

 

The word spirit must have something to do with breath and wind. Breath and wind is something living things do. Breath is not a living being. Wind is not a living being. If spirit is another word for breath and wind, then it also is not a living being. All three words have to do with life. A breathing being has a personality.  And a personality can also be defined as characteristics of that breathing being. The personality of a living being is its spirit. The personality of God is His Holy Spirit.  And in Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 

 

Something vital to note here.  It says the Spirit of God.  We are talking about something in possessive language or terminology.  It does not say, "god the holy spirit".  It is the Spirit of God which already belongs to Him (Yahweh, the Father).  The false teaching and doctrine that brings in a "god the holy spirit" is what is being taught in the churches today, but it is not what Adventists have always had to deal with.

 

Was that the breath of God that moved upon the face of the waters?  Well, since he used his breath in speaking out creation, then yes.  The Spirit of God in this verse is the very breath of God.

 

“The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”  Job 33:4

 

This can be further illustrated by Jesus in John 20:22, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”  Jesus breathed His own Spirit, not someone else.  It is this same spirit that is mentioned in Genesis 1:2, “the Spirit of God” which can be translated the “breath of God”.

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In this document, you will see many quotes, mostly from the Spirit of Prophecy by Ellen White speak plainly about who was involved in the event of Creation.  And we will see support from the Bible.  Today from the pulpits, the attendees are taught that there were three at creation.  The Father, the Son, and a Holy Spirit which they identify as “someone else”. 

 

But what you will see here is, that there were specifically TWO.  And you will see that the third in heaven at one time, was jealous, envious, and had hatred.  And it wasn’t the Holy Spirit.  You see the bible speaks of the Holy Spirit as both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ.  It already belongs to them.  It is their presence, their life and power.  It is not separate from them as an additional some-other-being.

 

But it was Lucifer who would create the doctrinal lie of the trinity so he could enter the picture as “a god”, and be called “holy”.  Keep in mind, he is a spirit being.  So he would now be called within Christendom, “god the holy spirit”.

 

So here we go.  Hopefully you won’t be one of those that resist truth and don’t have a teachable spirit, because your head just might explode when you read this!

 

“And I saw that when God said to his Son, Let us make man in our own image.”- Spiritual Gifts vol. 1, pg 17, Early Writings, pg. 145

 

Now we see for certainty the relationship in Genesis 1:26. God the Father said to his Son, “let us make man in our image.” Remember, Christ is “the express image” of the Father (Hebrews 1:3), so anyone created in the Father’s image is naturally created in his Son’s image.  

 

Here is a thought you won’t hear presented today.  When God created man in His image He created two beings, not three.   Genesis 1:27:  “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”  Again, two beings were created, NOT three. 

 

Genesis 5:1, 2: “……In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; v2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.” 

 

That is conclusive proof that the ‘us’ in Genesis 1:26 refers to only two individuals (the Father and Son), not three.

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“In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after their work of creation.” - Desire of Ages, p. 769, 1898

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Where is the third being?  As you read thru this, you will discover there is a third being that is not divine.  And this third being wants to be worshiped and to receive credit for creation and just about everything.  It is a spirit, an unholy spirit that wants to be god.  It is Lucifer.   

 

“The Lord has shown me that Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Jesus Christ. His countenance was mild, expressive of happiness like the other angels. His forehead was high and broad, and showed great intelligence. His form was perfect. He had a noble, majestic bearing. And I saw that when God said to his Son, Let us make man in our image, Satan was jealous of Jesus. He wished to be consulted concerning the formation of man. He was filled with envy, jealousy and hatred. He wished to be the highest in heaven, next to God, and receive the highest honors. Until this time all heaven was in order, harmony and perfect subjection to the government of God.”  – Ellen White, Spiritual Gifts, p. 17.1 (also Early Writings, p. 145.1)

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 Now getting back to who really was involved in the formation of man and all of creation:

"The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate—a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God."  – Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34.1

 

The Sovereign of the Universe, YAHWEH, had a co-worker.  That is singular, one other than Himself.  Not two others or three or four or five, etc.

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Where is that third being called "god the holy spirit"?  He doesn't exist.  It is a made up name by that third being that is trying to be worshiped like God the Father.

 

Over and over, you will see only TWO were present in the act of creation.

 

“In the formation of our world, God was not beholden to preexistent substance or matter. For the "things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." On the contrary, all things, material or spiritual, stood up before the Lord Jehovah at His voice, and were created for His own purpose. The heavens and all the host of them, the earth and all things that are therein, are not only the work of His hand, they came into existence by the breath of His mouth.”  - Ellen White, Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 312.1

 

“The breath of His mouth.”  Remember, in the first book of Genesis, God was speaking throughout His creation.   “God said” can be found nine times, and “God called” can be found three times.

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Hebrews 11:3 “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.”

 

Psalms 33:6, 9 “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. v9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood.”

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Again we see the connection with “spirit” and “breath” as God speaks and it is done.

Where does it say there were three at the time making creation?  It doesn't.

 

“The Father and the Son were one in man’s creation, and in his redemption.  Said the Father to the Son, “Let us make man in our image.”  - James S. White, Life Incidents, p. 343

 

"After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image. They had wrought together in the creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now God says to his Son, "Let us make man in our image.”  - Ellen White, 1SP, vol. 1 p. 24.2, 1870

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Where is the third being?

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“God….created all things by Jesus Christ”.  - Ephesians 3:9

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"God....spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;" - Hebrews 1:1-2

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Only two at the time of Creation.

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“Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is  his  son's  name, if  thou  canst  tell?”  - Proverbs 30:4

 

This verse attributes the work of creation to TWO BEINGS; only a Father and a Son.

 

Proverbs 8:22-30 also attributes the work of creation to two beings.  Yahweh the Father is the great Source of all.  And He created all things by His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

"v22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
v23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
v24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. v25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
v26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. v27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: v28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: v29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: v30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him."

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WORSHIP HIM that made heaven and earth

With that said, it is important to know a warning and command from the book of Revelation.  It says in Revelation 14:7 - “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

 

Does it say to give glory to “them”?  No, it says give glory to “him”.

Does it say the hour of “their” judgment is come?  No, it says “his”.

Does this say worship “them”?  No, it says worship “him”.

 

These are ALL SINGULAR terms, no plurality.

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Now, from the Spirit of Prophecy, we shall see a glimpse of what was going on in heaven.  Who was truly next in line after the Father and the Son.

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Heavenly Rank in Status Before the fall

1) “God is a moral governor as well as a Father.  He is the Lawgiver.” 

- Manuscript 5, “The Days of Noah”, par. 13

 

2) “The Son of God was next in authority to the great Lawgiver.”  

- Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, p. 9

 

3)“Satan in Heaven, before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next in honor to God’s dear Son.”

- Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 17.1

 

Change in Heavenly Rank After the fall of Lucifer from Heaven

3) “It was Gabriel, the angel next in rank to the Son of God, who came with the divine message to Daniel.”

- Desire of Ages, p. 234

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