John 1:3-4. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (KJV)

The questions regarding the origin of the universe have always been there. Where did we come from? How did everything get here? Is there something else beyond this life? Am I part of something big? Does my life have any meaning? How did I get here? Every worldview, whether secular or religious, must answer these fundamental questions of life and purpose.

The three foundational components of our physical reality are time, space, and matter. These three are completely interdependent in the structure of reality and must come into existence together. If time is missing, there will be no change. If matter is missing, there will be nothing to change. If space is missing, there will be nowhere for anything to exist or for change to occur. They stand or fall together.

The Big Bang is the scientific model used to describe the origins of our universe. According to this model, space, time, matter, and energy began from an extremely hot, dense state. Space itself rapidly expanded, and as the universe cooled in the earliest fractions of a second, fundamental particles formed. These later combined into atoms, stars, galaxies, and planets.

But what was before the Big Bang? One scientific view suggests there was nothing before it because time itself began at the Big Bang. If time began there, then there cannot logically be a “before.” Other theoretical models—such as quantum vacuum states, inflationary pre-states, cyclic universes, or multiverse concepts—suggest there may have been something prior. Yet even those proposals lead to another question: what preceded that?

In the end, there is a measure of faith required in any origin explanation. The atheist may ask the Christian, “If God created everything, who created God?” and not see the hypocrisy its inherent hypocrisy. The same question could be posed about any proposed pre-Big Bang state. Every worldview must eventually account for an uncaused cause.

Genesis 1:1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (KJV).

In the very first verse of the Bible, we are told of the origins of our Universe:

• In the beginning (Time)
• God created (Creator – outside of time)
• The heaven (Space)
• And the earth (Matter)

I have long been fascinated by disciplines that explore the wonders of creation, particularly astronomy and genetics. The universe is so vast that we require a special ruler to measure it: the light year. A light year is the distance light travels at 186,000 miles per second for one year. In miles, one light year equals 5.88 trillion miles. The observable universe is estimated to span approximately 93 billion light years in diameter—and that represents only what we can currently detect with existing technology!

Isaiah 44:24. Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself. (KJV).

As vast as the universe is, Scripture describes God as stretching out the heavens. What overwhelms our imagination does not strain Him. Handling the universe for God is like folding laundry. We often underestimate the greatness of God because we have not truly grasped the greatness of what He has made.

The building blocks of the universe are galaxies. A galaxy is a massive collection of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity. They range from about 10,000 to 100,000 light years in diameter. It is estimated that there are over two trillion galaxies in the observable universe, each containing millions to trillions of stars. The scale is staggering. Just how great must one be to keep record of all the stars in the universe?

Isaiah 40:25-26. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? Saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. KJV.

Of these galaxies, one is special to us because it contains our solar system: the Milky Way galaxy. It stretches roughly 100,000 light years across. Within its billions of stars, one is our sun. We sit about 93 million miles away from that blazing sphere of fire. One second of the sun’s energy output is comparable to billions of nuclear bombs detonated at once. Yet we are positioned at precisely the right distance.

Orbiting our sun are planets, including our home, Earth. Earth lies within what scientists call the “habitable” or “Goldilocks” zone. Its distance from the sun allows for an average temperature of 59°F (15°C), abundant liquid water, a protective magnetic field, and an atmosphere rich in nitrogen and oxygen—conditions necessary for life.

If Earth were slightly closer, like Venus, average temperatures would reach approximately 900°F (475°C), with thick carbon dioxide and virtually no water. If slightly farther, like Mars, temperatures would average -85°F (-65°C), with a thin atmosphere and mostly frozen water. Either scenario would make life as we know it impossible.

On this finely tuned planet, God placed life, with man as the crown jewel of His creation.

Psalm 139: 13-14. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. KJV.

The human body contains trillions of cells, each containing approximately two meters of DNA. If the DNA in a single human body were stretched out end to end, it would span astronomical distances many times over. This intricate code carries the blueprint for growth, repair, coordination, and function.

Consider the living supercomputer of the brain, the precision of the eye, the constant battle waged by the immune system against invaders, and the complex electrical, chemical, and mechanical systems working in harmony. Even in a fallen world, the human body remains an astonishing testimony to design.

Now consider these two passages together:

Psalm 19:1-3. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. KJV.

The universe is not oversized by accident. It speaks. From the jungles to the cities, any person can look at the blazing sun by day or the star-filled sky by night and immediately sense two truths: there is a God, and He is powerful and glorious.

Yet not all acknowledge this truth.

Romans 1: 18-23. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (what truth are they holding in unrighteousness?) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Two-factor authentication of God: one, you can look at creation and know that there is no creation without a creator; and two, this truth is manifest in them, coded into man’s conscience. This is the truth that they hold in unrighteousness) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (In an effort to suppress the truth they really do know, they made up other conclusions. Observing creation and coming to any other conclusion other than that there is a God and He is powerful is vain imaginations and foolish Prov. 14:1) and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts and creeping things (the glory that should go to God goes into saying we evolved from apes, or attributing deity status to the created). KJV.

Creation testifies. Conscience affirms. Yet truth can be suppressed. The evidence of a Creator is visible in what has been made and internally sensed within man.

To conclude, we return to the primary text:

John 1:3-4. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (KJV).

The Lord Jesus is the absolute Governor of all things created. It is all His by right of creation. If there is life, it originated in Him and continues because of Him. Humanity alone is said to receive “light” — spiritual awareness, the capacity to know God. Man is set apart because God has given us the knowledge of Him and the possibility of relationship with Him.

Creation points beyond itself.
Life points to its Source.
And the light given to men calls us back to our Creator.

Amen.