Who Is Before the Ages of Time?
Before the creation of time, space, and matter, Elohim existed in eternity, sovereign over all. The Scriptures begin with this profound truth in Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth." This statement not only marks the beginning of the universe but also the commencement of time itself. However, Elohim’s existence transcends this beginning, as He existed in eternity past, unbound by the constraints of time and space. This foundational understanding is central to the Hebraic perspective of Scripture, where Elohim is seen not just as part of creation but as the sovereign ruler over it.
Elohim's Eternal Nature and Sovereignty
In Isaiah 46:9-10, Elohim declares, "I am Elohim, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done." This proclamation of Elohim’s authority reveals that He exists outside of time and governs all events in history. In the Hebraic view, time is linear, with a clear beginning and end—both of which are directed by Elohim. From the moment of creation, Elohim has been orchestrating history toward His divine purposes. Nothing is random; every event, every prophecy is moving toward a predestined conclusion, which Elohim declared before time began.
El Elyon: The Most High God (אֵ֥ל עֶלְיֹֽון)
The name El Elyon (אֵ֥ל עֶלְיֹֽון), meaning “God Most High,” signifies Elohim's supremacy over all creation, both physical and spiritual. First mentioned in Genesis 14:18-22, Melchizedek, king of Salem, blesses Abram by the name El Elyon, “Possessor of heaven and earth.” This title underscores Elohim’s ultimate authority over all that exists. By invoking this name, Melchizedek recognizes that Elohim is not limited to a specific place or people—He rules over all realms of existence.
In Psalm 57:2, David cries out to El Elyon, proclaiming, “I cry out to Elohim Most High, to El Elyon, who fulfills His purpose for me.” This acknowledgment of Elohim’s sovereignty gives David confidence that El Elyon governs all things according to His divine will.
Paleo-Hebrew Pictographs for El Elyon
In the ancient Paleo-Hebrew script, the pictographs for El Elyon provide deeper insight into the nature of Elohim:
Aleph (א): Represents strength or leadership, often depicted as an ox head.
Lamed (ל): Depicts a shepherd’s staff, symbolizing authority and guidance.
Ayin (ע): Represents an eye, symbolizing insight or vision.
Yod (י): Depicts a hand or arm, symbolizing action or work.
Nun (ן): Represents a seed or fish, symbolizing life and continuity.
Together, these pictographs describe El Elyon as “The Strength and Authority of Vision and Insight, secured by the Work of Life.” This conveys Elohim's active role as both the Creator and sustainer of life. El Elyon is not a distant, passive deity but intimately involved with His creation, guiding it according to His wisdom.
Y’shu’ah Before the Foundation of the Earth
Understanding the preexistence of Y’shu’ah HaMashiach (Jesus Christ) is crucial to understanding Elohim’s eternal nature and His redemptive plan. Y’shu’ah’s role in creation and salvation is central to the Hebraic concept of Elohim’s sovereignty over time and history. In John 1:1-3, we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was with Elohim in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made.” This passage reveals that Y’shu’ah, as the Word (Logos), existed before creation and was the active agent in the formation of all things.
Paleo-Hebrew Insights into Creation: "B'reshit"
The Hebrew word “B'reshit” (בראשׁית), translated as “In the beginning”, holds profound meaning when analyzed through the lens of Paleo-Hebrew. Each letter in B'reshit carries symbolic significance:
Bet (ב): Represents a house or dwelling place.
Resh (ר): Symbolizes a person, often a head or chief.
Aleph (א): Denotes strength or leadership, often associated with Elohim.
Shin (ש): Represents teeth, symbolizing destruction or consumption.
Yod (י): Depicts a hand, representing work or action.
Tav (ת): Represents a covenant or mark, symbolized by a cross.
When these pictographs are combined, B'reshit can be understood as “The House of the Highest Person (Elohim) will be destroyed by His own hand, marked by the covenant (the cross).” This reveals the foreshadowing of Y’shu’ah’s sacrificial role, embedded in the very first word of the Torah. Y’shu’ah’s preexistence and His sacrifice were always part of Elohim’s eternal plan of redemption.
The Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World
Y’shu’ah’s death on the cross was not a reaction to sin but part of Elohim’s predetermined plan. In Revelation 13:8, Y’shu’ah is described as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” This declaration affirms that the crucifixion was not an afterthought but a central aspect of Elohim’s redemptive work, established before the world’s creation. The Passover Lamb in Exodus 12, whose blood protected the Israelites from death, foreshadowed Y’shu’ah’s ultimate sacrifice, whose blood redeems humanity from eternal death.
1 Peter 1:19-20 echoes this truth: “But with the precious blood of Messiah, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” This passage emphasizes that Y’shu’ah was foreordained to be the sacrificial Lamb before the world began, demonstrating Elohim’s timeless plan for humanity’s salvation.
Echad: The Unity of the Father and Son (אחד)
The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4 declares, “Hear, O Israel: Elohim is one (Echad).” The word Echad (אחד) describes a complex unity, not a simple singularity. In Paleo-Hebrew, each letter of Echad provides insights into this unity:
Aleph (א): Represents strength, often associated with Elohim.
Chet (ח): Depicts a fence, symbolizing protection or separation.
Dalet (ד): Represents a door, symbolizing access or entrance.
When combined, Echad suggests “The Strength that Provides Protection and Access.” This reflects the unity of Y’shu’ah and the Father, who, though distinct in their roles, are one in essence and purpose. In John 10:30, Y’shu’ah affirms, “I and the Father are one.” This oneness is further emphasized in Hebrews 1:3, where Y’shu’ah is described as “the radiance of Elohim’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” Together, the Father and Son are unified in their divine mission to redeem creation.
The Significance of Aleph and Tav
In Revelation 22:13, Y’shu’ah declares, “I am the Aleph and the Tav, the Beginning and the End.” Aleph (א) is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and Tav (ת) is the last. This statement emphasizes Y’shu’ah’s preexistence and His eternal sovereignty over all things. The Aleph and Tav also symbolize completeness, as Y’shu’ah is the fulfillment of the entire Torah, which begins with Aleph and points to Tav, the mark of the covenant, symbolizing the cross.
Application: The Relevance of Elohim's Eternal Plan
Understanding Elohim’s eternal nature and Y’shu’ah’s preexistence provides assurance that we are part of Elohim’s divine story, a plan set in motion before time began. Y’shu’ah is not only the Creator but also the Redeemer, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. This knowledge invites us to trust in Elohim’s sovereignty and live with confidence in His eternal purposes. Every aspect of our lives—our trials, victories, and struggles—finds its place within Elohim’s grand narrative of redemption.
Discussion/Reflection Questions
How does the name El Elyon (אֵ֥ל עֶלְיֹֽון) reveal Elohim’s supreme authority over creation?
Consider how this title emphasizes Elohim’s rulership over both the physical and spiritual realms.
What significance does Y’shu’ah’s preexistence hold in understanding His role as Creator and Redeemer?
Reflect on how John 1:1-3 shapes our understanding of Y’shu’ah’s eternal nature and divine mission.
How does the symbolism of the Passover Lamb in Exodus 12 foreshadow Y’shu’ah’s sacrifice?
Explore how the Passover Lamb points to Y’shu’ah’s atoning work on the cross and its implications for our understanding of redemption.
How does the Hebraic concept of Echad (oneness) deepen our understanding of the unity between the Father and Son?
Reflect on how the unity described in Deuteronomy 6:4 and John 10:30 reveals the divine relationship and purpose of Elohim and Y’shu’ah.
What is the significance of Y’shu’ah’s declaration as the Aleph and Tav in Revelation 22:13?
Consider how this statement ties into the Hebraic understanding of completeness and covenant.
This enriched exploration of Elohim’s sovereignty, the preexistence of Y’shu’ah, and the deeper Hebraic symbolism within Scripture provides a richer theological framework for understanding the eternal plan of redemption. Through examining key Hebraic linguistic and prophetic connections, we gain a fuller picture of how Y’shu’ah fulfills the promises of the Torah and brings Elohim’s plan to completion. #Ephraimscry #GregWitter #ElohimEternal #Genesis1 #SovereignCreator #HebraicWisdom #ElElyon #PaleoHebrew
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