Colossians 1:15b – Things

… things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;

Summary: Looking over Paul’s list of “things,” we discover that he has a firm grasp not only of our material world but of the spiritual realm as well.

Heaven / Earth
Visible / Invisible
Thrones / Powers
Rulers / Authorities

Paul lists eight things in his description of things created by Jesus. If I were to divide them into two groups, I would list them this way:

Group 1: Heaven / Invisible /Powers / Authorities

Group 2: Earth / Visible / Thrones / Rulers

Both of these groups tell a story. The first group is a story about eternal things. The second group is about the things of this world.

Jesus created them all.

There are so many things we do not know, so many we cannot know. Our minds cannot conceive of the invisible things we cannot see.

For example, where was Jesus before heaven was created?

The spiritual realm is different than our physical world. When God created our world, he did us a great favor. Our physical realm is bound by three dimensions of space. Life is divided into past, present, and future. Our world has form and substance.

Imagine a place where there is nothing, not even space. Imagine an existence defined by infinity.

We can’t. Our brains don’t work that way. As God reminds us through the prophet Isaiah:

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

We understand things that are visible. We know what the earth is and what thrones and rulers are. The rest of it is just guessing. To understand heaven, we will have to go there. To do that, we have to shed our bodies and enter the realm of the invisible people. When that happens, we will begin to understand the powers and authorities that undergird everything visible.

Application: Go someplace where you can see the stars at night and ponder them.

Food for Thought: If Jesus existed before there was a heaven, why did heaven need to be made?

10 Replies to “Colossians 1:15b – Things”

  1. If Jesus existed before there was a heaven, why did heaven need to be made?
    Because God knew about our sin and how we would turn out. He knew we would need a place that we could be in the presence of the Trinity without sin.

  2. If Jesus existed before there was a heaven, why did heaven need to be made?

    We often speak about the perfection of God, how He is life and love, the giver and sustainer of life, how His love flows outward and creates new life, and how sin separates us from Him, which is death.

    The answer to your question that comes to my mind is that God always prepares a place for His creation. And in His love, He wants His creation to reside with Him, have fellowship with Him.

    John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

    In the book of Isaiah and Revelation there are descriptions of the throne room in Heaven, and descriptions of God’s creation outside of mankind. I feel confident to say that God prepared a place where all of His creation could reside in His presence. But not just “a place,” a place where He could share His glory. A place where His creation could be in the presence of His glory.

    Isaiah 66:1
    Thus says the Lord:
    “Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool;
    what is the house that you would build for me,
    and what is the place of my rest?

    Psalm 19
    The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

    1. Thank you, Chris!

      There is a wonderful feeling of comfort that comes over me as I read your thoughts on heaven. You and Tim are on the same track!

  3. Good comments. CH stole a couple of the passages I was going to use 😊. I hope you all have a wonderful day.

      1. Exodus 20:15 – “You shall not steal.” Deuteronomy 5:19 – “You shall not steal.” Proverbs 29:24 – “Whoever is partner with a thief hates their own life; they hear the curse, but disclose nothing.” Malachi 3:8-9 – “Will a mere mortal rob God?

  4. If Jesus existed before there was a heaven, why did heaven need to be made?
    God being all knowing and not limited by time, knew we would sin, and need a place that His redemption plan could be inacted. He needed to create a place for his finite creatures, angels, etc. to come before Him. He needed a place for people to associate with Him and His presence. Something us sinful creatures could relate to.

    Thus says the Lord:
    “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?”

    The imagery He uses is for our sake.

    1. Thank you Angela!

      Isn’t it wonderful that we have a God who not only records his words for us in the Bible, but also makes the effort to build such beautiful word pictures for us!

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