Lesson 4 The Eternal God

Lesson Four - Who Is the Eternal God?

O Eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, before anything else was, You were there. And, even when all that we now know passes away, You will still be. Without beginning and without end, You always have been and always will be the Living God. Open up our hearts and minds and give us an understanding of Your Word that we may receive its truths by faith. Amen.

My Dear Children,

Everything we know in this world has a beginning and an end. Days begin, and days end. We buy something that is new, but eventually it becomes old and is discarded. We start school, and we finish school, We start a job, and, one way or another, we finish our work. We ourselves are born, and sooner or later we die. Yet God is different. He had no beginning. He always has been God! He has no end. He always will be God! This is hard for us to grasp with our limited understanding, but it is what God has revealed to us about Himself. Consider His Word.

1. Psalm 90:1-2 says: "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." Who has been there and sustained mankind throughout all our generations? Who is God "from everlasting to everlasting"?

2. In Deuteronomy 33:27, the Scriptures say: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." What does this passage say about God? Who upholds us and cares for us all the time? How long will He be there for us?

3. Read Hebrews 1:10-12 (Psalm 102:25-27). What will happen to the present heavens and earth? Who was there before the heavens and earth were created? Who will remain after they are dissolved?

4. Read Exodus 3:1-16. By what name does God reveal Himself to Moses? What does this name mean? The name "Jehovah" (LORD) comes from this name. How long was this God’s name? How long will it be God’s name?

5. Read John 8:56-58. What did Jesus say about Himself? Was Jesus the living God in the days of Abraham (approximately 1800 to 1900 years before the birth of Jesus)? Did Abraham see Him? See Genesis 18:1ff.

6. Read John 1:1-5. Who is the Word in these verses? Cf. vv. 14-18. Was the Word there in the beginning? Read Revelation 1:8, 9-18. Jesus died once for our sins. Will He ever die again?

7. Read Hebrews 9:14. What is the Holy Spirit here called?

8. Can you think of anyone else, or anything else, that is eternal? Can you comprehend what it means to be eternal? Describe it.

9. Was God created? Was God the Father created? Was God the Son created? Was God the Spirit created? If God (or any Person of the Trinity) was created, would He be eternal?

10. Was there ever a time when God was not? Will there ever be a time when God is not? If so, would God be eternal?

11. When God threatens to punish the evil angels and unbelieving people with everlasting torment in hell, can He do it? When He promises everlasting life to all who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their Savior, can He do this too?

GOD

We believe that there is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6; I Corinthians 8:4). This God (called the LORD or JEHOVAH) is one divine Being or Essence, but three distinct Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (thus the name, Triune or Three/One God), each being eternal and equal in power and majesty, because each Person is the LORD God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; I John 5:7; Isaiah 48:16-17; John 1:1; Colossians 2:9; I Corinthians 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; I Peter 4:14). We believe that no one can worship or serve the Triune God except he believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and the Savior of mankind from sin and its consequences (John 3:18,36; 5:23; 14:6; I John 2:23; 5:11-12). Hence, all who deny the Trinity of God (that God is three Persons) or the Unity of God (that God is one divine Being), or who do not trust in Jesus Christ, the Son, for salvation, do not worship and serve the true God.

Please Memorize: Psalm 90:1-2; Deuteronomy 33:27; Revelation 1:8