What was God doing before He created the universe?

Answer

Our finite minds find it challenging to comprehend that before the universe was created, God existed alone. We learn from John 1:1 that Jesus also existed: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The preincarnate Christ was closely united with the Father, sharing His glory and rightfully called God. He Himself clarified this in John 17:5: “And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began.”

We also understand that the Holy Spirit was present before our creation. Genesis 1:2 depicts the Spirit “hovering over the face” of the dark and formless earth. Thus, even before time existed, God existed in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity existed in perfect harmony and perfection, finding all they required in one another. As David expressed in Psalms 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” This indicates that being in God’s presence brings overwhelming joy, satisfaction, and pleasure. Before creation, God experienced complete joy and satisfaction as He perfectly beheld and communed with Himself. God has always and will always experience complete joy because He has full and perfect knowledge of Himself.

Therefore, before creating the universe, God found absolute satisfaction in Himself. God joyfully dwelled alone in eternity as the Trinity. These three were in fellowship with one another from all eternity. They loved one another. We know that at some point they deliberated on the redemption of mankind (Ephesians 1:4-5;2 Timothy 1:9;John 17:24), but everything else remains a mystery.