What happened before time began? Most of the church is very familiar with, “In the beginning” from Genesis 1:1(KJV):
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
This is what we usually think of when we think of the beginning in general and our beginning in specific. Indeed, other passages also speak of this as a beginning (Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 44:24, Psalm 102:25-27).
A Beginning Before Time Began
However, Scripture also brings out a beginning before time. John 1:1-2 speaks of eternity past, a beginning before time existed. John 1:1-2 (TPT) says:
1 In the very beginning the Living Expression was already there.
And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God.
2 They were together—face-to-face, in the very beginning.
The translator of The Passion Version translated Christ as the Living Expression. He is also translated the “Message” or “Blueprint.” The translator goes on to comment,
Christ is the eternal Word, the creative Word, and the Word made visible. He is the divine self-expression of all that God is, contains, and reveals in incarnated flesh. Just as we express ourselves in words, God has perfectly expressed himself in Christ.
How breathtaking! We understand The Living Expression is Christ, Who eternally has existed as one Member of the Trinity before time. This wording was also repeated in 1 John 1:1. He had no beginning and was one with the Father. Clearly there was a very beginning before time as we know it, when Christ already existed as the uncreated Son.
Psalm 93:2 (TPT) refers to the creation story, but also a timeless eternity in the context of the reigning of Christ.
2 Lord, you have reigned as King from the very beginning of time.
Eternity is your home.
Christ Before Time
Let’s explore this fascinating eternity before time! Proverbs 8:22-31(TPT) is such a powerful melodic passage! It talks about Wisdom, Who is Christ:
22 “In the beginning I was there, for God possessed me even before he created the universe.
23 From eternity past I was set in place, before the world began. I was anointed from the beginning.
24 Before the oceans depths were poured out, and before there were any glorious fountains overflowing with water, I was there, dancing!
25 Even before one mountain had been sculpted or one hill raised up,
I was already there, dancing!
26 When he created the earth, the fields, even the first atom of dust, I was already there.
27 When he hung the tapestry of the heavens and stretched out the horizon of the earth,
28 when the clouds and skies were set in place and the subterranean fountains began to flow strong, I was already there.
29 when he set in place the pillars of the earth and spoke the decrees of the seas, commanding the waves so that they wouldn’t overstep their boundaries,
30 I was there, close to the Creator’s side as his master artist. Daily he was filled with delight in me as I playfully rejoiced before him.
31 I laughed and played, so happy with what he had made, while finding my delight in the children of men.
Christ was there before and during creation! God was present, the only God, from the very beginning (Isaiah 43:13; 48:16; Hebrews 1:10).
The Incarnate Jesus
How did the incarnate Jesus refer to time? He talked about the beginning in a Genesis 1 context – the creation of male and female (Matthew 19:4, Mark 10:6) and in the context of murdered prophets (Luke 11:50-51). However, He was the Living Expression in the very beginning before time (John 1:1-2; 1 John 2:13). It was through His creative inspiration that He made all things and all life – including us (John 1:3-4)! Jesus specifically mentioned this very beginning before time in John 17:24 (TPT) when He said:
24 “Father, I ask that you allow everyone that you have given to me
to be with me where I am! Then they will see my full glory—
the very splendor you have placed upon me because you have
loved me even before the beginning of time.
The Alpha and Omega
Jesus is referred to as the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End five times (the number of grace) in the book of the Revelation, (Revelation 1:8,17; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13)! Interestingly, the book of Revelation is actually the revelation or unveiling of the Christ not the end times (Revelation 1:1). Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega the last letter. In Hebrew, this is the Aleph and the Tav. Jesus affirms that He has all knowledge and is the sum of all Truth.
Us Before the Beginning of Time
Paul mentioned in Romans 8:29 (TPT) about US being known before we were born:
29 For he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him.
However, even more astounding, is that you and I were present, chosen and joined to Christ before time began! Ephesians 1:4 (TPT) says:
4 And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.
A few verses down in Ephesians 1:9, Paul states that regarding the walking out of our union in Christ, God was delighted to implement from the very beginning of time. 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (TPT) is a less cited reference to our existence before time began, but it is strikingly powerful:
9 He gave us resurrection life[a] and drew us to himself by his holy calling on our lives. And it wasn’t because of any good we have done, but by his divine pleasure and marvelous grace that confirmed our union with the anointed Jesus, even before time began! 10 This truth is now being unveiled by the revelation of the anointed Jesus, our life-giver, who has
2 Thessalonians 2:13 also refers to God choosing us from the beginning. Lastly, Titus 1:1-3 (TPT) says that before time God promised us to be led to the full knowledge of the Truth. It is a mind-boggling truth that we, as God’s kids, were such an inherent part of God and His plan before time began. This places such a premium on us. Meditating on our importance is both an edifying and humbling reality. It is the basis for who we are and our importance in the purposes of God!
I trust that this has been an eye-opener for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Love,
Catherine
