G. K. Beale: God’s Sovereignty in Creation Leads to His Sovereignty in Judgment and Redemption

I recently read this little nugget in the dissertation of Wheaton New Testament scholar G. K. Beale, a work entitled The Use of Daniel in Jewish Apocalyptic Literature and in the Revelation of St. John (University Press, 1984).  Commenting on how the creation motif fits into the general flow of Revelation 4-5, Beale drops this little jewel:

“We see that God’s sovereignty in creation is the basis for His sovereignty in judgment and in redemption, which is especially understood against the background of Daniel 4:35-37…in Revelation 4:11b.”

That’s a thought worth pondering.  The sovereign God establishes His authority in creation, and extends it in the age to come.  It is difficult to see how we could affirm the Lord’s utter dominion in creation if we do not affirm His corresponding dominion in matters of salvation.  He is the Sovereign.  He is the Lord.  His revelation reveals Him from first to last as the One who needs give no account to anyone–but to whom we must all give account.

(Image: Akhtarnama–ironically, I think)