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As we consider the pre-existence of Jesus Christ, we will concentrate on the fact that He actually existed before He
was born of the virgin Mary. The scriptures reveal that Christ existed even before this world and universe were created.
Therefore, Jesus is declared to be the eternal Son of God. In fact, Christ has neither beginning nor ending. It is rather
difficult for most of us to understand the eternal since almost all we encounter in this world has both a beginning and
ending. So, for us to acknowledge that Jesus is eternal and has neither beginning nor ending takes a great deal of faith.
However, since our faith is firmly grounded in the inspired word of God, we can embrace and rejoice in the truth of
Christ’s pre-existence.
It is easy enough to prove that Christ existed during the period of the Old Testament dispensation. We know for
a fact that Jesus existed before the time of Abraham. Jesus revealed this truth to some Jews during the time He dwelt on
earth. "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58). Abraham is
considered the “father of the Jews”, but many, then and now, find it difficult to understand His words. However, it does
not lessen the truth of them. Jesus actually existed long before His birth on earth.
Now, let us look farther back in time to the creation of the world. Jesus was there! The eternal existence of Christ
is unquestionably declared by the Gospel of John. It begins differently from the other three gospel records. Matthew
begins with the ancient ancestral lines from which Christ came and then immediately deals with His earthly birth.
Mark seems to ignore many of those details and begins basically with His earthly ministry. Luke begins by
considering the births of both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. However, John looks all the way back to the creation
of the world. He reveals that Jesus existed in the beginning and was actually involved in the creation. The Gospel of
John begins with these important words: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing
made that was made" (John 1:1-3). In verse fourteen of the same chapter, he reveals that the “Word” was in fact Jesus,
the Son of God. How can any deny His glorious preexistence?
But it is possible to go back even beyond the creation. The initial act of God’s creative work can be described as
laying “the foundation of the world.” Laying the foundation of a building is where the structure begins. Before that point
of construction, the plans are conceived and laid out. Once they are complete, the foundation must be put in place to
support the building. With that in mind, let us give careful attention to what Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven. He
said, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which
thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24). According to Jesus, He was
embraced in the Father’s love, before the foundation of this world was laid. That means Christ existed before this world
was created.
As we look back before the creation, there is little to establish time markers; there was no time as we know it. One
thing we do know is the fact God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Not only did the
Father elect us, but He also glorified His Son, Jesus Christ. He said, "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own
self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was" (John 17:5). There is no mention of the “foundation of
the world” here. Jesus simply stated that He had glory with the Father before the world existed. No doubt Jesus was
glorified eternally before the foundation of the world was laid. Therefore, during all the endless ages of eternity past, Jesus
existed to share in the glory of His Father.
It is no wonder the Prophet Micah said, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). He prophesied of the incarnation of Jesus Christ in a body of flesh and
declared that He would be a ruler in Israel while here on earth. But look carefully at the last words of the prophecy. Micah
established the idea that Jesus, as the Son of God, was “from everlasting.” We often look forward to the everlasting future
to come, but we must also look back to the everlasting past and understand that Jesus was there.
There is a scripture in the Book of Hebrews that speaks specifically of a man named Melchisedek. Of him it
is said, "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made
like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually" (Hebrews 7:3). Some are of the opinion that Melchisedek is
Jesus in the Old Testament. However, we cannot verify that idea by the scriptures. But of this fact we can be sure, Christ
has “an unchangeable priesthood” for “He continueth ever” (Hebrews 7:24). Again and again, His pre-existence is
proclaimed by the word of God.
As we come to conclude our study of this truth, we need to recognize the importance of the pre-existence of
Jesus. This doctrine is not just for theological discussions, for it touches us directly and individually. We need to know and
understand that because He ever lives, He is able to come to the aide of those in peril. One beautiful account is given in
the Book of Daniel. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were cast into a fiery furnace because they would not compromise
their faith in the true and living God. By the sovereign power of God they survived, even though those who cast them into
the furnace died. Later, the onlookers discovered the Son of God in the furnace with them, protecting them as He has
others throughout the ages. Here is the scriptural account, “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in
the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:25). Yes, in His
pre-existence, Christ was there.
Saints throughout the ages have rejoiced in this promise of God, “When thou passest through the waters, I
will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt
not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2). Because Jesus has always existed, He has been
there to keep that promise. Thank God that Jesus has always existed and even now lives in our hearts.
Conclusion
If we believe in His pre-existence, we should gladly commit ourselves to serve and honor Jesus Christ. After all,
saints and angels throughout the ages have worshiped Him. He ever lives and is certainly worthy of our praise. When our
eyes have closed in death, others will continue to devote their very lives to Him. Why not do so while we have the
opportunity? May the Holy Spirit lead us daily in the perfect will of Jesus Christ.
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