In Colossians 1:16-17, we read, "16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Notice the words, "through Him" and "for Him." Jesus Christ is the God of Genesis 1:1. He was the agent of creation and the purpose of it as well. The whole of the cosmos was made for Him! Both the visible and the invisible.
Electricity was invented by Jesus (not as a man, but as the Eternal Son) before the creation of the world. Including radiation, magnetism, and the dance of electrons from one level of energy to another within the atom that makes light.
It all was the design of the Eternal Son. He not only created forces, but concepts, like grace, mercy, truth, love, and life itself. Jesus Christ is the originator of all life.
Due to the presence of false teachers, the Colossians began to believe that the universe consisted of a "hierarchy of angels." From this idea has come the eastern concept of reincarnation and horoscopes and astrology---the idea that stars influence and define our lives.
Transcendental Meditation which is the means of getting in touch with invisible beings is another example of the false teaching that had crept in to the church in Colossae.
In response, the Apostle Paul was telling the Colossians, "Jesus is above all angels. You are freed from bondage to these lesser beings when you see the true authority and power of your risen Lord." This is the supremacy of the Lord Jesus in His own world!
Nothing can make us more confident and enable us to speak more boldly of our faith than the great truth that Jesus is Lord. Nothing can happen in our lives without His permission. Creation was created through Jesus Christ.
But creation is not only by Him, it is also for Him. It all operates for His purposes. Colossians 1:17 declares, in two great phrases, just how Jesus controls the events of history.
"He is before all things," means He is outside His own creation; He was there when the beginning began. This describes his eternity as the Son of God.
When Paul uses the phrase, "all things by him hold together," he is speaking of Jesus' power to sustain all things. He has the power to sustain, because he is the Eternal Son.
We live among a generation which has lost touch with the One who brings purpose into our lives. We have thrown out all the absolutes, and found ourselves adrift on the unpredictable ocean of life.
What all mankind desperately needs is an Anchor to cling to. Jesus Christ is that anchor. "He is the image of the invisible God...the Creator of all things, who is before all things and holds all things in his hand and power."
