JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

You asked about Revelation 3:14. Many wonder whether this means Jesus was created by God.

The correct meaning of the phrase "the beginning of the creation of God" is the BEGINNER of all creation. It refers to ITS ORIGINATING INSTRUMENT (see Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus is the Head and Governor of all creatures; He is the King of creation. For further evidence of this meaning, please see the commentary by Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown and the one by Adam Clarke.

Proverbs 8:22-25 is sometimes cited as evidence that Jesus was created. However, this passage is clearly referring to WISDOM PERSONIFIED (see verse 1), not to God! Notice that God POSSESSED wisdom in the beginning and used it in creating the worlds.

The Bible tells us plainly that Jesus (who was known as Melchizedek anciently) had no beginning of days nor end of life (Heb. 7:1-3). He was not created, but was the Creator of all things that were made (Col. 1:16). He was with the Father in the beginning, and all things were made by Him (John 1:1-3). He has always existed.

Thank you for your question. If you have additional Bible questions, please send them to us. We will be happy to answer them for you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT