Chicken or the Egg?

by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2013, all rights reserved.

Chapter 1

It's been a question I've heard since I was a boy, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"

We get eggs from chickens, but we get chickens from eggs.  Which came first?

What about dogs?  We get puppies from adult dogs, but adult dogs grow from puppies.  Which came first?

What about humans?  The first man was Adam.  Did Adam start out as a baby that grew into an adult, or did Adam start out an adult who later fathered children?

But if Adam had started out as a little newborn baby, those little people don't know how to feed themselves.  And it takes time for them to learn to crawl.  And with no nourishment, the little baby would have died.

If the chicken had started out as an egg, it would not have hatched.  For eggs to hatch, the mother hen sits on them to keep them warm.

Of course, now we have incubators, but at the beginning of the world, the hen had to sit over the egg.

Little puppies can't do much for themselves until they've sucked milk from their mothers for a while, and grown stronger.

The answer is quite simple if you look at the right reference book, and that would be the Bible.

From Genesis chapter 2, verses

7 And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.

8 And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and he put the man whom he had formed there.

9 And out of the ground, the Lord God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, the tree of life also in the middle of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Adam's food was the fruit of trees.  But little babies can't reach up and pluck fruit from trees, and they don't yet have teeth for chewing.  Little babies start off with milk, and where would the milk have come from?

God did create cows, but a cow doesn't give milk until it has given birth to a calf.  The baby Adam would have died waiting for the milk.

Genesis chapter 2, verses

18 And the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone, I'll make him a helper appropriate for him."

19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was the name of it.

20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper right for him.

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept, and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead of it,

22 And the rib, that the Lord God had taken from man, he made into a woman, and brought her to the man.

23 And Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of Man."

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall stick with his wife, and they'll be one flesh.

But Adam couldn't have named all the animals and birds and fish if he had just been a little baby.  First you have to learn to talk.

If Adam had just been a baby, he wouldn't have been ready for a wife for probably a decade and a half.

No, God created Adam as an adult man who was able to understand when God told about the fruit, and which fruit must not be eaten.

Look at Genesis 1:11,12

And God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the plant yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth," and it was so.

And the earth brought forth grass, and plant yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after its kind, and God saw that it was good.

The seed was in the thing that God created.  God didn't first create seeds that grew into something.  God created the plant that had the seed inside the plant.

In the case of chickens, the egg is the fertilized seed, but first there were male and female chickens that produced fertilized eggs.

The chicken came before the egg.

God created an adult Adam, and then an adult Eve, and the couple produced little babies.

But a lot of people have questions that seem difficult to answer that wouldn't be so difficult if they would read the Bible.

We see right there in the Garden of Eden where sin originated.  The first sin was the eating of the fruit that God said not to eat.

So God put Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden.

The first murder was Cain killing his brother Abel.  And why did Cain do that?  Because Abel's sacrifice was acceptable to God, but Cain's was not.  So Cain hated Abel, and killed him.

Genesis is the book of beginnings in the Bible.

Genesis is where Abram pleased God by believing God's promise that Abram's descendants would be as numerous as the sand of the sea.  And God changed Abram's name to Abraham.  Abraham was a friend of God.

Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, got his name changed by God to Israel.

Then you have your Joseph in Egypt who interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and got promoted to second in command of Egypt.

Much of world history is wrapped around the history of Israel because of God's covenant with Abraham.

We are seeing conflict in the Middle East on a regular basis.  The war in Kuwait.  The war we fought in Iraq.  The Afghanistan war.  Civil war in Syria.  Iran moving toward nuclear weapons.  Israel trying to stay alive.

The Middle East problems began very long ago in the Old Testament part of the Bible.  To have a good understanding of the present conflicts it is best to go back and read the history of them in the Bible.

If Iran does get nuclear weapons, we could soon have World War 3, with widespread destruction.

Chapter 2

If we don't know history, we are likely to repeat the many mistakes that have been made.  A knowledge of history will help us avoid some very serious mistakes.

After World War 1, the allies were quite tough on Germany.  Then pretty soon, Germany came roaring back under Hitler causing great destruction.

So, after World War 2, we instead helped rebuild Germany with the Marshall Plan.  And we helped rebuild Japan.

Through Moses, God gave laws about what to do for sin.  They sacrificed animals for the sins of the people.  God accepted the animal sacrifices.  "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin." (Lev 17:11)

But the sacrificing of animals is an Old Testament thing.  In the New Testament, Christians don't sacrifice animals.

But what about that principle in Lev 17:11, "Without the shedding of blood there's no remission of sin"?  This principle still holds.

But now, instead of the blood of animals, we have the blood of Jesus, the ultimate, once and for all sacrifice for the sins of the world.

So that's why animal sacrifice is no longer needed.  Unfortunately for the Jews, they mostly are not aware that Jesus is their prophesied Messiah (savior).

So I guess they'll have to continue with animal sacrifices.

Having rejected Jesus as Messiah, a counterfeit Messiah will come along, called the Antichrist, and the Beast. (Book of Daniel, and Book of Revelation)

He'll make a pact with the Jews, but after a while they'll see that he's not their Messiah.

The Antichrist will rule the world during a period of time called "The Great Tribulation," spoken of by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24.

But though Jesus paid for the sins of the world, it doesn't count unless a person accepts the free offer of salvation from God.

You pray a simple prayer asking Jesus to be your savior.  You confess Jesus with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. (Romans 10:9,10)

Jesus said in John 6:37 "Everyone that the Father (God) gives me shall come to me, and him that comes to me I will in no way throw out."  Jesus won't say no when you ask him to be your savior.  Though he's in heaven, he will hear your prayer to him.

But Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do the things I say?" (Luke 6:46)  But how can we do what Jesus said until we know what those things are?

So Christians must read the Bible and do what Jesus said.  But in recent years, I don't so much read the Bible as listen to it being read on compact disks.  You can do it either way.

People who have vision problems can ask someone to read the Bible to them.

After becoming a Christian, the Lord wants you to be baptized in water.  I got that at an Assembly of God church.

Jesus also wants his people to be baptized with the Holy Ghost, with the speaking in unknown tongues (languages).

In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, John the Baptist tells us that Jesus is the baptizer with the Holy Ghost.  So, if you're a Christian, ask Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

The way that you'll know you've received it is you'll pray in a language you never learned.  The Holy Ghost gives you words to speak in a strange language that you don't understand, and then you add your voice and speak those words out.

Scriptures quoted are from the Holy Bible, Hoehn Version and the New Testament, Hoehn Version, copyright 2011, both available as ebooks for the Kindle readers from Amazon.com.

The Lord bless you.  Frederick Hoehn

www.FredHoehnMinistries.com

___1 Peter chapter 1

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

2 Elect according to the knowing ahead-of-time by God the Father, through making holy by the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, grace to you, and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has fathered us again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that doesn't fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the end times.

6 In which you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if necessary, you're in heaviness through many temptations,

7 So that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it's tested by fire, will be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ,

8 Whom having not seen, you love, in whom, though now you don't see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,

9 Receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 About which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied about the grace that would come to you,

11 Searching what, or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ that was in them meant, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that would follow.

12 To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they ministered the things that are now reported to you by those who've preached the gospel to you, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which things the angels desire to look into.

13 So, strengthen your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

14 Like obedient children, not building yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance,

15 But like he that has called you is holy, so you be holy in every aspect of living,

16 Because it is written, "You be holy, for I am holy."

17 And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your temporary residence here in fear,

18 Since you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your wrong lifestyle, received by tradition from your fathers,

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,

20 Who truly was preordained before the foundation of the world, but was made clearly visible in these last times for you,

21 Who by him, believe in God, who raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope would be in God.

22 Since you've purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unpretended love of the brothers, make sure you love each other with a pure heart fervently,

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, that lives and remains forever.

24 For all flesh is like grass, and all the glory of man like the flower of grass.  The grass withers, and the flower of it falls away,

25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.  And this is the word that by the gospel is preached to you.

___1 Peter chapter 2

1 So, laying aside all hatred, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envying, and all evil speaking,

2 Like newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word, so you'll grow by it,

3 If you've tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4 To whom coming, like to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, and precious,

5 You also, like living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

6 Also it is contained in the scripture, "See, I lay in Zion a main cornerstone, elect, precious, and he that believes on him won't be put to shame."

7 To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but to those who are disobedient, the stone that the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone,

8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to those who stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, so that you will show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,

10 Who previously were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I ask you please, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul,

12 Having your lifestyle honest among the Gentiles, so that, while they speak against you as evildoers, they will, by your good works that they'll see, glorify God on the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it's to the king, as supreme,

14 Or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of those who do well.

15 For this is the will of God, that with well-doing you'll put to silence the ignorance of foolish men,

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of hatred, but as the servants of God.

17 Honor all men.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God.  Honor the king.

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the difficult.

19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 For what glory is it if when you're chided for your faults, you take it patiently?  But if when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21 For even to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps,

22 Who did no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth,

23 Who, when he was reproached, didn't reproach back, when he suffered, he didn't threaten, but committed himself to him that judges righteously,

24 Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, so that we, being dead to sins, would live to righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed.

25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

___1 Peter chapter 3

1 Likewise you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that, if any doesn't obey the word, they also without the word will be won by the lifestyle of the wives,

2 While they see your pure living coupled with fear.

3 Let your adorning not be the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of wearing fancy clothes,

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is of great price in the sight of God.

5 For that's how the holy women did also in old times, who trusted in God, adorning themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands,

6 Like Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7 Likewise you husbands, live with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, so your prayers won't be hindered.

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion on each other, love like brothers, be pitiful, be courteous,

9 Not returning evil for evil, or railing for railing, but to the contrary blessing, knowing that you are called to that, so that you'll inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips so they speak no deceit,

11 Let him hate evil, and do good, let him seek peace, and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

13 And who is he that will harm you, if you're followers of what is good?

14 But if you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you, and don't be afraid of their terror, nor be troubled,

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks you for a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear,

16 Having a good conscience, so that, although they speak evil about you, like about evildoers, they will be ashamed that falsely accuse your good lifestyle in Christ.

17 For it is better, if it's the will of God, that you suffer for well-doing, than for evil doing.

18 For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, so that he would bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit,

19 By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison,

20 Who once were disobedient, when previously the patience of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 The similar figure to which baptism also now saves us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 Who has gone into heaven, and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

___1 Peter chapter 4

1 Since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he that has suffered in the flesh has stopped sinning,

2 So that he no longer would live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3 For what's in the past of our lives should be enough in doing the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, riotous living, excessive eating, and filthy idolatries,

4 In which they think it strange that you don't run with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil about you,

5 Who'll give account to him that is ready to judge the alive and the dead.

6 That's why the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, so that they'd be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is near, therefore be sober, and stay awake for prayer.

8 And above all things have fervent love among yourselves, for love shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality toward each other without grudging.

10 As every man has received the gift, minister the same to each other, as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.

11 If any man speaks, let him speak like the oracles of God, if any man ministers, let him do it as of the ability that God gives, so that God, in all things, will be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and always.  Amen.

12 Beloved, don't think it strange concerning the fiery trial that is to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you,

13 But rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, so that, when his glory shall be revealed, you'll be glad also with great joy.

14 If you're reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  On their part he is spoken evil about, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16 Yet if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of this.

17 For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God, and if it first begins at us, what shall be the end of those who don't obey the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous just barely get saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 So let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator.

___1 Peter chapter 5

1 I exhort the elders who are among you.  I'm also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed,

2 Feed the flock of God that is among you, taking the oversight of it, not because you must, but willingly, not for filthy bribes, but with a ready mind,

3 Nor as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you'll receive a crown of glory that doesn't fade away.

5 Likewise you younger, submit yourselves to the elder.  Yes, all of you be subject to each other, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so he'll lift you up in due time,

7 Casting all your care on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walks around, seeking whom he can devour,

9 Whom resist, steady in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you've suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion forever and always.  Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I've written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, greets you, and so does Marcus, my son.

14 Greet each other with a kiss of love.  Peace be with you all who are in Christ Jesus.  Amen.