GETTING TO KNOW " THE MIND OF CHRIST"

His Prehuman Existence

Our close associates can have an effect on us, influencing our thoughts, feelings and actions for good or for bad. (Proverbs 13:20) Consider the association that Jesus had in the heavens before coming to earth. The Gospel of John calls attention to Jesus' prehuman existence as "the Word, or Spokesman, of God. Says John: "In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This one was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1, 2) Since Jehovah had no beginning, the Word's being with God from "the beginning" must refer to the start of God's creative works. (Psalm 90:2) Jesus is "the firstborn of all creation." Hence, he existed before other spirit creatures and the physical universe were created.- Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14.

According to some scientific estimates,the physical universe has existed for at least 12 billion years. If those estimates are anywhere near correct, God's firstborn Son enjoyed close association with his Father for eons before the creation of Adam. (Compare Micah 5:2) A tender and deep bond thus developed between the two of them. As wisdom personified, this firstborn Son in his prehuman existence is represented as saying: "I cam to be the one [Jehovah]was specially fond of day by day, I being glad before him all the time. (Proverbs 8:30) Surely spending countless ages in intimate association with the Source of love had a profound effect on God's Son! (1 John 4:8) This S0on came to know and reflect his Father's thoughts, feelings and ways as no one else could. -Matthew 11:27.

Next time: Earthly Life and Influences

Watchtower, 2000