"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
The third distinctive of the glory of Christ is that he created all things; all creation is designed for him, in him and creation is preserved by him. Christ not only created all things but all things continue to subsist because of him.
“For by Him all things were created”
John 1:3 says that Christ created the world. Hebrews 1:2 says the Son made the universe. The Father is the originating cause (source) and the Son is the means by which the world came into being (Rev. 3:14).The extent of the Son’s creation is “all” things. This includes the entire universe whether material or immaterial, heaven or earth.
“that are in heaven and that are on earth visible and invisible”
This phrase refers to the material universe, visible and invisible, space and the physical universe. He made everything that we can see and cannot see.
“whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers”
The words “thrones,” “powers,” “rulers” and “authorities” probably refer to angelic beings and human government. In part, this refers to the hierarchy of angels. The Colossians worshipped angels (Col 2:18). Christ reigns sovereign over angels (cf. Eph. 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Phil. 2:9-10; Col. 2:10, 15). All angelic organizations, whether good or evil, are under the control and power of Jesus Christ. The angels are a highly organized hierarchy over which Christ sovereignly reigns.
“All things were created through Him and for Him”
The first phrase says that all things were created “by” him. That is, Jesus is the cause of creation. He designed creation. However, in this phrase all things were created “through” him. He is the instrument of creation. Jesus Christ is the agent whereby the universe was created. He is the creator.
Finally, creation is designed “for him.” This is a term of purpose. Creation is designed for the glory of Christ. He is the goal of creation. Christ will be glorified in creation. In summary, Christ is the author, the means and the end of creation. The universe finds its goal and perfection in Christ.
Principle:
The universe holds no ultimate horror for the Christian.
Application:
The hands of the sovereign Son of God spun into existence everything that exists. He made the constellations of stars. Why should we worry about having a job next week? He is able to deal with our problems. Why should the Christian worry about an uncertain, uncontrolled, run away world? Jesus Christ is sovereign over it all. He will be glorified in the end.
If Christ created everything, and he is good, just, righteous etc, how do we explain the creation of evil?
Lynne, your comment takes more explanation that in a pithy blog such as this, however, I will give you the short version. First, God did not create evil. The only statement in the Bible that makes a statement that approximates that is a statement whereby He created surd evil (hurricanes, disease, etc as the result of man’s sin). God created man innocent free from sin. The reason He allowed sin to enter the universe is that He had to give man free moral agency to fellowship with him. If He created robots, then there would be no reciprocity of love from man. It would only be a love that He put into the robot. The robot would simply spit out like a computer what God put in. There would be no freedom of will in that. God did not create machines but people. Man, however, sinned and God could no longer fellowship with him to be consistent with His own righteous character. God had to deal with the sin issue by sending His Son to die for the sins of man. Since sins were resolved in the death of Christ, God can fellowship with those who trust the blood of Christ for eternal life.