LESSON No.39.

of 58
CREATION and CROSS

CREATION
The book of Genesis contains accurately concise historical information which explains
how life came to exist on the planet we know as earth. The book is seen to contain
information which focuses almost exclusively on the earth and life on it. Rather than
being concerned with the details of life which may exist elsewhere the information is
confined to what is directly connected to the earth and life on it. This information,
known as the creation account is claimed to have been inspired by God so that his
human family might have knowledge of their own beginnings and their relationship with
their creator and maker. That is creator in the sense of creating something which has
never existed and maker in the sense of using existing elements to form it into
something new.
The word Create has a very specific meaning in Biblical terms. While the words create,
form and make are used interchangeably by some translators, there are shades of
difference in their exact meanings. A careful bible reader should take note of and be
aware of these differences.
Creation carries the meaning that something is made to exist which has never existed
before. On the other hand, the words make and form includes using something
already in existence to shape something new.
The Bible teaches Creation, simply and straightforwardly. It says there was only one
creator who was God almighty, Jehovah. It also implies some assistance in the
creation process by using the word Elohim (plural-gods) at Genesis 1:1. This is further
confirmed at Genesis 1:26 where the account refers to us and our and also at John
1:1, where it tells us an entity known as The Word was present with God from the
beginning.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.
Gen 1:2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. NKJ
Genesis 1:26 Then God [Elohim] said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. . . NAB
John 1:1 In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a
god. NWT

While the phrase a god has caused a great deal of controversy by those supportive of
the Trinity doctrine, it nonetheless is a legitimate translation of the original meaning.
[See Lesson on 'Trinity for detailed explanation of this translation and also see god under
definitions]

The Genesis account differentiates in its description with the use of the word create for
some things, and the use of the words form or make in other instances. A careful
reader should take note of this. As the inspirer of the holy writings, YHWH God was
certainly aware of differences and shades of meaning in the words he originally inspired
to be written.
Isaiah 45:18 For this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the [true]
God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it,
who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited: "I am Jehovah,
and there is no one else. NWT. [note; First creator then former, two different words with
important differences in their meanings]

Appreciating the shades of nuance between these words gives us a clearer and more
accurate understanding of the Creation process in Genesis.
Isaiah 45:18 tells us by implication that the heavens and earth were first created and
firmly established prior to the earth being formed or made to be inhabited. Also, that a
vast number of things related to the earth were made from elements already existing on
earth
Isaiah 45:18 For thus said the LORD, The Creator of heaven who alone is God, Who formed the
earth and made it, Who alone established it -- He did not create it a waste, But formed it for
habitation: I am the LORD, and there is none else. TNK
Or as the KJV w/ codes has it;

Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith <0559> (08804) the LORD <03068> that created <01254>
(08802) the heavens <08064>; God <0430> himself that formed <03335> (08802) the earth
<0776> and made <06213> (08802) it; he hath established <03559> (08790) it, he created
<01254> (08804) it not in vain <08414>, he formed <03335> (08804) it to be inhabited
<03427> (08800): I am the LORD <03068>; and there is none else. KJV

A Bible Dictionary defines words translators take liberties with.

(Remember, that some definitions commonly listed in dictionaries reflect the cultures
erroneous practice of interchanging certain word meanings for each other.)
CREATED Hebrew <H1254> {baw-raw'}
1) to create, shape, form
1a) (Qal) to shape, fashion, create (always with God as subject)
1a1) of heaven and earth
1a2) of individual man
1a3) of new conditions and circumstances
1a4) of transformations
1b) (Niphal) to be created 1b1) of heaven and earth
1b2) of birth
1b3) of something new
1b4) of miracles
1c) (Piel)

1c1) to cut down

1c2) to cut out
2) to be fat
2a) (Hiphil) to make yourselves fat
FORMED Hebrew - <H3335> yatsar {yaw-tsar'}
1) to form, fashion, frame
1a) (Qal) to form, fashion
1a1) of human activity
) of divine activity
1a2a) of creation
1a2a1) of original creation
1a2a2) of individuals at conception
1a2a3) of Israel as a people
1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation)
1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created
1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained
1d) (Hophal) to be formed
MADE Hebrew -<H6213> `asah {aw-saw'}
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a) to do 1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
2) (Piel) to press, squeeze
The Bible teaches Creation insofar as it gives credit and honor due to the almighty God
whose name is YHWH (Jehovah), for this great achievement. Yet, it reveals that there
was at least one other intelligent being involved alongside him as a helper, The

WordorLogos (Jesus) whom the Bible establishes to be his first born of all
creation, the one for whom all the creation was accomplished and the one by or
through whom all other things except Jehovah, his father was made. (Col. 1:15-17)

The BIBLE and SCIENCE

The scientific community and Evolutionists have had a field day challenging the bible
account based on erroneous meanings advanced by fundamental religionists and others
who claim to teach the Bible viewpoint yet who themselves do not accurately know what
the Bible actually teaches.

A Common Error most Religions make about Creation.

For example Fundamentalists insist that the time element in Genesis is a literal seven
days. In contrast, evolutionists and the scientific community claim they can prove the
earth and the natural systems on it, including humans have been around for eons of
time.
Fundamentalists are intransigent in their position despite the fact that a true
understanding of the word for day which is Yom has other meanings than twenty
four hours. According to one encyclopedia, a Yom in Hebrew can refer to any of the
following;
1.) A Period of light (as contrasted with the period of darkness. 2.) Period of twenty-four hours.
3.) the General term for time. 4.) A Point of time 5. Sunrise to sunset 6. Sunset to next sunset 7.)
A year (in the plural; I Sam 27:7; Ex 13:10, etc.) 8.) A time period of unspecified length. And 9.)
A long, but finite span of time - age - epoch - season.

Thus, when the time frame of a literal twenty four hour day is applied to the Hebrew
word Yom, a seemingly unsurmountable chasm is established between what the Bible
says and what the scientific community determines to be incontrovertible fact. This
chasm disappears when a Yom (day) is seen in its alternate meanings, such as A time
period of unspecified length, and or a long, but finite span of time age epoch-season.
In summation, the Bible teaches that what we refer to as the creation (all things natural
and scientific) is based on the concept of intelligent design. And that the super intelligent
being who designed and brought these things into existence is a divine being identified as
YHWH Elohim in the book of Genesis. Also that this creation occurred over a very long
yet otherwise undisclosed period of time as it is measured by humans.

REVIEW QUESTIONS for CREATION

1. What is the difference between the words create and form or make
P. 1.
2. Who can be shown to have been with YHWH God at a time designated the beginning in Genesis? P. 1.
3. Why has the Scientific Community been so effective in challenging Bible Creation?
P. 4.

4. What is a common creation error most religions perpetuate?

P. 4.

The CROSS, and what THE BIBLE truthfully reveals, about it

The CROSS
This lesson does not endeavor to discuss the meaning behind the death of Jesus Christ.
It deals with the question of whether the Cross itself, as represented by the various
denominations of Christendom is or is not in harmony with Bible truth.
The Cross is recognized by most professing Christians as the instrument Jesus Christ was
put to death on in Jerusalem in the year 33 CE. However, a small number of Bible
scholars including Jehovahs Witnesses argue that the cross in its common usage is but a
falsehood in the way it is represented in most peoples minds. They maintain that the
cross was not the instrument Jesus Christ was impaled on. That it was a stake or pole and
the Cross was in reality a pagan symbolism with roots as far back as the Babylonian
mystery religions which worshipped Lucifer, (the Devil).
The main points of argument by both sides are as follows;
Proponents offer support for their position as a long established tradition dating from
the 3rd century onward, supporting the Cross as the instrument of Christs death. The
Cross is a deeply entrenched tradition within the churches of Christendom. Their
position is that a vast quantity of evidence in a long tradition supports the understanding
that the cross was the instrument of Jesus death.
Jehovahs Witnesses and those scholars listed below, among others argue that in the
Koine Greek, the language in which the N.T. was originally written, the word stauros
and xylon described the instrument of Christs death and that does not support the
under-standing that the cross was the instrument Jesus was put to death on. They claim
these words translate stake and tree or timber. In either case, there never was an
implication of the cross beam or horizontal member which defines a cross. Therefore,
they view the Cross as an example of a teaching with falsehood as its roots.
Their arguments are outlined below;
The Koine Greek terms used in the New Testament of the structure on which Jesus died
are stauros () and xylon (). Those words, which can refer to many different
things, do not indicate the precise shape of the structure. Scholars have subsequently
advanced arguments either for, or against, the structure being in the shape of the
traditional Christian cross.

"Stauros" interpreted as stake only

Crucifixion on a stake,
by Justus Lipsius (De cruce)
W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words also states that the primary
meaning of stauros was an upright pale or stake on which malefactors were nailed for
execution. Vine said the shape of the ecclesiastical form of two-beamed cross had its
origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (taking on the
shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in Chaldea and nearby lands, including
Egypt. Vine said third century churches, which by then had departed from certain
doctrines of the Christian faith, accepted pagans into the faith in order to increase their
prestige and allowed them to retain their pagan signs and symbols. "Hence the Tau or T,
in its most frequent form, with the cross-piece lowered, was adopted to stand for the
'cross' of Christ."
The book Dual Heritage -The Bible and the British Museum states: It may come as a
shock to know that there is no word such as cross in the Greek of the New Testament.
The word translated cross is always the Greek word [stauros] meaning a stake or
upright pale. The cross was not originally a Christian symbol; it is derived from Egypt
and was popularized by Constantine who claimed to have seen it in a vision before going
into battle.

APOSTOLIC EVIDENCE
Would a 1st century Christian venerate the implement that was used to execute their
Lord Jesus? For that matter, should Christians today?
If we understood the actual instrument was a tree or stake how would we revere it today?
It makes sense that it would not be seen as something worthy of esteem or admiration
based on its culpable connection with Christs death. . On the other hand, when the Tau
symbol, which is actually indicative of pagan (satanic) worship, appears in the most
prominent positions in churches and other venues of worship, it may carry an entirely
different meaning from what most people are inclined attach to it.

"Rather than consider the torture stake upon which Jesus was impaled a relic to be
worshiped, the Jewish early Christians like Simon Peter considered it to be an
abominable thing. At Galatians 3:13 the apostle Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:23 and
says: "It is written: "Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake."" Hence the Jewish
Christians viewed this instrument as something shameful rather than something
glorious.
Convincing proof comes from Gods Word. The apostle Paul says: Christ by purchase
released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is
written: Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake [a tree, King James Version].
(Galatians 3:13) Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, which clearly refers to a stake,
not a cross. Since such a means of execution made the person a curse, it would not be
proper for early Christians to decorate their homes with images of Christ impaled.
However, physical secular evidence or expert opinions are not the primary means a
serious Bible student uses to determine Gods own viewpoint on a question. The primary
concern of a serious Bible student is knowing what Gods word indicates he is thinking on
any given issue. And for determining that the Bible itself is the most important way,
holding priority over all other sources.
Before exploring what scripture and scriptural principals indicate as to what Gods
thinking is on the matter, consider the position and status the cross holds in the
religious beliefs of most persons who say they follow Christ and view themselves as
Christians.
For them, the Cross is:
1. The dominant symbol elevated to the highest point of prominence over
churches, the very top of church steeples.
2. The focal point of altars in most churches.
3. The main ornamentation and primary symbol used in clerical garments and
vestments.
4. Iconology in the form of Crucifixes on prominent and importantly
conspicuous walls in religious institutions, residences and in private homes.
5. Jewelry and ornamentation worn either symbolically by most persons as a
talisman or a charm and held to have mystical effect to benefit the wearer.
6. The dominant symbol used in religious literature and even embossed on many
versions of the Holy bible.
All this homage, adoration, devotion and worshipful veneration for what basically and
fundamentally is perceived as the instrument of Christs death defies logical explanation.
On the other hand as an element of satanic irony the Cross makes remarkable sense.

The idea of getting those who think they are following Jesus Christ to actually venerate
an image of the instrument used by followers of Satan to kill him is incongruous and can
only logically appeal to Satanic Irony.
However, let us concern ourselves with the Bible principals which bear on Gods view of
the cross and the worshipful veneration so-called Christians afford to it.

A. Gods directive included in the Ten Commandments;

From 3 different versions of the Bible:
Exodus 20:4,5. 'You shall not make yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in
heaven above or on earth beneath or in the waters under the earth.:5 'You shall not bow down to
them or serve them. For I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God and I punish a parent's fault in
the children, the grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren among those who hate me; NJB
Exodus 20:4,5. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above
or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship
them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the
fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, NIV
Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of any thing that is
in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth
generation of them that hate me, ASV

B. The Cross as an Icon and Idol:

None would contest that the Cross as it is held today, is an iconic likeness which is
respected, venerated, and even in some cases worshipped. Wars have been fought under
this symbol and men have died for it. As such, this constitutes idolatry which is clearly
prohibited in the Bible as shown in Pauls admonition at 1 Corinthians 10:14
(from three Bible versions)

Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. NIV

Therefore, my beloved, avoid idolatry. NAB
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from the service of idols. DRA

The Apostle Pauls admonition to Christians is explicit. Christians are to avoid all forms of
idolatry.
C. Historical affiliation of the Cross What does history reveal about he cross?
Venerating the Cross also bespeaks a violation of scriptural principals, if for no other
reason than its connection with pagan worship. Earliest historical affiliation of the
cross and cross symbolism is with Pagan worship and has its roots in ancient Sumeria
and Babylon.
The Tau Cross

Earliest historical affiliation of the cross and cross symbolism is with pagan worship
which has its roots in ancient Sumeria and Babylon where the Tau cross represented
the Sumerian solar deity Tammuz. Tammuz was a forerunner of the Roman god Mithras
and the Greek god Attis which the Tau also symbolized. It has also appeared on ancient
sculptures depicting Egyptian and Assyro-Babylonian divinity, such as Isis and Osiris, as
a symbol of life and immortality. Since all the mythological gods are thought to be
different manifestations of Lucifer, the Tammuz cross is a symbolic idol of his presence.
Incidentally, Ancient Babylon is recognized by Bible scholars such as Alexander Hislop
(Two Babylons) as the original root source of all false religion.
The following verses give us an indication as to Gods own feelings regarding how he sees
any integrating of satanic symbolism with true worship approved by him.
From several different Bible Versions;
2 Corinthians 6:14, 16. Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what
fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have
with darkness? NWT16 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols?
For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I
will be their God, and they will be my people. NLT
2 Corinthians 6:14, 16. Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is
there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light
and darkness? NRS What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the
temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among
them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ESV
Deuteronomy 5:9 you must not bow down to these gods or serve them. For I, Yahweh
your God, am a jealous God and I punish the parents' fault in the children, the grand-children
and the great-grandchildren, among those who hate me; NJB
1 Corinthians 10:20 What I say is that the things offered by the Gentiles are offered to
evil spirits and not to God; and it is not my desire for you to have any part with
evil spirits. BBE
1 Corinthians 10:20 No, it does not; simply that when pagans sacrifice, what is sacrificed
by them is sacrificed to demons who are not God. I do not want you to share with
demons. NJB
Deuteronomy 4:24 For the Lord your God is an all-burning fire, and he will not let the
honour which is his be given to any other. BBE
Deuteronomy 4:24 For Jehovah your God is a consuming fire, a God exacting exclusive
devotion. NWT

Holy Scripture strongly implies that the true God would never lower himself, either to
adopt or share a symbol representing false deities in furtherance of his own holy
purposes.
D. The Cross as a violation of Truth

It need only be added that there is not a single sentence in any of the numerous writings
forming the New Testament, which, in the original Greek, bears even indirect evidence to
the effect that the stauros used in the case of Jesus was other than an ordinary stauros;
consisting of one piece of timber, not of two pieces nailed together in the form of a cross.
On the other hand, a legitimate scriptural case can be made for a stake of timber as the
single unique element describing the device of Jesus execution.
Along these lines, in writing to the believers in Galatia, Paul said,
though we [i.e., the apostles], or an angel from heaven, publicly announce any other gospel to you
than that which we have publicly announced to you, let him be eternally condemned. As we said
before, so say I now again, if any man publicly announce any other gospel to you than that you have
received, let him be eternally condemned. (Galatians 1:8-9)

Given Pauls exhortation, we must make every effort to NEVER add anything which simply
is not true is to Gods word. The Bible speaks of the stake and the tree, NEVER a cross.
In the matter of honesty, it demands that we should no longer translate as "cross" a word
which at the time the Gospels were written did not signify something cross-shaped. It is
equally incumbent upon us, from a moral point of view, that we should cease to render as
crucify or crucified that which meant impaled and which never bore any authentic
relationship to a cross.
Since the Cross does not represent a Bible truth, it should not be viewed as such. It
should be seen as te manmade tradition it truly is. It represents a teaching which is in
the least disingenuous and at worst a blatantly false, honoring the instrument it is claims
Jesus was put to death on.
Who ultimately is honored by a perversion such as this? Would it not be a direct and
ongoing affront to the true God and his son Jesus, for his followers to continuously heap
praise, honor and glory on what they think is the instrument of their Lords torture and
death?
In affording the Cross iconic status those adherents who believe they are honoring Jesus
are actually dishonoring their Lord over and over. They indirectly honor those who
caused the saviors death by honoring the instrument of his death. Also, by continuing to
worship an idolatrous image in clear sight of the true God YHWH before all observers,
are they not heaping insult upon insult and disavowing the real truth, beauty and value
behind the sacrificial death of his beloved son, Christ Jesus?
In all this, it is clear to an objective observer that the way the Cross is revered and
iconized draws attention to it as the instrument used by Satans arch enemy in an
attempt to destroy Gods messiah. This can be seen by Satans supporters as a symbol
honoring him through the instrument they perceive he used to accomplish Jesus death.
REVIEW QUESTIONS for CROSS

5. What meaning do most who consider themselves Christians attach to the cross?
6. Does the word Cross appear anywhere in original scripture?
7. How did the Early Christians consider the instrument of Jesus death?
8. What positions does the Cross occupy, in churches showing the high esteem it is held with?
9. What is found in the Ten Commandments concerning Idols?
10. Why can it be said the Cross is an idol to some people?
11, Why can the cross be considered a violation of Bible truth?
12. How can the Cross be seen as a symbolic symbol dishonoring YHWH God.?

The next lesson will consider the subjects:

DEATH, ETERNITY and FAITH

P. 5.
P. 6
P. 6.
P. 7.
P. 7.
P. 8.
P. 9.
P. 10.