When Romans 1:20 says, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, …”
Well, a person can read this verse one of two ways.
Interpretation #1. (Time Based Interpretation):
In this interpretation, a person would interpret the words “from the creation of the world” as being based on time whereby the invisible things that are seen are from the beginning of time at the creation of the world in Genesis 1.
Interpretation #2. (Creation-Based Interpretation):
In this interpretation, a person would interpret the word “from the creation of the world” as referring to invisible things from (out of) the creation of the world.
Webster’s does define “from” as “out of” (
Source).
Meaning, I could say, “For the invisible costume on him
from (
out of) the creation of technology used in world war 2 is clearly seen by those who have the right special goggles.”
So while the suit or costume is based on technology from World War 2, it does not mean that the costume came from that time exactly.
Anyway, to capture the idea of Romans 1:20:
Imagine walking through a grand cathedral or looking at a beautifully crafted painting. Even though you cannot see the artist or architect who created it, you can understand certain things about them by observing their work. The design of the cathedral might show their intelligence, attention to detail, and creativity. The painting might reveal their ability to capture beauty and express emotion.
Similarly, in the second interpretation of Romans 1:20, although we cannot physically see God, we can understand aspects of His nature—His power, creativity, and divine order—by observing the world He created. The intricate design of nature, from the stars in the sky to the complexity of living organisms, "testifies" to the invisible qualities of God. Just as the work of an artist reflects the artist's skill and vision, creation reflects the attributes of God, making them visible to us.
In this way, nature serves as a canvas that reveals the "invisible things" of God, much like art reveals the characteristics of the artist behind it.
….