GOD'S PURPOSE FOR HIS CREATION
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psm. 19:1)
The Creator of the universe is invisible yet He created the visible heavens so that they can display His glory. From the excellency of His work mankind can easily infer the infinite perfection of the Creator who is infinitely wise, powerful, and good. From the brightness of the heavens we may recognize the Creator is light; the vastness of the universe demonstrates His immensity.
"For thus says the LORD (YAHWEH), Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is no other." (Isa. 45:18)
According to present knowledge from space exploration our earth is the only planet in the solar system that is inhabited. God has placed His creatures on this earth for very important reasons. They must all acknowledge Him as their Creator, Lord and God, and worship Him. (Psm. 22:27-29; Rev. 15:4)
"You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and all things on it, The seas and all that is in them, and You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You. (Neh. 9:6)
Every day the pious Jews recite the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!" This is to fortify their faith in the One True God and also only Creator of the universe. "Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself." (Isa. 44:24; Job 9:8) God's creation also includes preservation of our planet earth. The host of heaven that includes all the angels and every person on earth are created to worship our Creator.
"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth - to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people - saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." (Rev. 14:6)
Angels are messengers of God who are assigned to deliver important messages to mankind. The everlasting gospel is the good news of God's love; His salvation and redemption of fallen man. The gospel has always been the same. So is God's instructions to man. Fear God, give glory to Him and worship Him as the Creator. Judgment has been pronounced on people who do not acknowledge the One True God as the Creator of the universe. (Rom. 1:18-23) The angel's message is relevant to all people of the world in different ages. It is specially applicable to the present New Millennium because we are approaching the hour of the Final Judgment.
"I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images. (Isa. 42:8)
"But You are holy, Who inhabit the praises of Israel." (Psm. 22:3)
And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD; Your faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints." (Psm. 89:5)
"Then a voice came from the throne, saying, 'Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!' And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!" (Rev. 19:5-6)
To praise God is to acknowledge the glories of His excellent Person. God alone is worthy of our praise. (Psm. 18:3; 113:3) His whole creation will praise Him. (Psm. 148:1-7) The praise word "HalleluYah" or "Alleluia" consists of two words - "Hallel" means Praise and "YAH" is the shortened name for "YAHWEH". The Lord Jesus Christ led His disciples out as far as Bethany, "and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen." (Lk. 24:50-53)
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