Begin—End, 1of12

~ Creation & New Creation ~

There are a number of fascinating parallels between the first three chapters of the Bible (Genesis 1-3) and the last three chapters of the Bible (Revelation 20-22).  In between we find 1,183 chapters which record mankind’s struggles as well as instructions for the struggle.  In this series each post looks at one of the parallels—it is not an exhaustive coverage of all the parallels. 

The Beginning  ~  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2).

 

The Middle  ~  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (Galatians 6:14-15). 

The End  ~  “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  Also there was no more sea.  …  Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’” (Revelation 21:1-5a). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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New Creation

~ Your New Life In Jesus Christ ~

According to the Word of God a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior is a new creation—not a remake of their old sinful self. They are literally born again spiritually. They now have both a natural life from natural birth and a spiritual life from spiritual birth. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, emphasis added).

New Birth (their new creation’s entrance)  ~  “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3).

New Person (their new creation’s characteristic)  ~  “You have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:9b-10).   

New Life (their new creation’s walk)  ~  “We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).  

New Song (their new creation’s song)  ~  “He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:3).  

New Path (their new creation’s route)  ~  “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-11).

New Destination (their new creation’s fulfillment)  ~  “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful’” (Revelation 21:2-5). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW