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a creature, who for that very reason cannot be the end of creation. The temporal finds its end
in the eternal, the human in the divine, and not vice versa. (3) The theory does not fit the facts.
It is impossible to subordinate all that is found in creation to this end, and to explain all in
relation to human happiness. This is perfectly evident from a consideration of all the sufferings
that are found in the world.
b. The declarative glory of God.
The Church of Jesus Christ found the true end of creation, not
in anything outside of God, but in God Himself, more particularly in the external manifestation
of His inherent excellency. This does not mean that God’s receiving glory from others is the final
end. The receiving of glory through the praises of His moral creatures, is an end included in the
supreme end, but is not itself that end. God did not create first of all to receive glory, but to
make His glory extant and manifest. The glorious perfections of God are manifested in His
entire creation; and this manifestation is not intended as an empty show, a mere exhibition to
be admired by the creatures, but also aims at promoting their welfare and perfect happiness.
Moreover, it seeks to attune their hearts to the praises of the Creator, and to elicit from their
souls the expression of their gratefulness and love and adoration. The supreme end of God in
creation, the manifestation of His glory, therefore, includes, as subordinate ends, the happiness
and salvation of His creatures, and the reception of praise from grateful and adoring hearts.
This doctrine is supported by the following considerations: (1) It is based on the testimony of
Scripture, Isa. 43:7; 60:21; 61:3; Ezek. 36:21,22; 39:7; Luke 2:14; Rom. 9:17; 11:36; I Cor. 15:28;
Eph. 1:5,6,9,12,14; 3:9,10; Col. 1:16. (2) The infinite God would hardly choose any but the
highest end in creation, and this end could only be found in Himself. If whole nations, as
compared with Him, are but as a drop in a bucket and as the small dust of the balance, then,
surely, His declarative glory is intrinsically of far greater value than the good of His creatures,
Isa. 40:15,16. (3) The glory of God is the only end that is consistent with His independence and
sovereignty. Everyone is dependent on whomsoever or whatsoever he makes his ultimate end.
If God chooses anything in the creature as His final end, this would make Him dependent on the
creature to that extent. (4) No other end would be sufficiently comprehensive to be the true
end of all God’s ways and works in creation. It has the advantage of comprising, in
subordination, several other ends. (5) It is the only end that is actually and perfectly attained in
the universe. We cannot imagine that a wise and omnipotent God would choose an end
destined to fail wholly or in part, Job 23:13. Yet many of His creatures never attain to perfect
happiness.
c. Objections to the doctrine that the glory of God is the end of creation.
The following are the
most important of these: (1) It makes the scheme of the universe a selfish scheme. But we
should distinguish between selfishness and reasonable self-regard or self-love. The former is an
undue or exclusive care for one’s own comfort or pleasure, regardless of the happiness or rights