The Eternally Self-Existing & Self-Sustaining Glory of God
The Creator - The Light of the World - The God of Israel
Let There Be Light
Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
- Genesis 1:3
When God said, “Let there be light,” He didn’t create light in the same manner that He created all other things. The phrase “let there be” refers to God’s revelation, meaning that He simply unveiled His natural essence as light in a physical capacity for our benefit. The words used to describe the rest of God’s work in creation, are totally different. God’s manifestation of light on Day 1, was unique. This shows God’s glory, power, goodness, and beauty. He didn’t need another source to shine. The world was dark until God made His natural essence known to it. Without the eternally self-existing and self-sustaining light of God, ultimately made manifest in Jesus Christ, our lives and the world around us remain dark.
I AM
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
- Exodus 3:14
The “aseity” of God deals with His eternally self-existing and self-sustaining nature. This means that God is the source of all things, and also that He is totally unaffected by the things around Him. When Moses asked God what He should be called while speaking to the burning bush, God simply responded, “I AM.” In other words, God’s identity is not dependent on what we call Him, what we know of Him, or what we think of Him. God is who He is, regardless of who we are and our relationship to Him. Thankfully, God is willing to leverage His independence from all things, for our benefit according to His mercy and grace. He is what He is, in spite of us; but He is also able to be everything we need in order to escape the consequences of sin, and bring Him glory.
The Name of The LORD
“I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but [by] My name LORD I was not known to them.”
- Exodus 6:3
When we talk about “the name of God,” we’re talking about the identity, character, and nature of God. When “the LORD” spoke to Moses, He confessed that the revelation of His name was gradual. The English “LORD” is the Hebrew “YAHWEH.” Apparently, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob didn’t get to know God as “YAHWEH;” only as “The Almighty.” This shows that God is intentional with the manifestation of His glory as light. Everyone has access to God’s revelation, but God will determine who the beneficiaries of His revelation are; and also determine the manner in which that revelation comes. God is the One that decides how we learn about Him, at what pace, through what circumstances, and so forth. Our receipt or rejection of that revelation, ultimately determines whether we actually gain the benefits that come as a result of knowing Him. This is why knowing the true identity, character, and nature of God is so important.
The Glory Of God
“But truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD…”
- Numbers 14:21
When God said, “Let there be light,” He manifested His essence in a physical form that we know as light, brightness, and glory. God was able to do this without the assistance of the sun, moon, and stars. His natural essence and beauty were contrary to that which we know as “darkness,” and was sufficient to exterminate darkness when He wanted to. The world today is dark! Since God is eternally self-existing and self-sustaining, His natural glory and brightness is sufficient to fill the earth forever, when He decides it’s time, through the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ. By extension, it is God, and God alone who is able to rid of darkness of any kind. When He gets rid of darkness, all He’ll have to do is show the true extent of His glory!
The LORD Sustains
Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing; their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
- Nehemiah 9:21
Why should we trust God? Since God is eternally self-existing and self-sustaining, He is able to produce anything according to His will and purpose, without assistance. He is not dependent on anyone for anything, always having access to that which He needs, in order to do what He says. This means that He is ALWAYS able to fulfill His eternally unconditional promises. He doesn’t need to rely on anyone but Himself to fulfill them. Who but God can say such a thing? This is how God is able to continually provide for His people to fulfill His promises. No matter the circumstances, He is able to sustain because of who He is. History proves it!
God is Deep!
“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?”
- Job 11:7
It is often said that people “put God in a box” when referring to the difficulty we have believing in God, and the full extent of His ability. Is it possible to put God in a box? What are the limits of the eternally self-existing and self-sustaining God? His creation of the universe shows that His power and wisdom are limitless and immeasurable. His glory fills the heavens and the earth. He’s giving and equipping life and purpose for EVERY living thing in heaven and earth, all at once, and doesn’t get weak, tired, or confused. Since God is immeasurable in these basic ways, is it even possible to try to understand God apart from His own revelation and declared Word? We’ll never know the true depths of God’s glory in this life, but the things that we can know, must be revealed by Him according to His Word, if we expect to understand anything about Him.
The Work Of His Fingers
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained…
- Psalm 8:3
How can the glory of the LORD be seen today? Today we know “light” by the existence of the sun, moon, and stars. God’s essence as light was revealed four days before God created those things. When God created the sun, moon, and stars, He did so by His Word, and then ordained their place and purpose with His “fingers”! The brightness and heat of the sun exist because God’s glory existed first. The beautiful reflection of the moon’s glow exists because of God’s glory. The sky is filled with innumerable stars because God placed each one according to His eternally self-existing and self-sustaining nature. There are innumerable galaxies with incomprehensive complexities, because God is infinite! Knowing this, we can learn of the extent of God’s glory. We keep spending money to explore space. We just keep finding out that know so little about it, because it just keeps going. What does that say about God who created those things by the power of His glory?
Confidence & Strength
The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
- Psalm 27:1
The Bible teaches that apart from God, we can’t do anything. As people, we are depraved, corrupt, and condemned. Unless God breathes life into us on a daily basis, we die. To claim confidence and strength apart from God, is a lie. We aren’t independent or self-sufficient like we think. The LORD is the strength of life, just like the Bible says. God is eternally self-existing and self-sustaining, meaning that all strength and ability comes from the effects of His glory. If we want to escape depravity, corruption, and condemnation, we must seek God’s glory and provision. He has graciously made Himself available to us through the exclusive channel of Jesus Christ, so that we can enjoy the benefits of His essence. So, we are able to have strength and confidence, where otherwise, it would be impossible. This way, when this life inevitably ends, we don’t have to be afraid of what happens next, realizing that our “ability” doesn’t make death go away. When we trust in the LORD for His strength, He gives us the breath of His life, forever, saving us from the real thing everyone is afraid of, whether we admit it or not…
The Fountain Of Life
For with You [is] the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.
- Psalm 36:9
The concept of the “fountain of life” has been the subject of folklore since the beginning of time. However, the concept of everlasting life is not a myth or tall tale. The fountain of life, and the everlasting quality of life that comes from it, describes the promise of the eternally self-existing and self-sustaining God. Since God is unique in this manner, He alone is qualified to give the quality of life that people have coveted. The Bible compares “the fountain of life” to God’s essence as “light.” It’s God’s glory, according to His unique nature as YAHWEH, that enables access to the fountain of life. Those who believe upon Jesus as God in flesh and Savior from death, are invited to drink of this fountain freely! There is nowhere else to get this kind of life.
Riding The Clouds
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him.
- Psalm 68:4
The LORD is God and there is no other. He sits on His throne in the heavens, above all angels, demons, nations, armies, and individuals. His authority comes to Him effortlessly based on who He is. He doesn’t strive or contend with anyone for His power. He is not threatened by anyone or anything. He is YAHWEH, the eternally self-existing and self-sustaining God of glory, the Creator and Controller of all things, who uniquely connected Himself to the world by His covenants with Israel. Someone like God shouldn’t have concern for people like us. Yet, His concern is so great, that He took the form of flesh, in order to die on our behalf, enabling the faithful to dwell in His glory. Knowing and receiving this privilege should compel us to sing, praise, and rejoice daily. We GET to know, and connect to the One who rides the clouds!
The Source Of All Good Things
For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good [thing] will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
- Psalm 84:11
Since God is uniquely eternally self-existing and self-sustaining, all things must come from God. If we want the good things that God gives, we must go to Him to get them because of who He is. The LORD is “a sun,” referring to His brightness and beauty. This describes God as the standard of that which is beautiful, good, and glorious. All good things come from God on account of His nature, and His character is gracious, teaching that He desires to share the essence of His goodness, even though we don’t deserve such a benefit. The scriptures teach that God doesn’t withhold ANYTHING from those who walk uprightly, referring to those who walk by faith in these truths, rather than trying to reproduce His goodness by their own standards. Knowing that God is this good, why wouldn’t we commit our lives to worshiping Him like the Bible says?
Before All Things
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You [are] God.
- Psalm 90:2
The Bible is filled with knowledge, wisdom, commands, and warnings. Why should we pay attention to these things? We should pay attention and commit our lives to the Bible because IT IS THE WORD OF GOD! God is YAHWEH – the eternally self-existing and self-sustaining glorious Creator of all things. As Creator, He came before all things. He clearly came before the things that we see in this world. As YAHWEH, He has no beginning or end. So, the things that He says are true in His Word about the world, about people, about life and death, must be true. Who but God has been around long enough to know? As the Creator and Controller of all things in heaven and earth, He knows the truth about it all, how it works, and how it resolves. He is God, and there is no other. Since everything comes by the effect of His own glory, who but God knows what is true and right? This is why we should HUMBLY seek Him, and His glory for truth, for wisdom, for ability to live in this life and the next. The way to connect to Him, is by faith that the Bible is, in fact, God’s Word; and that the Word is the true testimony of Jesus Christ as God-in-flesh, trusting that, this is the way it’s always been.
Holy, Holy, Holy!
And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy [is] the LORD of hosts; the whole earth [is] full of His glory!”
- Isaiah 6:3
The sun is arguably the brightest object that we can relate to. It’s sufficient to provide light for half of the planet. Yet, for as bright as the sun is, it’s weak. If there are clouds, the sun is hidden. At night, the sun can’t reach the other end of the Earth. This is not true of God. The universe is filled with the glory of God, and will be filled more so in the end. The glory of the LORD is so transcendent that the angels of heaven proclaim His holiness – His uniqueness, His separateness – for all of eternity. This is how angels respond to God’s glory. We should follow that example based on what He teaches us of His glory, and the supremacy of it!
Unsearchable
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
- Isaiah 40:28
God is impossible to understand in many regards. He is not like us. He is eternal. We are mortal. He is self-existing. We were created. He is self-sustaining. We are dependent on His provision. We are contrary to God in these ways. We have never known eternity, purity, glory, or true goodness. Though He provides incredible revelation concerning His attributes in the Bible, we can’t fully understand the magnitude of God’s essence and supremacy of His majesty. Yet, God longs to teach us about Himself by the testimony of His Son and the understanding in His Spirit. He doesn’t grow tired in this work. He doesn’t get frustrated in His plans. Whether it’s work He does to judge sin, or work He does to heal the broken, His work is unknowably great and glorious! Is there any privilege more valuable, than knowing Him any true way that we can? Should any wisdom be cherished more?
Determined Direction
I [am] the LORD, that [is] My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.
- Isaiah 42:8
The Bible teaches that God’s glory fills the earth. God took the form of flesh as Jesus Christ to prove His identity as “the Light of the world,” flexing the extent of His glory through His resurrection and ascension. God’s glory is made freely available to witness, but He does not manifest His glory through all things. As the Creator of all things, God will NOT show His glory through the efforts and works of men and women. God does NOT manifest His glory through idols: images and items made by people, or things that people revere and honor by human standards. The LORD alone is God, and the only way to enjoy the benefits of His glory, is by the effects of His hands, not ours. He’s not impressed with the things that we’ve done to try and exalt ourselves. God’s glory is uniquely transcendent. He manifests His glory in certain ways, to achieve certain purposes. Anything else that’s praised, for any other reason, is fake.
The First And Last
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I [am] the First and I [am] the Last; besides Me [there is] no God.’”
- Isaiah 44:6
By definition, God is uniquely eternal, self-existing, and self-sustaining, making Him “the First and the Last.” This means that God has no creator. There is no other entity that came before Him. He isn’t dependent on anything or anyone to exist or to be satisfied within Himself. Since God is self-sustaining, He doesn’t change. This means that He is also the means by which ALL other things exist. The world will expire, but God will remain. Though God is supremely and uniquely glorious this way, He desires to reveal Himself as King and Redeemer; which He does through the amazing covenants He’s made with Israel. God exercises His glory and power to bring His people unto Himself, in order to share His glory, for our benefit, by His power and control.
The Past, Present, & Future
And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, let them show these to them.
- Isaiah 44:7
As the Creator, God is in control of ALL things. One of the first things that God created was time. When God revealed His glory as “light” on the first day, He separated light from dark and declared a day. On the fourth day, God created the sun, moon, and stars in order to provide tools for people to track the time that He created. Who can do such a thing? Who can grasp time and use it in the manner that God does? Who has proven to know the future like God, and provides evidence of His control of the past, in order to influence the future for His purposes? Since God controls time, He controls all factors of time, including the people that are subject to it, past, present, and future.
God Does It All
I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these [things].
- Isaiah 45:7
Life can seem like it’s out of control. That’s because things in life are out of our control, not God’s control. The Bible teaches it’s impossible for all things to be out of control. When we understand the nature of God as Creator and recognize the extent of His glory, we can’t conclude that things are beyond His control, as if there are things He didn’t account for, where He has to scramble to address those things. It doesn’t work that way. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. So where did darkness come from? Where did the characteristics and consequences of darkness come from? Isaiah 45:7 says that God created it! As a potter has charge over clay, so too is God in control of ALL things that He has made, including darkness and disaster. Things might seem chaotic from our perspective, but this is never true from God’s. Since He has charge over all things, He is able to produce any outcome He wants, according to His goodness and righteousness. This is why His promises of blessing and judgment are so sure.
The Armies Of God
Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (The LORD of hosts [is] His name)…
- Jeremiah 31:35
Alexander was called “Alexander the Great” because of the extent of his military prowess. He commanded many people who obeyed his orders and achieved tremendous victories such as the world had not seen. The Bible calls God the “LORD of hosts” referring to armies; but describes part of God’s army as light, the sun, the moon, and all the stars! Who commands light like God? Who has charge of the universe like God so that celestial objects obey His Word? If Alexander’s greatness was measured by the control of his army and what he accomplished with it, how would it be possible to measure God’s greatness considering the extent of control He shows for His army, and what He’ll accomplish with it, leading up to the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ – God in flesh?
Filled With Knowledge
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
- Habakkuk 2:14
Current studies of the world population estimate that there are roughly 7.5 billion people living in the world. Though that seems like a lot of people, the world is far from full! Researchers estimate that there are only about 38 people per square mile of land. The world can seem crowded, but there’s still a lot of empty space. This is not true concerning the glory of the LORD. God’s glory as the Creator fills the world! In fact, in the end, the mere knowledge of God’s glory will fill the world, meaning that those who live, will know of God’s glory, no matter where they are. It will be impossible to doubt. It will be impossible to refute or argue against. The nonsense that the world tries to concoct to disprove or redefine God, will be utterly destroyed when Jesus comes again, so that everyone will know who He really is! Considering the amount of people and space, God’s glory is truly transcendent!
The LIfe
In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
- John 1:4
If a person wants to give someone else a dollar, they need to first possess a dollar. This shows that life can’t come unless someone is alive in order to give life. God Created the heavens and the earth, and then gave life to all living creatures, specifically through the channel of Jesus Christ. There is life because life is in God. God first possessed life, and has taken it upon Himself to share the life that He has. The Bible describes the quality of God’s life as “light,” referring to His glory, wisdom, provision, and protection. This quality of life uniquely comes from God since He alone possesses these attributes of it. The Bible teaches that the apostle John, was an eyewitness to this truth. He saw Jesus with his own eyes, and was able to confirm that Jesus was God-in-flesh. This is why John wrote that the light of God’s glory is in Jesus, because John saw proof that Jesus has authority over all life.
Life In Jesus
“For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself…”
- John 5:26
The Bible teaches that God created all things. God is the Author of life, Controller of time, and Administrator of life within time. The promise of the Bible is that those who believe in these fundamental truths can enjoy the ultimate quality of life that God possesses – eternal life. However, the Bible is specific to state that Jesus Christ is the key to eternal life. He should be the subject of our faith, based on our belief that He is YAHWEH – in flesh. Our trust and confidence in Jesus as God, The-Creator-in-flesh, is the exclusive means by which we enjoy eternal life. The will of God (the Father) has determined to make eternal life accessible through the physical manifestation of His glory (the Son).
The Light Of The World
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
- John 8:12
In the beginning, God revealed the truth of His identity when He said, “Let there be light.” At that time, there was no sun, moon, or stars. The proclamation of God’s Word produced a physical manifestation of light with God as the source of it. That lit up the whole universe! Since God is eternally self-existing and self-sustaining, this is easy for Him to do. Later, Jesus proclaimed that He is “the light of the world.” Jesus is the physical manifestation of God’s declaration. Jesus is the physical manifestation of the revelation of God’s glory. Jesus is the means by which people are able to escape darkness and enjoy the goodness and glory of God. This means that, the only way to gain access to God’s goodness, glory, wisdom, power, and so forth, is through faith that Jesus is EXACTLY who He said He is – YAHWEH in flesh.
I Am... Again!
Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
- John 8:58
When God revealed His essence to Moses in the burning bush, He told Moses to tell the people that He should be called “I AM.” In other words, that which the people called God did not have any effect on God’s true nature. The manner in which we know God, doesn’t determine who God is. God is who He is, regardless of our knowledge, perspective, or opinion of Him. We don’t have any effect on God’s nature, character, integrity, ability, or purpose. Since Jesus is God in flesh, He declared the same principle that was declared to Moses. Jesus is God in flesh, making Him the eternally self-existing, self-sustaining, glorious Creator of all things; and this is true regardless of our opinion of it. Our knowledge or faith concerning Jesus as YAHWEH in flesh, STILL doesn’t change who He is, what He’s about, or what He’s going to do…
Life To The Dead
(As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did…
- Romans 4:17
The Bible reveals many problems for human beings. The most important of which concerns our depravity. Psalm 51:5 says we are ALL conceived in sin, meaning that we are spiritually dead nine months before we’re born. Thankfully, the Creator of all things is also the merciful Sustainer of all things. God is able to prolong physical life so that we can receive His mercy unto forgiveness of sins through faith in the identity and testimony of Jesus. Since Jesus is God, and equally powerful as Creator, He is able to give life to that which has no life. He already did it in the beginning when there was nothing. For Him to do so now, for the benefit of those who believe in Him, is easy. Eternal life is real, because Jesus is exactly who He said He is, and the Bible’s testimony of YAHWEH is proven true through Him!
The Knowledge Of Glory
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
God is eternally self-existing and self-sustaining. His glory fills the universe. Everyone will know God’s glory one day. When God fulfills His promises to judge the world, and then bless His true people, everyone will know. But, we don’t have to wait until the end, to know the beauty and goodness of God’s glory. In fact, we shouldn’t! The Father’s original intentions were to manifest His glory light, opposing darkness. God took the form of flesh as Jesus, to make the revelation of His glory clearer than words and commands; to show how His glory contrasts darkness (referring to sin, death, and hell). The glory of God is found in the face of Jesus, because Jesus is God, in flesh, manifested to us in order that we would know what true glory and goodness are. If we want to know God’s glory now, we need to seek to know the real identity of Jesus, as explained in the Word, from Genesis to Revelation. The power that God used in order to make light shine out of darkness in the beginning, is the same power He uses to teach us about Himself through the glory He reveals in His work as Jesus.
Christ Is Our Life
When Christ [who is] our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
- Colossians 3:4
Our lives as believers are not as they seem according to appearance. We likely bear a strong physical resemblance to the person we used to be, before we got saved. The same is not true of our spiritual essence. We are new creations being conformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. We might breathe oxygen to stay alive now, but the true essence of our life is in Jesus, who as God-in-flesh, is eternally glorious in nature. Since we are being conformed to His image, we can’t even imagine the quality of life that awaits us on account of the glorious work He did on our behalf. This is who we REALLY are, because of Him. When Jesus comes back to fulfill the Father’s promises to us, we’ll outwardly resemble the spiritual nature He has manufactured for us as YAHWEH. This benefit of course, is only available if you have faith in the testimony of who Jesus is, the work He’s done, and will do, according to the Bible.
Unapproachable LIght
Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom [be] honor and everlasting power. Amen.
- 1 Timothy 6:16
It is impossible to go to the moon in normal attire. Our current human condition prohibits us from going to the moon without special equipment. If this is true of something as simple as the moon, how much truer concerning the kingdom of God? We know how dangerous it can be to look directly at the sun without protection. Yet God’s glory is infinitely brighter than the sun. If not for Jesus’ sacrifice as God in flesh, the glory of God would remain unapproachable, keeping us separated from God and the quality of life that He gives. Only God who is glorious, can permit people to dwell in His glory. Clearly, if we can’t approach God’s essence as light in our natural condition, we don’t measure up to Him. Thankfully, God has offered a way, where we gain access to His glory, His immortality, His honor and power, when we believe in the testimony of His Word, specifically concerning Jesus.
The Source Of Goodness
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
- James 1:17
It is God’s essence as eternally self-existing and self-sustaining that allows anyone to benefit in any sort of way. If God is not the Creator, His promises are subject to another power. If God is not self-existing, He is dependent on other factors for power. If God is not self-sustaining, He is subject to change. Yet, the LORD is God and there is no other. This is what qualifies God to give good things. He is the source and standard of good things, clearly proven through the resurrection of Jesus. He is the source of life, wisdom, power, righteousness, and provision. Since God is who He is, we can rest assured in His eternal promises, in Jesus the Christ. Since He isn’t impressed with any of us, and doesn’t play favorites to treat people differently based on merits, God is willing to share His goodness with ANYONE that humbly seeks Him for it, by repentant-faith in the testimony of His Word.
The One True Light
The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb [is] its light.
- Revelation 21:23
Conventional science teaches that the light of the world comes from the sun. This is not true according to the Bible. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light, four days before God created the sun, moon, and stars. The essence of light does not come from these celestial objects. They are able to radiate brightness on account of God’s eternally self-existing and self-sustaining glory. This will be publicly proven true in the end. God will judge the ungodly and unrighteous unto condemnation, at which point He will create a new heaven and earth where Jesus will illuminate His new creation for all of eternity! The sun, moon, and stars put out light for our world today, because that’s God’s purpose for now. When His purpose is finished, He won’t use them anymore, and everyone will know where the light of the world has been coming from all along.