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(John 1:1-3 KJV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} The same was in the beginning with God. {3} All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." There are some important facts to consider when reading and studying a portion of the written Word. One first needs to determine if the literal meaning is intended, and if not there could be a figurative one. For in written prophecies the LORD God has made known the future. In some parables, mainly Jesus', I find naratives to be understood by those spoken to -- often giving moral lessons and at times prophetic. The creation account is neither a prophecy nor a parable. The evenings and mornings of the seven days are literal 24-hour days, not eons as the Day-Age Theory might imply. And then too the LORD God did not create the heavens and earth long before (Isa 45:18) He made (Job 33:4) the first humans (Gen 1:26-27), Adam and Eve (Mark 10:6), as the Gap Theory might suggest differently. (Isa 45:18 KJV) For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. The earth will be inhabited as we see it until the LORD makes it empty and waste and scatters its inhabitants (Isa 24:1 2) in the day of His fierce anger. When Jesus' comes again, God prepares the earth for His ruling kingdom (1 Cor 15:23-28 3). As for earth's first humans at creation, Jesus said, "..., God made them male and female" (Mark 10:6 KJV). Referring back to the Genesis account during the six days of creation when God created the heavens and the earth, he made the first man and woman. He didn't create man and the rest of creation separately and eons apart from each other. Another scripture to help establish that truth is found in Exodus 20:11 where it says, "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it" (Exo 20:11 KJV). Again, that proves God did it all in six literal 24-hour days. The Word, Water and Spirit Factors Let us look at the written Word and travel through it in a way you may not have done before to find some truths. And to prove my points (this will not be a long drawn-out thesis) I'll continue to give scriptures and references, letting them show the truth. In the beginnings of the creation of the heavens, the earth (Isa 45:5-12) and (man) Adam (Gen 1:26-27 4), our physical and new births (born again), and the Deluge, all have the Word, water and spirit (Psa 104:30) as factors. The Creation of the Earth First of all, the LORD commanded and the heavens were created (Psa 148:1-5); God said (Gen 1:3 5), by the Word (the seed was planted, it germinated and was ready to bring forth) of the LORD God (Psa 33:6 6) the heavens and earth were created and made. (Gen 1:1-2 KJV) "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. {2} And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep...." Genesis 1:1 summarizes for us what God did in the beginning, and then the more detail of His creation is given in the next passages (As you read you will learn that there is no big time gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2). The earth was prepared to come forth out of the water like a child coming out of the mother's womb. I only say that to show a rational illustration, because some of the similarities happening at child birth are there. This is not to insinuate that the earth is alive, a living organism or a living soul, for it neither breathes like humans nor was it breathed into with the breath of life (Gen 2:7). "...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light...and God divided the light from the darkness...And the evening and the morning were the first day...And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament..." (the water broke). "And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear..." (the birth of our earth). "...And the evening and the morning were the third day." (Gen 1:2-10 KJV) "...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. {3} And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. {4} And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. {5} And God called the light day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. [6] And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. {7} And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. {8} And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. {9} And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. {10} And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." (2 Pet 3:5 KJV) "For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:" The Word, water (2 Pet 3:5) and spirit (Gen 1:2) are factors in the creation of the heaven and earth. Preparations for animal and human life were being made in the heavens and on the earth. We will look past some of the creation detail and go right to the sixth day. On the sixth day God created and made land creatures (Gen 1:24-25) and man. The Making of Adam God spoke again and man was created. Again the written Word summarizes what He did. (Gen 1:26-27, 31 KJV) "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. {27} So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. {31} And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." Then the Word gives more detail on how the LORD God did it in chapter two. For you will find there is no big time gap just as there is not one between Genisis 1:1 and 1:2. More detail is given in Genesis 2:7 how He formed man (Adam), and the detail in Genesis 2:21-22 is given how He made Eve. Just because there are breaks in detail does not mean a big time elapsed. God made both Adam and Eve on the sixth day. After the LORD God formed Adam from the dust of the same earth that came out of the water, God breathed the breath (spirit) of life into Adam's nostrils and he became a living soul. The Word, water and spirit are factors in the first man Adam (1 Cor 15:45). (Gen 2:7 KJV) "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Job 33:4 KJV) "The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." Possibly similar to the way Jesus made clay of the spittle and anointed the eyes of a blind man (John 9:1-7) did the LORD God form man (Isa 45:9). (Job 10:9 KJV 7) "Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?" The Deluge Better than 1600 years later after the earth and man became corrupt (Gen 6:5-13), the LORD God caused it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights (Gen 7:4), and brought a flood of waters on the earth and destroyed all flesh, wherein is the breath of life (Gen 6:17), except for eight souls (1 Pet 3:20 8); and later made a wind (spirit) to pass over the earth and the waters asswaged. The Word, water (2 Pet 3:5-6) and spirit (Gen 8:1) are factors in the revived earth. (Gen 6:17 KJV) "And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die." (2 Pet 3:6 KJV) "Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:" (Gen 8:1 KJV) "And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;" (1 Pet 3:20 KJV 8) "Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water." The Birth of Humans Considering our physical birth -- the command (word) had already been given to be fruitful, multiply and replenish (fill) the earth. (Gen 1:28 KJV) "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." When in our mother's womb, we are in amniotic sac and fluid (water). After the water breaks and out of the womb, we have to breathe (spirit) to be able to live in this mundane world. The Born Again Experience The Word, water and spirit are not only factors in the natural birth but also the spiritual. Consider our new spiritual birth before we can enter into God's kingdom. We first receive the Word. (John 1:12-14 KJV) "But as many as received him, 9 to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. {14} And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." During Jesus' ministry, He had power to rebuke the winds (Mat 8:23-27) and calm (Mark 6:47-51) the storms (Mark 4:36-41), raise the dead (John 11:1-6, 11-44), heal people (Mat 8:5-15), cast out devils (Mat 8:16-17) and more with His word. He could just speak and it was so (Gen 1:6-7 10). One can see how powerful the Word and His words are. We have a chance to receive the Word of God (John 1:12-14), the Holy Ghost (Spirit) and His power (Acts 1:8), be born again (John 3:3-8), and be made a new creature in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). To be "born of God"...one has to be born again of water and of the Spirit for the new birth to occur. (John 3:3-7 KJV) "Jesus answered and said unto him (Nicodemus), Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. {4} Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? {5} Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. {6} That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. {7} Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. " The Word, water and spirit are factors in all the previous cases and the beginnings of each. If you see my point, you will understand that the heavens and earth had a beginning and humans had a beginning. The inanimate creation did not exist for long periods of time (eons) apart from humans. And again, if you did not see it at first, I give you what Jesus said, "..., God made them male and female" (Mark 10:6 KJV). In just a short six day period, the LORD God created and formed everything (Rom 1:20), visible and invisible (Col 1:15-17), around six thousand years ago. New beginnings...adding the fire factor For the heavens, the earth and the born again Christian, there are new beginnings. Right now there are changes (2 Cor 3:18), not evolutionary, occurring in each Christian; and when Christ comes again, a new change will begin to occur in the heavens and on earth. To bring about these changes, we need to consider another factor and that is fire. This is not a discussion of the Big Bang. Purging Our Life In our lives fire can represent the purging (fiery trials, 1 Pet 4:12-13) that occurs as long as we walk in this flesh and on this old unchanged earth. When we come to Christ, we are baptized with water, but Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16-17). (Luke 3:16-17 KJV) "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: {17} Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable." We become new creatures in Christ, old things pass away and all things become new (2 Cor 5:17), and then one day all things new will be completely fulfilled. When Jesus comes the second time (Hebrews 9:28), the Christian's change will be complete (Phil 3:20-21; Job 14:14), and this is when mighty changes will begin to occur in His creation, the heavens and on the earth. (Zep 2:1-2 KJV) "Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; {2} Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you." (Isa 34:4 KJV) "And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree." (Rev 6:13-14 KJV) "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. {14} And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places." 11 Ridding the Earth of Rebels And when Jesus reigns on this earth for a thousand years, changes will continue, and one will be in the education of man. Man is not going to learn war anymore (Isa 2:2-5). It is going to be a time of true peace (Isa 9:6-7). Every man who is not of the Kingdom will have a chance to be changed or be separated like a rebellious goat from the sheep that belong to God. (Mat 25:31-32 KJV) "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: {32} And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:" And then be cast into the lake of fire at the end of the thousand years. (Rev 21:8 KJV) "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Purging the Heavens and Earth This old order is going to be purged with fire (2 Peter 3:7, 10-12) and completely done away with (Isa 51:6 12) and changed (Heb 1:10-12). Note: Because of the enormous size -- a fifteen hundred mile cube (Rev 21:16), beautiful New Jerusalem, like a satelite over old Jerusalem giving light (Rev 21:10-22:5) -- it is going to cover part of the Mediterranean Sea. In the new heaven and earth there will be no sea (Rev 21:1). 12,000 furlongs x 220 yards (one furlong) = 2,640,000 yards ÷ 1,760 yards (one mile) = 1,500 miles. The earth is going to go through the fire on the day of the Lord. In prophecy a day can be different compared to one of the literal 24-hour days in the creation account. The day of the Lord in 2 Peter 3:8 could mean a thousand years or more -- from the second advent until the time of the new heaven and earth (Isa 65:17 13). (2 Peter 3:8 KJV) "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (Psa 90:4 KJV) "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." (2 Pet 3:10-13 KJV) "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief 14 in the night; 15 in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. {11} Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, {12} Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? {13} Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." New Heaven and Earth There is going to be a new heaven and earth. 16 (Rev 21:1 KJV) "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." (2 Pet 3:7 KJV) "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." I hope you see the purpose of why I stay in scripture to make my points. The heavens and the earth have a beginning and all life has a beginning. They all started during that same short six-day period of creation. The Change We long for (Romans 8:16-23 KJV) "... {22} For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together... {23} ...and we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." It is not by evolution or by reincarnation that we exist. We are not made by some form of evolutionary change, neither the heavens, the earth nor the human race. If you believe the creation account as being true, then do not attempt to add to (Prov 30:6 17) nor defile the Word of God with the erroneous Gap and Day-Age theories when your off on a tangent studying, teaching and away from the Word, bringing into your thinking, and feeding your ego and others with some sort of evolutionary thought from hell. The Bible and prayer have been thrown out of school, and the scoffers are teaching evolution in their place. Evolution, as Kent Hovind said, is a state religion. When animal and space educational shows are shown on PBS evolution is squeezed in as being fact. There is no fact or historical proof for the scoffers theories. (2 Tim 4:3-4 KJV) "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; {4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Pet 3:3-4 KJV) "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, {4} And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." What will believers of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture say after the Great Tribulation in upon us and the scoffers are saying, "Where is the promise of his coming?" (2 Pet 3:3-4 KJV). Will they fall away (2 Thes 2:3)? References:
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