I believe that God has given indication of his purpose in creating the universe in the Scriptures. Consider Revelation 4:11:
Revelation 4:11 (NASB)
11 “Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created.”
All things came into being through the will of God. It was God’s pleasure that the universe and everything in it be created. He therefore had a purpose in mind. Isaiah 45:18 tells us:
Isaiah 45:18(NASB)
18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, But formed it to be inhabited), “I am the LORD, and there is none else.
God’s purpose in creating the world was that it might be inhabited. It was therefore God’s desires that the living creatures of the world would bring him pleasure. Psalm 147:10:
Psalm 147:10(NASB)
10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.
This verse tells us that God does not derive his pleasure from the strength of horses, or of men, but verse eleven of this same Psalm says:
Psalm 147:11(NASB)
11 The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His loving kindness
Here is the purpose of God’s creation .....man. Obedient man. It was only man who was “created in the image of God” (Gen. 1:27). All other things were created for man’s use and control. Psalm 8:6-8 tells us:
Psalm 8:6-8(NASB)
6 Thou dost make him to rule over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
This helps us to see God’s purpose. The entire universe was intended by God to be used by man. The Scriptures tell us that even Angels were created for man, Hebrews 1:14:
Heb. 1:14(NASB)
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?
Isaiah 43:7(NASB)
7 Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”
It is man’s responsibility then to glorify God. That’s what brings God pleasure. That’s why he created us. That was his purpose in creation. But he did not make us without free-will. God does not force himself on man. Can you imagine anyone trying to force you to love them? We were therefore created with moral free-will. We can choose to love God, or we can choose to hate him. We can choose to obey, or disobey.
Before the creation of the world, God knew that man would sin and bring physical death into the world, Rom. 5:12
Rom. 5:12(NASB)
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—
And so because he knew that man would sin, he provided a savior. God is not only creator, he is Redeemer. He allows man to sin, and provides an atonement for sin when man desires to repent. Joshua 7:19 says:
Joshua 7:19(NASB)
“Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I implore you, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me.”
Here Joshua is telling Achan, who had stolen from God, that he can give glory and praise to God by his repentance. We give glory and praise to God when we accept his atonement for sin in Jesus Christ. He himself has paid the price. Col. 1:19-22:
Colossians 1:19-22(NASB)
19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—
This is what brings God pleasure. The opportunity to reconcile his creation to himself, through obedience to Him.
Romans 5:8-11(NASB)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
God demonstrates His own love . . . quite a thought. It tells us of his purpose. Remember Luke 15:7?
Luke 15:7(NASB)
7 “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
God rejoices over our repentance, because ultimately, he wants us to be in his presence for all eternity.
Eph 2:4-7(NASB)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
In the ages to come, in eternity, it’s Gods purpose to continue to display his grace to us. All who have been obedient will know Him in his fullness, and will know with certainty why he created the universe and everything in it.
Absolutely right.
Psalm 147:11(NASB) "11 The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His loving kindness"
Here is the purpose of God’s creation .....man. Obedient man. It was only man who was “created in the image of God” (Gen. 1:27). All other things were created for man’s use and control.
In the aforementioned "Patristic way", I can hang with you here. :)
It is man’s responsibility then to glorify God. That’s what brings God pleasure. That’s why he created us. That was his purpose in creation.
Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
But he did not make us without free-will. God does not force himself on man.
No. I knew I was pushing it. :)
Can you imagine anyone trying to force you to love them?
I can't imagine an equal adult human trying to do that, however, I can imagine a loving mother causing her child to love her. If you and I have been good Christian parents to our young children, then they will love us, correct? But as they grow up, then anything goes. That is the comparison I would make. In my view, we never reach the comparative stage of adult child. We remain fully dependent.
We give glory and praise to God when we accept his atonement for sin in Jesus Christ. He himself has paid the price.
Amen!
This is what brings God pleasure. The opportunity to reconcile his creation to himself, through obedience to Him.
I suppose I wouldn't call it an "opportunity" so much as a "doing" for His chosen ones. I can't imagine God having a missed opportunity.
God rejoices over our repentance, because ultimately, he wants us to be in his presence for all eternity.
Yes indeed. (See what I mean by the nuancing?) :)
In the ages to come, in eternity, it’s Gods purpose to continue to display his grace to us. All who have been obedient will know Him in his fullness, and will know with certainty why he created the universe and everything in it.
In this I have eternal hope.
P.S. Thank you very much for all the scriptures. :)