Length: 5 minutes

The Bible describes the Lord as being both young and ancient. So, which one is it? Well, it’s both, if we have some clues about what the word “youth” really means.

I believe this to be a scripturally founded definition of the word “youth” (it’s at the very least in the ballpark). As you read how the Bible uses the word youth, you see that it seems to refer to the “beginnings” or the “early state” or the “first state.”

So, for instance, the Bible will describe the Lord as being ancient (the opposite of young) in the number of days He has lived, because He has been around for a very long time and is certainly not in the “youth” or in the beginning of His days. He’s been around from everlasting, and His years have no end. So, in the sense of time, He is not in His beginnings (or in His youth). He is not in an early or recent state.

Daniel 7:9 (NKJV) …And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow…

That word “ancient” (which is the word being used for the Lord) literally means “old.” And yet, there are other portions of scripture that describe the Lord as being forever young. It describes the Lord as never growing old. Here’s one example:

Hebrews 1:11-12 (NKJV) …they will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment… and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.”

This verse is clearly contrasting the Lord to those things that grow old. This verse says that the present creation will grow old like a garment, but the Lord is the same (clearly referring to Him as the opposite of old). 

But isn’t the Lord old? He’s been around for a long time? He certainly isn’t in the beginnings of His days? He’s been since everlasting. So how can this verse claim that He’s not old? Well, if you realize that the word “youth” refers to the “beginnings”, while the Lord may not be in the beginning of His days (being from everlasting), He is still in His first state. The quality and nature of the Lord has never progressed. He is still in His earlier state (in His youthful state).

In time, in days, in years, the Lord is not young, but in His quality, including His appearance, power, and mind, He is still in His first state, because He has never changed. He is still in the state He has always been in. In His nature, He is still at square one, having never progressed from there. In this sense, the Lord is young, very young!

So, to sum it up, even if you haven’t understood everything, understand this: The Lord is not young in days, but He is young in quality. He has progressed in days, but He has never progressed in His nature. 

As for the world, it grows old. Not just a growing old in time (which even the Lord does), but in quality also. Hebrews 1 described the “growing old” process of this present world as “changing.” That’s talking about the world growing old in nature. This world changes constantly and does not stay in its earlier state. It progresses and is bound to corruption itself, but the Lord does not change. He is the same. Despite years passing, He stays in His first state. He stays in His young condition.

And what does this say about you, if as He is, so are we in this world?

1 John 4:17 (NKJV) because as He is, so are we in this world.

It’s not that as He is, so will you be in heaven, or as He is, so will we be when Jesus comes back. As He is, so are we in this present world. That means that right now, you are young like Jesus. Before you see any change, you are young like Jesus. Currently, in your spirit, you have the Lord’s youth. You have the nature that is always as it was before, the nature that has never changed or progressed or corrupted. You have the nature that is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This is a gift to you from Jesus, because of the terrible changes He underwent for you at the cross. 

As you recognize these things, all of it seeps into your body as well (Romans 8:11), so that your body is renewed in youth, in appearance, power, and wisdom! If you stop thinking like the world, and start thinking in accordance with the youth you have already been created in, your body will surely begin to experience it. But before any of that is seen, this is a firm fact… As young as He is, so are you in this world! 

God doesn’t want to make you young in years. He’s not young in years Himself. He’s ancient in days. God wants to manifest the youngness of His nature, which stays the same no matter how long it’s been around. This incorruptible youngness, which stays the same through the days, the years, the generations, and the ages, is the youngness we have from Him. 

Thank you, Jesus, for making us young like you! Now, we will begin thinking like it.

Psalms 103:2-5 (NKJV) Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

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