“Dark Energy”
An amazing discovery of nine years ago is destined
to change how we look at our universe
—Charles P. Schmitt

I was recently intrigued by a short article in the Parade section of the Washington Post (5/27/07) entitled, “The Secrets of Dark Energy,” written by astrophysicist and Yale professor Meg Urry. The discovery of “Dark Energy” only goes back to 1998 when scientists suddenly realized that “Dark Energy makes up two thirds of our universe—and we don’t know what it is!” The article explains that this energy is called “dark because we don’t directly see it. ‘Dark’ is the code for ‘we have absolutely no clue what it is!’”

The article reads, “Scientists have long recognized that the universe has been growing larger since its origin 13.7 billion years ago in an extremely rapid expansion called the ‘Big Bang.’” [Note: Many scientists who are Christians believe the “Big Bang” to be the awesome act of creation described in Genesis 1:1.] The Post article continues: “We assumed that this expansion should be slowing down due to the pull of gravity. In 1998, however, two teams of astrophysicists discovered that the expansion is actually speeding up. They observed a mysterious form of ‘energy’ that opposes gravity and is causing the galaxies throughout the universe to move faster and faster.” The article further speaks of this as “the presence of an unexpected force of some kind” and “the presence of a previously unknown entity in the universe.”

As a Bible teacher, it is my joy to fill in these blanks—and His Name is Jesus!

A number of years ago when I was in school, the debate was over whether the universe was expanding or contracting. Since then scientists have concluded that the universe is expanding. But back then I argued on Biblical grounds that the universe is expanding—expanding to accommodate the increase of the government and of the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, for Isaiah 9:6-7 declares of Jesus, our “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” that “of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” To me that necessitated an ever-expanding universe, to accommodate Jesus’ ever-increasing government and endless peace!

Colossians 1:15-17 makes some awesome statements about Jesus: “the Firstborn [Heir] over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible [things like “Dark Energy”] … all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together [cohere].” In His hands is that mysterious force scientists are now talking about!

What astrophysicists call “unseen” energy is simply the creative energy of our Lord Jesus Christ! What scientists refer to as “an unexpected force,” “a previously unknown entity,” is nothing other than the sovereign power of our Sovereign Lord! Hebrews 1:3 tells us that our Lord Jesus “sustains all things by His powerful word!” In order to facilitate the expansion of His Sovereign Government and the increase of His Reconciling Peace (Colossians 1:20), our Lord Jesus (in the words of the Washington Post) provides that “mysterious form of ‘energy’ that opposes gravity and is causing the galaxies throughout the universe to move faster and faster,” thus expanding the universe.

Paul speaks of the Father’s grand purpose in all of this, that in the fullness of times He might “bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ” (Ephesians 1:10).

J. B. Phillips so beautifully translates the next two verses (1:11, 12) in this way: “And here is the staggering thing—that in all which will one day belong to Him we have been promised a share, since we were long ago destined for this by the One who achieves His purposes by His sovereign will, so that we … may bring praise to His glory!” So, what scientists are uncovering in these days is simply something more of Jesus’ creative power and more of our vast inheritance in Christ Jesus our Lord! What a joy to belong to Him and to share with Him in His ever-increasing government over the whole universe! Amen!

June 2007

—Charles P. Schmitt

—To read other articles from Pastor Charles take a look at, Confessing Daily God's Promises, Left Behind, Two Different World Leaders--Jesus and Mohamed, Believing for Ted Haggard, That "Horrible Doctrine", “Is the Body of Christ a Melting Pot or a Tossed Salad?” , “Why are our Nations’ Flags in the Rotunda (and not in the Sanctuary)?” , A Distortion of Biblical Prosperity and Two Different Leaders-Muhamad & Our Lord Jesus Christ. Please check for them on this website.