The Creature

Not long ago, I saw a video of a bible study.  Essentially, it was an in depth ‘word’ study comparing two single words: 'creation' and 'creature.'  In it, the conclusion was that a creature as used in scripture referred to a man, an animal, or an angel—as they were live, animate beings.  A creation on the other hand was something inanimate; for instance, a piece of furniture, a tree, etc.

However, in reference to the creature mentioned in Romans 1 and Romans 8, a study of the key words ‘worship and serve’ along with the phrase “the creature” is needed in order to produce a definition for 'the creature.'  A definition that is literally out of this world! 

Below are some verses containing a combination of most (or all) of those key words to consider in order to see God’s definition for ‘the creature.’  As you review them, take particular note of the wording in Rom 8:19-21 which cannot be denied or ignored as relating to something that is alive; something that is capable of expecting, or that has a will, or has a hope “by reason of him” who put it in the bondage of corruption. 

Deuteronomy 4:19

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest THE SUN, AND THE MOON, AND THE STARS, EVEN ALL THE HOST OF HEAVEN, shouldest be driven to WORSHIP them, and SERVE them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Deuteronomy 17:3

And hath gone and SERVED other gods, and WORSHIPPED them, EITHER THE SUN, OR MOON, OR ANY OF THE HOST OF HEAVEN, which I have not commanded;

Jeremiah 8:2

And they shall spread them before THE SUN, AND THE MOON, AND ALL THE HOST OF HEAVEN, whom they have loved, and whom they have SERVED, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have WORSHIPPED: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

Romans 1:25

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and WORSHIPPED and SERVED THE CREATURE more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Romans 8:19-21

For the earnest EXPECTATION of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

For THE CREATURE was made subject to vanity, NOT WILLINGLY, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same IN HOPE,

Because THE CREATURE ITSELF also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

For we know that the WHOLE CREATION groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Romans 1:25 simply says they “worshipped and served the creature” not giving any hint as to what the creature is (although, even many grace teachers stumble over trying to explain exactly what it is). But linking the key words (worship and serve) with Deuteronomy 4:19, Deuteronomy 17:3 and Jeremiah 8:2 we can come to a conclusion of who the creature is.  It is, “the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and all of the host of heaven.” 

It’s interesting to see that Romans 8:19-22 mention both ‘the creature’ and the ‘whole creation.’  So what makes up the “whole creation”?  The answer would be, the creature PLUS whatever is left.   And, what is it that is left out?  The earth! 

In other words, it is safe to say all would agree that the WHOLE creation of God includes…

>  the earth, and
>  the heaven, which would include
>  the sun,

>  the moon, the stars,

>  the planets, including the earth, and

>  all the angels (elect and fallen; i.e., the host of heaven).

The creature on the other hand, scripture teaches, is only…

>  the sun,

>  the moon, the stars, and

>  the host of heaven.

Therefore, the creature plus the earth equal the "whole creation."

While the unsaved world will mock, and puffed up bible scholars will scoff, the serious bible students with readiness of mind are exhorted to consider and let the Holy Ghost be our teacher, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, searching them out to see whether they are so. 

2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

1 Corinthians 2:13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Acts 17:11

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

In our finite minds, we must not try to explain it according to a dictionary or any other way common to man, but as the Spirit leads, comparing verse with verse, studying every word—rightly divided—letting scripture say what it means and mean what it says.  It is the Lord that will give the understanding, but only if his word is received and believed…understood just yet, or not. 

2 Peter 3:16

As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood…

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with these verses to ponder…

Ephesians 1:10

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

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Whether one agrees or disagrees, let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. And last of all, let us all remember...

1 Corinthians 8:2

And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

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Listen to this 10-minute summary teaching by Michael McDaniel of Millenium Bible Institute regarding:  THE CREATURE.  

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Update: 7/29/2019

Why I believe Paul did not write Hebrews

2 Thess 3:17

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

If you look up the word "salutation" in the dictionary, you'll find a definition that goes something like this: 

SALUTATION: 

- word of greeting used to begin a letter opening 

- the initial part of the introduction.

While we today sign our name at the bottom of letters we write, that's not how epistles (i.e., letters of instruction meant to teach, as from a teacher to a student) were written.

Rather, verse 17 is instructing us that Paul is the author of the epistles, Romans-Philemon.  Those are the only books that contain his name in their introduction, as shown below.

Romans 1:1
PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

1 Corinthians 1:1
PAUL called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 Corinthians 1:1
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Galatians 1:1
PAUL, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Ephesians 1:1
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 1:1
PAUL and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Colossians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

1 Thessalonians 1:1
PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:1
PAUL, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Timothy 1:1
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

2 Timothy 1:1
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

Titus 1:1
PAUL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

Philemon 1:1
PAUL, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

...and then there is the book of Hebrews that does not include that salutation of Paul, that which is "the token in every epistle" he writes. 

The scriptures do not lie.  Either that token is in every epistle Paul wrote, or it isn't.  This is why Hebrews cannot be said to have been written by the Apostle Paul.